In Hawaiian, Waimea means reddish or sacred water; the perfect name for this surf haven on Oahu?s North Shore. Long before its massive waves drew surfers from around the world, Waimea was a sacred area for native Hawaiians. Women chiefs were brought to Waimea to deliver their babies, and a sacred burial site lies in the neighboring Waimea Valley.

At one point, the waters here may have appeared red, due to the red silt that once flowed freely out of the mouth of the Waimea River. If you?re watching our Waimea surf cam after a heavy rain, you might get to see the river break through the sand bank and connect with the bay!

What makes Waimea Bay unique?
The bay is known for its massive waves, which roll in after huge storms in the North Pacific. With no natural obstacles in the way to cull them, these waves slam into the islands with full force. For years, surfers would drive past Waimea Bay on the way to Sunset Beach, another popular surfing spot, before anyone attempted to surf Waimea?s towering swells.

When did people start surfing?
In November 1957, a group of surfers paddled out into the waves at Waimea Bay, unknowingly ushering in an era of cult-like devotion to big wave surfing. In the early years, surfers at Waimea were driven simply by the desire to successfully ride the biggest waves possible. As time passed, surfboards evolved from large, heavy boards into smaller, sleeker and lighter boards that were better equipped to negotiate huge waves like the ones at Waimea. Through the 1980s, daring surfers from all over the world flocked to Waimea, which also hosted a number of surfing competitions.

By the 1990s, the waters at Waimea were so crowded with surfers, including many novices, that experienced surfers started seeking out other breaks.

Do people still surf at Waimea?
Yes! The waves are not as consistently large as they once were, but Waimea still draws loyal devotees and eager amateurs alike.