Ehukai Beach Park (Pipeline)

No visit to the North Shore would be complete without checking out Ehukai beach, or Banzai Pipeline as it is known to surfers around the world. Set at the heart of the “7 mile miracle” this is possibly the most famous surf spot on the planet and a veritable Mecca for surfers. However, Pipeline is a wave for the experts only; incredibly powerful and breaking over a shallow coral reef this is also one of the most dangerous surf spots in the world.

While the name Ehukai comes from the Hawaiian for “sea spray” the roots of the Banzai Pipeline name are much more recent. The story is that it was named by surf filmmaker Bruce Brown back in 1961. After filming the hollow, barreling waves with traveling Californian surfers they had to think of a name. Inspiration came in the form of some construction works on the way home when Brown spotted an underground pipeline which reminded him of the spot. The name stuck. Tha Banzai part comes from an older name for some rocks on the beach here.

The surfing season is very much focused around the winter months. If you visit Ehukai beach in the summer chances are you would have no idea there were waves topping 25ft here a few months back. It is often completely flat making swimming and snorkeling over the coral completely safe. If in doubt, check with the lifeguards - they’re here all year and are the best in the world.

As this is Hawaii you can expect soft golden sand and a backdrop of swaying palm trees. Ehukai is actually quite a low key spot in the summer. With showers and a picnic area it is ideal for a family beach day.