North Shore Hawaii, USA
Where modern big-wave surfing began.
| Wave height | 2.8 ft (2-4 ft) |
| Swell period | 11 sec |
| Swell direction | 196° |
| Wind | SE offshore 3.1 kt |
| Tide | mid / optimal |
| Surf score | 27 / 100 |
Waimea Bay on Oahu's North Shore is the historic home of big-wave paddle surfing and the venue for The Eddie - the invitational that only runs when waves are huge enough. On the right day, the ideal swell window runs from NW–N (310–350°); groundswell with periods around 14–20s gives it the most shape; the wave is comfortably workable up to roughly 30 ft on the face. Best winds are E or SE, with NE or S still rideable. Tide influences the wave moderately, so timing the swing helps line up the better sets. The sweet spot in our data sits between roughly 0.2 m and 1.4 m of tide height. It is a relatively fickle wave that only really lights up on the right combination of swell, wind, and tide. Expect warm, boardshort-friendly water. Expect a packed, competitive lineup whenever it is on. Logistically, it is about 55 minutes from HNL airport. This is an expert-only wave; it is heavy, hollow, and unforgiving, and the consequences of a bad wipeout are real. Board-wise, locals lean on gun / big wave board.
The best window is typically Oct–Feb, when swells from NW–N (310–350°) are most consistent.
Waimea only truly comes alive at twenty feet Hawaiian (forty-foot faces) and bigger.
No - this is an expert-only wave and is not appropriate for learners under any conditions.