The multi-faceted Ehukai Beach and the famous Banzai Pipeline

During the summer months a beautiful beach, during winter the place to watch professional surfers riding the waves. Ehukai Beach in the north of Oahu is the origin of the Banzai Pipeline and is one of the world's most famous beaches among surfers. However, it is equally one of the most dangerous beaches for surfers.

Ehukai Beach in northern Oahu attracts both adventurers and sun lovers. It owes its name to its spectacular sunsets. Directly translated, the Hawaiian word Ehukai means red water. With the setting of the sun, the ocean is bathed in brilliant deep red colours every day, which are reflected in the roaring waves of the ocean. In the summer months from March to October, the weather conditions are ideal to enjoy a perfect beach day. The long, wide sandy beach invites you to spend hours relaxing in the sun or having a picnic. The turquoise sea provides much-needed cooling on hot days and is great for both swimming and snorkelling. If you want to experience the underwater world at Ehukai Beach, don't forget to bring your snorkelling gear.

In winter, however, from November to February, the beach attracts adventurers and friends of risk. The beach owes its second name, Banzai Pipeline, to the huge waves. Every year, well-known and famous surfing contests take place at Ehukai Beach, such as Billabong Pipeline Masters, the Volcom Pipe Pro or the Triple Crown of Surfing. Pipeline waves, along with Teahupoo waves, are among the most violent and unpredictable wave types in the world. As gigantic waves, they roll in the roaring ocean and break on the shallow reef of the beach. They can break in over 300 different ways depending on conditions, such as the direction, size or condition of the sandbar, and are popular among surfers worldwide because of this diversity. In addition to ideal conditions for surfing, however, unseen dangers lurk at Ehukai Beach, which have already cost lives. Not only the usual conditions, such as a rough ocean or giant waves of five to ten meters high, represent danger. At Ehukai Beach, there is also the danger of the offshore reef where the waves break. Even for experienced surfers this, this is an additional risk which often ends with broken bones. Those who are not gifted surfers or who legitimately have too much respect for the waves but still don't want to miss the spectacle can visit the beach every day to see surfers in action. If you want to dive into the cool water not only when the waves are gentle in the summer but also during the winter months, you should definitely ask a lifeguard about the current wave conditions before swimming.

Helpful information

Facilities for visitors to the beach:

Especially in the winter months when the water is full of surfers, lifeguards are very important. Lifeguards are on the beach daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., specializing in broken bones in addition to the familiar first aid measures.

Arrival and parking:

Visitors who want to visit the beach can easily reach it by car. The beach is located in the north of the island on Highway 83 between Sharks Cove and Sunset Beach. Those arriving by car can use the parking spaces provided free of charge. If you want, you can also take the public bus to the beach. However, this is only possible with a lot of time and a few times changing the bus.