Hawaii longboarding spots: A local guide of where to surf
When visiting Hawai’i the best places to longboard are on O’ahu’s South and North Shore. Depending on the time of year, both sides of the island can break perfectly for longboarders. Long, smooth, open waves ranging from knee to overhead or more… The notorious Hawai’i longboarding spots include Waikiki and Bowls on the South Shore and Chuns Reef or Puaena on the North Shore. They are well known for a reason! Summer time is known for endless South swell and happy surfers, fun for the family and for the experts. Winter calls for intense North swell, this is when the action happens and the pro’s come out to play.
Sunrise over Waikiki
Source: Surfline
Dana wearing Berawa top and having fun on her home break in Hawai
click on the picture for more details
Source:@dancelightly
Hawaii longboarding spots
Let’s start with Waikiki, most call this the birthplace of surfing. You can sure feel it when you arrive too! There is a beautiful statue of Duke Kahanamoku, a famous Hawaiian swimmer who set the tone for the sport of surfing and paved a legendary path for the future Hawaiian water men and women to come. Beyond that lies one of the most perfect waves you could ever imagine. Out to the left is Queen’s (yes it does live up to the name) and to the right Canoes. Queen’s has many talented surfers, some the best in the world, providing the ultimate wave. Typically a right with a long section to nose ride, on bigger swells an a-frame will form and the inside right can bowl up perfectly and throw a beautiful barrel after the biggest wall. As mentioned above, some of the best surfers in the world call this spot their home break, so you might not get that many waves. But off to the right at Canoe’s you can find a nice zone and get heaps of waves.
Our friend Dana wearing Bingin top in teracotta click on the picture for more details
Canoes Surf Report
Source: Surfline
Canoe’s is more user friendly and playful making it better for beginners. The right is a steeper drop and a little more bowly, the left tends to set up a nice long line that runs and sets up a beautiful wave to play on. If you want to treat yourself and take a Hawaiian roller coaster ride, head over to Moniz Family Surf and ask to go on the canoe, it is such a priceless experience you will be so stoked you did it! Make sure you grab some food after, support local businesses and head to Maguro for fresh fish or Kai Coffee for fresh cafe food and delicious coffee. Check out Moku to rent a board. Parking on the street is all paid or you can park at the Waikiki Shell for free and walk down. Unless you are staying in Waikiki a car is definitely necessary to get around and explore.
Waikiki
Source: mauisurfergirls
Bowls has a bit more intense vibe and a heavier crowd, but if you know what you are doing and always show respect you just mind catch the best left of your life. Don’t surf here when it’s big, you won’t make friends on a longboard… go back to Waikiki for that. Bowls provides rights and lefts that run longer than you think on the inside section and is fun from knee to chest high. Remember to show respect no matter where you are. There is free and paid parking at the lot by the harbor in front of the Hilton Hotel. Eat at Goofy Cafe after to sample the local produce and favorite breakfast dishes.
Map of surf spots in Waikiki
Source:The Good Juju Co
Map of surf spots in Waikiki
Source:Quality Surf Biard Hawaii. Click on the photo to enlarge map
Dana nose riding in black Medewi onepiece Click on the picture for more details
North Shore is a different territory. When you paddle out in these deep blue waters you can feel the power of the ocean as she moves. Never underestimate what might happen if you surf here, swells can rise within a session and do not hold back. If you are new to surfing take a lesson if you want to surf on the North Shore or make sure you have a friend that knows what they are doing. Chuns is one of the most famous Hawai’i longboarding spots. It can be fun and playful allowing all levels to enjoy the waves or break big and strong giving advanced surfers straight stoke. Chuns is an epic right! Parking is free across the street. You can rent a board from a surf shop in Haleiwa. Head to Haleiwa Bowls for the best acai bowl on island or Waialua Bakery for a local farm to table lunch menu and some sweet treats.
Dana wearing Yehgangga rashguard and Sanur bottom
Puaena Point is a much more mellow spot with a beautiful beach to relax at! The view from here is stunning. On bigger swells the outside can throw some mean rights barreling into the channel and long open lefts that are just asking for a surfer to flow smoothly along it. The inside always has a fun reform for beginners to practice or for the kids to mess around. Parking is free at the lot by the entrance. Head to Haleiwa for board rental and food.
Surf sport of North Shoare Oahu
Source:Pinterest
North Shore Oahu
Source: Surfline
Dana wearing Yehgangga rashguard and Sanur bottom
Beginner surf spots Hawaii
The best beginner surf spots in Hawai’i are Canoes in Waikiki and Puaena on the North Shore. Both spots have surf schools that take group and private lessons out and a nice inside section to learn on. The crowds are generally friendly here and there are always good vibes with smiles all around. Hawai’i is known as the mecca of surfing, so coming here to learn how to surf tends to be on a lot of peoples bucket lists and can ignite a new found passion for some who return home. Creating memories of a lifetime and stoke that will change your life.
Beginner surf spots Maui
The best beginner surf spots in Maui are on the West Side. There tends to be a little something to surf here year around and sure is fun when it breaks! Ukumehame is popular for beginners to go to. It’s a huge beach that is easy to enter and has lots of different peaks so you can find your own spot to mess around in. Parking is free right on the beach, make sure you have 4WD if you pull on the sand. Another good spot is Launiupoko which is a bit further West. This is a great family beach park to hang out at and has two peaks to surf. To the right is the main peak for intermediate to advanced surfers and to the left a mellow spot for beginner to intermediate surfers. Parking is free by the beach and across the street. Head to Paia Fish Market in Lahaina for lunch after! If you are staying on Maui you will need a car to get around. There are surf shops on all sides of the island if you need to rent a board it is easy to find when you are driving through the towns.
Launiupoko pipeline in Maui
Source: World of Maui
Dana wearing Yehgangga rashguard and Sanur bottom.
Dana wearing Yehgangga rashguard and Sanur bottom.