Overview
Pipes is a left-hander that breaks over live coral, and it earns its name. When the swell wraps into the bend of reef it sucks hard and throws a lip, serving up technical tube rides. The take-off is thick and vertical, so this is not a wave for the uninitiated.
When It Works
Pipes draws swell from southwest through southeast, with southeast (SE) the best match, and it works from 0.9 m / 3 ft to 1.8 m / 6 ft. A moderate south-southeast swell is what really fires it up. Because it holds up so well in the prevailing east trades, it stays consistent. The barrel gets more technical when there's too much west in the swell.
Wind and Tide
Look for east (E) offshore wind. The reef works on mid and high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call. The trickiest combination is too much west in the swell paired with a dropping tide, which makes the barrel harder to make.
Local Tips
This is expert-only terrain, not one for the faint-hearted. Expect a moderately busy lineup when it's on, with plenty of bodyboarders in the mix.
