Outer Log Cabins
Outer Log Cabins is the North Shore's extreme outer reef that refracts long-period WNW swell toward Pipeline. Breaking on only the biggest swells, it reforms into Pipe on the inside. An 85-foot wave was ridden here in 1998.
Today's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to HNL, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when Hawaii is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in Hawaii — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
Get the full Outer Log Cabins trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (307°)
- Direction range
- 295° - 320°
- Size range
- 4.6m - 7.6m
- Ideal size
- 6.3m
- Height multiplier
- 1.08×
- Ideal period
- 18s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SE (135°)
- Offshore range
- 90° - 180°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
Water temp
25°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Bottom
Reef
Max wave face
15m+
Board
Gun / Step-up
Consistency
2/10
Difficulty
10/10
Crowd level
2/10
👥 Summer Break (Jun 15 – Aug 25) — expect extra crowds
Access: Tow-in only. Deep water outer reef.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Outer Log Cabins?
Outer Log Cabins handles all stages of the tide, so time your session around the wind instead. The live chart above shows the next few days.
What wind direction is offshore at Outer Log Cabins?
Offshore wind at Outer Log Cabins blows from the SE (135°). Anything in the 90° to 180° range grooms the faces; outside it, expect chop or bumpy conditions.
What swell size and direction work best at Outer Log Cabins?
Outer Log Cabins wants NW swell (295° to 320°) between 4.6m and 7.6m, with a period of 18s or more for quality waves.
When is the best time of year to surf Outer Log Cabins?
The main season at Outer Log Cabins is Dec, Jan, Feb. A secondary window runs Nov. Dec-Feb. Deep water outer reef. Breaks on biggest swells, reforming into Pipe.
How do I get to Outer Log Cabins?
Fly into HNL, then allow about 55 minutes by road, plus a boat transfer (around $150 USD). Tow-in only. Deep water outer reef.
What kind of wave is Outer Log Cabins?
Outer Log Cabins is a big wave break, a peak with lefts and rights over a reef bottom. Difficulty is rated 10/10.
Best Season
Peak: Dec, Jan, Feb
Secondary: Nov
Dec-Feb. Deep water outer reef. Breaks on biggest swells, reforming into Pipe.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Log Cabins
🪵 Heavier than Pipe • N swell magnet • Life-changing barrels
Backdoor Outer Reef
🌊 Pipe's outer shelf • 2nd & 3rd reef • Reforms into Pipeline
Rockpile
🪨 Gap in the Road • 150-yard lefts • Uncrowded alternative
Pipeline
🏆 The proving ground • Heaviest barrels on Earth • Experts only
Backdoor
🔥 Pipeline's evil twin • Right-hand deathpit • NNW swell specialist
Off The Wall
💪 Pipeline's neighbor • Powerful rights • Regular footer's dream