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Waimea Bay

Photo: Travisthurston / CC BY-SA 3.0

Beaches

Waimea Bay

Haleiwa, Oahu, HI · Oahu North Shore

About

Waimea Bay sits right on Kamehameha Highway on the North Shore, and in summer it goes glassy and turquoise, calm enough to snorkel the rocks for green sea turtles or climb the jump rock on the left side and leap into deep water. By winter the same cove throws 30-foot faces. Big-wave surfing started here. The world's best riders turn up for the rare days the Eddie Aikau contest actually runs.

Highlights

Birthplace of big-wave surfing and home of the Eddie Aikau InvitationalCalm, snorkel-clear water in summer; 20 to 30-foot faces in winterThe legendary jump rock on the left side of the bayGreen sea turtles along the rocky edgesRight on Kamehameha Highway up the North Shore

Getting there

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