Pipeline surf forecast
North Shore, Oahu
Pipeline is overhead but poor today. Nothing nearby is doing much better.
The nearest breaks today, best first
Worth knowing
Watch for shallow reef, heavy lip, localism, crowds.
Best from November to February.
Ehukai Beach Park on the Kamehameha Highway; parking fills before dawn.
Common questions
How big does Pipeline need to be?
A north-west swell of at least six feet Hawaiian with a long period; below that it is a softer, different wave. Above twelve feet the second and third reefs come alive.
Is Pipeline dangerous?
Yes - the most dangerous wave in the world for its size. It breaks metres from the beach over a shallow lava reef with caves in it, and injures or kills surfers most winters.
What is the difference between Pipeline and Backdoor?
The same peak. Pipeline is the left, breaking towards the beach park; Backdoor is the right off the same takeoff, shorter, shallower and no easier.
When is Pipeline season?
November to February, with December and January the most consistent. The Pipe Masters runs in December. Summer is flat.
Where can I watch Pipeline?
Ehukai Beach Park on the Kamehameha Highway - the wave breaks right in front of the sand. Parking fills before dawn on a contest day.