Sunset Beach, Beach on North Shore of Oahu, United States.

Sunset Beach is a sand beach on the North Shore of Oahu in Honolulu County. The shoreline extends for roughly two miles and shows pale beige sand that slopes gently into turquoise water, which shifts between calm and heavily surfed depending on the season.

The shoreline gained international recognition when it began hosting major surf competitions in the mid-eighties and established itself as a venue for professional events. This development turned the coast into a meeting point for wave riders from around the world and shaped the image of the entire North Shore.

The Hawaiian name Paumalū has marked this coast for generations, and locals come here to meet friends or swim when the sea is calm. When the big waves arrive, spectators gather on the sand to watch surfers glide through the water, creating a kind of informal community celebration.

Lifeguards are usually present. Swimming conditions vary from spot to spot along the two-mile beach; there is usually somewhere to swim except during stormy weather. In summer the water is generally flat, while winter brings large surf and strong offshore trade winds that make paddling out difficult. Coral formations near the surface pose a risk of serious injury.

Winter waves can rise above 30 feet (9 m) and carry enough force to damage or wash away houses and road sections near the shore. This erosion shifts the boundary between land and sea a little farther inland each year.