Can you swim at Sunset Beach on Oahu?

Yes, summer swimming can be possible when the sea is calm and a lifeguard recommends it. May through September on most days brings smaller waves. Winter surf and strong currents can make swimming dangerous at both parks. You shouldn't treat the presence of surfers as a sign that it's safe for you to swim.

When is the Pipeline surf season?

November through February is the main season for watching big waves at Pipeline. Powerful surf can also arrive in October or last into April. The Lexus Pipe Masters window is in December. Your chosen day may have no contest heats.

Is there parking at Sunset Beach?

Yes, parking is free in the beach park lots. Sunset Beach Support Park has a lot across Kamehameha Highway from the sand. Ehukai has its own small lot beside the park. Your car belongs in a legal space; don't use the highway as a fallback when the lots fill.

Where do you watch surfing at Pipeline?

Watch Pipeline from the sand at Ehukai Beach Park. Tower 26 is at 59-337 Ke Nui Road. The park has a beach access mat leading to a viewing point. You'll still need to stay well back from the water and follow any signs or lifeguard directions.

How do you get to Sunset Beach from Waikiki?

By car, it's 42.2 miles or 67.9 km from Kuhio Beach in Waikiki. By TheBus, you transfer at Ala Moana Center to Route 60. Cash costs adults $3.25 per boarding without transfers; HOLO costs $3.00 for 2 hours with transfers. The adult HOLO day cap is $7.50; the card costs $2.00.

Are there lifeguards at Sunset Beach and Pipeline?

Yes, Sunset Beach Park has tower 25 and Ehukai Beach Park has tower 26. Tower 27 is at nearby Ke Waena. The daily tower schedule is 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. HST. You'll need the lifeguard's advice on where you can swim, even within those hours.

Things to do in Oahu › Oahu beaches › Sunset Beach and Pipeline

Sunset Beach and Pipeline

Winter surf watching

Updated October 30, 2026 Conditions: Ocean Safety; towers: Honolulu; prices: TheBus; contests: WSL

Sunset Beach and Ehukai Beach Park line Oahu's North Shore. Pipeline breaks just off Ehukai's sand. The mapped Sunset Beach point is 42.2 miles or 67.9 km from Waikiki. Winter brings surf contests; May through September brings smaller waves. Both parks have lifeguard towers and small parking lots. Winter currents can rule out your swim, so follow the lifeguard's advice before entering.

A surfer on a North Shore wave near Sunset Beach

Map

Where Sunset Beach and Pipeline is

21.6708° N, 158.0457° W Directions in Google Maps Apple Maps OpenStreetMap

How to get there

From Waikiki by car From Kuhio Beach in Waikiki, the mapped Sunset Beach point is 42.2 miles or 67.9 km by road. Your approach through Haleiwa follows Kamehameha Highway past Waimea Bay. Leave room for traffic and the parking search.
By bus From Waikiki, transfer at Ala Moana Center to Route 60 toward Kaneohe and Haleiwa. It follows the windward coast to Sunset Beach. The westbound Kamehameha Hwy + Sunset Beach stop is 2542.
With a tour The North Shore list compares trips along this coast. The surf list matches lesson beaches to your skills. Your booking page should name any Sunset Beach or Pipeline stop and the Waikiki pickup.
On the bike path From the Waimea Bay side, the Ke Ala Pupukea path starts at Ke Iki Road. It runs 2.8 miles or 4.5 km beside Kamehameha Highway toward Sunset Beach. Leave room for walkers when you pass them.

At a glance

Sunset Beach and Pipeline at a glance

Water	smaller waves from May through September may allow swimming. Winter surf can exceed 30 feet along the North Shore. Your swim still depends on conditions at the beach.
Lifeguards	tower 25 at Sunset Beach Park; tower 26 at Ehukai Beach Park. Tower 27 is at Ke Waena. Daily tower hours are 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. HST.
Shade	limited on the sand at both beaches. You'll need your own shade while watching the surf.
Parking	free lots serve Sunset Beach and Ehukai Beach Park. Sunset Beach Support Park has parking across Kamehameha Highway. You'll need time to park, especially during contests.
On the shore	restrooms and showers at Ehukai Beach Park. Sunset's facilities are across the highway at the support park. Ehukai's beach access mat leads to a viewing point.
Hazards	strong currents and shorebreak can catch swimmers near shore. Pipeline's waves break over a shallow, sharp reef. Face the ocean for photos, even from the sand.
Events and closures	the HTA Sunset Pro has an October to November window. Pipeline's Lexus Pipe Masters falls in December; the Billabong Pipe Pro runs in January and February. Leave your contest day flexible.

Before you go

Winter visits suit surf watching from well back on the sand; summer swims depend on the lifeguard's advice. Use the beach lots and keep your car off the highway. Bring cash for Giovanni's shrimp truck in Kahuku.

The beach

What Sunset Beach and Pipeline is like

Pipeline breaks over the reef off Ehukai Beach Park. The sand gives you a close view of surfers inside the curling wave. Sunset Beach extends toward Sunset Point along the same coast and has a dozen reef breaks. Kamehameha Highway links the parks, with the bike path running beside it. You don't need to enter the water to watch either break, and the parks give you separate places to stop.

November through February is the peak season for watching big surf. Powerful surf can arrive in October and last into April. Winter contests draw crowds to the parks and put pressure on their small lots. A contest window leaves room for lay days while organizers wait for suitable waves. Your December visit can fall on a day when no heats run.

May through September brings smaller waves and a different visit. A swim can be an option near a staffed tower when the lifeguards recommend it. You still need to sit well back from the waves. Sunset's showers sit across the highway, so your rinse takes you back toward the parking lot. Summer isn't a guarantee: currents and shorebreak still matter even when the beach looks quiet.

Tours

North Shore tours and surf lessons

North Shore tours 9 tours · from $134

The North Shore list helps you compare trips that combine beach stops with time around Haleiwa. Your exact option needs to name Sunset Beach or Pipeline if either is the reason for your trip.

Surf lessons 14 tours · from $51.54

The surf list covers lessons for your own time in the water. You'll need a teaching beach suited to your level; Pipeline's winter waves require expert skills.

Circle island tours 14 tours · from $75

The circle island list covers routes that include the North Shore in a wider island day. Your booking page needs to distinguish a beach stop from simply driving past Sunset Beach.

Nearby