Winter on the North Shore of the Hawaiian islands ramps up the surfing action, thanks to powerful swells rolling in from the stormy North Pacific. Famous spots like Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach become hotspots for surfers looking to catch some epic waves.
One of the crown jewels of surfing, Banzai Pipeline at Ehukai Beach, steals the spotlight here. It’s consistently ranked among the world’s top surf spots, drawing crowds for competitions due to its awesome views and proximity to the shore.
The North Shore is like the holy grail for surfers worldwide, especially in December when it hosts the Triple Crown of Surfing. This trio of men’s events includes the Hawaiian Pro, O’Neill World Cup of Surfing, and the prestigious Billabong Pipeline Masters. For women, there’s the Hawaiian Pro, Roxy Pro Sunset, and the Billabong Pro over on Maui.
At Waimea Bay, surfers gather for the Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau. This invite-only event waits for the perfect storm—literally, as it needs consistent 20-foot waves to run. So, it doesn’t happen every year, but when it does, it’s legendary.
Despite the North Shore’s reputation for big winter surf, there are also plenty of surf schools offering beginners a chance to learn in more sheltered coves away from the giants.
Come join us on our circle island tour and experience Oahu’s north shore first hand!
