The World’s 15 Most Dangerous Surfing Destinations

(Banzai) Pipeline, Oahu, Hawai`i

Some consider the Banzai Pipeline to be the most dangerous surfing destination in the world, but Hawai`i’s North Shore in Oahu is also the gold standard of what a wave should be. Depending on which reef the waves break over — there are three — you could see heights of everywhere from 10 feet (First Reef) to 30 feet (Third Reef). Located about half a mile off the shore, the third reef is very rarely surfed. Interestingly, though, the “safest” reef break of the three also causes the most injuries, as wipeouts on it routinely result in surfers getting bounced off of the reef itself.

The Pipe is a favorite winter surfing destination, despite it’s history of chewing up surfers and spitting them back out.