UPDATED FEB 2020. If you had been looking to do some cliff jumping while you are on Oahu, the Waimea Bay rock jump is a great place to start. It’s high enough to be scary but not as intimidating as some of the other big jumps. Plus, you get to hang out at one of the most stunning beaches afterward. Here’s a practical guide how to plan your visit to the iconic rock and stunning beach with everything you need to know before you go.
Everything You Need To Know About The Waimea Bay Rock Jump
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FAQ for the Waimea Bay rock jump
Where is Waimea Bay located?
North Shore, about 1 hour drive from Waikiki.
What skill level is needed to swim in Waimea Bay?
Beginner – depending on the weather though. Check the forecast and stick to your limits.
What is the Waimea Bay rock jump height?
It’s 25 feet at the highest point. There are lower points to jump off as well.
What bravery level needed for rock jump?
Medium coconuts.
Is there a cost?
No, it’s free.
What should you bring with you to Waimea Bay?
- Lightweight towel
- Water bottle (I use a Hydro Flask or this big one)
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Snorkel gear
- Waterproof camera (I LOVE my GoPro and use it with this floaty selfie stick)
- Umbrella or small tent if you have kids/want shade – the beach is pretty open to the elements
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How to get to Waimea Bay by car
You can use ‘Waimea Bay Beach Park‘ in Google Maps.
If you are coming from Waikiki, the fastest way to get there is by driving up the middle of the island.
Another option is to go via Kaneohe and drive the scenic coastal route using the Kamehameha Highway up and around until you reach Waimea.
I recommend using the scenic drive via Kaneohe on the way there so you don’t have to cross traffic to enter the parking lot.
How to get to Waimea Bay using the bus
Take bus #19 towards airport/Hickam and get off at Alakea St + Nimitz Hwy.
Transfer to bus #60 towards Kaneohe/Haleiwa and get off at Kamehameha Hwy + Opp Waimea Valley Rd. Then you’ll just walk down the road a little to the beach park.
It will take about 2 and a half hours to get there on the bus.
Check with the bus driver and staff at your hotel to make sure this is current.
Where to park at Waimea Bay
There is a parking lot on site.
It’s a small lot and parking can fill up fast though. You might have to do some carpark stalking or find a safe spot on the street outside if the lot is full.
When is the best time to go
Summer is the best time to go to Waimea Bay because it really sparkles.
During winter the beaches on the north shore and west side are pretty much off-limits and always red-flagged because of dangerous surf conditions.
If you want to see the big surf competitions then winter is a great time to go, but you won’t be able to get in the water in these areas.
As far as the time of day is concerned, this is a really popular beach so it’s best if you can go early to get a parking space.
It’s also a great spot for sunset and most of the crowds have gone by then.
What to expect
The beach has a large, sandy area to laze about on but it’s very open with little shade. Keep that in mind and make sure to protect yourself against sunburn and heat-related illnesses.
There are lifeguards stationed here and toilets near the parking lot.
Near the parking area, you’ll also usually find a couple of stalls with things like souvenirs and shirts. Bring cash if you’d like to get any of that stuff.
Snorkeling at Waimea Bay
You can find some good snorkeling in the bay, especially around the rocks. There are some caves to swim through as well.
On a clear day, the visibility is second to none and you’re likely to see fish and even some turtles. I’ve even seen dolphins further out in the bay so keep an eye out, you never know where they are going to show up.
Otherwise, it’s a great beach for swimming and cooling off.
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The famous Waimea Bay cliff jump
Jumping off the Waimea Bay rock is a really fun, albeit a little scary, adventure.
Climbing up is easy, which makes this a good spot for beginners. The rock is nice and flat to allow for a stable climb. It’s not very narrow either. There’s plenty of space for people up there.
Once you are at the top of the rock, you have a few choices on where you can jump from. You can choose to go for the highest point or some of the lower edges to warm up. It was ‘go hard or go home’ for me, so I jumped from the high spot.
I wanted to jump with my friend Kat for the first time to help motivate me. If we were jumping together I couldn’t chicken out. I stood on the edge and froze for a moment. ‘ahhhhh I can’t do it.’
Then I acknowledged with myself that it wasn’t a legitimate fear like a T-Rex was chasing me, it was made up fear. I was just scared because it was high and it was my first-time cliff jumping.
So that mindful moment led to ‘ahhh I can’t do it………… Oh wait yes I can’ and we jumped!
And it was cool – atomic wedgie and all!
Other things to do in the area
I think Waimea Bay is a great place to visit on a beach-hopping north shore day.
Other beaches I would recommend seeing in the area are Sunset Beach, Banzai Pipeline, Dolores’ Beach, Mokulēʻia Beach Park, and/or Haleiwa Beach.
If you’d like to do some snorkeling I recommend:
While you’re in the area I also recommend:
You’ll be in a great area for trying some good food and here are some of my favorite places.
- Giovanni’s Shrimp
- Romy’s Shrimp or North Shore Tacos for lunch
- Matsumoto’s for a shave ice
- Paalaa Kai Bakery for snow puffies
- Green World Coffee Farms for a coffee on the way back to your hotel
Where to stay on Oahu
If you plan to stay on the North Shore, my favorite place is Turtle Bay Resort. It’s a fantastic place to stay with lots of activities, great restaurants and bars on the beach, and fantastic customer service.
There are also a lot of guesthouses on the North Shore if that is what you prefer.
If you will be staying in Waikiki, I recommend the Hilton Hawaiian Village. This is my go-to place to stay for a staycation downtown and it’s another fantastic option.
I hope this can inspire you to take on the Waimea Bay rock jump or at least visit this stunning beach.
As always make sure you use your best judgment to decide if this is a good adventure for you and check the surf conditions before getting in the water. If in doubt, don’t go out.
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I have wondered about this particular cliff jump. About how deep is the water there (typically)? I’m planning a vacation next year and have a long and varied bucket list for Hawaii. Glad I found your blog!
Hi Dee! I’m glad you found it too and thanks so much for reading. I appreciate the support! The water there is deep enough to jump – I jumped from the highest point of the rock at say 10-11 or so in the morning and didn’t touch the ground when I landed if that helps. I hope you have a wonderful time in Hawaii and if you have any questions feel free to reach out.
The salty water makes you quite buoyant so even though the water might only be 12 feet deep, You will be a-okay. I couldn’t hit the bottom if I tried. Though if it were freshwater, that would be a different story!
I am moving to Oahu next month and have been astonished by the negativity I have heard when people discover I’m moving to Hawaii! Your blog will be my guide! Thank you for the inspiration!
I’ll take any advice you have to offer!
Woah crazy! I’m sorry you have experienced negativity for moving to Hawaii, but trust me it’s paradise & will be worth it. I hope you love your time there as much as I did because it’s a beautiful place. Definitely check out the blog and my Instagram for some pointers and ask away if you have any questions, I’m always happy to help. xx