In summer, Waimea typically has clear and calm water. In winter, large waves created by winter storms in the
North Pacific make Waimea and other
North Shore locations such as
Pipeline and
Sunset Beach premier
surfing locations. These waves areand usually reach O'ahu's North Shore several days in advance of the storm arriving there, often coinciding with North Shore surfing contests. The
surf break at Waimea Bay was significant in the development of
big wave surfing. Larger surf at the bay went unridden for years until November 7, 1957 when a handful of surfers finally paddled out and rode the giant waves that break off the northern point of the bay. While the surf only breaks big several times a year, Waimea was the most prestigious big wave surf break in the world for decades. With the advent of
tow-in surfing, more and more big wave breaks have been discovered that are far superior in quality to Waimea. However, the bay still holds a significant place even in today's world of big wave surfing. The
Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau takes place in Waimea Bay to honor the legendary surfer and the first lifeguard of the North Shore of Oahu. Since its inception in 1984, the tournament has only been held eleven times, due to a precondition that open-ocean swells reach a minimum height of before the competition can be held. Open-ocean swells of this height generally translate to wave faces in the bay of to . The most recent tournament was in December 2024. On January 28, 1998, Hawaii issued its first ever "condition black" legally closing all North Shore beaches including Waimea Bay. The Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau was canceled due to above-average behemoth surf. ==In popular culture==