We were talking about how we prefer the Bahamas or Caribbean to Hawaii (and not saying this to start the usual argument of which is better) and my husband said he'd like to go to Hawaii again to see the surfers on the North Shore of Oahu (we've previously gone to Kauai and the Big Island).

So my question is: his 65th birthday is in Feb and I'd like to plan a trip. Is Feb a good time to see the big waves there?

And where should we stay? Any hotel recommendations?

Stay at Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore. We were able to watch surfers from the lawn/outdoor bar area; they were very close, too. It is a short drive to places like Sunset Beach and Bonzai Pipeline for even more action. There is a very nice Farmers Market/Craft Fair on Saturdays at Sunset Beach Elementary School. I like this hotel a lot. Local folks stay there when they want a special weekend. (...just don't leave an expensive camera in your room)

(...just don't leave an expensive camera in your room)

Barbara, I was wondering how you could possibly recommend this awful resort that doesn't care one bit about its guests or their possessions! (for the benefit of the OP, just kidding -- you have to have read some earlier threads, which I think have been removed, to "get this").

The surf on the North Shore in Jan. and Feb is usually when it's the biggest and most dangerous. Sometimes if the waves get over 20 plus feet in Waiamea Bay they might hold the famous Eddie Competition, when the best world class surfers compete from all over the world.

p.s. Barbara don't let Jorge hear you mention or recommend Turtle Bay!

I vaguely remember that earlier post you mention.

We were on the North Shore a few years ago on what turned out to be the official "opening day" of the surf season. There were news cameras there and they interviewed us. That night, we were at dinner in a diner in Honolulu when the news came on and THERE WE WERE!!

Nanabee, are you sure that's his name today?

We did this a few years ago in December as my husband always wanted to see the Pipeline Masters surf contest. While it was fun being there the surf was a huge disappointment. There were barely enough waves to hold the contest. So the surf is hit and miss and hopefully you will get big surf for your husband's birthday.
We rented a house off VRBO as we prefer to have our own little place to stay in. It was right on the beach and it was wonderful.

jh

sf7307
I think he last posted as Avoid Kauai, a poster who ranted about the perils of hiking in Kauai - and don't take a 10 minute nap, as "people" will steal your food and your water, but will be so sneaky that you'll never know until it's too late.