10 Biggest Waves in the World
In the surfing world, big waves catch a lot of attention. When the ocean lights up and mean storms form hundreds of miles off the coast sending ferocious vibrations towards every continent’s shore line, many surf spots turn into an absolute close out mess…
However, a few special places on this planet seem to be coming alive in such conditions giving way to some of the world’s most impressive and biggest waves.
Here is a countdown of the 10 best spots to ride or watch the biggest waves in the world…
10. Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Most of the time, Playa Zicatela in Puerto Escondido is just a typical hollow beach break. However, on a large swell, this spot becomes nothing less than the world’s heaviest beach break…
Known as Mexican Pipeline, this A-frame wave is now under the radar of every big wave surfer on the planet waiting for the next XXL swell to hit the Pacific…When this swell comes, expect a few broken boards and insanely huge barrels.
Read our surfing guide to Puerto Escondido, Mexico
9. Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii
Pipeline is known as one of the world’s biggest and deadliest waves. This reputation has been built from decades of massive swells on the North Shore of Oahu.
However, Pipeline is not actually the tallest or biggest wave in the world. Pipe’s magic resides in its hollowness and barrel-riding potential which is some of the best on Earth.
Read our complete surfing guide to Oahu, Hawaii
On a big northwesterly swell, Pipeline fires up some 20ft+ waves breaking on a shallow tabletop reef only a few meters away from the beach making it one of the best places to watch or take photos from some of the best surfers on Earth.
8. Cortes Bank, California
One of the least accessible of all big waves on this planet, Cortes Bank is located about 100 miles off California’s coastline.
However, the trip seems to be well worth it according to big wave riders.
The magic of this places lies underneath the surface where the deep Pacific waters meet a submerged mountain chain and create one of the world’s largest wave.
7. Waimea Bay, Oahu, Hawaii
This is a mythical surf spot on the North Shore of Oahu that offers a totally different set up than its neighbor Pipeline.
Although both waves are only a couple miles away from each other, Waimea Bay is the undisputed big wave surf spot on the North Shore and has been hosting The Eddie Invitational on several occasions.
When the whole North Shore is closing out due to a large swell, Waimea Bay and a few secret outer reefs are the only spots that actually come to life.
6. The Right, Western Australia
The Right is located off the Western coast of Australia and is probably the heaviest barrel out there. Strictly a tow-in wave, wiping out is not the only thing you will have to worry about here as this spot is most likely the “sharkiest” on this countdown.
This barrel is also extremely fast with a frequent inside section breaking in front of the previous one making it pretty hard to make it out without getting hammered in the depths of the Indian Ocean…
5. Shipstern’s Bluff, Tasmania
Located in Tasmania, Shipstern’s Bluff is not the most known big wave out there, but it does get terrifying. With its very odd shape , surfers often have to deal with a mid-ride air drop as the wave doubles up and creates a step on its face.
Footage from Shipstern is also some of the most insane you will see from the surfing scene and wipeouts are usually very spectacular.
This wave has been hosting the Red Bull Cape Fear event a few times in the past as well due to its resemblance to the regular venue of the event.
Read our surfing guide to Tasmania, Australia
4. Mavericks, California
According to many, Mavericks is the most dangerous surf spot on Earth. The wave itself is probably not the most intimidating but many other factors built such a reputation for the spot.
First of all, Mavericks is a paddle only spot making the takeoff very critical and exposing surfers to a few other dangers such as sharks and rip currents.
“Two-wave hold downs” are also very frequent here and on top of that, the water temperature can be as low as 50°F.
Overall, all conditions are very hostile in Half Moon Bay and even the best big wave surfers on this planet fear this wave more than any other.
3. Teahupo’o, Tahiti
On a big swell, Teahupo’o is definitely the most terrifying wave out there…When such a heavy and hollow wave breaks on razor sharp live coral reef, there is NO ROOM for mistakes.
Located on the south side of Tahiti, “Chopes” was even considered as a non-surfable wave up until the end of the 20th century. Ever since, surfers push the limits of this wave and even when it becomes too big to paddle into, jet skis join the party for some tow-in action.
Teahupo’o is the wave that provides us with some of the most incredible surfing footage out there due to the deep channel located right next to the break where boats and photographers line up to get the best possible shot of the beast.
Read our complete surfing guide to Tahiti, French Polynesia
2. Jaws, Maui, Hawaii
Jaws is a mythical surf spot located on the North Shore of Maui that starts working on a 15ft+ swell and can handle pretty much any size.
What makes Jaws even more special than any other big waves out there is how it remains perfect despite its tremendous size.
Whether they paddle in or get towed, surfers can really express their talent at Jaws with a nice open face and sometimes a pretty deep barrel opportunity.
Read our complete surfing guide to Maui, Hawaii
1. Nazare, Portugal
When it is on, Nazare is the biggest wave in the world, period. In 2020, Sebastian Steudner broke the record for the biggest wave ever surfed. It might not be as consistent of a break as Pipeline or Teahupo’o but it remains the record holding venue for the biggest wave ever surfed on earth, nothing less.
Every winter, a couple massive swells form into the Atlantic and bring the monster back to life while the whole big wave surfing community rush into this tiny Portuguese fishing village to try to get towed into a giant…
Nazare’s secret also lies underneath the surface where a deep canyon of water meets shallow waters near the coast and creates an incredibly massive wall of water above the surface giving place to amazing surfing scenes.