North Shore Surfing – 21 Best Beaches for Surfing on the North Shore
Last Updated on September 16, 2023 by Matt Hapgood
The famed seven-mile miracle of the North Shore of Oahu has been drawing surfers from all over the World since the 50’s.
Stories of insanely powerful waves and a tonne of World-Class surf spots over such a small area did not stay a secret for long. The rumours were validated by the best North Shore surfers like Duke Kahanamoku, Rell Sunn and Eddie Aikau.
These days, surfing on the North Shore is not for the faint of heart – many spots are crowded and heavy, but even if you are still learning to surf, you can find a few gems to catch the waves of your life in the warm crystal clear waters of the North Shore, Oahu.
In this post, I break down everything you need to know about surfing on the North Shore.
The Top North Shore Surf Spots
1. Velzyland
Named after surfboard-shaping legend Dale Velzy, Velzyland is famous for its right-hand reef break with long, barreling waves. The spot is generally less crowded than other North Shore locations and is favored by experienced surfers who are looking for fast, challenging rides.
2. Sunset Beach
This iconic North Shore spot is versatile, offering waves that can accommodate everyone from beginners to experts. Sunset Beach is particularly noted for its large wave faces during the winter months and its more mellow, longboarding-friendly waves during the summer.
3. Kammieland
Less well-known than other North Shore breaks, Kammieland is a solid alternative when more popular spots are overcrowded. It offers a combination of lefts and rights and is a reef break that can be powerful and hollow, making it a challenge even for experienced surfers.
4. Rocky Point
Located between Sunset Beach and Pipeline, Rocky Point is a high-performance wave that offers both lefts and rights. It’s a favorite among locals and professionals alike for its versatility and consistency, suitable for various types of surfing from shortboarding to longboarding.
5. Gas Chambers
Known for its fast, hollow waves, Gas Chambers is better suited for experienced surfers. The break is less predictable than others, offering a mix of fast barrels and large, open wave faces, making for exciting and challenging sessions.
6. Pupukea
Located near Shark’s Cove, this area is better known for its snorkeling and diving spots. However, during winter, the waves can get big and powerful enough to offer surfable conditions, although it is not a primary surf destination.
7. Ehukai Beach Park
This beach is home to the Banzai Pipeline, one of the most iconic and dangerous surf spots in the world. Known for its steep, barreling left-handers, it’s a venue for various surfing competitions and is a proving ground for professional surfers.
8. Pipeline
Located at Ehukai Beach Park, Pipeline is perhaps the most famous surf break inn the World, known for its powerful, barreling lefts. The jewel in the crown of the North Shore.
It’s a magnet for professional surfers and photographers and has been the subject of countless surf movies and documentaries. One wave at pipe can make your career as a pro surfer – maybe why, when it’s on, it is like a zoo from dawn to dusk.
9. Backdoor
Essentially the other half of the Pipeline reef, Backdoor offers right-hand waves that are equally as challenging and powerful as Pipeline itself. Many surfers prefer this break for its shorter, faster, but nonetheless awe-inspiring barrels.
10. Off The Wall
This spot offers steep, fast waves and is just a short paddle away from Backdoor and Pipeline. The break is less crowded but equally challenging, making it a favorite for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the neighboring spots.
11. Log Cabins
Known for its large, powerful waves, Log Cabins is not a spot for the faint-hearted. The break can hold big swells, and the waves can get monstrous, making it a location mostly for expert surfers seeking an adrenaline rush.
12. Waimea Bay
Famous for the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, Waimea Bay is one of the most iconic big wave surf spots globally. When the swell is right, the bay can produce waves up to 30-40 feet, making it a mecca for big wave chargers.
13. Alligators
A relatively inconsistent break, Alligators offers left-hand point breaks when the conditions align. It’s less crowded than other nearby spots but requires a bit of local knowledge to surf it well.
14. Leftovers
As the name suggests, this spot offers predominantly left-breaking waves over a reef. It’s good for intermediate surfers and can be a great alternative when other spots are too crowded or not performing.
15. Chun’s Reef
Named after a local resident, this break is popular among longboarders and beginner to intermediate surfers. The waves are generally more forgiving and can offer long, cruisy rides, especially when the swell is smaller.
16. Himalaya’s
This spot is less frequented compared to other North Shore locations but can offer big, challenging waves. The break can hold large swells and is best suited for experienced surfers looking for less crowded conditions.
Check out this clip of HUGE surf at outside Himalaya’s.
17. Haleiwa
This break is near the quaint town of Haleiwa and is known for its rippable, peaky waves. It’s a common spot for surf contests and is suitable for all skill levels, depending on the conditions.
18. Avalanche
An offshore reef break that can offer large, powerful waves, particularly during the winter months. Because of its location and the size it can hold, it’s generally recommended only for experienced surfers.
19. Mokuleia Beach Park
Located far from the main stretch of the North Shore, Mokuleia offers a quieter surf experience with a variety of waves that can be good for all skill levels depending on the day’s conditions.
20. Army Beach
Also known as Mokuleia Army Beach, this spot is not primarily a surf destination but can offer rideable conditions, particularly suitable for longboarders and beginner surfers.
21. Kaena Point
Primarily known for its hiking trail and wildlife sanctuary, Kaena Point is not typically a surf spot. The remote location and challenging ocean conditions make it more suited for other types of outdoor activities.
First Time Surfing on The North Shore?
The North Shore of Oahu is legendary in the world of surfing, but it’s important to note that many of the breaks here are best suited for experienced surfers, especially in the winter months when the waves can get very large and powerful.
That said, there are spots and times of year when beginners can enjoy a more manageable experience.
What to Expect
Seasonal Variability
In summer, the North Shore is much calmer, and many spots are suitable for beginners. In winter, the swells can create enormous, powerful waves more appropriate for advanced and professional surfers.
Local Etiquette
Respect for locals is paramount, especially at well-known surf spots. Always observe the right-of-way rules and never “drop in” on someone else’s wave.
Crowds
The North Shore is a popular destination, so expect some crowds, particularly at the more famous spots.
Safety
Make sure to always check the current conditions, observe the waves for a bit before paddling out, and if possible, consult with locals about where to paddle out and what to be wary of (like currents or reefs).
Where to Go
Chun’s Reef
This is one of the more beginner-friendly spots on the North Shore. The waves are generally softer and offer longer rides, making it a great spot to practice your skills.
Haleiwa
Near the town of the same name, this break offers more forgiving waves that can be good for beginners to intermediates. It’s also close to surf shops, schools, and other amenities.
Puaena Point
Located near Haleiwa, this is another beginner-friendly spot. It offers small, slow-moving waves that are perfect for learning.
White Plains Beach
Though not technically on the North Shore, this spot is on the west side of Oahu and offers beginner-friendly conditions with the added advantage of being less crowded.
Cove Park
Also not on the North Shore, but worth mentioning for beginners. Located on the south shore in Kihei, Maui, it’s an excellent place to learn with many surf schools offering lessons there.
If you’re a first-timer, you might also consider taking a surf lesson from one of the many surf schools in the area.
They can provide you with the necessary equipment and give you some initial guidance, which can be invaluable when you’re just starting out.
North Shore Surf Contests Schedule
Vans Triple Crown of Surfing
One of the most prestigious series of events is the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, which consists of three different competitions:
Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa: The series usually kicks off at Haleiwa, a break that offers a variety of wave shapes and is ideal for high-performance surfing. This event generally occurs in November.
World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach: This is the second event of the Triple Crown and is known for its large, powerful waves. It’s usually held in late November or early December.
Billabong Pipe Masters at Pipeline: The Triple Crown culminates in the Pipeline Masters, arguably the most prestigious individual event in the surfing world.
It now takes place in January and serves as the first event of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour.
Billabong Pipe Masters
As mentioned, the Pipeline Masters is a pinnacle event that typically happens in January at the Banzai Pipeline. It is considered one of the most challenging surf contests due to the powerful, barreling waves at this iconic surf break.
The Eddie
The Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational, better known as “The Eddie,” is a unique contest at Waimea Bay. Unlike other events, it doesn’t have a set date. It will only run when the waves reach a minimum height of 20 feet, sometimes meaning years pass without the competition occurring.
When conditions are right, a “Go” is called, and invitees have a short period to get to Waimea Bay.
Other Events
Other smaller events and qualifiers also happen throughout the season, sometimes with less advance notice depending on surf conditions. These can include events like the Volcom Pipe Pro, a lower-tier WSL event usually held at Pipeline in January or February.
The Pipeline Masters & The Eddie
Pipeline Masters
The Billabong Pipe Masters, commonly known simply as the “Pipeline Masters,” is one of the most iconic surf competitions in the world. Held annually at the Banzai Pipeline, this event attracts the cream of the crop in professional surfing.
Pipeline itself is a break that demands skill, courage, and precision, known for its massive, barreling waves that provide both a spectacle for audiences and a challenge for competitors.
Winning the Pipeline Masters is considered one of the highest honors in the surfing world, and the event has been a key fixture in crowning world champions.
The Eddie
The Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational, affectionately known as “The Eddie,” is a tribute to legendary Hawaiian waterman Eddie Aikau.
This competition is held at Waimea Bay, another iconic North Shore surf spot. Unlike other surf competitions, The Eddie is unique in that it only occurs when the waves are massive—specifically, when they reach heights of at least 20 feet.
This makes the competition a rare event, sometimes occurring only a few times a decade. The Eddie celebrates not just the thrill of big wave surfing but also the spirit of camaraderie, bravery, and respect for the ocean, values that Eddie Aikau embodied throughout his life.
Both the Pipeline Masters and The Eddie are more than just surf competitions; they are cultural events that encapsulate the history, skill, and community of surfing.
These contests draw attention from around the globe and are bucket-list experiences for both surfers and spectators alike.
Bonus: North Shore Q and A
Can Beginners Surf North Shore Hawaii?
Beginners can surf on the North Shore of Oahu, but it’s crucial to choose the right spots and the right times of the year. During the summer months (May to September), the North Shore sees smaller and more manageable waves suitable for beginner and intermediate surfers.
Spots like Chun’s Reef and Haleiwa offer gentler waves that are ideal for those learning to surf. However, it’s advisable for beginners to take a surf lesson from a local surf school to understand the basics, local etiquette, and safety measures.
Where Are the Biggest Waves on North Shore?
The biggest waves on the North Shore typically occur at Waimea Bay, Pipeline, and Sunset Beach during the winter months (November to April).
Waimea Bay is especially famous for its massive waves that can reach up to 30-40 feet and is the home of the big wave competition known as The Eddie.
Pipeline is another spot where the waves can get massive, offering some of the most challenging and barreling waves in the world.
Why Are North Shore Waves So Big?
The size of the waves on the North Shore is influenced by a combination of geographical and meteorological factors.
The North Pacific generates powerful storms that send large swells toward Hawaii. The lack of any significant landmass between the origin of these storms and Hawaii allows the swells to travel thousands of miles without losing much energy.
Furthermore, the underwater topography around the North Shore, which includes steep underwater slopes and reefs, focuses the wave energy, creating the large, powerful waves that the area is famous for.
What Is the Famous Surf Beach on the North Shore?
The most famous surf beach on the North Shore is undoubtedly Banzai Pipeline, often just referred to as “Pipeline.” Located at Ehukai Beach Park, Pipeline is renowned for its powerful, barreling left-hand waves that have become a symbol of high-performance surfing.
Winning at the Pipeline Masters, held annually at this break, is considered one of the highest honors in professional surfing. The wave is both a magnet for professionals and a proving ground for aspiring surfers, making it one of the most photographed and filmed surf spots in the world.
Final Thoughts
Still the mecca for surfers, the North Shore of Hawaii does not disappoint.
Whether you are a surfer or not, witnessing the raw power of the ocean first-hand is something not to be missed and will create memories forever. If you’re planning a trip or have already been, I’d love to hear about it – reach out to me on X here.
