In winter, Waimea and other North Shore locations such as Pipeline and Sunset Beach host a number of surfing contests because of the large waves that are typically found here. The waves usually begin as storms near Alaska, and are typically forecasted quite accurately several days in advance.
In summer, Waimea typically has clear and calm water.
Waimea Valley is behind Waimea Bay.
Capt. James Cook stopped at Waimea Bay. It is the only windward location at which he anchored. The site was densely populated at the time, and remains of a heiau (Hawaiian temple) can still be found above the bay.
Waimea means "Red Water" in Hawaiian. There are three locations named Waimea in the Hawaiian islands. The two on the Big Island of Hawaii and on Kauai are actual towns.