The North Shore of Oahu is a surfing Mecca. It is an indisputable attraction that every surfer would like to visit. Overcoming the fear of a pipeline bomb drop or paddling over the edge of the Waimea cliff is the zenith of the surfing experience. There are no reef barriers that can mitigate the force of the powerful swells that come from the North Pacific and slam into the most famous surf zone in the world: the 7 miles of coastline that goes from Haleiwa to Velzyland, better known as the North Shore of Oahu . What are you waiting for? Book your Hawaii surfing holiday now!
With smaller swells, most breaks in these spots break on lava reefs and white sand beaches with deep channels that make paddling easier but also create strong currents on more extreme days. From mid-November until January all the pro surfers of the world come to these beaches. The village of Haleiwa, with a range of facilities and services, is the town of the North Shore. In large swells, the outer reef sends waves in places like Avalanche .
For less challenging waves, Puaena Point’s right-handers unwind into the boat channel. A couple of miles further north on Kam Highway, Laniakea is a rare right that can be perfect with NE swell. Juckos , further north, works more constantly and his lefts are characterized by very fast take offs that allow access to breathtaking walls: beware of strong currents. On the opposite side of the next cove is Chun s reef with its fun little waves and, immediately after, another quiet spot aptly named Marijuana . Halfway up the north side is Waimea , a surf spot for more than 40 years, with standard big wave surfing sets that easily reach 6-8m. Log Cabins is an understated right that breaks on a dangerous lava bed. Rockpile can have decent peaks; Off-The-Wall is a high-quality right and always super crowded with photographers. A little further up is Backdoor , the right-hand section of the most famous wave in the world: Pipeline.
No other commercial in the world manages to put together different experiences like Pipeline : the power, the pipes, the crowd, the glory, the humility … this is the fifth essence of the North Shore.
If you are looking for breathtaking spots then check out the beaches between Ehukai and Rocky Point as it’s worth it. Sunset Beach has long, steep, and chunky rights with occasional lefts. About a mile to the north we have Velzyland , perhaps the smallest spot on the coast.
Tariff per person, starting from:
| Departure | Double |
|---|---|
| From 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020 | € 263 |
Notes
From October to December expect numerous and powerful 3-10m swells with variable periods between 15-20 seconds. From April to September the north coast is generally flat, but on the other side of the island you can surf the summer swells from SE-SW. Winds are very stable and since they are sideshore, if too strong, the waves could be quite messed up. In the south, winds blow periodically in the winter making places like Haleiwa and Laniakea offshore. Conditions can change in no time, becoming epic.
How to get there : 3 months visa is required for all nationalities. Honolulu is the Pacific’s number one destination and it is approximately a 45-minute drive from the North Coast. Many hotels or accommodation owners pick you up at the airport.
Getting around : The spots are close by so you can rent a bike or take the Kum bus. Most people rent a car for around $ 25 / day. Gasoline costs 25% more than in the US.
Accommodations and Food : The only Hotel is the Turtle Bay Hilton ($ 150 / double) Most people stay at Waimea Backpacker ($ 24 / day) or B & B’s in Haleiwa ($ 20 / day). Another option is to rent an apartment ($ 600 / week / 4 people). Surfers are the main tourist flow so the peak season is winter. Food isn’t cheap ($ 15 / meal).
Climate : The stability of temperatures is extraordinary. Between night and day, winter and summer, temperatures change little and always fluctuate around 25 ° C. The winter surfing season could be characterized by rainy periods, especially with winds from S. When the trade winds blow from NE-E the sky is really clean. The west coast is drier than the east coast.
Nature and Culture Climb Kaena Point. Just an hour’s drive away on the south coast are myriad tourist attractions such as Waikiki.
Dangers and Annoyances : Reef collisions, strong currents, flying boards and angry locals keep you alert. Minimize the dangers by surfing spots at your height or surfing early in the morning with patience and caution in the line-up. Machine rip-offs are common.
Tips : The local yellow pages are up-to-date regarding the presence of surf shops, both in town and outside.
Exchange rate 1 EUR = 1.08 USD; 1 € = 1.51 NZD; 1 EUR = 1.41 AUD
Exchange rate variations (more than 3%) will lead to an adjustment of costs. They will be communicated within 20 days of departure.
The tariff does not include
A famous Californian company, Kai Concepts, has recently developed a revolutionary idea like few others, which is already literally making a splash all over the world. It is a “ Jetfoiler ”, a particular and unusual surfboard, to which the wing of a hydrofoil and an electric motor have been attached. And the result, you […]
Mavericks, is a surfing site located off the north coast of California , approximately 3km from the port of Pillar Point, in San Mateo County and precisely in the village of Princeton-by-the-Sea. When there are storms during the winter months, the waves of this place can easily exceed 8 meters , reaching astonishing heights of […]
Premio Turismo responsabile Italiano 2011
