The tallest waves in the world, and where you can look at the monstrous giants. The highest and most dangerous surf waves Who took the biggest wave?

Waves, driven by the wind and breaking near the shore, are among the things that you can watch forever. Especially if their height is such a record that the water can cover you to your full height. There is a special place on our planet where the highest waves can be observed regularly.

Nazare - a fishing village with giant waves

In Portugal, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, there is a small village called Nazare. This is a real fishing village, founded in the 16th century, with a population of about 10 thousand inhabitants.

The village is picturesque, with beautiful sandy beaches (according to some sources, the best in Portugal), with good-natured inhabitants, who can still be found in colorful traditional dresses. There is even a fisherman's museum, and in addition, other attractions: the Church of Our Lady, the Citiu quarter with a stunning panorama, a 900-year-old chapel and a lighthouse. But this is not what travelers come here for. The fact is that there are waves of gigantic heights, at which surfers set world records.

Therefore, everyone who loves surfing simply needs to visit here. And also for those who want to look at the raging elements, because nothing is so mesmerizing as the ocean, its strength and power.

Waves to set records

V summer time Nazare is like a classic resort: heat, sea, beach with many tourists. But the fun does not stop here in winter: real extreme lovers and lovers of gawking come here, and swimming at this time here is a real murder. It is in winter that the season of surfers begins: waves near the coast reach 25-30 meters in height.

Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara first brought popularity to the town. He came to Nazar to ride a board. It was here that he conquered the world's largest wave on a sandy bottom. Its height was 24 meters. A couple of years later, the surfer returned and broke his own record, this time the wave reached 30 meters. After that, the lighthouse in Nazar was turned into the Garrett McNamara Museum. The main exhibit here is the very same Mercedes Benz board for which the world record was set.

Where do such big waves come from?

In fact, such waves are quite rare (unless we are talking about tsunamis or rogue waves, of course). However, in reality, everything is explained quite easily. The fact is that the village is located next to the largest underwater gorge in Europe - Nazare Canyon. And this gorge is actually huge: it stretches for about 170 kilometers in length, and the deepest point of the canyon is 5 thousand meters from the surface.

About one of the most dangerous, but at the same time the most popular surf spots in the world called Mavericks, which is located in Half Moon Bay in California. We chose ten more the most dangerous places for surfing, which attract extreme lovers, despite the giant waves, bloodthirsty sharks and the risk of crashing on the rocks.

Banzai pipeline

Located on the northern coast of the Hawaiian island of Oaxi, this spot is dangerous not so much by the height of the waves (they here on average reach three to four meters), but by shallow coral reefs that are easy to break on. Over the past ten years, five professional surfers have died here, including the Japanese Moto Watanabe, Joaquin Veliya from Puerto Rico and renowned water photographer John Mozo.

Waimea bay

Not far from Banzai Pipeline is another world famous spot - Waimea Bay. It is not so shallow here, and the waves can reach 19 meters. The deaths of surfer Dickie Cross in 1943 and Californian Donnie Solomon in 1999 are known from tragic incidents.

Peahi

And again the Hawaiian spot. It is located on the island of Maui, but if Waimea Bay is famous for almost a century of history, then Peahi is a relatively new place, surfers came here only in the late 1990s. According to surfer Mark Healy, Peahi waves are the fastest in the world, and their crests crash on a 300-meter rock.

Teahupo

This spot is located in the southwest of Tahiti, on one of the islands of the French Polynesia archipelago. In translation, the name of the spot means “to tear off your head”, the waves here are quite consistent with this name. Since 2000, Teahupu has recorded five deaths, the most resonant of which is the death of professional surfer Brice Terea, who was on the crest of a wave and fell from it right onto the reef.

Dungeons

Coast South Africa near Hout Bay, where this spot is located, is famous for the largest number of sharks in the world. The predators living here are known for swimming up to the prey at high speed and completely flying out of the water, biting into it with their fangs. Waves at this spot reach 20 meters, and extremely low water temperature and huge underwater boulders create additional difficulties for extreme lovers.

Ghost tree

All the same dangers can be experienced on yourself and in North America- at Pebble Beach in northern California. It has the coldest waves in the world and is teeming with great white sharks. Wave heights can reach 25 meters. In 2007, popular Californian surfer Peter Davie died in the waters of the Ghost Tree.

Cyclops

Located on the south coast of Western Australia, Cyclops is not as popular as the other spots on this list, due to its inaccessibility, you can only get there by boat or jet ski, and it will take several hours to get there. The crests of the largest waves of this spot crash on a coral reef, so any mistake a surfer makes here can be fatal for him.

Praia do norte

The spot is located in the Portuguese town of Nazare - in an underwater canyon five kilometers deep and several hundred kilometers long, one of the most destructive waves in the world. It was here that the American surfer Garrett McNamara set a world record, breaking the highest wave in history - more than 23 meters.

Meñakoz

Europe cannot boast of such attractive spots for extreme sports as America and Australia, however, it also has its own dangerous beaches... The main one is Meñakoz, located in northern Spain, near Bilbao. The highest waves in Europe reach six meters, and the large number of sharp stones gives the coast an additional danger.

New smyrna

The beach in Florida is not distinguished by multi-meter waves or dangerous reefs, but the spot is known to all surfers due to the huge number of sharks. Every year sharks make dozens of attacks on athletes who conquer the waves of New Smyrna, most of which end in death.

And his impressions of the fall. You can easily imagine that without proper preparation, riding on many waves, if it does not cost your life, then threatens with serious injuries. TransWorld SURF magazine was puzzled by the search for the most dangerous waves in the world and offered its top ten of those that should be left only to professionals of the appropriate level.

Map of the most dangerous waves in the world (TransWorld SURF version)

Pipeline (Banzai Pipeline)

Located on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, the Pipeline is without doubt the most powerful and deadly wave in the world. Trumpeting powerful left and right (Backdoor) waves break near the shore over a coral reef with many cracks.

Unsuccessful start on the Pipeline. Photo: Brian Bielman

Over the years, the Pipeline has killed more people than all other spots combined. The fatalities include local bodyboarder Joshua Nakata in March 2008, renowned water photographer John Mozo in February 2005, professional surfer from Tahiti Malik Joeks in December 2005, Japanese professional surfer Moto Watanabe in January 2004 and experienced surfer from Puerto Rico Joaquin Veliya in January. 2007. The list of victims goes on ...

Ironically, the most dangerous days on the Pipeline are not the ones when the forecast is the most severe, but when the swell rises quickly, and the waves begin to rise sharply closer to the shore above the inner part of the shallow reef. Despite the well-known danger, the Pipeline remains one of the most crowded lineups in the world. According to the Pipeline Master titleholder: “On the Pipeline, you are always on the edge of the knife. You are always hanging by a thread. You never fully control the situation. "

Ghost Trees

Situated away from Pebble Beach in northern California, this wave is swarming and colder than most spots in the world. Add in the huge boulders that are scattered across the beach and seabed, and you get an idea of ​​the most dangerous wave in California.

Alistair Craft on the wave. Photo: Nelly

This deadly right-handed wave, usually requiring towing on a jet ski, recently claimed the life of famous Californian surfer Peter Davie. It takes a gigantic reduction to make it work, and when this happens, the Gost Trees accumulates the enormous energy of the North Pacific Ocean, and wave heights can reach 80 feet (25 meters) with 20 feet of boiling water disfiguring the wall of the wave. A recent find, Ghost Trees only attracts the most seasoned bigwave surfers.

Mavericks

Imagine yourself as young Jeff Clark walking home from school every day along the cliffs of Half Moon Bay in northern California, and looking at this giant right-hand wave a few hundred meters from the shore. The wind howls, the air is cold, the water temperature is approaching the freezing point, and great white sharks the size of a school bus roam under the water.

Lokal from California Ben Andrews in the Mavericks. Photo: Jack English

In 1994, the Mavericks took the life of legendary bigwave surfer Mark Fu. The heavy crest is notorious for its brutal power. The wave can crush you under the water and hammer you into boulders the size of a house, and shark attacks also occur here. The wave can be sheer and sharp, and when people talk about a freight train on the water, that's what they mean.

Teahupoo

Ranked as one of the toughest waves in the world, Teahupu is located at the southwestern tip of Tahiti, the main island of the archipelago. French Polynesia... The insanely heavy left wave is half a mile offshore and several tens of centimeters above a living, razor-sharp reef.

Even the best ones can be wrong. Bruce Irons. Photo: Jones

What makes Teahupu unique is the special nature of the wave - during a large swell, it looks like the ocean is bending over itself, and not like an ordinary wave. Teahupu, or Kumbaya, as it was called before, ended the life of one surfer - the Tahitian Brice Terea, who, trying to dive into a 12-foot monster, was caught by the crest of a wave and thrown onto the reef below. Dubbed "The Hardest Wave in the World," Teahupu lives up to its nickname every time a huge southwestern swell hits Tahiti. Another scary fact: in translation Teahupu means something like “off your head”, which is associated with local inter-tribal wars that happened here hundreds of years ago.

Waimea

The north coast of Oahu is crammed with world-class waves, and not far from the Pipeline is the bay where the grandfather of all of them, Waimea, "rests". While the boom in tau-in surfing shifts the focus of bigwave surfers towards reefs far from shore, Waimea is still the litmus test for big waves around the world. Life-threatening, Waimea has set the standard for big wave surfing for 40 years, and honoring is one of the most respected surfing events in the world and is only held when the boom reaches a minimum of 25 feet.

Bruce Irons at Waimea. Photo: Chekwood

With a combination of a crushing shockbreak and waves reaching 60 feet, Waimea took the life of Dickie Cross in 1943 and Californian professional surfer Donnie Solomon in 1999. Legendary surfer Titus Kinimaka broke his hip after a failed wipeout in 1989. As Hawaiian pro-surfer / shaper Dennis Pang said about the Waimea wipeouts: “On the Pipeline, when you're underwater, everything is white, and on Sunset it's gray. Waimeya is black. "

Shipstern Bluff

If there is a wave that can be a mirror image of Teahupoo, it is Sheipstern Bluff, located in the south of Tasmania. The wave can be reached either by a two-hour walk through National park Tasmania, or a long and bumpy boat ride from the nearest port.

Australian surfer Lauri Towner on the Sheipstern Bluff. Photo: Jones

The bottom on Shipstern is a granite slab that takes the blows of giant swells traveling from the deepest part of the ocean and pouring all their energy onto this reef. The wave emerges directly opposite the block-heaped promontory, adding even more risk to an already almost impossible start. Add to that you'll have to wear a 4/3 wetsuit and almost all year round, and you can guess that only the most frostbitten guys ride this wave.

Dungeons

Located on the coast of South Africa near Hout Bay (Cape Town), Dungens not only offers the peril of one of the most severe waves on the planet, but is also located in the area with the most abundance in the world.

Mark Healey in free fall on Dungens. Photo: Property of Red Bull BWA

It so happens that the northern part of Cape Town's coastline is home to thousands of seals who have chosen a small island as their home. The area is surrounded by the darkness of great white sharks, only waiting for the seals to find themselves in the "death zone", which includes the area around the island. These sharks are also known all over the world for their manner of attacking victims, grabbing them from below and flying out completely out of the water.

In addition to this danger, Dungens is known for water temperatures close to freezing, huge underwater boulders and forces that can hold you water longer than anywhere else in the world. Given that this spot got its name from a local surfer who has been underwater for two successive 25-foot giants, one can easily imagine why this right-hand wave has been home to Red Bull's bigwave competition since 2000. Plus, you can only get to the wave by boat, so it's best to be among the top jet skis teams before heading to Dungens.

Cyclops

Cyclops is the least run-on wave on our list, and with good reason. Located opposite the Esperance coastline in western Australia (7 hours from Perce), Cyclops is only accessible by boat. Although still new to the world's surf radar, this wave has the heaviest and largest crest in the world.

Duckdive on Cyclops? No options! Photo: Scott

The difference in depth is colossal, and when giant swells arrive, they unleash their full might on a razor-sharp coral reef. This leads to the fact that Cyclops forms a wave unlike any other in the world, practically swallowing itself. Cyclops has earned its name for its oval pipes, which occur when a thick ridge falls onto a reef. But not every wave is perfect here, for the most part it is so shapeless that you can easily put it in your pants. Even if we manage to find the right spot, good luck with the start and the shallow deadly reef below.

Aurs (Ours)

In New South Wales (Australia) there is a wave so violent that even Pancho Salivan once admitted that he did not want to have anything to do with it. Nestled in Carnelian National Park, Aurs is a steep, fast, powerful right-hand wave crashing against a huge cliff. Even if you manage to start, which most likely will not work, you will have to drive at full steam through a pipe that wants to tear you to pieces. And if you fail to get out of the pipe, you will be nailed to the cliff that we have already mentioned. It is also a favorite place for the notorious Bra-boys; so if they're on the water, which only happens when they're pumping, you don't want to be there. If the wave doesn't kill you, then locales can.

Wave Aurs. Photo: Jones

New Smyrna

Compared to other waves on our list, New Smyrna is just baby talk when it comes to wave power and energy, although it is one of the best in Florida. When it hits, it may be one of the top spots in the region, but on the other hand, everyone knows about it.

Local to New Smyrna. Photo: Dorsey

So, the question is, why did this spot get on our list? Well, we have 18 reasons why New Smyrna ended up here, and they can all be summed up in one word -. Dubbed the "Shark Attack World Capital", New Smyrna saw 18 attacks in 2008, which is within the normal range for this location, where attacks happen all year round.

Located at the southern end of Ponsa Bay, New Smyrna is famous for its fishing, which also means sharks are somewhere nearby. And since most attacks are carried out by a bull shark, one of the most dangerous in the world, you practically risk your life by riding this wave.

Ocean, sand, beach, cocktail, sun lounger and 30 meters high waves. Yes, it's all in one place, but fortunately at different times. How can this be? We leave for the town of Nazare on west coast Portugal. It is here, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, that you can see a relaxed beach vacation, and the most big waves in the world.

This landmark of Portugal is located between the capital Lisbon and the city of Porto.

Small in summer resort town Nazare, with a population of about 15,000, is a classic tourist attraction in the country. Its long sandy beaches occupied by tourists from all over the planet. They bask in the gentle sun, bathe in Atlantic Ocean... In general, the usual serene rest.

In winter, everything changes dramatically. Beach tourists are replaced by extreme lovers and lovers of unusual natural phenomena. During this period, one can observe the formation of giant waves, which crash on the coast almost at arm's length. This phenomenon, incredible in its power and amazing in beauty, attracts both travelers and the most desperate surfers.

Who makes the biggest waves on the planet

Let us remind once again that almost everything amazing, beautiful, sometimes frightening, but mesmerizing on our planet is produced by nature. In this case, the creator of the giant waves was the atypical relief of the ocean floor near the city of Nazare, in particular the underwater North Canyon of Nazare. This depression in the bottom surface reaches almost to the very shore, forming a kind of springboard for ocean waves.

It should be noted that Nazare Canyon is recognized as the deepest in Europe and one of the deepest in the world. It is located not parallel to the coast, but perpendicular. Its length is 227 km, and its depth reaches 5 kilometers (this is almost half the depth Mariana Trench). As you approach the coast, the depth decreases sharply, creating a barrier in the path of the wave and increasing its height many times over. There are conditions under which colossal masses of water must jump over this obstacle. Do not forget, all this happens in the immediate vicinity of tourists.

In the pictures below, you can see the geological reasons for the huge waves.

But that is not all. The bottom topography alone is not enough to produce the highest waves. This requires a combination of many factors.

A hell of a cocktail for the biggest waves

The presence of the canyon creates special conditions for the creation of large waves. He splits the wave in two. One part increases its speed when passing the canyon, and the second reunites with the first at the exit from the canyon into one big wave.

The opposite ocean current from the beach can add a few more meters.

For the birth of a giant wave, the wave period is important, which should be about 14 seconds. The wind, oddly enough, should be weak. The direction of the wave is very important, ideally it should come from the west or northwest. Plus to these factors are added storms in the North Atlantic, occurring during the fall - winter. The combination of these factors can multiply an ordinary ocean wave by several times.

How often do big waves appear

Looking at the photos on the Internet, as well as on our website, you might think that giant waves in Nazar are formed almost every minute. But this is not the case. A little higher, you learned how many phenomena that have developed together are required to get a huge wave. This doesn't happen very often.

The Big Waves season in Nazar is from October to February. During these months there are usually from 1 to 6 giant waves and tens and hundreds of much smaller waves. If you want to see a truly huge wave, then plan to spend at least 2 weeks here, or follow the forecasts on the surfers' sites. For a large wave, the forecast should indicate a wave size of more than 3 meters, a wave period of more than 13 seconds, and a slight northerly wind.

If you are already there, then check the state of the sea in real time through the online forecast and webcams. But, even if all forecasts point to ideal conditions for the emergence of large waves, then everything can change in literally an hour and ruin the day with a favorable forecast.

But in Peru you can see the longest sea waves in the world. They are much safer than the waves in Nazar, and you can ride them for up to several minutes in a row, passing more than one hundred meters on the crest of one wave

The history of conquering the giant waves of Nazare

There are people in the world who “don’t feed honey”, just let them conquer the biggest waves. They are usually called surfers. Probably, with the advent of boards, they began to collect the most best places for your hobby. They also did not pass by the waves near the city of Nazare. For the first time, surfers were noticed here back in the 60s of the last century. Since then, they have been frequent guests here. But there is no data on the conquest of huge waves. Only in November 2011, the world learned about the seizure of the largest wave. Then Gareth McNamara is a surfer with Hawaiian Islands- conquered a wave of 24 meters high. The brave comrade did not calm down and in January 2013 broke his own record by taking a 30-meter wave.

Gareth was the first to describe the sensations of such adventures. It turned out to be incredibly difficult due to the unpredictable behavior of the wave.

In this event, McNamara employed three assistants and one wife (his). At the moment the wave starts, the first mate on a jet ski tries to drag the surfer as high as possible on the crest, and keeps close to him for safety. Look at the photos of these waves, and you will understand that it is unrealistic to swim under your own power to them.

A little further off the second mate runs and insures both. The third follows everyone else. And from the shore, a gray-haired wife watches everything and gives instructions to her husband how best to catch the wave.

The first time everything went well and no help was needed, but the second time he proved the effectiveness of triple insurance. Then the first mate was washed off by the wave from the jet ski, and the second mate pulled out the surfer, and the third one pulled out the first.

The danger of such adventures is extremely high, so surfers try not to climb the waves 30 meters high without special need. They only do it for the records.

In October 2013, Brazilian surfer Carlos Berl rode a wave that turned out to be even bigger. But there are no absolutely accurate data on the height of the conquered waves, since it is quite problematic to take measurements.

Annual meeting of surfers in Nazar

Despite all the danger of such large waves, Nazare has been hosting a meeting or competition of surfers Nazare Challenge - WSL Big Wave Tour run by the World Surf League since 2016. This competition brings together the best surfers from all over the world and lasts only one day. Moreover, it does not have a fixed date. It all depends on the forecasts of the state of the sea. The period, or better to say the expectations, is from October 15 to February 28. The day of the competition is approved 3 days before the competition. This is the best that can be achieved with modern sea and wind forecasting technology.

This is a landmark event for surfers. This is how one of the participants describes it -
"What followed after the start signal was a dizzying, wild and unprecedented display of courage, stupidity and skill."

Where is the best place to look at the biggest waves

The best way to watch the giant wave is by standing on its crest on a surfboard. Any surfer would say so. Well, for ordinary tourists, it is optimal to do this from Cape Nazare, on which the lighthouse is located. Since the place is very interesting, you are unlikely to get lost. Fort San Miguel Arcanjo is also located here. You can also go down to the sand on the beach using a dirt road, but be very careful. This is very dangerous during the Big Wave Season.

Now, in addition to big waves, the attraction of Nazare are surfers who "ride" on them. This, by the way, gives a good idea of ​​the size of the waves. When you see a little man running away from a huge multi-ton wave, you can imagine how great and powerful is not only the Russian language, but also the Atlantic Ocean.

1. As a rule, many Famous places for surfing they have a bottom relief similar to the relief near Nazare, but in a smaller size. The most famous are Teahupoo in Tahiti, Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii and Maverick's Beach off the coast of California.
2. Local fishermen have long been afraid of this place. Several shipwrecks have occurred here. At the bottom of the canyon there is a sunken German submarine from the Second World War

Surfing was once a privilege of Tahiti's royalty. And he was not just entertainment, but a ritual that confirms and strengthens the authority and status of the ruler. Or depriving him. And although surfing has now become a popular sport, it is still not available to everyone. And it seems that modern surfers have inherited the ideology of the Polynesians: real "kings" strive to conquer the highest, most powerful and most dangerous waves.

Every surfer dreams of conquering a terrible and ruthless water element one day. We will tell you about the ten most dangerous and high waves for surfing.

Pipeline. Oahu, Hawaii, USA

This wave has already accounted for seven lives. Its height on average ranges from one to five meters. She is far from the title of "highest", in fact, the danger lies at the bottom of the ocean. The wave crashes against the mercilessly prickly reef that cripples and kills surfers. However, Pipeline is not becoming less popular. At the site of the wave formation, there are still many athletes eager for danger and adventure. Apparently, the game is worth the candle.

The main problem of surfing in these places is the lack of safe swimming zones, which creates difficulties for the rescue service. Getting to an injured or unconscious surfer on a jet ski is very difficult. Therefore, athletes rely on their own training and the ability to hold their breath for a long time.

How to get there

The beach where the Pipeline is formed is located near the small town of Pupekei and is called Pipeline Beach. The distance from Honolulu Airport to the beach is 50 km, travel time is about an hour.

From Honolulu Airport, take IH-1 W (JBPHH), then turn onto IH-1 W and continue towards Wilikina Dr, and then turn onto HI-803 towards HI-83 E, then continue towards HI-83 W (Pupukea). The beach is located on the Kamehameha Highway.

Waimea. Oahu, Hawaii, USA

In winter, the serene and calm Pacific Ocean is inhabited by giant twenty-meter monsters - the children of the storms of the North Pacific Ocean. Wave Waimea is formed "next door" to the Banzai Pipeline and is considered one of the first "monsters" conquered by pioneers in the history of surfing.

Big waves have claimed the lives of more than one athlete, but it seems that this only enhances the feeling of excitement. When the waves reach their prime, the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational hosts a big wave surfing competition.

How to get there

You don't need to rent a scooter and helicopter to try your luck and take a chance. You just need to get to Waimea Beach, which is located on the Kamehameha Highway, and grab a board with you or rent it there, on the beach. The landmark is Waimea Park Bay beach Park.

Jaw. Hawaii, USA

The name of the wave Jaw (translated into Russian - "jaws") speaks for itself. Local surfers in 1975 nicknamed her in honor of the film of the same name released in the same year.

The wave "slams" with the speed of the jaws of a predatory animal and is just as merciless to any delay. In fairness, it should be noted that the analogy with the film was not drawn by chance: there are really many shark species in these places - from the usual gray ones to leopard and Brazilian luminous ones.

The wave reaches a height of 18 meters. This extreme size comes from the underwater reef. The only way to try to conquer the wave is to use a jet ski, which will take you to the place where the wave is forming. You can't cope here on your own, otherwise you can fall down from the 15-meter "wall". By the way, in addition to a jet ski, it would be nice to have a helicopter in stock, which will monitor your safety from above.

An Australian surfer once swept this wave at night. It seems that this athlete has not only a steel body, but also nerves.

How to get there

Jaws Beach, where the namesake wave forms, is located five kilometers west of Paia, an area on the north coast of Maui.

The Hana Highway runs along the entire coastline. The task of the motorist is to get on it from any adjacent street and then move north until the turn to the right between road signs 13 and 14. The dirt road will lead directly to the beach and to one of the most dangerous waves on the planet.

Mavericks. San Francisco, California, USA

The Mavericks wave reaches a height of 24 meters. For a second, this is an almost nine-story building. In addition, sharks are among the dangers. Although the opportunity to get to know these inhabitants of the underwater world is extremely small, the chances are one in a million. But the very realization of the possibility of such a meeting makes you periodically cast your gaze over the ocean, hoping not to miss the approaching "guests".

In 1994, a wave took the life of surfer Mark Fu. Rescuers could not find the body of the athlete for several hours. Many people assume that the leash (the rope, thanks to which, the board is not lost after the first fall), caught on the reef and did not allow it to float to the surface. In 2011, two more athletes failed to cope with the Mavericks.

How to get there

By car

To get to Mavericks Beach from Highway 1, drive through the Half Moon Bay Community, then turn north onto West Point Avenue until you reach the Pillar Point Marsh car park at the end of the road. From the parking area, go down to the harbor and turn right. Follow the trail to the pier.

By bus:

Travel time from the city to the beach is 50 minutes, the fare is $ 2.25.

At the intersection of Kelly Ave and Church Street, there is a bus stop from which SamTrans bus number 17 departs. Drive 18 stops to Pillar Point Harbor. Mavericks Beach is a 1.7 km walk from the stop. Turn left onto Harvard Ave and continue to the end of the road. Then turn right onto West Point Ave and continue to the Pillar Point Marsh car park. Walk down to the harbor and turn right. Follow the trail to the pier.

Teahupoo. Tahiti, French Polynesia

Teayupoo is called the queen of the waves. She is admired and at the same time feared by the most experienced surfers. They conquered it relatively recently: less than twenty years ago. The first was the fearless guru of big waves - Laird Hamilton, who, before taking the risk, thoroughly studied all possible "pitfalls". Since then, Teayupoo Beach has attracted surfers from all over the world.

Translated from the local, "Teayupoo" means "place of skulls or beheaded." Five people laid their heads at the feet of the "queen", including a surfer who stood on the board before he could walk with confidence.

On the beach where you can catch Teayupoo, Billabong hosts the World Surfing Championships every year. Riding such a wave and becoming the first means becoming the owner of a check for five hundred thousand dollars and joining the world elite of this sport.

How to get there

By bus:

Every day except Sunday, a bus with orange stripes departs in front of the entrance to the airport in Papeete with the words "Teahupoo" on the screen. The place where surfers ride is 800 meters from the coast. To get there, you need to rent a boat. There are many different companies on the shore that provide such a service. One of them is Taxi Boat & Surf Tahiti.

By car:

Distance from Papeete to Teayupoo - 76.7 km, travel time - 1 hour 37 minutes.

From the capital of French Polynesia Papeete (Tahiti island) from the airport to the beach can be easily reached by rental car. Follow the main road along the coast. In about 1.5 hours, you will reach the fishing village of Teahupoo. When entering the village after 100 meters, turn right onto Marina de Teahupoo. At the end of the street is Taxi Boat & Surf Tahiti, where you can rent a boat and other surfing equipment.

Nazare. Lisbon, Portugal

This wave is a real water monster on the Praia de Nazare beach - its height reaches 30 meters. This giant owes its record size to rare underwater geography, or rather to a canyon - a large gorge, the depth of which reaches 5 kilometers.

In 2013, the daredevil Garrett McNamara rolled down this 30-meter "wall" and broke the world record, entered in the Guinness Book of Records. At the lighthouse in Nazar, there is a small museum in honor of the record holder.

Athlete Maya Gabeira also risked riding the powerful element. The attempt was unsuccessful. Big waver from Brazilian Carlos Burle got even for this lady and walked around McNamara by 1.5 meters.

How to get there

By car:

From Lisbon Airport, follow the 2ᵅ circular road north. Then merge onto CRIL and head towards Cascais until the intersection with the A8 motorway. Take the Leiria exit and continue towards Nazare.

By bus:

There is no direct route to Nazare. You need to get from the airport to the Sete Rios bus terminal. This can be done either by taxi or by the Aerobus 3, which runs every half hour from the airport building (fare - € 3.50). Then you need to change to the Rede-Expressos bus. The journey takes approximately two hours. Follow the schedule and exact rates on this site.

Shipstern Bluff. Tasmania, Australia

The wave of Shipstern Bluff was discovered by a local surfer back in 1986, but kept everything a secret for a long time. However, you can't hide an awl in a sack. In 2000, the location was flooded with surfers from all over the world, despite the fact that getting to the place is extremely difficult and the skiing conditions are not the most favorable. If you dare, take a thick wetsuit, neoprene slippers and a balaclava with you, because the water temperature is very low - you won't be able to splash.

The only way to get to the wave is by renting a boat from the pier. But they say that all the obstacles are worth it.

How to get there

On the Port Arthur road from Nubeena, then via Highcroft Road to Stromlea Rd. You need to move to the end of Stromlea Road, which will lead you to Cape Raoul Nat.Park. In the car park you will see the Shipstern Bluff sign. Follow the signs and after walking for a couple of hours national park you will come out to observation deck Shipstern Bluff beach.

Cyclopos. Australia

The name "Cyclops" speaks for itself - an unapproachable monster that is difficult to defeat even with a jet ski. According to a ten-point school, the difficulty level is estimated at eleven - the wave rises almost vertically. The legendary big waver Ken Bradshaw, seeing the Cyclops, turned around and left without making a single attempt.

Of the obvious disadvantages: the remoteness of the nearest medical center from the place of wave formation (about two hours drive).

How to get there

By plane:

The Cyclopos wave forms off the coast of Western Australia, near the town of Esperance. You can get from Perth to Esperanza by plane local airlines... Travel time is 1 hour 35 minutes.

By bus:

The bus departs from the East Perth Railway station. Follow the schedule on the website.

Ghost Trees. California, USA

The wave on Pebble Beach is named after the white cypress trees that grow along the coast. From English "ghost trees" is translated as "ghost trees".

This wave reaches 25 meters high and 6 meters wide. Perhaps the coldest and most "shark-populated" place in our top ten. It is advisable to carry a thick wetsuit with a special coloring to protect against sharks, which was developed in Australia especially for surfers taking into account the physical characteristics of shark vision.

How to get there

Pebble Beach is located in Monterey, which was proclaimed the first capital of California. You can get to the beach where you can catch this wave by car from the city of San Jose along the highway number 101. Distance from San Jose to Monterey - 116 km, travel time - 1 hour 11 minutes.

Dungeons. Cape Town, South Africa

Dungeons translates to "prison". The wave was awarded this name by a local athlete, who was covered by two eight-meter waves in a row.

The wave crashes on rocks in a place called Shark Alley, and this nickname is not accidental. The fact is that Dungeons is located near the habitat of seals, which are the main food in the shark's diet.

Since 2000, Red Bull has hosted the Big Wave surfer competition here.

How to get there

The place of formation of the "Prison" can only be reached by boat, which can be rented in the port of Bay Harbor. The harbor is located in the town of Hout Bay near Cape Town. It can be reached from the city center by bus 108 from Helgarda Station on Victoria Ave. Get off at your seventh stop, Atlantic Skipper. Then a couple of minutes walk down the avenue to the pier.