Pipeline, Oahu, HI (map)
The extreme challenge posed by Pipeline at size to even the best athletes cannot be overstated. Numerous surfers and photographers have been killed at Pipe, including Jon Mozo and Tahitian superstar Malik Joyeux, who was famous for his heavy charging (gutsy surfing) at Teahupo’o. Pipeline is often called the world’s deadliest wave, since more people have died there, or have been seriously injured, than at any other surf spot.

Mavericks, Half Moon Bay, CA (map)

Maverick’s or Mavericks is a world-famous, but for some a notorious and deadly, surfing location in Northern California. It is located approximately one-half mile (0.8 km) from shore in Pillar Point Harbor, just north of Half Moon Bay at the village of Princeton-By-The-Sea. In the right conditions, waves can reach up to 80 ft on the face (some say 100 ft). The break is caused by an unusually-shaped underwater rock formation.

Teahupoo, Tahati (map)
Teahupoʻo is a world-renowned surfing location off the south-east of the island of Tahiti, French Polynesia, southern Pacific Ocean. It is known for its heavy, glassy waves, often reaching 2 to 3 m (7 to 10 ft) and higher. It is the site of the annual Billabong Pro Tahiti surf competition, part of the World Championship Tour (WCT) of the ASP World Tour professional surfing circuit and used to be one stop in the World Tour of the International Bodyboarding Association.

Teahupo’o (or ‘Chopes as it is sometimes called) is a deadly reef break. It is mainly left-breaking, but the outer reef also creates right breaks that surfers must be cautious of when paddling out. Teahupo’o is also renowned for the consistent number of “barrels” it delivers. It is a rewarding location and is widely regarded as being on the ‘must-surf’ list of every enthusiastic surfer. However, only experienced surfers in peak physical condition should attempt Teahupo’o; heavy waves combined with a shallow shoreline can result in serious injuries and even death in a wipeout.

Ghost Tree, CA (map)
Ghost Tree is a yet another California big wave surf spot located off Pebble Beach. On December 4, 2007, big wave surfer Peter Davi died surfing Ghost Trees.

Cyclops, Western Australia (map)
Cyclops is a really nasty looking wave. Arguably the heaviest wave in Australia. From WannaSurf.com “Cyclops is the most hyped least surfed wave in the world. It’s extremely heavy with massive amounts of water unloading on shallow reef. Cyclops is definitely Australia’s heaviest wave to date.

Shipsterns Bluff, Tasmania, Australia (map)
Unless you are a madman, you will probably never want to surf Shipsterns Bluff. Named after the ominous towering cliff that towers over the break, Shipsterns is probably the heaviest wave in Australia.

Puerto Escondido, Mexico (map)
Puerto Escondido, also known as the Mexican Pipeline, serves up some pretty heavy surf. Don’t let the sandy bottom fool you. This wave can do some serious damage to both surfboards and bodies.

Dungeons, South Africa (map)
Dungeons is a surf spot off Hout Bay, South Africa well known for big waves. It can produce 25-foot waves in the right conditions. The spot itself consists of various reefs. The most popular is called “2.5 ” since it is 2.5 m deep. Behind it is “3.5″, which is 3.5 m deep. There is also a reef that is reputed to be able to hold a 100 ft high wave, should one ever come.

Cortes Bank, CA (map)
Cortes Bank is a chain of underwater mountains in the Pacific Ocean, about 100 miles (170 kilometers) west of San Diego, USA, and about 40 miles (65 kilometers) south-west of San Clemente Island. Cortes Bank has produced some of the biggest waves ever surfed (up to 80 feet on the wave face).

Jaws, Maui, Pauwela HI (map)
Jaws (Pe’ahi) is the name given to a big wave surfing reef break on the island of Maui, Hawaii. The surf break, a deep water reef break, is called “Jaws” due to the size and ferocity of the waves. The waves at “Jaws” can reach heights of 70 ft on the face of the wave, moving as fast as 30 mph.

Ok. That was 10. Still want more? Here’s one more..
The Wedge, Newport Beach, CA (map)
The wedge is one of my all time favorite waves to watch. It’s amazing to see all of that wave energy focused into such an extreme peak. Huge waves breaking in extremely shallow water == very, very dangerous.

More Wedge: