When Captain Cook arrived in Hawaii, some of the locals paddled their wooden surfboards out to greet the unusual visitor. Then they amazed the good captain by standing up on their boards and riding the waves back to shore. Today’s surfboards may be lighter, faster and more user-friendly, but the thrill of riding a wave’s foamy crest to a sun-washed beach is timeless. In Hawaii, you have plenty of waves and beaches to choose from.
Oahu Surfing Beaches – Beginners Territory
- Since the beginning of the 20th century, resident beach boys have been teaching visitors to surf on Waikiki Beach. Waikiki Beach Services opened its doors in 1955, organizing not only the rental of equipment but the activities of those same beach boys. Today, private and group lessons are available. Kailua Beach on the windward side of Oahu is another surfing beach that’s great for beginners. It’s a lot less crowded than Waikiki and has gentle to moderate waves with a break on a long sandy beach.
North Shore Oahu – Big Breakers for the Brave
- Mention North Shore Oahu and experienced surfers almost start to drool. Winter swells can reach 30 feet or more and are best left to the pros. If you’re in the islands during November or December you might catch the annual Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. The Reef Hawaiian Pro is held at Haleiwa, the World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach and the Billabong Pipe Masters at the notorious Banzai Pipeline. The actual dates are determined by wave height -- bigger is better for these competitions. If you’d like to try your hand at surfing the North Shore, visit between May and September when the surf is much more forgiving. Otherwise find yourself a spot in the sand and just watch the show.
Maui Waves – From Gentle to Oh My Goodness
- Beginning surfers on Maui usually stick their boards in the water on Kaanapali Beach and on the beaches in Kihei. Kaanapali Beach is lined with hotels and shops, many offering surf gear and lessons. The waves are larger in the summer but still manageable. Kihei is more residential, but Kamaole Beach Parks 1, 2 and 3 have plenty of sand and usually moderate wave action. If you want to see how the pros do it, head for the North Shore to the town of Paia. The most famous surfing beach in Maui is Peahi, with winter waves so large that surfers are towed out past the swells on personal watercraft. The nickname for the beach is “Jaws” because of the roar it makes whenever the big waves are hitting. Thirty to 40-foot waves, or larger, are not out of the question.
Kauai – The Quiet Surprise
- Kauai doesn’t get as much surfing press as Oahu and Maui, but it has its own go-to spots. Poipu Beach, on the southern end of Kauai, is a family-friendly strip of sand with waves suitable for beginners. Located just blocks from Poipu Beach, Kauai Surf School has private and group lessons as well as multiday surf clinics and weeklong surf camps. Hanalei Bay is one of the prime surfing spots on the North Shore. Though winter waves prove challenging, this beach attracts families year-round. Kauai’s North Shore surfing school operates out of Hanalei and gives surfing and paddleboard lessons.
Big Island Surfing – Challenging Beaches
- Beginners and intermediate surfers have few surfing spots to choose from on the Big Island. Many of its beaches are rocky lava or a mixture of pebbles and sand, not exactly the best surface for a soft landing. Exceptions include Honolii Beach Park, a crescent-shaped bit of sand fronting Hilo Bay. Offshore reefs temper the wave action inside the bay. On the Kona side, beginners can try Pine Trees Beach near the Kona International Airport, Banyans Beach in Kailua-Kona or Kahaluu Beach in Keauhou. Some of the most beautiful beaches on the island are along the Kohala Coast, but the waves and the rip tides there are best left to experienced surfers. The beach near the Kohala Lighthouse is also known for its waves and deserves similar respect.
