Waimea Bay

Waimea Bay Hawaii

What's this attraction about?

Waimea Bay is the king of the North Shore Beaches, attracting locals and tourists to its beautiful shores that open up into the Pacific Ocean. Located just below Waimea Valley, Waimea Bay is home to the infamous Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, which has only been held seven times since 1984. Why? The winter waves need to reach a Hawaiian height of 20 feet, that's measured from the face of the wave! In 2009, Waimea Bay saw waves that reached 30 to 50 feet! At the left of the bay is ‘The Rock’, a popular hangout for swimmers who seek an added thrill to their ocean adventure. You can watch people jump off into the ocean, or climb to the top and join the fun!

History

After Captain James Cook’s death on February 28, 1779 while at the Big Island's Kealakekua Bay, Captain Charles Clerke took control of his expedition and made only one stop on Oahu, Waimea Bay. Previously an ahupua’a (land division) of Ko’olauloa, Waimea was re-designated in 1886 to become part of Waialua district, most likely due to the growing sugar cane industry in Waialua. The industrial impact to the Waimea area caused a devastating flood that demolishd an entire village in the area, which changed the landscape of Waimea Bay’s beachfront. In the 1960s, excess sand was transported from Waimea Bay to help fill the shores of Waikiki Beach and Ala Moana Beach Park.

Learn More: Details & Trivia

  • How Long We're Here: Tours stop at various beaches along the North Shore are not guaranteed and are time permitting. Approximately 5-10 minutes when time permits.
  • Location: North Shore, Oahu.
  • Amenities: Restrooms availble to use during stops.
  • Insider Tip: To the left of ‘The Rock’ is a quieter section of the beach, a little getaway from the populated shores.
  • Fun Fact: Over 200,000 tons of sand were removed from Waimea Bay in the 1950s and 1960s.
  • What To Expect: People diving off of 'The Rock', views of Waimea Valley, the biggest waves of the year in the winter.
  • Pop Culture: Waimea Bay is referenced in The Beach Boys

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