Surf season

When to surf Banzai Pipeline

Oahu, USA

A hollow reef break.

Dec–Jan Best months When it is most consistent
8–9 ft Typical face Median day in season
83% Surfable days In season
HNL Nearest airport Where we price the trip from

Month by month

Median conditions per calendar month, from years of hindcast at this break. The bar is how good the month is relative to this spot's own best month, so a fickle beach break is measured against itself and not against Pipeline.

MonthRelative quality Typical faceSurfable days Season
Jan 9 ft 90% Peak
Feb 7 ft 59% Shoulder
Mar 6 ft 58% Shoulder
Apr 1 ft 38% Off season
May 1 ft 28% Off season
Jun 1 ft 9% Off season
Jul 1 ft 2% Off season
Aug 1 ft 10% Off season
Sep 1 ft 26% Off season
Oct 5 ft 69% Shoulder
Nov 6 ft 57% Shoulder
Dec 8 ft 76% Peak

What it is like

What makes it work
North Shore; winter NW; trade-wind offshore.
Sweet spot
8 ft faces
Tide
Best on a mid-low tide
Nearest airport
HNL

Getting there

Out of SEA we have seen round trips from $295 in season. Fares move, so the app watches them and tells you when one lines up with real swell here.

Other breaks in USA

We watch Banzai Pipeline so you do not have to

BarrelFare checks the surf forecast and live airfare together, and tells you when a cheap flight lands on a good swell here.

Get the app

Months above are medians from years of hindcast, not a forecast. A median tells you when to plan a trip. It does not promise waves on a given day.