Welcome to Waimea Bay, one of Hawai’i’s most gorgeous paddling spots located on the North Shore of Oahu. The water is clean, serene, tropical and warm, but always changing. These conditions make it a perfect paddle for any type of waterman, whether you are looking for a calm day on the bay or a fitness routine around the cliffs. The Waimea Bay SUP Paddle is great for beginners and intermediate paddlers. Waimea offers ample beach space with the option to snorkel, swim, dive, paddle and relax as well. When we were there, we were lucky enough to watch Hui Nalu Canoe Club paddle their Ka’apuni O’ahu (Circumnavigate O’ahu) leg of the race that morning.
Distance: 1 mile
Time: 20 min
Difficulty: Intermediate
Best (Only) time: Summer
Parking: Free
Getting There
Coming from Kaneohe and beyond, hop on Kamehameha Hwy until you reach the beach park on your right. Be sure to get there early as the parking lot fills up quite fast, especially on weekends.
If you’re coming from town, the H1 to the H2 will take you pretty much all the way there until you land in Haleiwa, which is only a few minutes away from Waimea. You’ll approach the beach park on your left.
Address for GPS: 61-31 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712
Parking
Parking at Waimea Bay Beach Park is free, however the parking lot fills up notoriously fast, even on rainy mornings or the slowest of weekdays. Should this be the case, there is paid parking available across the street at Waimea Valley Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
Facilities
There are restrooms and showers located at Waimea Bay, nestled just before the beach and very close to the lifeguard towers.
Required Gear
There is no required gear for this paddle, however using a leash on your SUP is always a good idea. I would suggest using a life jacket or PFD of some kind if you want extra support or a less experienced paddler.
Cautions & Hazards
The only thing to really look out for at Waimea Bay is the waves. Although unassuming in the summer, Waimea can be treacherous in the winter. To really see the difference between Waimea Bay in the summer vs winter, check out this video or see below.
Tips & Resources
The Waimea Valley Arboretum and Botanical Garden across the street is absolutely gorgeous. This is a great place to walk around and explore after paddling.
If you like this post, check out the other #paddles or check out my website SUP Pacific
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