Waimea Bay

Swim and snorkel in a crescent-shaped North Shore bay in summer, or watch surfers ride towering waves in winter.

61-031 Kamehameha Hwy · Haleiwa, HI

About Waimea Bay

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

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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.

Sports & Outdoors
Waimea Valley
$25–$50
A sacred valley on Oahu's North Shore with themed botanical gardens, cultural sites, guided tours, and the Waimea Falls swimming area.
0.9 mi awayMore like this
Sports & Outdoors
Iconic
Banzai Pipeline
No admission fee
Watch expert surfers ride hollow, tubular waves breaking over a shallow reef off Ehukai Beach Park on Oahu's North Shore.
Transit: reachable by public transit
1.9 mi awayMore like this
Attractions
Family Favorite
Dole Plantation
No admission fee
Ride the Pineapple Express train, wander a giant garden maze and try Dole Soft Serve at this plantation stop in Wahiawa.
Transit: reachable by public transit
8.1 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions
Sports & Outdoors
Mālaekahana State Recreation Area
Check prices
A wooded beach park on Oahu's north shore offering swimming, bodysurfing, shore fishing, picnicking, and camping.
8.5 mi awayMore like this
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.
Transit: reachable by public transit
9.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions
Sightseeing
Kukaniloko Birth Site
Check prices
An ancient Oʻahu sacred site on the central plateau, known as the Kūkaniloko Birthstones State Monument, linked to royal births.
9.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing