Feb 20, 2024
Waves of the North Shore Series 7– Ehukai Beach
BLOG SERIES FOR THE BEST SURF SPOTS ON NORTH SHORE: Ehukai Beach
This winter, Hawaiian South Shore will be presenting a series of blogs about the best surf spots on the North Shore, sharing a bit of their history, how they break, and what makes them tick. From small longboard waves to the original big wave spot—not to mention the deadliest barrel on the planet—the Seven-Mile Miracle has it all. Whether you are new to the Country or have surfed these waves your entire life, join us as we dive into the best spots on the North Shore.
@miriamataputu
Ehukai Beach - An Overlooked Gem
Often overlooked due to the hype surrounding its famous neighbor (Pipeline), Ehukai Beach is an average beach break 99 percent of the time, with soft, semi-closed out walls. It’s largely the domain of groms and bodyboarders, although crowds are almost always at a minimum, especially compared to the reef break right next door. In addition Ehukai tends to max out once it gets to the four- or five-foot range, so it’s often out of commission during active winters.
That being said, every now and then, the right swell will move sand from Ehukai north toward Pupukea and create the aptly named “Sandbar,” which is a shallow bank that can turn into any number of novelty waves, from a rippable right-hand point break to a mutant, backless slab. Sandbar typically only works on smaller swells (in the knee- to head-high+ range), but every once in a while the bank sets up in a manner that can handle a bit more size (“handling” being a relative term, of course, as the bank often morphs into a multiple-lipped freak show that only the best surfers can handle).
More Than Just a Wave
Whether you are looking for slabby sand bars or simply want to surf a relatively empty beach break with a front-row view of Pipeline, any session you have at Ehukai will likely be watched by a lot of people. In addition to being home to the world’s most famous wave, Ehukai Beach Park is also one of the most beautiful and easily accessible beaches on the North Shore, with an extensive parking lot and addition parking at Sunset Elementary School, which is located directly across the road. (Sunset Elementary is also home to the weekly Farmer’s Market, which is held on most Saturdays.)
@marcus_ocean
For all of these reasons, there is always a healthy crowd on the beach at Ehukai (mostly clamoring for a view of Pipeline). There’s also a resident lifeguard tower to help keep tourists from getting washed away by cleanup sets, and to lend a hand when more experienced surfers get injured for find themselves in trouble. Finally, the pond that forms on the sand berm after large swells (affectionately known as Beaver Pond) is a popular option for sunbathers, skimboarders, and hordes of little groms.
In conclusion, there’s no shortage of interesting things to look at on Ehukai Beach, so whether you are there to surf or sightsee, you likely won’t be disappointed. After all, this is literally the epicenter of the surfing world.
MORE TO READ📚🔎
WAVES OF THE NORTH SHORE SERIES 1 – VELZYLAND
WAVES OF THE NORTH SHORE SERIES 2 – SUNSET BEACH
WAVES OF THE NORTH SHORE SERIES 3 – BACKYARDS
WAVES OF THE NORTH SHORE SERIES 4 – PIPELINE