Winter in the northern hemisphere marks an incredibly unique series of events across the northern exposures of all the Hawaiian Island Chain. Massive storms near the north pole generate huge amounts of wave energy during this time of year. This energy often reaches The Hawaiian Island Chain in the form of large waves that break or crash on our shorelines. The size of the wave is determined by several factors. One being the fetch (sometimes called fetch length), which is the length of water over which a given wind has blown. Alaska is approximately 3000 miles from Hawaii. With sustained winds that can sometimes reach 50+ knots over long stretches of ocean, the waves that generate out of the north pacific ocean, will usually have a longer fetch. Therefore, by the time these waves make it to the Hawaiian Island Chain, BIG might be an understatement……
 December 2013, Oahu's North Shore |  December 2013, Oahu's North Shore |
A portion of Oahu's famous North Shore, in particular, has become known as the "Seven Mile Miracle". The area, from Haleiwa to Sunset Beach is a seven mile stretch of coastline that many feel is the greatest collection of world class surf breaks in the world. Extreme athletes from around the globe come to Hawaii every winter to challenge themselves mentally and physically at the some of the biggest rideable waves in the world.
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The Private Tours Hawaii Team always recommends a visit to the North Shore ("Da Country") during your stay in Hawaii. At PTH, we also advise that you use your best judgement when visiting any shoreline of the Hawaiian Island Chain. The northern and western exposures of the island of Oahu can get very dangerous during our big wave season. Please consult with a local lifeguard before entering a beach area. Ocean conditions can change very quickly.
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