NORTH SHORE, OAHU
If there is such a thing as a perfect wave, you’ll likely find it on Oahu’s North Shore. The big, glassy winter waves of this legendary surf mecca attract the best surfers in the world. Stretching for more than 7 miles, the beaches of the North Shore host the world’s premier surfing competitions including the Super Bowl of wave-riding, the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.
The winter months between November and February are the best times to watch the pros go to work. These massive waves can swell up to thirty feet or more and can even be dangerous for experienced surfers so please heed warning signs. In the summer, from May to September, the waves subside creating the perfect spots for swimming and sunbathing.
Waimea Bay:
Waimea Bay is the birthplace of big wave surfing and is the venue for the Quicksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Memorial. This surf competition pays homage to legendary surfer Eddie Aikau and only takes place when the epic Waimea waves are at least 20 feet high.
Banzai Pipeline (Ehukai Beach):
The merciless waves of Pipeline break just 50 to 100 yards off the beach over a shallow reef making this one of the most dangerous surf spots in the world. To see the action during contests like the Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters, enter through Ehukai Beach Park.
Sunset Beach:
The northernmost surf spot on the North Shore is Sunset Beach. The long wave-breaks here are the setting for the O’neill World Cup of Surfing, the second contest in the Vans Triple Crown of surfing.
QUICK FACTS
Name:
The North Shore
What is it:
Legendary surf spot in the winter. Beautiful beaches in the summer.
What to do:
Sunbathe, unwind, watch pro surfers in the winter, swim in the summer
Directions:
Drive along northwestern Kamehameha Highway (Highway 83) from Haleiwa to Sunset Beach.
From Waikiki to:
Haleiwa: 45 minutes
North Shore beaches: roughly 1 hour.
Be prepared for traffic during the busy winter surf season.
