Waimea Bay Beach Park is located on the North Shore of Oahu, five miles north of Haleʻiwa. Famous for waves reaching up to seventy to eighty feet in the winter, Waimea is one of the best places to watch the world’s best surfers brave the open-ocean swells in events such as “The Eddie.” The big sets in winter are for expert surfers only, so beginners should stay close to the shore for safety. During summer, the surf is calmer and a popular destination for snorkeling, diving, swimming, limited fishing, and body boarding. There are no snorkel rentals, so you must bring your own, but there are several watersports shops nearby where you can rent or buy equipment. Amenities include restrooms, a parking lot, outdoor showers, and picnic tables, and a lifeguard is on duty daily. Across the street from Waimea Bay is the verdant Waimea Valley and Falls, which has a botanical garden and cultural center.