Pipes
Pipes is the hollow beachbreak gem in the Miramar zone—a wave that lives up to its name with dredging barrels on both the rights and lefts. The rights wedge up from the takeoff zone and break over mostly sand bottom, while the peeling lefts break over reef and demand more respect. When conditions align, Pipes gets very hollow and fast, especially on falling mid-tide or incoming low. The wave sits just up the beach from Miramar Point, making it easy to move between breaks and maximize your session.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (220°)
- Direction range
- 195° - 260°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 2.0m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 15s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (80°)
- Offshore range
- 40° - 125°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.5m
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: Up the beach from Miramar Point. Walk or short drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Pipes?
Pipes works best on a low to mid tide, ideally between 0.3m and 1.5m on the local tide chart. The tide chart above shows today’s strike window.
What wind direction is offshore at Pipes?
Offshore wind at Pipes blows from the E (80°). Anything in the 40° to 125° range grooms the faces; outside it, expect chop or bumpy conditions.
What swell size and direction work best at Pipes?
Pipes wants SW swell (195° to 260°) between 0.8m and 2.5m, with a period of 15s or more for quality waves.
When is the best time of year to surf Pipes?
The main season at Pipes is Apr-Oct. A secondary window runs Mar, Nov. Best on falling mid-tide and incoming low. SW swell season.
How do I get to Pipes?
Fly into MGA, then allow about 100 minutes by road. Up the beach from Miramar Point. Walk or short drive.
What kind of wave is Pipes?
Pipes is a beach break, a peak with lefts and rights. Difficulty is rated 6/10.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Oct
Secondary: Mar, Nov
Best on falling mid-tide and incoming low. SW swell season.
Getting There
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