Where are ocean waves strongest?

The largest waves occur where there are big expanses of open water that wind can affect. Places famous for big waves include Waimea Bay in Hawaii, Jaws in Maui, Mavericks in California, Mullaghmore Head in Ireland, and Teahupoo in Tahiti.



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Home to several Guinness World Records - including the largest wave ever ridden and biggest wave ever surfed by a woman - Nazaré's Praia do Norte is a rare natural phenomenon. Despite being a beach break, it is so powerful and heavy that some call it the surfboard-breaking machine.

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Beaches with the Largest Waves in the United States
  1. Jaws, Maui, Hawaii. ...
  2. Mavericks Beach, California. ...
  3. Banzai Pipeline, Oahu. ...
  4. Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii. ...
  5. Waimea Bay, Oahu Waimea. ...
  6. New Smyrna Beach, Florida. ...
  7. Nelscott Reef in Lincoln City, Oregon. ...
  8. Westport: Grays Harbor, Washington.


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On a calm day, California beaches usually have bigger waves than Florida beaches because our part of the Pacific tends to be rougher and a whole lot colder than Florida's part of the Atlantic.

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If you want large waves, head to the North Shores. Large winter storms moving south of Alaska send waves to Hawaii. These waves travel a shorter distance than from the storms in the southern hemisphere. There are also no islands between Hawaii and these storms, meaning Hawaii gets all the big waves.

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Reef Road – Palm Beach, FL The popular spot in Palm Beach is known for its big waves and heart-racing surf. The beach by the south jetty is the place for the most intense waves.

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Three years ago Germany's Sebastian Steudtner broke the world record for biggest wave ever ridden with a monstrous 86-footer at Nazare in Portugal.

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