A week of frayed nerves ended in joyous disbelief as Australian surfer Layne Beachley claimed a record fifth-straight world title in Hawaii.

The victory, which Beachley hoped for but didn't expect, came when her three main rivals failed to "step up" after being given the chance to steal her crown at the Billabong Pro at Honolua Bay.

Beachley, 30, was eliminated from the event - the final leg of the women's world tour - last Monday.

Poor conditions then delayed the contest for a week, giving the Sydney surfer plenty of time to ponder her fate as her three rivals stayed alive.

West Australian Melanie Redman-Carr needed only a second place finish in the contest to win the world title while Sydney's Lynette MacKenzie and Hawaiian Keala Kennelly needed to win to become world No.1.

As it turned out, Brazilian Jacqueline Silva defeated Australian Pauline Menczer in the final, meaning Beachley retained her title.

"I must have good karma," Beachley told AAP.

"I tell you what, the gods are on my side in the way it has happened. It's been an enlightening experience."

It is a remarkable repeat of last year, when Beachley was eliminated early and Redman-Carr needed to win one more round.

But Redman-Carr lost to Menczer and Beachley was so thankful she paid for the Sydney surfer to have corrective eye surgery.

This time around Menczer did it again, ousting Redman-Carr in the third round.

Not that Beachley knew much about it. She preferred to go for a surf on her own, away from the contest.

"I'm in a state of disbelief. The guys on the jet ski came out and said `you've won, you've got to come in', I said `I don't believe you'.

"I've been free surfing all day because I can't stand to sit on the cliff and watch it all unfold without my participation in it."

Beachley now surpasses American Lisa Andersen's record of four straight titles, joining Kelly Slater as the only surfer to have won five or more crowns. She also becomes the most successful Australian surfer in history.

Beachley knows that while she lost early in this contest, her competitors failed in the area where she excels - performing under pressure.

"It all comes down to how you perform under pressure and fortunately for me the other girls really didn't step up," she said.

"I have the best mental approach I think, but unfortunately my physical approach gave way the last time I competed."

Beachley, who will head home after her crowning ceremony on December 20 for her first Australian Christmas in eight years, is re-setting her goals.

"I'm a real goal-orientated individual but right now I really have to relish the moment and accept the fact I just created history and acknowledge the fact it's all good.

"Now I will reset my goals. Just because I won five doesn't mean I don't want six. I'm a very competitive individual. There's no reason I can't go for six."

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