Waimea Bay is Oahu's North Shore's signature big-wave spot, famous as the site of the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational (The Eddie), which only runs when waves exceed 20 feet on the Hawaiian scale (roughly 9-12 meters actual face height). Since Greg Noll and others first rode giant waves here in 1957, it has become an iconic location in big-wave surfing history. In summer the bay turns nearly flat and becomes popular for snorkeling and cliff jumping instead.
