5 Most Famous Waves for Getting Barreled
Looking to surf, or even watch others surf some of the most iconic and legendary tube producing waves around the world? These wonders of the world are surfing’s crème de la crème and any accomplished surfer dreams of finding themselves covered by the barrel of any of these breaks. Here are 5 of the most famous waves for getting barreled.
Pipeline
If we want to talk about famous barrels, it would be a crime not to mention this incredible, picturesque, left tube. Pipeline has been a top featured wave in surf magazines, movies, and competitions since the 1970s. The turquoise barrel is heavy and fast, but if you make the drop you're in for a treat. Ask Jamie, a pipeline master, more about this break.
Location
How to get there and where to stay
Once you land in Honolulu, head to the North Shore. Drive north down Kamehameha HWY, away from the town of Haleiwa, and towards the Turtle Bay Resort. As the only highway or major roadway on the North Shore, be wary of traffic on Kamehameha, especially on weekends. Keep driving past Waimea Beach a few minutes, and across the street from Sunset Beach Elementary, Banzai Pipeline will be on your left. There is a parking lot in front of the beach.
If you’re looking to stay close, we suggest the lovely Turtle Bay Resort. This hotel is located just north and has its very own surf spot as well. You can even try taking some lessons with the Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience.
Best time of year to surf
WINTER. The swells that hit the north shore in between October and March bring Pipe to life. In the summertime, it is sleepy and probably not breaking at all.
Most famous ride
In 1963, Greg Noll, Ricky Grigg, and Mike Stang surfed outer reef Pipeline on the biggest day the break had seen. This footage is from the 1967 film Blue Safari.
Ratings:
Heaviness: 8/10
Board snapping likeliness: 9/10
Seabed: shallow reef
Changes of getting a good wave: 7/10... If you paddle out, make it through the crowd, and make the drop you'll have a super good chance of getting barreled.
Length of barrel: few seconds depending on size
Expert Rating: 8/10, don’t go out unless you’re a very experienced surfer
Teahupo’o
This Tahitian reef break is known as the “heaviest wave” in the world. It first came onto the scene in the 90s and since then, has become a dream destination for surfers. Teahupo'o is a freak of nature, physics, and hydrodynamics, and only advanced surfers should attempt to tame this beautiful barrel.
Location
How to get there and where to stay
Located on the southwest coast of Tahiti, the surf break is just outside of the town of Teahupo’o. After landing in Papeete, 3 miles out of the capital city, rent a car and drive around the island until the paved road stops. This is Teahupo'o, and there isn’t a hotel or even surf shop anywhere close. Once in town, boat rentals are available, or if you're feeling up to the challenge, you can make the paddle out.
Most hotels are an hour or so away from town, however, Vanira Lodge is the closest good place to stay in the area or check out Virbo and airbnb for rooms to rent.
Best time of year to surf
Pretty consistent throughout the year, but does the best on a south-southwest swell.
Most famous ride
Laired Hamilton’s Millenium Wave
Ratings:
Heaviness: 10/10
Board snapping likeliness: 9/10. You don’t want to go over the edge
Seabed: Super shallow coral reef
Changes of getting a good wave: 6/10... If you are able to paddle into and make the drop, you’ll have a lovely left.
Length of barrel: Short to long depending on size
Expert Rating: 9/10, don’t go out unless you’re a very experienced surfer
Cloudbreak
A mile south of Tavarua, Fiji, is an incredible outer-reef wave known as Cloudbreak. It’s hard to navigate lineup is challenging for first and second-timers, but once a surfer gets comfortable and figures it out, they will be riding perfect barrels all day. The three breaks you find are named the point, the inside, and shish kebabs.
Location
How to get there and where to stay
The closest Airport to Tavarua is in Nadi. Depending on where you find yourself staying, either on one of the neighboring islands, mainland Fiji, or our recommended stay, Tavarua Island Resort, your journey to the island will be a bit different. The one common means of arrival is by boat. Some ferries take you to neighboring islands where you can rent a boat to get to the break, or if you’re staying on Tavarua access will be much easier.
Best time of year to surf
Good all year round, but best between February and October.
Most famous ride
Kelly Slater ride to win the 2012 Volcom Fiji Pro Against Gabriel Medina
Ratings:
Heaviness: 6/10... Can be a 10/10 on XXL swells
Board snapping likeliness: 8/10... more on XXL days
Seabed: Coral Reef
Changes of getting a good wave: 8/10... If you are able to figure out the line up and get familiar, this wave produces some of the best barrels in the world.
Length of barrel: longish
Expert Rating: 8/10, recommended for advanced surfers only
Skeleton Bay
Arguably one of the best left, handed barrels in the world, Namibia's Skeleton Bay churns out gorgeous, long, fast barrel after barreling wave. This break only comes alive a few times a season, but when it does, there will be a group of excited pros and traveling surfers waiting for their time in the tube.
Location
How to get there and where to stay
Expect a long travel day or days for this one. Once you fly into Namibia, you're going to have to rent a car, pack up, and make the trek across the very sparsely populated desert and beach to reach the uber secluded Donkey Bay. To not reveal the exact location of the break, we'll keep it at that. A local guide is highly recommended... if not a necessity to get to this break.
The closest hotels and Airbnb's are located in Walvis Bay Town. In town, you can find a range of lodging situations from nice to cheap.
Best time of year to surf
Summer (or winter in Namibia). The most consistent good swells happen in June
Most famous ride
Koa Smith Scoring a Miraculous 8 barrels in 1 wave
Ratings:
Heaviness: 8/10
Board snapping likeliness: 8/10
Seabed: Sand, but shallow, and watch out for currents
Changes of getting a good wave: 9/10... With a low crowd factor, if you successfully catch a wave, you are almost guaranteed to have the wave of your life.
Length of barrel: minute long tube rides are possible
Expert Rating: 7/10, More friendly for experienced intermediate and advanced surfers
Puerto Escondido
Known as the Mexican Pipeline, this beach break can range from head high to double overhead one day to XXL waves the next. It can be a terrifying wave to tackle, but on the days it's not massive, it churns out barrel after barrel.
Location
How to get there and where to stay
To get to the lovely town of Puerto Escondido, the easiest route is to fly into the Puerto Escondido Airport from either Mexico City or Oaxaca. From there you can either rent a car, or taxi to the Playa Zicatela area.
There are a plethora of hotels and inns located in Puerto Escondido from all different price ranges. One close to the break is called Hotel Surf Olas Atlas, which directly translates to “Hotel Surf Big Waves.”
Best time of year to surf
Winter, with November producing the best opportunities for good swells.
Most famous ride
Grant Baker Big Wave of the Year Entry for 2016
Ratings:
Heaviness: range from 9/10 to 10/10 - known as Mexican Pipeline
Board snapping likeliness: not likely on small days but very likely on XXL days
Seabed: Coral Reef
Changes of getting a good wave: 8/10.. With the opportunity at scoring both rights and lefts, surfers of both foots can get in some good rides
Length of barrel: dependent on size, but mostly around a few seconds
Expert Rating: 7/10, For sure an advanced break but depending on size it can be XXL or 5 ft.
Want to learn some tips and tricks from the master at getting barreled himself? Check out the Jamie O’Brien Surf App here for surf coaching anywhere, anytime.
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