Rockpile
Rockpile sits between Log Cabins and Off The Wall, offering a mighty left that rolls 150 yards from deep water. Also known as Gap in the Road, it becomes a legitimate big wave spot at 10ft+ and is rarely as crowded as its famous neighbors.
Rockpile surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (305°)
- Direction range
- 290° - 320°
- Size range
- 1.8m - 4.6m
- Ideal size
- 3.1m - 3.9m
- Height multiplier
- 1.08×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ESE (120°)
- Offshore range
- 90° - 160°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
25°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Bottom
Reef
Max wave face
6m+
Board
Shortboard
Consistency
6/10
Difficulty
8/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: Beach access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Rockpile?
Rockpile is a reef break in North Shore, Oahu, USA, that mostly breaks left over a reef bottom. On its biggest days it can hold faces of around 6m. A shortboard is the usual call.
What swell works best at Rockpile?
Rockpile picks up swell from the WNW round to the NW, 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 16s 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 Rockpile?
An ESE wind is dead offshore at Rockpile, 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 Rockpile?
Rockpile is at its best around mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Rockpile?
The most reliable run of swell at Rockpile comes Nov to Feb. There's a second window in Mar and Oct too. Nov-Feb. Between Log Cabins and OTW. Big wave spot at 10ft+.
How cold is the water at Rockpile?
The water at Rockpile 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 Rockpile good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 8/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. Expect a moderate crowd (4/10) when it's on. Mighty left that rolls 150 yards from deep water. Also known as Gap in the Road.
How do I get to Rockpile?
The nearest airport on our list is HNL, then it's roughly a 55-minute drive. Beach access.
What other surf spots are near Rockpile?
The closest breaks we track are Pipeline (0.1 km), Backdoor (0.1 km) and Log Cabins (0.2 km), handy when Rockpile isn't working. We track 23 spots around North Shore, Oahu in total.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Secondary: Oct, Mar
Nov-Feb. Between Log Cabins and OTW. Big wave spot at 10ft+.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Pipeline
🏆 The proving ground • Among the heaviest barrels on Earth • Experts only
Backdoor
🔥 Pipeline's evil twin • Right-hand deathpit • NNW swell specialist
Log Cabins
🪵 Heavier than Pipe • N swell magnet • Life-changing barrels
Off The Wall
💪 Pipeline's neighbor • Powerful rights • Regular footer's dream
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 Rockpile
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