The Top 10 Biggest Waves Ever Surfed

Not only was Twiggy’s Jaws roll in one of the thickened Jaws waves paddled into, he did it during a contest for the world to see in real-time. Scrapping into the peak from way outside, he got in just before the most critical section became fully vertical. The 45-year-old South African kept his balance at the bottom and somehow managed to pull into the maw of a gaping cavern that could fit an 18-wheeler with room to spare. Twiggy didn’t ride out of it clean, in fact, he got horrifically pulverized, but that didn’t damper the awe this moment still commands.  

Laura Enever, Oahu Outer Reefs, 2023 (43.6 feet)

The largest wave ever paddled by a woman belongs to a woman who, for most of her life, did not consider herself a big wave surfer. Laura Enever spent seven years in a jersey on the women’s Championship Tour, clubbing waves for scores around the world. But in 2020, she quit competition and opted for the big-wave path. Though Laura has shown tenacity in packing underwater slabs, she made headlines the world over by paddling into this 43.6-foot beauty at an outer reef on Oahu. This happened while the 2023 Eddie Aikau contest was going down. The next time the Eddie ran in December 2024, Laura received a deserved invite. 

Shane Dorian, Jaws, 2011 (57 feet)

The man who confirmed it was actually possible not only to go straight at Jaws but get barreled at Peahi over and over again. This behemoth, packed by Shane Dorian, was estimated to be 57 feet. He didn’t make the wave, but his approach opened the door for others to follow (and gave Shane the needed experience to make these tubes in the years to come).  In a career full of era-defining and groundbreaking surfing at Jaws, this was Shane’s largest wave he rode there. The single ride also got him two awards from the Billabong XXL Awards that year: biggest paddle and biggest tube. 

Shawn Dollar, Cortes Bank, 2012 (61 feet)

We don’t see many paddle sessions at Cortes Bank, and for good reason. The infamous wave breaks 100 miles out to sea west of San Diego. It’s exposed to the elements, has horrific currents and no landmarks to help position a surfer in the widespread lineup. And yet, when conditions align, it’s as heavy and proper a big-wave venue as it gets. “It was the scardest I’ve ever been in my life, for sure,” recalled Santa Cruz big wave surfer Shawn Dollar, who rode what was later deemed to be a 61-foot bomb by himself up the reef. It was an emotional and bumpy ride from beginning to end for Shawn. But to this day, it remains a rare gem from Cortes. 

Aaron Gold, Jaws, 2015 (63 feet)

The El Nino-fueled winter of 2015-16 was especially productive at Jaws. It was a season of paddle-in progression across the board, but nobody caught a bigger wave with their own two hands than Aaron Gold. Flying down a preposterous amount of water, he went so fast he could barely set his toe-ride rail. When he arrived at the bottom, the rest of the wave bore down on him. The avalanche that ensued was brutal, but Gold survived and held on to his record.  

Biggest Tow Waves

Justine Dupont, Cortes Bank, 2023 (75 feet)

Justine Dupont has been on the pointy end of women’s big wave surfing for more than a decade now. But in January 2023, she ascended new territory at Cortes Bank. In conditions that were as smooth and pristine as it gets 100 miles from any coastline, Justine took a critical line down this 75-foot wall. She earned a deserved Women's Ride of the Year and the Biggest Wave Awards at the inaugural Big Wave Challenge later that year. 

Garrett McNamara, Nazaré, 2011 (78 feet)

The wave that put Nazaré on the surfing map belongs to Garrett McNamara. When G-Mack first flew over to Portugal to explore Nazaré at the email invite of a local, he never could have guessed how his trips would transform the historic fishing town. So it’s fitting that at one point in his career, Garrett rode the largest wave ever surfed at Nazaré. Clocked at around 78 feet tall, it was the wave of Garrett’s life and set the stage for one of the most famous waves in the world. 

Mike Parsons, Cortes Bank, 2008, (77 feet)

One of the original Cortes Bank pioneers at the turn of the millennium, Mark Parsons, can claim two record-setting waves at the Mysto spot in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. One came in 2001; the next came seven years later in 2008. Even for a seasoned big-wave pro like Mike, the setup and power at Cortes is a sight to behold and respect. “I couldn’t believe it was really that big,” Mike said. “We thought it was going to be the biggest we’ve ever seen it, but it was another level on top of that.

 “I believe someone will get a 100-foot wave out there, for sure,” he added. “That will be the spot where it will happen because the reef will handle it. In my opinion, the way storms are set up in the North Pacific and where it’s located, it will happen out there.”

Rodrigo Koxa, Nazaré,  2017 (80 feet)

Brazil doesn’t have many solid, big waves, and none as towering as Nazaré. Perhaps that’s why surfers seeking to tap more power make their way across the Atlantic Ocean to Portugal. In 2017, Rodrigo Koxa, age 38, flew into the history books straight out of the Nazaré Canyon. He looks like an ant descending down the lefthand side of an enormous a-frame. His record-setting wave came three years after he nearly drowned at Nazaré, an incident that took a physical and mental toll. Talk about climbing (and descending) a mountain. 

Sebastian Steudtner, Nazare, 2020 (86 feet)

Sebastian Steudtner of Germany currently holds the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed, a burly 86-foot monster at Nazaré. Its size and scale are difficult to comprehend even four years later. But in February 2024, Steudtner rode another massive Nazare wave and, with engineers from Porsche, measured the wave at 93.72 feet, which, if it becomes official, would take the new crown.