Surfer's paradise and popular bathing beach - the multifaceted beach of Waimea Bay

Surfing spot or ideal bathing bay? Waimea Bay captivates its guests with many facets, which depend on the season. In winter, the bay is legendary and known worldwide for surfing competitions. In summer, on the other hand, the monstrous water masses of the bay turn into gentle waves and the perfect bathing paradise is created.

Waimea Bay and the adjacent Waimea Bay Beach Park on the north coast of Oahu are famous and known worldwide. The beautiful long sandy beach is located at the mouth of the Waimea Valley and stretches about 300 meters across the entire bay. Already since 1950, the bay is the perfect surf spot in Hawaii during the winter months, contests are organized and numerous enthusiastic surfers are attracted. In addition to the many surf competitions, when the swell is particularly strong, the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau held. Eddie Aikau was a former Waimea Bay beachcomber and a gifted surfer himself. He plunged into monstrous waves and surfed them. The special thing, this competition only takes place if the waves are worthy of Eddie. That is, from a head height of nine meters. The winter waves of Waimea Bay rarely reach this enormous height and the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau competition took place only eight times in the last 25 years.

Besides the ideal surfing conditions, Waimea Bay Beach is a popular beach among locals as well as vacationers to lazily lay in the sun and throw everyday worries overboard. Especially during the summer months when the waves are calm, the beach is popular for relaxing, picnicking or beach activities. Vacationers can relax in the sun for hours and refresh themselves in the cool waves in between. Even though the sea is much safer in summer, visitors should take care when swimming. Since there is no offshore reef or rocks here, the sand in the sea drops deep after a few meters and you are up to your neck in water quickly.

Locals love risk and like to meet at the cliff of Waimea Bay for cliff jumping. Even when the sea is calm in the summer months, jumping off the cliff is extremely dangerous. Likewise, there is a -No jumping- warning sign on the cliff, which vacationers should definitely heed.

Good to know

Facilities for visitors:

Waimea Bay Beach Park is popular among vacationers for its many facilities. Washrooms and toilets are provided. It is also possible to spread out snacks as well as delicacies that you have brought with you and eat them at the picnic tables provided. For the safety of the surfers and also all other visitors, there is a supervisor, as well as lifeguards on the beach every day from 9 am to 5:30 pm. Anyone who is unsure or has questions about the current conditions for swimming can contact the supervisor at any time. Flags are posted daily to show visitors the severity of the swell and current.

Directions and parking:

The beach is located a few kilometres north of Hale'iwa on Highway 83. Depending on the direction from which you arrive, you have to follow Highway 83 north or south. Parking is provided right next to the beach and is free of charge. The disadvantage is that there is only a limited number available and it is not uncommon to have to wait. Alternatively, you can drive back to the main road and turn right along the road to get a roadside parking space. Parking in prohibited areas is discouraged, every day these areas are checked by officials and unnecessary costs for vacationers occur quickly. If you want to be on the safe side, you can also park on the other side of the bridge in the Wailua Falls parking lot.