Ehukai Beach Park is home to Banzai Pipeline, one of the most famous and powerful surf breaks in the world on Oahu's North Shore.
If you're visiting to watch the waves or planning to surf here, this guide covers what to expect, when to go, and what you should know before arriving.
Quick look at Ehukai Beach Park & Pipeline
- 🏖 Beach Type: Wide sandy beach with heavy winter surf
- 📍 Location: North Shore Oahu, Hawaii
- 🌊 Known for: Banzai Pipeline, one of the world's most famous barreling waves
- 👀 Good for: Watching waves, surf photography, winter surf competitions
- 🏄 Surf level: Advanced-intermediate and expert surfers only
- 🏊 Swimming: Summer only; unsafe in winter
- 🌺 Seasonal vibe: Busy and energetic in winter, quiet in summer
- 🚿 Amenities: Restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic tables, lifeguards
- 🅿️ Parking: Free beach lot, street parking, overflow near school
- ⚠️ Safety: Winter surf can be dangerous for visitors and surfers
- 🐋 Wildlife: Whales often visible from shore in winter
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Ehukai Beach Park, better known as Banzai Pipeline, is a surf spot on the North Shore that breaks over a shallow reef and produces some of the heaviest waves on Oahu.
It's famous for being one of the most technical waves in the world, demanding extreme confidence in barrel riding and comfort in ultra-crowded lineups.
That level of difficulty has made Pipeline one of the most photographed waves anywhere, and surfing it well is how many surfers make a name for themselves.
In winter, it's one of the best places to watch high-level surfing and major North Shore surf competitions like the WSL Pipe Masters. Summer feels very different here, which is something worth knowing before you plan a stop.
I've surfed Pipeline and lived on the North Shore for years, so I'll share what it's really like here, from seasonal conditions to parking, safety tips, and what to expect when you visit.
Why is it called Banzai Pipeline?
The name comes from a mix of local history and surf culture. The wave sits in front of what was once called Banzai Beach, and in the early 1960s surfer and shaper Mike Diffenderfer suggested the name "Pipeline" after noticing nearby construction pipes.
Filmmaker Bruce Brown later used the name in his surf film Surfing Hollow Days, and it stuck. Over time, the beach and wave names merged into what's now known as Banzai Pipeline.
Best time to visit Ehukai Beach Park (winter vs summer)
Conditions at Ehukai Beach Park change a lot throughout the year, and knowing what each season is like makes a big difference for both visitors and surfers.
Winter (October-April)
This is the North Shore surf season, and Pipeline really comes to life during the peak winter months, from November through February.
Swimming is off the table during this time, and the current can be very strong.
As winter goes on, swells gradually lose energy, and Pipeline doesn't break quite as big or as often.
Early in the season, before the first major swells arrive, the beach is wide and sandy. When those early swells start to roll in, the water moves over the sand and creates a shallow natural pool that kids love playing in.
After a few solid swells, that pool disappears and the beach becomes narrower. There's still plenty of space to sit and watch the waves.
Winter also brings crowds. The beach fills up with people watching the surf, and you'll often see professional surfers like John John Florence and Kelly Slater in the water.
Major surf competitions take place during this time, and on big days, parking and traffic can get busy.
If you're here on a good swell, it's worth stopping by to watch. The waves break close to shore, and you can feel the power from the beach. Late afternoons are especially good, when the winds tend to ease and the sun sets behind the waves.
On days you're unsure, checking our Pipeline live cam is an easy way to see conditions before making the drive.
Summer (May-September)
Summer feels very different at Ehukai Beach Park. You usually won't see waves breaking at Pipeline, and the ocean is much calmer overall. A north swell can show up once in a while in June or July, but it's not common.
This is the best time of year for swimming and snorkeling. Calmer water makes it easier to see the reef and underwater caves that shape Pipeline's waves in winter.
I still wouldn't recommend swimming here if you're not a confident swimmer. There can be a light current and a small shorebreak at times, and Waimea Bay Beach is usually a better option for swimming and snorkeling during summer.
The beach is wide this time of year, with plenty of space to spread out, and it often feels quiet, even on weekends.
There isn't much shade and it can get hot, so bringing an umbrella or a small travel beach tent is a good idea. Parking tends to be easy in summer, and traffic along the North Shore is lighter than in winter.
Safety at Banzai Pipeline
Pipeline's reputation is well earned, and the risks here are real. What you need to watch out for really depends on why you're here.
Watching from the beach and surfing are very different experiences, each with its own risks. I'll go over what visitors should know first, then touch on safety for surfers.
Visitors & spectators
If you're coming to watch the surfers at Pipeline in winter, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Check the surf report before you go. Conditions can change quickly, even within an hour.
- Stay farther back from the water than you think you need to. Bigger sets or a rising tide can send waves much farther up the beach.
- Winter isn't the time to swim here, as the current can be very strong. In summer, only get in if you're comfortable in the water.
Surfers
If you're thinking about surfing Pipeline, you already know it's no joke. Here are a few things worth keeping in mind:
- Pipeline is best left to advanced-intermediate surfers or above, even on smaller days. That level of experience helps keep you and everyone around you safer.
- Always check the forecast before paddling out. Conditions can shift fast.
- If you're in position and paddling for a wave, commit to it. Hesitation at Pipeline often leads to a bad wipeout.
- If it looks like someone won't come out of the barrel, think twice before paddling for the wave. They might still make it.
- Wearing a helmet here is a good idea, and you'll see plenty of people in the water using one.
- Paddle out deeper, left of the channel. The current on the way out is very strong and pulls toward Ehukai.
If you're on the fence about Pipeline, my Surfing North Shore guide walks through other local breaks and what conditions are like across the North Shore, so you can choose something that fits your skill level.
Best places to watch the waves
Pipeline is one of the best waves in the world to watch from shore, and there are a few spots around Ehukai Beach Park that give you great views. Here are the best places to watch.
Quick note: Ehukai Beach Park is also one of the best places to watch the whales on the North Shore from the beach.
Ehukai Beach Park
This is a great place to watch Pipeline from shore. You get a side-angle view of the wave, which makes it easy to see surfers tucked deep in the barrel and coming out with spray.
You're also right in front of the Ehukai beach break, so there's often surfing happening there too. The sand is wide here, with plenty of room to spread out.
Pipeline beach access
Just west of the Ehukai Beach Park parking lot, there's a beach access between the houses. This is one of my favorite places to watch the waves from.
As you walk down, the first thing you'll notice is a wooden bench overlooking the beach. It's a popular place to sit and watch the surf, with a small plaque dedicated to Derek Ho, a legendary Pipeline surfer.
Watching the waves from here is incredible. You're looking straight into the wave as it breaks close to shore, and you can really feel the energy. On good days, it almost feels like the whole beach is vibrating.
You'll also see a lot of professional surfers walking down this access to check the surf and paddle out.
Off the Wall beach access
Off the Wall is a surf break just west of Ehukai Beach Park, and this area is another great place to watch Pipeline if you want a different angle than the main viewing areas.
From here, you get a side-angle view of Backdoor, which is Pipeline breaking to the right, and you can watch surfers at Off the Wall at the same time.
Backdoor is steep, fast, and powerful, breaking over an even shallower section of reef. When surfers come flying out of the barrel here, it's especially exciting to watch from shore.
Ehukai Pillbox
If you hike up the Ehukai Pillbox Trail, you get an elevated view of Pipeline that's completely different from watching at the beach.
On bigger days, the hike is especially worth it, since you can see the swell lines marching in and really take in the scale of the waves.
It's also a great spot for photos of the surf and the North Shore coastline, though the trail can be muddy and slippery after rain.
Getting there & directions
Here's the exact location of Ehukai Beach Park and Pipeline on Google Maps:
From Honolulu or Waikiki, the drive usually takes about an hour using the H-1 and H-2 freeways, and it's an easy drive. If you take the H-3 scenic route, plan closer to an hour and a half if you don't stop along the way.
If you're planning to rent a car, Discover Cars can help you compare prices and often find better rates.
Another option is visiting Ehukai Beach Park as part of a private van tour, which can be a nice choice if you don't want to deal with driving or parking yourself.
When using GPS, search for "Ehukai Beach Park," since Pipeline itself isn't always marked clearly.
You can get here by bus, but from Waikiki it usually takes about twice as long as driving (Route 51/52, or 60).
Parking & facilities
Here's what to know about parking and facilities at Ehukai Beach Park, especially if you're visiting during the winter surf season when it gets more crowded.
Quick note: This is a public beach and free to visit year-round. There's no entrance fee, and anyone can walk down to the beach to watch the waves.
Parking
- Beach park lot: There's a small parking lot at Ehukai Beach Park. In winter, it's usually full most of the day. In summer, people tend to come and go, so it's easier to find a spot.
- Street parking: You can also find parking on either side of Kamehameha Highway near the beach park.
- Park at the school: Sunset Beach Elementary School is right across the street and has a small parking lot where you can look for a spot.
- Good to know: Parking is free everywhere. During surf competitions, it's tougher to park close by, but you can usually find street parking if you're okay with a short walk.
Facilities
- Bathrooms: Public restrooms are available near the main parking lot and across the street by Sunset Beach Elementary School.
- Showers: Outdoor showers are available to rinse off after the beach.
- Picnic tables & benches: Available throughout the park.
- Lifeguards: Lifeguards are on duty during the day.
- Good to know: There are no food vendors or chair and umbrella rentals at the beach. Most visitors grab food and rent beach gear ahead of time in Haleiwa Town, then bring everything with them.
FAQs
Ehukai Beach Park is the public beach park where everything is located. It's the place you park, access the beach, and watch the waves.
Banzai Pipeline is the famous surf break directly offshore from Ehukai Beach Park. It's best known for heavy, barreling waves in winter.
Backdoor is Pipeline breaking to the surfer's right instead of the left. It breaks over a slightly different, shallower section of reef and is just as powerful and technical.
Winter is the best time, especially from November through February, when North Shore swells are most consistent.
Checking the surf report before you go is the easiest way to know if it's worth stopping. If the forecast is calling for a NW or W swell around 6-8 feet or more, it's usually a good sign that Pipeline could be breaking. You can also check our live Pipeline webcam to see how it looks before heading over.
Swimming is unsafe in winter due to strong surf and currents. Summer is calmer, but if you're not comfortable in the water, Waimea Bay Beach or Haleiwa Beach Park are usually better options for swimming.
Yes, Pipeline isn't limited to locals only, but there is a clear order in the lineup that everyone is expected to respect. Local surfers sit deepest and have priority. Visitors are expected to sit wider or farther down the lineup and wait their turn.
Knowing this, and respecting it, matters just as much as your surfing ability here.
Nearby beaches to visit
If you're visiting and planning to spend more time in the area, these nearby North Shore beaches are all close to Ehukai Beach Park and worth a stop.
- Waimea Bay: Summer is good for swimming and snorkeling. In winter, it's better for hanging out on the sand or watching the waves when there's a big swell.
- Sunset Beach: Summer is usually calm enough for swimming. Winter is a great time to watch powerful surf.
- Sharks Cove: One of the best summer snorkeling and scuba diving areas on the island. In winter, it's more about watching waves crash against the rocks.
- Ali'i Beach: Close to Haleiwa Town, this is a relaxed beach that's good for swimming in summer and a nice place to watch the surfers in winter.
To plan your visit beyond Pipeline, check out our North Shore Oahu guide. If questions come up while you're planning, feel free to leave a comment below. Here are a few more helpful resources:
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