Arguably the most famous and dangerous wave on Earth, Pipeline breaks over a shallow, sharp reef on Oahu's North Shore, producing thick, hollow barrels that have earned it a reputation as one of surfing's deadliest breaks with multiple fatalities over the decades. It hosts the WSL's Pipe Masters, a season-ending Championship Tour event since the 1970s. Strictly for expert, experienced surfers due to the reef and heavy crowds. Best conditions come in winter (Nov-Feb) NW groundswells with offshore winds from the south-east.
🌡️ ~27.1°C now · boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed
Beginner: not suitable for this level
Intermediate: not suitable for this level
Advanced: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
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New spots, best-month tips and the local crews at Pipeline (Banzai Pipeline). Tag us in your clips and we'll share them.
Beginner: not suitable for this level
Intermediate: not suitable for this level
Advanced: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
All-time average wind & swell
Dashed line marks Pipeline (Banzai Pipeline)'s known offshore direction. Bright arrow is the all-time average swell direction, colored arrow is the all-time average wind direction at 15 km/h — hover or tap either arrow for exact values.
Monthly avg wave height (ft)
Monthly avg wind speed (km/h)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 25° | 24° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 26° | 26° | 27° | 27° | 27° | 26° | 26° |
Averages from 3 years of daily wave, wind and water temperature data — what a typical year looks like, not a forecast.
Waves average 8.2 ft (2.5 m), with offshore winds around 12 km/h from the SE. Water is ~25°C: boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 8.0 ft (2.4 m), with offshore winds around 16 km/h from the E. Water is ~24°C: boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 6.7 ft (2.0 m), with offshore winds around 16 km/h from the E. Water is ~25°C: boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed. Not one of the standout months for any level.
Waves average 6.0 ft (1.8 m), with offshore winds around 15 km/h from the E. Water is ~25°C: boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed. Not one of the standout months for any level.
Waves average 5.1 ft (1.5 m), with cross-offshore winds around 16 km/h from the E. Water is ~25°C: boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed. Not one of the standout months for any level.
Waves average 4.6 ft (1.4 m), with cross-offshore winds around 18 km/h from the E. Water is ~26°C: boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed. Not one of the standout months for any level.
Waves average 4.5 ft (1.4 m), with cross-offshore winds around 19 km/h from the E. Water is ~26°C: boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed. Not one of the standout months for any level.
Waves average 4.4 ft (1.4 m), with cross-offshore winds around 18 km/h from the E. Water is ~27°C: boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed. Not one of the standout months for any level.
Waves average 4.5 ft (1.4 m), with cross-offshore winds around 16 km/h from the E. Water is ~27°C: boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed. Not one of the standout months for any level.
Waves average 5.6 ft (1.7 m), with cross-offshore winds around 13 km/h from the E. Water is ~27°C: boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed. Not one of the standout months for any level.
Waves average 7.2 ft (2.2 m), with cross-offshore winds around 16 km/h from the E. Water is ~26°C: boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 7.8 ft (2.4 m), with offshore winds around 13 km/h from the E. Water is ~26°C: boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed. A best month for advanced surfers.
For advanced surfers: Nov–Feb. The biggest waves come in January, averaging 8.2 ft (2.5 m), and the smallest in August, at 4.4 ft (1.4 m).
It ranges from ~24°C in February to ~27°C in October, averaged over 3 years of daily readings.
Year-round (~24-27°C): boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed.
Not really: Pipeline (Banzai Pipeline) is best suited to advanced surfers.
The nearest airport is HNL, and the nearest town is Haleiwa, USA.
