Rogue waves bigger than skyscrapers were once the stuff of myth, like the kraken, told over a goblet of ale by sailors in hushed tones within dimly-lit, smoky bars.
They were once believed to be legend; but scientists, and the use of modern technology, have proven their reality. In a new report from EcoNews, they show satellites over the Pacific Ocean detected, “average waves exceeded 19 meters (62 feet) and that some individual crests likely reached or surpassed 35 meters (115 feet).”
And that happened in December of 2024, the same swell that ignited Waimea Bay for the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, and the “day of the decade” at Maverick’s.
New satellite observations have recorded ocean wave heights of almost 20 metres – the highest measurement obtained by satellite altimetry since 1991 🌊
The findings have been validated using the Sea State dataset from ESA’s Climate Change Initiative. They reveal that long ocean… pic.twitter.com/C81GeOtaM4— ESA Climate Office (@esaclimate) October 13, 2025
Per a press release regarding the findings from the European Space Agency:
“During recent storms, satellites recorded ocean waves averaging nearly 20 meters high – the largest ever measured from space. Moreover, satellite data now reveal that ocean swells act as storm ‘messengers’: even though a storm may never make landfall, its swell can travel vast distances and bring destructive energy to distant coastlines.”
Related: 80-Foot Rogue Waves Are Predictable…But Are they Rideable?
The largest waves were detected over the Pacific Ocean on December 21st, 2024. When it comes to surfing, and how those waves appeared once they hit land, the Eddie Aikau ran on December 22nd of that year, with Landon McNamara winning the iconic event. Then, a day later, the same swell slammed California, and Alo Slebir rode what many believed to be the biggest wave of all time. It officially clocked in a couple feet shy of the record.
Yet still, that swell was one for the books. Perhaps these scientists can be recruited for swell forecasting in some capacity? Cortes Bank strike? Maybe one day.
The search for the 100-foot wave has achieved mythical status in surfing, much like the existence of rogue waves once was amongst sailors. But now, armed with this new data via satellites, the 100-foot wave (and then some) is out there.
And so, one would think, it’s just a matter of time before it’s surfed.
Related: The Biggest Tsunami Ever Recorded: Inside the 1,720-Foot Wave (Video)