Sunset Beach at size is one of surfing's ultimate tests—a massive, shifting playing field the size of a football pitch where peaks appear and disappear unpredictably across deep water. The wave produces powerful, walling faces that require exceptional positioning and the ability to read a constantly changing lineup. More surfers have been humbled at Sunset than perhaps any other spot. When solid NW swells hit during winter, Sunset delivers the most demanding open-ocean big wave experience in Hawaii.
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: Beach
How well swell angle matches the spot
Wave height in the ideal range
Each spot has different period requirements. Points and reefs can handle longer periods than beaches.
Offshore/glassy conditions