Hawaii Waves: North Shore Oahu Big Wave Surfing

Have you always wanted to see the big waves in Hawaii? Sharing all the details of big wave surfing on North Shore, Oahu!

For anyone who has followed along for years, you know I love big wave season every winter here in Hawaii. It’s probably my favorite time of year!

I know I’ve said it before, but it is equal parts insane and amazing to me that giant waves of water are welcomed by surfers (it would personally terrify me!). The big Hawaii waves appear like giant walls of water that cascade across the horizon line!

Hawaii Waves

The below photos were taken up and down the North Shore at some of the more-famous surf breaks – Banzai Pipeline (where the Billabong Pipe Masters is held each year!), Waimea Bay, and Sunset Beach.

Big Waves In Hawaii

When do the big waves hit Hawaii?

The big swells start hitting the North Shore of Oahu every year around November and hang around until February. It’s during this time that traffic backs up along Kamehameha Highway of people hoping to catch a glimpse of one of Mother Nature’s most beautiful shows.

The best spots to see the waves are along what is known as the ‘7 Mile Miracle’ — a 7-mile stretch of beaches that deliver some of the most iconic breaks in surfing. Spots include: Left Overs, Waimea Bay, Log Cabins, Rockpile, Off The Wall, Backdoor, Banzai Pipeline, Pupukea, Gas Chambers, Rocky Point, Monster Munch, and Kammieland, with a total of more than thirty surfing spots.