North Shore Oahu

North Pacific storms send swells thousands of kilometres to hit this coast between roughly November and February, and the reef here is shallow enough and shaped so that the waves break in a hollow tube - Banzai Pipeline breaks over a reef in about three metres of water with the wave face reaching several times that, which is why it is both the most photographed wave in surfing and among the most dangerous. Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach are the other main breaks and the Triple Crown competitions run in that window. In summer the same beaches go flat and calm and are used for swimming. Haleiwa town at the west end is the commercial centre.

Highlights

• Pipeline breaking over shallow reef - the tube that made it famous.
• Winter swells from North Pacific storms - November to February.
• Flat calm water in summer - the same beaches, swimmable.
• Competition season - the Triple Crown in the winter window.

When to go

November to February to watch surf; May to September to swim. A full day.

Before you go

Winter surf here is for experienced surfers only, and big waves sweep the rocks where spectators stand. Parking at the breaks is very limited. Big swell days bring traffic jams the length of the coast.

Nearby

Turtle Bay is east; Waimea Valley is inland from the bay.

Key facts