Banzai Pipeline

Ehukai Beach (Pipeline) is on the North Shore where seasonal streams and agricultural runoff can affect water quality. The DOH monitors this area, and advisories are not uncommon after heavy winter rains. Water quality is generally acceptable during dry summer months.

Important: Water quality is the least of your concerns at Pipeline. The wave itself is the primary danger — it breaks in just 1–2 feet of water over a razor-sharp lava reef. Every year, surfers and bystanders are injured or killed here. Even experienced big-wave surfers have lost their lives at Pipeline.

Based on: DOH Ehukai Beach monitoring, North Shore stream inputs, seasonal rainfall

Banzai Pipeline is a surf reef break located off Ehukai Beach on Oʻahu's North Shore. The wave is considered the world's most famous — and most dangerous — wave. It was first surfed in the 1960s and has hosted the prestigious Billabong Pipeline Masters competition for decades.

The wave draws its power from deep-water North Pacific swells that surge onto an extremely shallow lava reef. At peak height, Pipeline can create barrel waves over 20 feet tall breaking in water less than 3 feet deep. The reef is sharp, uneven, and unforgiving.

In summer (May–September), North Shore swells diminish and the ocean calms considerably. During these months, locals sometimes swim and snorkel around the area, though the reef and current remain risks. Winter is strictly for expert surfers only.