Archive for the ‘Surfing Beach’ Category
Posted by alainaflute on January 27, 2012
Polynesian Cultural Center (Photo by Alaina Diehl)
On a trip to Oahu to visit my sister, she and I traveled by bus to the Polynesian Cultural Center (Hawaii’s #1 paid attraction). The bus route took the highway that looped up the east side of the island, so we caught glimpses of Oahu’s beautiful windward coastline as we went.
After enjoying a day of rushing around to discover what each Polynesian culture had to offer, we had a bit of extra time before the evening show. We decided to hit the beach. We didn’t know where the beach was, we just knew there had to be one! We walked south from the Center, past houses and coconut trees (there wasn’t much of a defined sidewalk), and came across a beautiful beach as the sun was starting to set.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here are a couple:
La'ie Beach, Oahu, Hawaii (Photo by Alaina Diehl)
La'ie Beach, Oahu, Hawaii (Photo by Alaina Diehl)
This beach wasn’t signed, but the map tells me that we were at La’ie Beach Park (aka Pounders Beach because of the surf). We walked up and down the sand a bit, not finding much to pick up. There were little crabs, bunches of colorful washed-up sea plants, and large nuts. We didn’t see these nuts hanging on trees over the beach, so they set our imaginations running wild. Could they have come all the way across the sea from China? It’s possible! Would they make it home through customs? Maaaybe not.
We took away only pictures and fond memories of our special beach find.
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Posted in Beaches of The Hawaiian Islands, Friday Finds, Surfing Beach | Tagged: beach, La'ie Beach Oahu Hawaii, Oahu surfing, Oahu windward beach, Pounders Beach Oahu Hawaii | 2 Comments »
Posted by Jody on October 14, 2011
Here’s a different twist on the traditional “fish story,” and never mind how big he was. (Actually, the shark was “this big”. And, yes, he got away!)
“A surfer says he was knocked off his board by a shark off the Oregon Coast and he ended up standing on the 10-to-12-foot great white for several seconds before it swam off” according to an Associated Press article from OregonLive. YIPES! Now there’s a story he can tell his gradkids someday in the future, especially since he lived through the experience quite safe and whole. No other fish story they hear will ever compare ^_^.
“… Niblack’s board hit something solid that felt like a rock, though he knew there were no rocks there. He kicked down with both feet, trying to stand up so he wouldn’t get thrashed by the next wave, and found himself standing knee-deep in water on the back of the shark.” (AP) Nothing fishy about this tale! There was a witness.
White Shark (Attribution: Pterantula/Wikimedia Commons)
Needless to say, this story has no lack of coverage in the press at the moment (for the obvious reasons), so we’re not going to go into detail here, but the story is fascinating, and we thought it would be worthwhile to bring it to your attention!
“Don’t tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish.” -Mark Twain
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Posted in Pacific Coast Beaches, Sharks, Surfing Beach | Tagged: great white shark sighting, Oregon Coast beaches, surfing, surfing on a shark, The Cove at Seaside Oregon | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Jody on September 1, 2011
The most famous and dangerous surf site in all of Hawaii is the Banzai Pipeline on the North Shore of Oahu. The world-renowned Banzai Pipeline is just west of ‘Ehukai Beach Park in Pupukea. We never did happen upon any sign announcing the Banzai Pipeline or ‘Ehukai Beach Park. What we did come across were lots of cars parked along the road and in the parking lot of what seemed to be an unsigned beach, across from Sunset Beach Elementary School, off of Kamehameha Highway, on the North Shore of Oahu. That’s exactly where our lunchtime server at Hale’iwa Eats Thai told us we’d find what the locals call “Pipeline Beach”. As confusing as all that sounds… the celebrated Banzai Pipeline with its epic waves is an absolute must-see if you are on Oahu!
‘Ehukai Beach Park, aka: Pipeline Beach (©Jody Diehl) Banzai Pipeline to the left
You won’t want to head into the water in the winter unless you are an expert surfer. That’s the time of the Banzai Pipeline’s most towering wave heights (up to 20+ feet). Swimming is hazardous in the fall and winter months, so just find a place to sit in the shade and enjoy the thrilling spectacle that is the Banzai Pipeline. The spring and summer come with a wider sand beach at ‘Ehukai Beach Park, and then the crystal blue water is often perfect for swimming.
Any time of year is perfect for beachcombing on the sandy shore of “Pipeline Beach”. You may find a few treasured shells and beach glass, but the real beach treasure here is snail opercula. An operculum (meaning “little lid”) is the structure that serves as a little trap door, closing off the opening of a snail’s shell. These little mineralized pieces are similar to smoothly polished small buttons. Like mini worry stones!
North Shore Beach Treasures: Opercula from “Pipeline Beach” (©Jody Diehl)
If you are staying on Waikiki Beach you can easily hop on The Bus and enjoy the ride to the Banzai Pipeline on the North Shore. It’s certainly not quicker than renting a car, but it’s way cheaper and a great way to see the beautiful Island of Oahu while you sit back and let someone else do the driving.
See you at the Banzai Pipeline! Aloha! -J-
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Posted in A Treasure of a Beach (Best Beaches), Beach Treasures - Beachcombing, Beaches of The Hawaiian Islands, Seashells, Surfing Beach | Tagged: 'Ehukai Beach Park Oahu, Banzai Pipeline Oahu, beach, beachcombing, beachcombing on the North Shore of Oahu, Oahu beach, Oahu beachcombing, Oahu surfing, Pipeline Beach Oahu, shelling on the North Shore of Oahu, snail operculum, surfing on the North Shore Oahu | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Jody on August 31, 2011
I just love going back to Morro Bay, California. Nestled on the Pacific Ocean about half way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Morro Bay is one of the most interesting coastal environments you’ll find anywhere.
Sea Star, Morro Bay, California (Photo by Jody Diehl)
Exploring the tide pools near “El Morro” (aka: Morro Rock) is always great fun. Keep your eyes open! You’ll have to look under and around rocks to find the beautifully colored sea stars (starfish) and sea anemones. Smaller crabs will scurry into the rocky breakwater, waving and drumming their pincers to warn you off. It’s a really cool sound. (Don’t worry about embarrassing them, though. They’ll never realize you’re laughing at their bravado!) The larger crabs won’t pay you any mind at all. Once we came across a young sea lion resting on the sand. You never know what you’ll find here.
The Crab Who Didn’t Care, Morro Bay, California (Photo by Jody Diehl)
Heading out to explore the tide pools in almost any weather is well worth your time and energy. You’ll be glad you did! On your way back toward town, look to the bay side water for the otter entertainment.
If bird watching is your thing, the Morro Bay area is home to over 250 species of birds, including peregrine falcons; a fact that this quaint fishing village celebrates each year with the Winter Bird Festival weekend.
Beach and coastal activities are numerous in Morro Bay. Check out the beach to the north of Morro Rock, and you’ll inevitably find surfers, even if they’re just hanging out waiting for the next set of waves. This beach is also where you’ll find a bounty of sand dollars (be careful not to collect the live ones). If you look to the south of Morro Rock to the placid waters of the protected bay, you’ll see kayaks gliding amongst the moored sail boats.
Kayak in Morro Bay, California (©Jody Diehl)
It always seems to be a bit misty when we’re in Morro Bay, California. Be sure to bring rain gear and wear your beach-trekkers for climbing over the uneven rocks around the tide pools.
Don’t know how to tell if a sand dollar is alive? Check out “Beachcombing? Shelling Regulations Abound. Know Before You Go!“
Let us know about your favorite beach! And please share us with your friends on Facebook! -J-
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Posted in Beach and Coastal Wildlife, Beach Birding, Beach Treasures - Beachcombing, Northern California Beaches, Sea Lions and Seals, Surfing Beach, Tide Pools | Tagged: beach, beachcombing, California sand dollar beach, California surfing beach, collecting sand dollars, Morro Bay California beachcombing, Morro Bay California birding, Morro Bay California tide pools, otters, sea stars, starfish | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Jody on August 30, 2011
Redwood National Park (Photo: NPS, from Wikimedia Commons)
With 100 miles of stunningly spectacular Northern California coastline, “California’s Redwood Coast” was able to select the Top Ten Beaches of Humboldt County. Humboldt County, home to the world-renowned California Redwoods, is located about 225 miles north of San Francisco. Many of the beaches on the Top Ten Beaches of Humboldt County list are part of the Humboldt County Parks system. Be warned: “Because of lack of financial resources, Humboldt County park facilities are considered to be more primitive than facilities managed by other agencies.” You may want to check for specific park facilities before you head for any of the Top Ten Beaches of Humboldt County!
Little River State Beach joins with Clam Beach County Park to the south. Farther to the south connecting to Clam Beach County Park is Mad River County Park. All three of these beaches made the list of Top Ten Beaches of Humboldt County. And all three beaches connect with a continuous ocean frontage of sand and coastal dunes.
The Mouth of Little River (Photo by Greg Kidd, from Wikimedia Commons)
Little River State Beach, with it’s wide sandy shoreline, is bordered on the north by the Little River which itself offers swimming and kayaking. Surfing and swimming are popular attractions at Little River State Beach.
Clam Beach County Park, one of the largest beaches in Humboldt County, allows camping right on the beach with its lengthy, broad stretch of flat shoreline. Clam Beach has the distinction of being awarded a Times-Standard (Eureka, California) “2009 Readers Choice Award” for being the best beach on the North Coast. Beachcombing, horseback riding and surfing are all popular activities here.
Mad River County Park is a popular spot for picnicking and beachcombing. Here there is a boat ramp into the Mad River which is just right for paddling canoes or kayaking.
Location of Humboldt County, California (Map by David Benbennick, from Wikimedia Commons)
Agate Beach is located in Patrick’s Point State Park. Semi-precious surf tumbled agates and more precious jade & moonstone can be found while beachcombing here. You might even find a fishing float on Agate Beach amongst the stones, shells and driftwood.
Centerville Beach County Park, with its nine mile stretch of shoreline, is the perfect beach for bird watchers. Cormorants, sandpipers, gulls and pelicans are plentiful. Watching harbor seals is a favorite activity too.
Rounding out the Top Ten Beaches of Humboldt County are Trinidad State Beach, Luffenholtz County Park, Gold Bluffs Beach Campground, Samoa Dunes County Park, and Black Sands Beach.
Be sure to check out all of the Top Ten Beaches of Humboldt County beach links for additional access & safety information, and directions.
You’ll also want to have a look at the California National Monument Brochure -Trinidad Gateway. It’s both informative and beautiful.
Leave us a comment, let us know what you’d like to see! & please share us with your friends on Facebook. Thanks -J-
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Posted in A Treasure of a Beach (Best Beaches), Northern California Beaches, Sea Lions and Seals, Surfing Beach, Top Ten Beaches, Tuesday Tallies & Tips | Tagged: beach, beach agate collecting, beach near Redwood National Park, beachcombing in Northern California, best beaches of Humboldt County California, best beaches of Northern California, California's Redwood Coast beach, Clam Beach County Park California, Little River State Beach California, Mad River County Park California, Northern California agate beach, Top 10 Beaches of Humboldt County, Top Ten Beaches of Humboldt County | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Jody on August 19, 2011
Surfer Finds Smaller Wave, North Shore of Hawaii (©Jody Diehl)
Although New Hampshire has only 18 miles of shoreline, it’s where the Wounded Warrior Project hosted its “Hit the Beach” event yesterday. What a brilliant idea: Surfing as therapy for both the physical and emotional wounds of our returning veterans! In its fourth year, the Wounded Warrior Project “Hit the Beach” event which was held at Hampton’s North Beach, New Hampshire hosted more than two dozen injured veterans. The article from wmur.com reports: ” The local American Legion supplied food, Hampton’s surfing community supplies surfboards and wetsuits, and about 200 volunteers turned out to help 25 injured veterans get in the water and catch waves.” This heartwarming story comes complete with video. It certainly looks like everyone had a great time at the beach!
New Hampshire: Little Coast, Big Hearts!
Do you have a story to share? Please feel free to leave a comment & don’t forget to share us on FaceBook. -J-
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Posted in Atlantic Coast Beaches, Surfing Beach | Tagged: "Hit the Waves", Hampton Beach New Hampshire, Hampton's North Beach, New Hampshire surfing beach, Wounded Warrior Project, Wounded Warrior Project "Hit the Beach" | 2 Comments »
Posted by Jody on August 9, 2011
The Cockle Shells of Shell Beach, Western Australia (Photo by Lpm43792 from Wikimedia Commons)
We’ll need to have a pretty substantial shell bag for a day at this beach! It’s a 110 kilometer (68.3508311 mile) stretch of beach made up entirely of seashells. Literally, billions upon billions of cockle shells piled up to 33 feet deep form this treasure beach, aptly named Shell Beach. Seriously, how would any sheller choose their take-home treasures at this beachcomber’s paradise?
Or, imagine eighty miles (128.7470 km) 
of uninterrupted pristine white sand shoreline known for incredible sunsets and the turquoise splendor of the Indian Ocean. This stretch of coast also features a variety of colorful sea shells and a low beach comber density. This amazing treasure beach is quite simply named Eighty Mile Beach.
I tend to trust official tourism sites. It seems to me that they must really have to do their homework, because I figure that they have to be totally prepared to defend their choices to all of the disappointed beaches left off their list. Shell Beach and Eighty Mile Beach are just two of the “Top 10 Beaches” of Western Australia‘s tourism site.
Map of Australia (by Mark, Wikimedia Commons)
According to WesternAustralia.com, Esperance is a real beach lover’s beach, ideal for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and sandboarding. They tell us: “This place is so relaxed even the kangaroos sun bake on the beach.” It may not be the best day trip for someone who just landed at the airport, though. It’s a nine-hour drive from Perth.
If you’re already in Perth, no worries, City Beach and Cottesloe Beach are also on the Top 10 Beaches of Western Australia list.
Rounding out the Top 10 Beaches of Western Australia are Turquoise Bay, Cable Beach, Green’s Pool, Scarborough, and Monkey Mia. I suggest you check them all out! The website has amazing descriptions and beautiful photos to entice you.
Let’s see. That will be 26 1/2 hours of travel time, at the very least, from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Perth, WA, Australia. I think we’d better pack some extra sammies. -J-
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Posted in A Treasure of a Beach (Best Beaches), Beach and Coastal Wildlife, Beach Birding, Beach Treasures - Beachcombing, Beaches of Australia and New Zealand, Sand and Shoreline, Seashells, Surfing Beach, Top Ten Beaches, Tuesday Tallies & Tips | Tagged: Australia snorkling beach, beach, beachcombing, best beaches of Western Australia, cockle shells beach, Eighty Mile Beach Australia, Esperance Beach Australia, Indian Ocean beaches, kangaroos on the beach, Perth Western Australia beach, sandboarding, Shell Beach Australia, Top 10 Beaches of Western Australia, Top Ten Beaches of Western Australia | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Jody on August 8, 2011
Today’s Featured Writer: Kristie McLin
I was in San Fransisco, California for an afternoon at the end of January this year before heading to Palo Alto for a conference. A colleague and I set off to explore, photograph, and enjoy the day. I started with the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate State Park. When we met back up, we found we had a couple free hours left, so we decided to drive toward the Golden Gate Bridge. While we were at it, I suggested we find a beach, as my access to the ocean is very limited living in Salt Lake City. A quick search on my smartphone led us to China Beach. We easily found parking and walked to the trail head where we found this sign: 
The afternoon had been cloudy and cold, but the sun finally began to peek out from behind the clouds just as it was starting to set. We walked down the trail to the little beach below the cliffs and saw a stunning view of the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance.
The view from China Beach. (photo by Kristie McLin)
The tide was coming in, and we wanted to push further up the coast to the bridge, but before we left, we saw a group of surfers entering the water.
Surfers heading out from China Beach. (photo by Kristie McLin)
How hard core (crazy) can you be, surfing in January with tiny waves on a rocky coast? We only spent a short time there, but it really left a lasting impression. Next time I’m in the Bay Area, you’ll find me at China Beach!
~~~
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Posted in Friday Finds, Northern California Beaches, Surfing Beach | Tagged: Bay Area beach, beach, China Beach San Francisco, Featured Writer, Golden Gate Bridge view, San Francisco beach | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Jody on July 26, 2011
From the stunning white cliffs of Dover to the haunting shores of Holy Island, with over 10,000 miles of coastline to discover… somehow the good folks at VisitBritain.com have chosen the Top 10 British Beaches! Even though I thought that I had traveled to some of the most gorgeous shoreline in all of England, none of my previous beach jaunts even made the Top 10 British Beaches list.
These beaches must be absolutely amazing!
When I think of surfing, Great Britain isn’t the first destination to pop into my mind, but Bournemouth (pictured above), located in Dorset, is “set to become one of the best surf spots in the UK!” They opened the first artificial surf reef in Europe here in 2009. And if you’ve already been to the “excellent surf schools” in Croyde Bay, then you probably don’t need this article to tell you that it is notably the best beach for catching waves in North Devon.
Bournemouth, "One of the Best UK Beaches" (by Christophe.Finot from Wikipedia Commons)
If you’re looking for more traditional English seaside diversions, then the article recommends Lancashire. You’ll find everything from donkey rides to deck chairs to miles of sand at Blackpool beach. Just a reminder… roller coaster first, ice cream later!
And the next time I’m across the pond, I know that I’ll definitely search out Sinclair’s Bay. This beach, in Caithness, sounds more like a dream with its soft white sand and not one, but two, 16th century castles standing sentinel. Four miles of uninterrupted sand, stunningly blue water, the prospect of watching whales and porpoises…. Now that’s my cuppa’ tea!
Rounding out the Top 10 British Beaches are Porthcurno (Cornwall), West Wittering (West Sussex), Abereiddi Blue Lagoon (Pembrokeshire), Holy Island (Northumberland), Great Bay (St. Martin’s, Isles of Scilly) and Holkham (Norfolk).
You’ll want to check out the entire article for more descriptions and the many links to all of the Top 10 British Beaches!
Cheers!
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Posted in A Treasure of a Beach (Best Beaches), Beaches of Great Britain and Ireland, Surfing Beach, Top Ten Beaches, Tuesday Tallies & Tips | Tagged: Abereiddi Blue Lagoon beach, artificial surf reef UK, beach, Blackpool beach, Bournemouth England beach, Britain's best beaches, Croyde Bay beach, Eastbourne England beach, Great Bay beach, Holkham beach, Holy Island England beach, Porthcurno beach, Sinclair's Bay beach, Top Ten British Beaches, UK Surf Beaches, West Westering beach | 2 Comments »
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