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Oahu Surfing On The North Shore: What You Need to Know

Planning on surfing on the North Shore of Oahu? We asked surf journalist Craig Jarvis to give us the scoop on everything visitors need to know about this famous Oahu surfing spot.
This Oahu surfing on the North Shore post contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.

Written by Craig Jarvis

Seven Mile Miracle: The Pinnacle Of The Sport Of Surfing

Every year the best surfers in the world gather on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, to battle it out amongst the biggest and most extreme waves in the world. These professional surfers have one goal – to be the world champion.

The Final event of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) is the Pipeline Masters, a surf event that takes place at the notorious Banzai Pipeline, the world’s most dangerous surf break.

There are other events in Hawaii at the same time however, including competitions at Sunset Beach, as well as at Haleiwa, and combined with the Pipe event they make up what is known as the Triple Crown.

Winning the World Title is the most prestigious victory in the sport of surfing, but winning a Triple Crown is a close second, and it is for these very reasons that the North Shore of Oahu is the most important venue in the sport of professional surfing.

Check out the best Oahu surfing lessons for kids and families here.

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Oahu Surfing On The North Shore, a complete guide featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids.

Oahu Surfing FAQs

Where can I surf in Oahu for beginners?

The North Shore can be a tricky spot for surfing newbies if you don’t know where to go. Chun’s Reef is a popular spot for surfing lessons for kids and beginners. Otherwise, your best bet is to stick near Waikiki Beach.

Where can I watch surfing in Oahu?

Whether you are looking for a professional surfing competition or just want to see some super amazing surfing, North Shore Oahu is the place to be! And the waves during the winter months are insane!

What beach has the biggest waves in Oahu?

Waimea Beach in North Shore Oahu is famous for having some crazy big waves (sometimes reaching 30 ft tall!) That’s why experienced surfers flock there!

Oahu Surfing: Competitions on the North Shore

Professional surfing is broken down into two main tours, an elite tour known as the Championship Tour, and a qualifying tour known as the Qualifying Series (QS).

There are three main events on the North Shore beaches during winter.

The Hawaiian Pro

This is a QS event, and takes place at the awesome wave called Haleiwa on the North Shore. It is an exciting QS event and has up to 144 of the best surfers in the world competing for valuable points and prize money.

Oahu Surfing On The North Shore, a complete guide featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Weslley Dantas at the Hawaiian Pro in Haleiwa. Photo credit: WSL/Heff
Weslley Dantas at the Hawaiian Pro in Haleiwa. Photo credit: WSL/Heff

Haleiwa is one of the North Shore surf spots that garners respect from the people who surf out there because it gets big and scary, and is always a challenge to surf, even on the smaller days.

The Vans World Cup Of Surfing

This event is one of the most well-known surf competitions taking place on the North Shore because it takes place at possibly the most famous North Shore wave in Sunset Beach.

Oahu Surfing On The North Shore, a complete guide featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Sheldon Simkus at the Vans World Cup of Surfing. Photo credit: WSL/Keoki
Sheldon Simkus at the Vans World Cup of Surfing. Photo credit: WSL/Keoki

This beach and wave has forever been the staple destination for visiting surfers and locals alike, and apart from the incredible wave that breaks there it is also one of the most beautiful of all the North Shore, Oahu’s beaches.

The Pipe Masters

A final event at the Banzai Pipeline is the most thrilling way to finish the tour and crown the World Champion as it is the most dangerous wave on the North Shore and in the world of surfing.

Oahu Surfing On The North Shore, a complete guide featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Kelly Slater at the Billabong Pipe Masters. Photo credit: WSL/Cestari
Kelly Slater at the Billabong Pipe Masters. Photo credit: WSL/Cestari

It gets the rating for being the most dangerous by the simple ratings factor of having had the most deaths while surfing out there.

It is a relatively small reef, and it occupies just a short stretch of beach out of the seven miles of the North Shore so it does form any danger to tourists and visitors, only to those surfers brave enough to venture out there.

Oahu Surfing: the Best North Shore Waves

There are so many excellent waves rammed into the seven miles, including the top three already mentioned, being Haleiwa, Sunset Beach and Pipeline.

Velzeyland

To the east of Sunset Beach is Velzeyland, a small wave spot that breaks perfectly over a shallow reef, providing incredible barrels for those surfers who manage to get a few.

It is one of the most crowded surf spots on the North Shore however, and local surfers tend to get more waves than visitors out there.

Rocky Point

This is a high-performance wave, situated just west of Sunset Beach that breaks both left and right over a combination of sand and coral bottom.

Surfer jumping a wave at Rocky Point on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, USAOahu Surfing On The North Shore, a complete guide featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids:
Surfer jumping a wave at Rocky Point on the North Shore of Oahu.

It gets really good, with solid barrels on the right-handers on a north swell, and perfect peeling lefts on the slightly higher tide.

Off-The-Wall

A dangerous and fast right-hand wave that breaks over extremely shallow coral, and is notorious for injuring surfers and breaking boards.

It is generally only surfed by the best surfers, those who have absolute faith in their capabilities.

Log Cabins

A slightly nondescript wave that is frequented by the North Shore local surfers, and that breaks in front of a log cabin on the shoreline.

It gets very good and is generally less crowded than most other spots due to its more removed location.

Waimea Bay

The most famous big wave sport on the North Shore, Waimea Bay is home to the Eddie Aikau Invitational, a specialty invite-only big wave surfing tournament dedicated to a Waimea lifeguard Eddie Aikau who lost his life at sea.

Oahu Surfing On The North Shore, a complete guide featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: View of Waimea Bay on the North Shore of Oahu.
View of Waimea Bay on the North Shore of Oahu.

The competition is only called on when the waves get to a certain size and height – generally over thirty-foot on the face of the waves – so it doesn’t happen every year.

When it does, it is probably the most watched surf contest in the world, with spectators the world over dialing in to the live webcast to watch the big wave gladiators compete among these giant moving mountains of water.

Laniakea

This wave, situated just off the Kam Highway, is one of the jewels of the North Shore surf spots, providing long and fast walls for brave and adventurous surfers.

Oahu Surfing On The North Shore, a complete guide featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Life guard tower at Laniakea beach in North Shore Oahu.
Life guard tower at Laniakea beach on Oahu.

It has an easy paddle out that brings surfers behind the peak, and with easy access to some of the best and fastest waves on the whole of the seven mile stretch.

It’s also a great place to see Hawaiian Sea Turtles!

Oahu Surfing: Surfboards On The North Shore

Due to the policies of the airlines servicing Oahu, there are sometimes exorbitant fees for transporting surfboard to the North Shore. There are many ways around this.

Oahu Surfing On The North Shore, a complete guide featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: A fence lined with surfboards on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii
Sometimes you can borrow a surf board on the North Shore.

Borrow a Surfing Board

There are so many boards on the North Shore, after years and years of locals and visitors free surfing, as well as the fifty years of surf competitions. Many of these surfboards are still on the North Shore, usually left under people’s houses.

There is a good chance that wherever you stay there will be a board there for you to use, or someone nearby who will be happy to lend you a board. It is a bit of a chance, but you’re likely of a good outcome.

Rent a Surfing Board

This is guaranteed method of getting the exact equipment that you want, although it might be a little bit dated and yellowed.

The best location for board hiring is all around the little village of Haleiwa, with Go Nuts the best such place for rentals. They offer shortboard, longboard, soft-tops and SUPs for rent, so you will find what you’re looking for.

Buy a Surfing Board

Although there are a number of board makers who reside and work on the North Shore of Oahu, they are all too busy over the winter season to be able to make you a board on order.

It is their busiest season, making boards for the traveling professionals, as well as fixing their boards as they get damaged on the coral or by the waves.

However, there are always a number of surfboard garage sales in and around the North Shore, normally on the westerly stretch between Waimea and Haleiwa.

These sales always have some absolute gems for sale, at very reasonable prices, with owners usually wanting to get rid of them to make some space in their homes as opposed to making money off visiting surfers.

You can really score on a North Shore garage sale.

Oahu Surfing On The North Shore, a complete guide featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Surfers walking in North Shore Oahu
A pair of surfers walk to a North Shore beach. Photo credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)

Oahu Surfing: North Shore Surf Lessons

If you are a beginner surfer, it’s probably a good idea to get some instruction from a professional surfer. Thankfully, there are a few places for surf lessons on Oahu.

Surf Lessons on the North Shore of Oahu

Enjoy a 2-hour surfing lesson with an experienced guide who is also a professional lifeguard in Hawaii. Check out the latest prices and more details.

Learn to read the surf and ride the waves during a lesson that includes instruction on the beach followed by practice in the warm waters of Oahu’s North Shore.

This is a great option for kids and there is a chance of seeing Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles.

Book this North Shore surf lesson

Private Family Surfing Lesson

Head to Haleiwa Beach Park to meet your licensed surf instructor, who will teach you the basics and helps you catch gentle waves. Check out the latest prices and more details.

No experience is necessary, and beginning surfers can choose from private family, semi-private, or small-group lessons in the afternoon or morning. Use of all equipment, including surfboard and wet suit, is included.

Book this private North Shore surfing lesson

North Shore Beginner Surf Lesson

Join a 3 hour surfing lesson that begins with about an hour introduction on land before heading out to the water. They will go over falling safely and ocean etiquette. Check out the latest prices and more details.

You’ll learn how to catch waves, what type of board to use as a beginner, where the best surf spots are for beginners, and more. This is another great kid-friendly surfing lesson.

Book this North Shore Beginner Surf Lesson

Accommodation on the North Shore for the Best Oahu Surfing Experience

The North Shore is littered with accommodation options, from renting bungalows, to Airbnb options, to renting a house with friends and all the way to the top-end Turtle Bay Resort.

Rocky Point Beach House

This adorable North Shore vacation rental accommodates up to 4 people and is perfect for budget travelers.

It’s just 4 houses down from the famous Rocky Point surfing beach and it’s right between Sunset Beach and Pipeline. Check out the latest prices and more details.

What’s extra cool is that it’s right next to the North Shore bike path, so it’s easy to get around town via bike (and you can save money by skipping the car rental.)

Check rates and availability

Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore

This Marriott hotel in Laie is near several legendary North Shore surf spots like Sunset, Pipeline, and Waimea. Plus, it’s close to the Polynesian Cultural Center and Kaukana Point. Check out the latest prices and more details.

Oahu Surfing On The North Shore, a complete guide featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Pool area at the Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore.
Pool area at the Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore.

Enjoy the on-site restaurant, outdoor pool, and activity center (where you can book surf lessons and rent surfboards) at your 3-star accommodation.

Check rates and availability

Turtle Bay Resort

This upscale resort is set on 850 hectares and is on the beach. It has its own golf course as well as a number of excellent restaurants and the famous Surfer Bar. Check out the latest prices and more details.

Oahu Surfing On The North Shore, a complete guide featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Turtle Bay Resort is the ultimate place to stay in North Shore Oahu.
Turtle Bay Resort is the ultimate place to stay in North Shore Oahu.

Many of the top surfers who are traveling with their families opt for the Turtle Bay Resort for convenience and incredible amenities.

It’s also situated a few miles east of Sunset beach and thus is away from the general hubbub that is the surfing epicenter of the North Shore during season.

The accommodation options vary from rooms in the hotel, to bungalows situated around the golf course edges, and it is highly recommended.

Check rates and availability

Read more about where to stay on the North Shore

Travel Tips For The North Shore of Oahu

Accept Leis

There is a chance that at some point, someone might welcome you to Hawaii by giving you a Hawaiian lei. If this happens, it is considered rude to not accept the lei, and it is also considered rude to take it off in front of the person who gave it to you.

Don’t Bring Plastic Bags

Plastic bags were banned from Oahu sometime in 2015, and they are frowned up. It’s best to bring foldable nylon bags (or this trendy Pineapple bag) with you to the grocery store.

Remove Shoes

It is considered rude to walk into any house with your shoes on, Shoes are removed at the door. There is usually a specific area for the shoes to be placed when you arrive at a house.

North Shore Oahu Resources

Find out everything you need to know in this Ultimate Guide to North Shore Oahu.

You can also read posts about the coolest things to do in Haleiwa, the best North Shore food trucks, best cafes in North Shore Oahu, awesome Oahu snorkeling spots, best North Shore Oahu tours for families, epic North Shore hikes, and more!

About the Author

Craig Jarvis is a former surf magazine editor and is currently a freelance surf journalist. He has been to the North Shore of Oahu many times to cover the surf contests, and he usually finds time to get a few surf sessions when traveling to Hawaii.