Banzai Pipeline , aka Pipeline, aka Pipe – call it whatever you want, this place is known the world over as one of the biggest, heaviest and closest-to-perfect barrels in all of wave riding. When the strong westerly swells kick up in winter, the waves can reach over 15ft before breaking on the ultrashallow reef below. The final leg of the Triple Crown of Surfing is held here in early to mid-December.
For expert board riders who know what they’re doing (no, a day of lessons at Waikiki Beach doesn’t count), this could be surfing’s holy grail. The waves break only a few yards offshore, so spectators are front-row and center. In the summer months everything calms down and there’s even some decent snorkeling off this beach.
