North Shore
Surf Cams
Live 24/7 webcams from Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach, and Waimea Bay — the three most legendary waves on the planet, all within 7 miles of each other. Check conditions before you drive, or watch the action from anywhere in the world.
About the Break
Banzai Pipeline is a reef break off Ehukai Beach Park on Oahu’s North Shore, named in December 1961 during filming by Bruce Brown when Phil Edwards first surfed it. The name comes from the nearby Kamehameha Highway water pipeline construction project running underground at the time.
What makes Pipeline technically unique is its flat tabletop lava reef with inside caverns that create a giant air bubble when a wave throws over it — producing one of the most cylindrical, hollow barrels on earth. The wave breaks left (from the surfer’s perspective), creating the iconic “Pipeline” shape.
Pipeline has three reefs: First Reef (the classic Pipeline break), Second Reef (activates at 12+ ft), and Third Reef (rarest and largest). Backdoor is the right-breaking counterpart that shares the same peak.
Pipeline’s jagged underwater lava reef has seriously injured and killed experienced surfers. This is not a beginner or intermediate break at any time of year during swell season. Always check with local lifeguards before entering the water.
Surf Season & Contests
Pipeline’s best waves arrive November through February, driven by North Pacific winter storms generating large NW and NNW swells. The surf season officially runs late October through March — outside these months Pipeline typically goes flat and the water becomes calm enough for swimming and snorkeling.
The Pipe Masters (WSL Championship Tour) is held here in December each year and is considered one of the most prestigious events in professional surfing. A perfect score at Pipeline is among the rarest achievements in the sport.
Park at Ehukai Beach Park off Kamehameha Highway (Hwy 83) in Pupukea. The break is a short walk down the beach. GPS: 21.664°N, 158.054°W.
About the Break
Sunset Beach is a wide, open-ocean reef break on the North Shore of Oahu, stretching roughly half a mile and hosting multiple distinct peaks. Unlike Pipeline’s compact, mechanical barrel, Sunset is known for its powerful, shifting peaks and strong lateral currents that challenge even experienced surfers.
The break typically sees waves of 10–15 feet during good winter swells, with the largest sets reaching 20–25 feet. It is considered more forgiving than Pipeline for advanced surfers but still ranks among the world’s most powerful waves. The surf cam shows the most active zone near the center of the beach.
Sunset Beach is part of the legendary Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, which also includes contests at Haleiwa and Pipeline. A win at all three events is considered the ultimate achievement in North Shore surfing.
Surf Season & Contests
Sunset Beach fires best November through March, slightly later than Pipeline due to its preference for longer-period NW–NNW swells. The wave needs a more northerly swell direction than Pipeline to produce its best form.
The Vans Triple Crown contest runs at Sunset Beach in November–December, with the waiting period aligned to catch the best conditions of the early season. During summer, Sunset Beach calms to manageable 1–3 ft surf that is popular with longboarders and beginners.
Sunset Beach Park has a large public parking lot on Kamehameha Highway. The lot fills quickly during contests and weekend swells. GPS: 21.678°N, 158.040°W.
About Waimea Bay
Waimea Bay sits at the mouth of the Waimea River in Haleiwa, roughly 3 miles west of Pipeline on the North Shore. Its name means “reddish water” in Hawaiian, a reference to the red soil carried by the Waimea River. The wave breaks off the northern point of the bay, producing long, powerful walls that only activate on large North Pacific swells.
The first documented big wave surfing session here was November 7, 1957, when a group of surfers paddled out into giant surf that had gone unridden for years. For decades Waimea was considered the most prestigious big wave break in the world.
Unlike Pipeline which breaks frequently on any decent swell, Waimea only fires a handful of times per season. When the open ocean swell exceeds 20 feet — producing 30–40 foot faces at the bay — it transforms from a gentle summer swimming beach into one of the most terrifying waves on the planet.
In summer (May–September), Waimea Bay becomes one of Oahu’s most beautiful swimming beaches. The iconic jumping rock — a large cliff at the north end — draws swimmers all summer. The contrast with winter couldn’t be more dramatic.
The Eddie Aikau Contest
The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational (known simply as “The Eddie”) is held at Waimea Bay to honor Eddie Aikau, the legendary surfer and first lifeguard of the North Shore. Aikau was known for paddling into waves that no rescue boat could safely navigate during emergencies.
The contest has the most demanding conditions threshold in professional surfing: open ocean swells must reach at least 20 feet, generating wave faces of 30–40 feet at Waimea. Because this threshold is rarely met, The Eddie has only been held 10 times since its 1984 inception — most recently in January 2023.
When The Eddie runs, WSL live-streams the entire event at worldsurfleague.com. The cam above gives you a continuous view of the bay; WSL coverage adds commentary, scores, and athlete close-ups.
Pipeline vs. Sunset vs. Waimea
All three breaks sit within 7 miles of each other — the stretch known as the 7-Mile Miracle — but each delivers a completely different surfing experience.
| 🌊 Pipeline | 🏄 Sunset Beach | 🌊 Waimea Bay | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Break type | Reef break (lava) | Open ocean reef break | Bay / Point break |
| Average wave height | 9 ft (faces to 20+ ft) | 10–15 ft typical (20+ max) | 15–25 ft+ (Eddie: 30–40 ft) |
| Peak season | Nov – Feb | Nov – Mar | Nov – Mar |
| Skill level | Pro/Expert only | Advanced–Expert | Pro/Expert only |
| Hazards | Shallow lava reef, closeouts, crowd | Heavy water, strong rips, crowd | Shorebreak, size, hold-downs |
| Best swell direction | NW (318°), strong N | NW–NNW (310–340°) | N–NNW (340–360°) |
| Signature contest | Pipe Masters (WSL CT, Dec) | Vans Triple Crown (Nov–Dec) | The Eddie (rare, 20 ft+ only) |
| Summer activity | Snorkeling at Sharks Cove nearby | Calmer surf, swimming | Swimming, cliff jumping (iconic) |
| Parking | Ehukai Beach Park | Sunset Beach Park lot | Waimea Bay Beach Park lot |
| Live cam 24/7 | ✅ Free (YouTube) | ✅ Free (YouTube) | ✅ Free (explore.org) |
North Shore Surf Season Guide
What to expect on the North Shore surf cams, month by month.
The heart of North Shore season. North Pacific winter storms generate massive NW and NNW swells that light up Pipeline, Sunset, and Waimea simultaneously. This is when Pipeline averages 9–15 ft and Waimea can approach Eddie threshold (20+ ft open ocean).
October marks the unofficial start — crowds arrive, contests begin, and the first solid NW swells arrive. Storms from the North Pacific begin to generate swells. March is the tail end; big days are still possible but less frequent.
The North Shore goes mostly flat — perfect for swimming, snorkeling, cliff jumping at Waimea Bay, and exploring Sharks Cove. Occasional south swells produce small surf (2–4 ft) at some spots. Best time to visit without crowds.
The North Shore hosts the most concentrated stretch of elite surf contests in the world. The Vans Triple Crown runs at Sunset (Nov), Pipe Masters (WSL CT, Dec). The Eddie (held only ~10 times since 1984) can be called anytime Dec 1 – Feb 28.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about watching the North Shore surf cams live.
Yes. The Pipeline cam and Sunset Beach cam both stream live 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round via YouTube — no account or login required. The Waimea Bay cam via explore.org is also live when conditions allow, and additional coverage runs during big swell events. All three are free.
Pipeline is best November through February, when North Pacific winter storms generate waves averaging 9 feet with faces reaching 20+ feet. The Pipe Masters contest typically runs in December. Mornings (7–10am HST) before trade winds pick up offer the cleanest surf cam conditions.
The North Shore surf season runs from late October through March. North Pacific winter storms generate large NW and NNW swells that travel south to hit Oahu's North Shore. Summer (May–September) brings flat, calm water ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational requires open-ocean swells of at least 20 feet, which translate to wave faces of 30–40 feet at Waimea Bay. This threshold is met infrequently — The Eddie has only been held 10 times since its 1984 inception, most recently in January 2023.
Sunset Beach regularly sees waves of 10–15 feet during winter swells, with the largest sets reaching 20–25 feet. It is considered more forgiving than Pipeline for advanced surfers but still ranks among the world's most powerful waves. Sunset Beach is home to the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.
No. Pipeline, Sunset Beach, and Waimea Bay are expert-only breaks during the winter surf season. Even experienced surfers have been seriously injured at these spots. During summer the North Shore calms significantly and some beaches become suitable for swimmers and beginners.
Yes. Ehukai Beach Park (Pipeline), Sunset Beach Park, and Waimea Bay Beach Park all have public parking lots off Kamehameha Highway. Arrive early on weekends and during major swell events — lots fill quickly. Consider parking in Haleiwa town and taking the shuttle during contests.
Related Webcams
