WAIMEA BAY
North Shore’s Best Beach
I've got to tell you, driving to the North Shore can be a real pain in the neck. The traffic is enough to make even the most patient person grip the steering wheel with white knuckles, cursing all those who had conspired to clog the roads. But as I find myself inching along Kamehameha Highway (Hwy 83), I begrudgingly admit that there's a silver lining to this seemingly endless journey.
Waimea Bay beach on Oahu's North Shore is the site for the famous Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational
Haleiwa, an awesome town with picturesque shops, offers a much-needed reprieve from the road. I pull over, stretch my legs, and grab a burrito with slow-roasted Kalua pork from Kono's Northshore. The flavors are intense, and it's exactly what I need to re-energize before putting in some hours at the beach.
Kono's Northshore burrito with slow roasted pulled kalua pork
Finally, I arrive at my destination: Waimea Bay Beach Park. The area between the parking lot and the beach has clean restrooms and showers, which is a godsend after a lengthy drive.
Cliff jumping at "Jump Rock" at Waimea Bay
It's easy to see why this place is considered one of the best beaches in Hawaii. During the summer months, it's a delight to watch people cliff jumping into the crystal-blue waters. During the winter season, the world's best surfers flock to Waimea Bay to ride the monstrous waves.
In fact, Waimea Bay is home to the prestigious surfing contest called “The Eddie” where surf heights consistently reach 20 feet or higher. The Big Wave Invitational is known as the Super Bowl of Surfing. The event honors Eddie Aikau, a big wave surfer who was the first lifeguard for the entire North Shore and saved over 500 people throughout his career. In 2023, the winner of the competition was truly in the spirit of Eddie Aikau. North Shore lifeguard, Luke Shepardson, competed during breaks from his lifeguard job, and accepted his award in his lifeguard uniform.
Luke Shepardson, the winner of the 2023 Eddie Surf Competition Invitational (photo by Donald Miralle)
The only downside to Waimea Bay is the parking. Because of its beauty and popularity, finding a spot can be a challenge. When I arrived, the lot was packed, and spots were snatched up as quickly as they became available. Desperation drove me to try my luck with the two pull-offs on the south side of the road, but they were equally congested. Finally, half a mile away on Iliohu Place, I managed to secure a spot. I noticed a few enterprising locals offering parking in their lots for $10, but I wasn't quite ready to part with my cash.
The journey to get here can be a test of patience and perseverance, but the reward of being at Waimea Bay is well worth it.
