The North Shore's Most Famous Surf Spots
If you’ve ever picked up a surf magazine or watched a surf competition, odds are you've seen the beautiful, powerful, and magical North Shore of Oahu. This surfing mecca has anything from XXL waves, to high-performance beach breaks, and gentle longboarding spots. Here is a breakdown of one of the world’s best surf playgrounds.
Hale’iwa, (Ali’i State Park)
Hale’iwa can appear as an inviting easy wave for all levels on smaller days, or an intimidating break suited for advanced riders only. With size, it becomes one of the best high-performance waves on the North Shore, but be careful as the current, and heavy breaks are the perfect recipe for getting caught inside in the impact zone.
Pua’ena Point
On the other side of Hale’iwa Harbor is Pua’ena Point. On small days the waves are perfect for beginners looking to catch their first waves on the North shore, and on big days this wave brings in sizable swells and rippable rights and lefts for advanced surfers.
Laniakea
This broad, mostly right-breaking reef is fun for all levels depending on size. The diversity of peaks and inner and outer breaks allow for a more spread-out crowd. The outer break is far from shore and a bit of a shoulder grind, but well worth it once you’re out.
Chun's
This wave is a reef break with long rights and short, punchier, lefts. Compared to other North Shore breaks, Chun's offers a more mellow diverse wave well suited for intermediate to advanced surfers on a range of boards.
Waimea Bay
Most summer days this bay is calm and gentle, bringing crowds to sunbathe, swim and jump off the famous Waimea Bay rock. In the winter, the North Shore comes alive and the bay transforms into big wave playground. Advanced surfers only.
Pipeline / Backdoor
Pipeline is world-famous for its left, picturesque barrels that break onto a shallow unforgiving reef. Many surf pioneers found their fame riding the tubes of this North Shore gem.
Backdoor is the hollow right twin of the world-renowned Pipeline. This wave breaks fast and heavy onto sharp reef and suited for advanced surfers only.
Sunset Beach
Sunset is another world-famous North Shore break bringing the likes of surfers from across the globe. Depending on the swell, it can be huge for only the most experienced watermen and women, or doable for intermediate and advanced level surfers.
Turtle Bay
To the right of Turtle Bay Resort and home to the Jamie O'Brien Surf School, this mellow reef break is the ideal beginners surf spot. The wave is mostly small to medium and hosts gentle waves for all levels and boards. When a bigger swell comes in, an intermediate-advanced crowd will dominate the lineup.
If you’re looking for the best surf coaching on the North Shore, remember to check out the Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience located at Turtle Bay for surf lessons or personal coaching from Jamie himself on the Jamie O'Brien Surf App here.
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