About three miles north of Hale'iwa, the road takes a rise and rounds a headland to reveal one of the most breath-taking scenes on O'ahu: Waimea Bay. Without a doubt, this is the most revered big-wave spot in the world for its history, size of waves, tales of survival, and legend-making moments in surfing.

During the summer, massive waves totally retreat to offer one of the calmest, safest swimming and snorkeling spots on the coast. Gorgeous blue water and sparkling white sand make Waimea one of the world's most beautiful beaches.

But winter after winter, Waimea bares the reputation of being most life-threatening. Only one event is held here: The Quiksilver Big Wave in Memory of Eddie Aikau.

Waimea Bay has been center-stage to big-wave surfing action since the '40s. The Bay's first encounter with surfers was a tragic one. In 1943, Honolulu surfers Woody Brown and Dicky Cross were forced to paddle from Sunset Beach to Waimea Bay after being caught out by huge, rising swells. Thinking they'd be able to make it ashore at Waimea, which usually offered a channel when other breaks were out of control, they arrived to find the place closing out from point to point. Brown washed up unconscious, Cross drowned.

Perhaps the most fascinating single element of Waimea Bay is the shorebreak. Huge waves that crash outside regenerate right before hitting shore to produce a shorebreak that can stand 20 feet high! A crazy few bodyboarder and bodysurf here, but it is absolutely NOT recommended. Spinal injuries are common. Pay serious attention to the lifeguards here!

Waimea is home to two of Hawai'i's greatest natural wonders: the winter waves and Waimea Valley - home to a multitude of endangered species of flora and fauna. Maintained largely in its natural state, this is an area you must experience from the cascading inland waterfall to the crashing waves of the Bay. This is a place of old-Hawai'i, where Hawaiian families coexisted with the ocean and the land, finding all they needed to sustain life between the valley and the shoreline. Some of their original dwellings, as well as sacred ceremonial sites are still in tact. Waimea is a special journey back in time. For more on the history of the area, visit gonorthshore.org.

Did you know?
Ever carried a bucket of water? Heavy, isn't it! Now imagine how it feels to have an Olympic swimming pool's worth of water land on your head. That's a Waimea wipeout!

TIP:
Check out big-wave legend Eddie Aikau's memorial stone at the entrance to the park

PARKING:
Beach park fills early, use caution if parking roadside

VIEWING:
Beachfront and the roadside around either point

AMENITIES:
Showers, bathrooms, lifeguard tower

SUPPLIES:
Foodland grocery store and Starbucks located 0.5 mile north (Pupukea Rd.)

ATTRACTION:
Waimea Valley park (Audubon Society) truly beautiful.