Hawaii

In the Hawaiian culture, certain locations are held in high esteem, especially as it pertains to hee nalu, or the ancient sport of surfing. The Big Island is littered with locations featuring distinctive links to surfing’s past—perhaps more so than the other Islands combined, which might seem unusual given that in modern-day surfing, the Big Island is overshadowed by its more famous neighbors: Maui, Oahu and Kauai.

With a storied past dating back to the very evolution of the sport itself, surfing here just has a different vibe. Though the Big Island lacks the world-class waves of Pipeline, Jaws, Hanalei Bay and Sunset Beach, it boasts a unique history. Locals know that surfing here is both an honor and a privilege.