The Best Surfing in the Hawaiian Islands (For All Skill Levels)
Legendary Olympic gold medalist swimmer, original beachboy, and ambassador of aloha Duke Kahanamoku introduced surfing to the world. Be part of that legacy by getting on a board during your stay.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a lifer, year-round surf means you’ll find the perfect wave for you.
Hawaiian Islands Surfing For Beginners
O‘ahu
Populars and Paradise
Once you’re comfortable with your feet in the wax, paddle out to Populars and Paradise for longer rides on Waikiki’s outer reefs.
Canoes
No stay in Waikiki is complete without surfing this famous break. The slow-rolling wave is fun whether it’s your first time or you can hang ten.
Chun’s Reef
A beautiful right breaking point on the North Shore, this slow-breaking wave is perfect for beginners and even has small waves occasionally during the summertime.
Kaua‘i
Kalapaki Beach
Much like the friendly waves in Waikiki, Kalapaki Beach has soft waves that break just offshore. It’s perfect for surf lessons.
Po‘ipu Beach Park
On the west end of Po‘ipu Beach Park, in front of the rock outcropping, is Lemon Drops, a great wave for beginners. It breaks right and left and washes into deeper water, so you don’t have to worry about hitting bottom.
Maui
Launiupoko Beach Park
Lahaina locals learn to ride their first waves at this happening beach park. There are multiple peaks for longboarders to choose from.
Lahaina Breakwall
Crowded, shallow, and always sunny, this breakwall is dominated by surf schools on the inside reef, while advanced surfers hang on the outside. While most days are calm with gentle surf, this becomes an advanced spot on the large south swells of summer.
The Cove
This is the epicenter of the Kihei surf scene. The shallow, protected cove is home to the south side’s numerous surf schools.
Pohaku Beach Park (S-Turns)
A longboarder’s dream, S-Turns is Maui’s most user-friendly winter break. The long paddle out means a long ride in. This rolling, forgiving wave is the perfect spot for honing your skills.
For Experts
O‘ahu
Ala Moana Bowls and Kaisers
Some of the best waves on the south shore are along a strip of reef in front of the Ala Moana Small Boat Harbor. Kaisers is a barreling right that breaks in extremely shallow water over sharp reef and Ala Moana Bowls is a long, fast left that local surfers keep under lock and key, coveting every barrel.
Sunset Beach
This powerful and unforgiving wave on the North Shore is famous for separating the experts from the herd. The right boards, the right frame of mind, and stamina are a must to surf the heaving walls of water that break along Sunset Beach.
Makaha
Makaha is a predominant right-hand point break on the leeward side of O‘ahu, famous for its powerful surf, the characters in the lineup, and its backwash close to shore. Makaha breaks nearly all year long, on south, west, and north swells, and sees gigantic waves during the winter.
Kaua‘i
Hanalei Bay
This right hand point break is a long, beautiful wave that attracts surfers from all over the island. Shortboarders prefer to surf further up the point, while longboarders and stand-up paddlers like the end section that breaks into the channel. Hanalei is generally a wintertime break.
Maui
Honolua Bay
Honolua Bay is a place of local legend. During winter, this can be one of the best right-hand waves in the world. If you respect local surfers and wait your turn in the lineup, there’s a chance you could snag a wave that makes your entire vacation worth it.
Ho‘okipa Beach Park
This popular break is the center of the Pa‘ia surf scene. During the large swells of winter this becomes an experts-only amphitheater of towering 20-foot surf.
Pa‘ia Bay
Walking distance from the center of town is one of Maui’s only real beach breaks, best for shortboarding and bodyboarding.
The Big Island
Honoli‘i Beach Park
Located just outside of Hilo, Honoli‘i offers the best waves in the region. There are several different breaks depending on the swell direction. Since it sits at a river mouth, the water is cold compared to most beaches.
Pine Trees
One of the most famous surf breaks on Kona Coast, Pine Trees is one of the best high-performance waves in the region.