Waimea Bay Beach Park
Haleiwa, HI
Waimea Bay swings between two entirely different beaches depending on the season. Summer turns it into a deep, calm swimming hole where people jump from the rock at the bay's edge, while winter brings some of the biggest, most famous big wave surf on the planet, closing the water to everyone but professionals.
One of the most iconic beaches in the state, genuinely different and worth visiting in both seasons, though the huge swings between calm summer and dangerous winter surf mean you really do need to check conditions before going in.
How we score beachesIf you're visiting in winter, watch from the beach rather than trying to get in. Even wading at the shoreline can be dangerous when the surf's up.
A large lot sits right at the bay off Kamehameha Highway, and it fills early on sunny days, with overflow parking along the highway.
A flat, paved path leads from the lot straight onto the sand, no stairs.
Summer is calm enough for swimming and jumping off the rock, while winter surf regularly tops 20 or 30 feet and the bay closes to swimmers entirely.
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