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Waimea Bay, Haleiwa, HI

Photo: Travisthurston, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sport & OutdoorIconicOutdoor AdventureFree

Waimea Bay

61-031 Kamehameha Hwy · Haleiwa, HI

Why you should go…

Waimea Bay is a crescent-shaped bay on Oahu's North Shore, at the mouth of the Waimea River along Kamehameha Highway. In winter, North Pacific storms can send wave faces of 30 to 40 feet into the bay, and it hosts the Eddie Aikau big wave invitational, which runs only when the surf is large enough. In summer the water calms considerably for swimming, snorkeling and diving. The beach park has lifeguards, restrooms, showers and picnic tables.

  • #beach
  • #big wave surfing
  • #north shore oahu
  • #snorkeling
  • #swimming

Good to know

General sport & outdoor guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Weather calls the shots

    Check the forecast the morning of and keep an indoor backup in your pocket for the day it turns.

  • Shoes, water, sun cover

    The three things that decide whether you last the whole outing or cut it short after an hour.

  • Parking and launches fill early

    On a nice weekend, lots and trailheads are often full by mid-morning.

  • Daylight shrinks in shoulder season

    Spring and fall visits need an earlier start than the same trip in July.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Waimea Bay, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Iconic

    Banzai Pipeline

    Free

    Watch expert surfers ride hollow, tubular waves breaking over a shallow reef off Ehukai Beach Park on Oahu's North Shore.

    1.9 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Dole Plantation

    Free

    Ride the Pineapple Express train, wander a giant garden maze and try Dole Soft Serve at this plantation stop in Wahiawa.

    8.1 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Attractions
    Iconic

    Polynesian Cultural Center

    $25–$50

    Walk through six Pacific island villages, watch the Huki canoe show and stay for the evening stage show Ha: Breath of Life in Laie.

    9.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Tours
    Iconic

    Kualoa Ranch

    $50+

    Tour a 4,000-acre working ranch on Oahu's windward coast by UTV, horse, zipline or bus past well-known movie locations.

    17 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Lanikai Beach

    Free

    Swim in calm, shallow turquoise water off a half-mile of sand facing the twin Mokulua Islands offshore.

    28 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Iconic

    Waikiki Beach

    Free

    Swim, take a surf lesson and stroll Honolulu's resort beach with the Diamond Head crater in view down the shore.

    30 mi awayMore like this