During the winter, professional surfers flock to Sunset Beach for the highest waves on O’ahu. Historically, it has been the site of many surfing competitions. Unless you’re an experienced surfer, come to Sunset Beach to watch the talent but steer clear when it comes time to mount a board in the colder months.
Summer on Sunset Beach is a much different story. Calm waters are ideal for snorkelling and boogie boarding. Even so, it is always advised to be attentive to your surroundings while at Sunset Beach, since the waves can pick up without warning. Skilled lifeguards monitor the waters. Look for red or black flags that indicate hazardous swimming conditions.
Even when the water is off-limits, Sunset Beach offers plenty of activities. Jog on the long beach or stretch out on a towel and relax. Look for the spectacular ocean life that is known to pass by in the water, including whales, dolphins, turtles and monk seals.
Picnic on the beach and watch the monstrous waves, some reaching up to 9 metres (30 feet) in height. Watching professionals balance on these huge waves is mesmerising. Just to the southwest at the Banzai Pipeline, the waves form into large blue tubes that are sought out by professional surfers.
No trip to O’ahu is complete without enjoying Sunset Beach’s namesake. Get to the beach a few hours before dusk and claim a spot. The sunset here draws crowds. Watch as the huge waves swallow up the sun as if it were the day’s last surfer. Try to come when there is some light cloud cover, as the colours are brightest when reflected off the clouds.
Arrive early in the day to get one of few parking spots at Sunset Beach. If you’re worried about finding a park you can always come by bus or leave the car further down the road and walk. Reach the beach from Honolulu in under an hour by the inland route. Otherwise, traverse the eastern shore in 1.5 hours for a scenic ocean drive.
