Pipeline
Pipeline is the proving ground of professional surfing—a shallow, left-breaking barrel that has defined generations of surfers. The wave breaks close to the beach over a dangerously shallow lava reef, producing thick, hollow tubes that are as punishing as they are perfect. When NW swells hit during winter, Pipe delivers some of the heaviest barrels on Earth.
Pipeline surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (310°)
- Direction range
- 295° - 340°
- Size range
- 1.8m - 4.6m
- Ideal size
- 3.1m - 3.9m
- Height multiplier
- 1.03×
- Ideal period
- 18s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ESE (120°)
- Offshore range
- 90° - 160°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.2m
- Danger below
- 0.1m
Water temp
25°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Bottom
Reef
Max wave face
6m+
Board
Shortboard
Consistency
7/10
Difficulty
10/10
Crowd level
10/10
Access: Beach access at Ehukai Beach Park. Easy paddle out through channel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Pipeline?
Pipeline is a reef break in North Shore, Oahu, USA, that mostly breaks left over a reef bottom. It's on our list of the world's 100 best waves. It's also a renowned bodyboarding wave. On its biggest days it can hold faces of around 6m. It's one of the more consistent spots around (7/10). A shortboard is the usual call.
What's the story behind Pipeline?
Pipeline got its name in December 1961, when Mike Diffenderfer suggested it during a Bruce Brown filming session, inspired by an underground pipeline being built along the highway. Phil Edwards is credited as the first person to surf it, and in 2024 Molly Picklum became the first woman to score a perfect 10 there.
What swell works best at Pipeline?
Pipeline picks up swell from the WNW round to the NNW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NW. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 1.8m and handles up to about 4.6m, with the sweet spot around 3.1 to 3.9m. Period matters too: aim for 18s or longer, as anything under 12s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Pipeline?
An ESE wind is dead offshore at Pipeline, and anything from the E round to the SSE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Pipeline?
Pipeline is at its best around the low to mid tide, roughly 0.3m to 1.2m on the local chart. Below 0.1m it gets dangerously shallow.
When is the best time of year to surf Pipeline?
The most reliable run of swell at Pipeline comes Nov to Feb. There's a second window in Mar and Oct too. Nov-Feb peak. WNW-NW swells. Kona winds best.
How cold is the water at Pipeline?
The water at Pipeline averages around 25°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Pipeline good for beginners?
No. At 10/10 for difficulty, it's strictly for experts. It gets busy (crowd 10/10), so mind the pecking order. Extremely dangerous. Shallow 1st reef, deeper 2nd/3rd reef on bigger swells. Long hold-downs. Heavy localism.
How do I get to Pipeline?
The nearest airport on our list is HNL, then it's roughly a 55-minute drive. Beach access at Ehukai Beach Park. Easy paddle out through channel.
What other surf spots are near Pipeline?
The closest breaks we track are Backdoor (0.0 km), Rockpile (0.1 km) and Off The Wall (0.2 km), handy when Pipeline isn't working. We track 23 spots around North Shore, Oahu in total.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Secondary: Mar, Oct
Nov-Feb peak. WNW-NW swells. Kona winds best.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Backdoor
🔥 Pipeline's evil twin • Right-hand deathpit • NNW swell specialist
Rockpile
🪨 Gap in the Road • 150-yard lefts • Uncrowded alternative
Off The Wall
💪 Pipeline's neighbor • Powerful rights • Regular footer's dream
Log Cabins
🪵 Heavier than Pipe • N swell magnet • Life-changing barrels
Backdoor Outer Reef
🌊 Pipe's outer shelf • 2nd & 3rd reef • Reforms into Pipeline
Gas Chambers
💀 Detonating barrels • Extremely shallow • Helmet recommended
Plan a trip around Pipeline
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