Here’s a list of the 10 most feared waves in the world. The list isn’t in any order because there is an ongoing debate between surfers as to which surf spot is the most dangerous.
Teahupoo - Tahiti
This isn’t your father’s perfect wave, and unless seeing your next birthday doesn’t rank on your list of priorities, it isn’t yours either. Tahiti’s Teahupoo (pronounced cho-pu) is essentially a glorified closeout — a hideous, deadly barrel promising a heap of trouble for even the most capable of surfers. In recent years, professional contests and high-profile tow-ins have bombarded us with images of her seemingly flawless barrels, but no other surf spot extracts a higher toll than Teahupoo, the heaviest wave in the world.
Jaws - Hawaii
Known as Peahi by the locals, this is a big-wave spot—surf only if you dare. Jaws is where world-class daredevils risk their lives on the biggest waves in the world—up to 70 feet. Mere mortals watch from the cliff as tow teams of surfers and Jet Skiers tackle this giant spot. Best Boards: Tow-in boards to rhino guns, 10 to 12 feet.
Shipsterns Bluff - Tazmania
Bluff Reef was not a very famous or local spot people would surf. It Requires S-SE winds, 6 foot swell and can hold up to 30 foot. This rigthander also requires a medium to high tide to cover the sharp treacherous reef below. It is located 150m offshore from a cliff boat or long paddle required. It is a big A-Frame take-off that can be imtimidating. It peels for about 40m, it is fast, hollow and extremely powerful. You might need a 7ft plus board to surf it.
Dungeons - Cape Town, South Africa
Overview |
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Atmosphere |
Awesome scenic beauty, and monster waves. |
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General |
Not for the faint-hearted! |
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Mavericks - Half Moon Bay, California
Mavericks is really the only spot that still holds its own in paddle-surfing
Ghost Trees - Pebble Beach, California
Ghost Trees is a famed big wave surfing location off Pebble Beach, California. On December 4, 2007, big wave surfer Peter Davi died surfing Ghost Trees.
Nelscott Reef - Lincoln City, Oregon
Nelscott Reef is an ocean reef near Lincoln City, Oregon, United States that creates a reef break (where waves spill over to create whitewater) that is known as the only place on the Oregon Coast with the right conditions for tow-in surfing. It is named for the former community of Nelscott, which is now a part of Lincoln City.
The reef is the home of the Nelscott Reef Tow-In Classic. Nelscott Reef is the only spot on the Oregon coast to consistently produce double overhead waves, thus the event brings in big name surfers, such as Peter Mel and Adam Replogle. Before 2003 no one had been able to paddle out in this region due to the shallow water and undertow.
Pipeline - Hawaii
The biggest barrel in the world at times, and one of the absolute best waves on the north shore. For sheer adrenaline, power, beauty and danger, Pipeline has no equal.
Pipeline’s famous lefts break best on a west or northwest swell, the north lines tend to make it close out. The is where the really big barrels are.
Cortes Bank - San Diego, California
To get the biggest waves at Cortes Bank, you need light winds, low tides, and big storm swells from the northwest all at the same time, a Pacific surfer’s version of the “perfect storm”. When it happened on January 19, 2001, California big wave riders scrambled to test their skill against the biggest, baddest wave ever ridden. These waves move so fast that surfers can’t catch them by paddling, so they enlist the aid of a fearless jet skier who tows them with a rope until they are moving fast enough to catch the wave.
Punta De Lobos - Pichilemu, Chile
A perfect beach to swim in and practice outdoor activities, like surf, fly fishing and walk by its warm water. Los Lobos beach is known by its rich sea fauna and its 100 meters cliffs.
