Surfing In Oahu – The Best Surf Spots in Hawaii

The capital of Hawaii is Honolulu, which is on the southern coast of the island of Oahu. It is known for its famous crescent-shaped beaches, easygoing way of life, and huge waves that draw the best surfers in the world as well as serious amateurs. Here are the best places to surf in the world’s surfing capital.

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Ala Moana Bowls

Ala Moana Bowls is a popular spot for surfers who live in Hawaii. It is best for intermediate and advanced surfers. Waves are usually between 0.3m and 1.2m high, but on windy days they can get as high as 3.6m. The beach is between Sunset and Makaha, which makes it the perfect place to go after spending the day in the city. The beach on the Magic Island side has a beautiful stretch of sand, and the Hilton beaches on the harbor side are great places to relax after playing in the waves.

Sunset Beach

The Duke Kahanamoku Invitational Surfing Championships were held at Sunset Beach until 1985. It is the best place on Oahu’s northern shores for big-wave surfing. It’s still one of the best ways to see how good a surfer is, and it’s where the World Surf League’s Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is held every year. The beach is beautiful, but it’s not good for beginners because there are a lot of coral formations and jellyfish there. The best waves come from the northwest and are between 6ft and 10ft (1.8m and 3m) high.

Banzai Pipeline

Surfing In Oahu - The Best Surf Spots in Hawaii — A view of the Banzai Pipeline in Oahu, Hawaii, from above | © Backyard Productions / Alamy Stock Photo

The Banzai Pipeline is near Ehukai Beach on the northern shore of Oahu. It has some of the best and most dangerous surfing in the world. Powerful waves, usually about 9 feet (2.7 meters) high but sometimes as high as 20 feet (6 meters), crash over a sharp reef just below the surface of the water, leaving little room for error. Further out, there are two reefs in deeper water that, depending on the weather, can be surfed. If you can handle Banzai’s challenges, you might get the barrel of your dreams to ride, but it’s not for beginners.

Sandy Beach

Sandy Beach, which is on the south shore of Oahu near the Koko Crater, is one of the best places in Hawaii for body surfing and bodyboarding because the waves break close to the beach. It’s also one of the most beautiful and peaceful beaches on the island, and the fine yellow sand gets everywhere, making it famous. Tip: Don’t be fooled by how easily experienced surfers move through the waves. A sharp drop in the ocean floor near the shore can cause strong rip currents that often catch beginners by surprise.

Kewalos

You can get to Kewalos by taking the stairs down from the Diamond Head side of Ala Moana Beach Park. The Quiksilver Surf Shop Challenge is often held there. It’s a popular spot for intermediate surfers because the waves are usually between 4ft and 6ft high and break quickly (between 1.2m and 1.8m). Sharp reefs, sea urchins, crowded barrels (especially on weekends), and tiger sharks, which have been seen in the water between Point Panic and Kakaako, are all things to watch out for. All of this adds to the rush of adrenaline.

Queens Beach

Queens Beach is in Waikiki. If you are looking out to sea, it is to the left of where Kapahulu Avenue meets the beach. It’s a great place for beginners or people traveling with kids because the water is calm and turquoise, which makes paddleboarding and bodyboarding easy. Snorkeling is also fun here, especially on the reef near the Waikk Aquarium. A giant screen in Queens shows free movies on many weekends throughout the year.

Tonggs Beach

Surfers looking for a fun wave away from the crowds go to Tonggs Beach, a small stretch of sand in the Diamond Head neighborhood (there’s a narrow path near where Coconut and Kalakaua Avenues meet). Even though it’s not as much of a secret as it used to be, it’s often quieter than other Waikiki beaches and has waves for beginners that are about 4 feet (1.2 meters) high. Be aware that from fall to spring, sharks live in the clear, deep water beyond the reef.

Waimea Bay

Waimea Bay is on the northern coast of Oahu, just south of Sunset Beach. Every winter, it gets ready for the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, which is the best surfing event in the world. It is named for the Bay’s first lifeguard, who was also a famous surfer, and is only held when the waves are consistently over 20 feet (6 meters) high. If the water is too rough and the beach is closed (which happens often), you can just hang out at the nearby picnic area and watch the waves come in. During the summer, the water around Waimea is much calmer, making it a great place to swim and snorkel.

Makaha Beach Park

Makaha Beach Park is on the eastern coast of Oahu, about 45 minutes north of Honolulu by car. During the winter, when big waves of up to 25 feet (7.6 meters) hit the northern end of the beach, experienced surfers from all over the world come to ride them. Strong shorebreaks and rip currents can make the water dangerous, so talk to the lifeguards before you jump in. In contrast, Makaha’s water is calm in the summer, making it one of the most popular places to swim and lay out on the east shore.

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