Surfing on Oʻahu

Hawaiʻi is often credited as the birthplace of modern surfing, and it’s tough to argue otherwise. The act of playing with the ocean’s waves can be traced to when the ancient Hawaiians rode on solid wooden boards typically made of koa, calling it heʻe nalu (wave sliding).

To this day, the sport remains integral to the island way of life, with Oʻahu as the epicenter. The third-largest Hawaiian Island is home to some of the most iconic surf breaks in the world, from the South Shore to North Shore and everything in between. At many beaches, you’ll see shortboarders flying down the line and longboarders defying gravity on the nose.

Oʻahu’s waves vary as much as its coastline, so there’s a spot for every surfer. As massive swells roll in each winter, the world’s top surfers descend upon the North Shore, ready to take on the most dangerous waves for annual surf competitions. Even if you’re not a pro, you can still find a surf break to match your skill level. Far-off South Pacific storms awaken the South Shore for some serious fun, setting up the perfect chance for people to take their first ride. Waikīkī Beach, although the most crowded, is the most convenient place for beginners since the waves are mellow, board rental and surf lessons are located right on the beach and amenities like showers, restrooms and surf shops are all right there.

Raised in Honolulu, I spend most of my free time in the ocean, and have been surfing for just under a decade. On any given day, you can find me in the water at Bowls or Diamond Head, but I’ll drive to any corner of the island for the right conditions — and you can almost always find waves somewhere on Oʻahu.

Whether you’re a beginner or hoping to see the best of the best surfers in real-time, here’s a comprehensive guide to Oʻahu’s most popular surf breaks.

Fronting Waikīkī Beach, Kāpuni, or Canoes as it is most commonly known, is a gentle wave with a sandy bottom that’s welcoming to everyone, especially absolute beginners. There’s a soft spot in my heart for Kāpuni, since this is where I learned how to surf and I’ve had many wipe outs at this forgivable break. As the name suggests, it’s not uncommon to share the wave with outrigger canoes as well as many other surfers so expect crowds. Kāpuni’s best conditions are in the summer during south swells, and its neighboring break Queens is considered a world-class longboarding wave where the best in the world surf.

Skill level: Beginner friendly

Parking: No

Rentals: Yes, you can rent boards from Pro Surf School Hawaii, run by longboard world champion Kai Sallas.

Lessons: Yes, Pro Surf School Hawaii and Moniz Family Surf offer lessons.

Season: Summer

Potential hazards: Incoming canoes and colliding with beginner surfers

White Plains Beach is a worthwhile jaunt from Honolulu, located within the former Barbers Point Naval Air Station in Ewa Beach. This wide beach offers many peaks for surfers to find their own sweet spot among the crowds, so it never feels too jam-packed. Surfing at White Plains is a low-stakes, high-reward experience as the waves aren't too powerful for beginner surfers. Summertime is the best time of the year for White Plains to have some energy, but you could go year-round.

Skill level: Beginner friendly

Parking: Yes

Rentals: Yes

Lessons: No

Season: Summer

One of the most family-friendly beaches to surf in Kailua, Castle’s is a sprawling beach that boasts a surf break on the northern end. The wave breaks in several sections over a sand bottom, providing me with satisfying noserides on my longboard. It’s the type of beach that you bring a tent, cooler and some surfboards to and post up for a beach day. Scoring at Castle’s can be tricky, as it requires the perfect formula of the right conditions. Your best bet is during a big northeast swell or even from the northwest that wraps the coastline.

Skill level: Beginner friendly

Parking: Street parking

Rentals: No

Lessons: No

Season: Winter

Looking up at Lēʻahi from the ocean down below is a magical experience in itself, and the wave is one of my all-time favorites. When the wind is low and the waves are glassy, I can glide along the wave face for what feels like minutes. Closer to the lighthouse is a peak aptly named Lighthouse that’s steeper and better for advanced shortboarders, but further to the east is a friendlier surf break called Cliffs. The latter breaks in several peaks, so beginners can find a spot on the inside while more knowledgeable surfers can sit on the outside and catch the sets. During the summer months, south swells can bring sizable waves to Lēʻahi so beginners should be mindful of their limits.

Skill level: Beginner to advanced

Parking: Street parking

Rentals: No

Lessons: No

Season: Summer (for advanced surfers)

Potential hazard: Waves too big for beginners

Oʻahu’s North Shore has a well-earned reputation for heavy, powerful waves during the winter months, and Puaʻena Point can be a respite for surfers seeking not-so-scary sessions. It’s where I go when the wintertime waves are too big, but I’m still itching to get in the ocean. By the time massive north swells make their entrance into the protected bay, they’ve fizzled down to about half of their original size. You can sit on several peaks and catch both long rights and lefts. This makes Puaʻena Point the perfect place for beginner to intermediate surfers, and where many surf schools host lessons on the North Shore.

Skill level: Beginner friendly

Parking: Yes

Rentals: Yes, Surf N Sea in nearby Haleʻiwa offer a wide range of boards to rent

Lessons: Yes, North Shore Surf Girls and Uncle Bryan’s Sunset Suratt Surf Academy are two locally owned businesses for lessons

Season: Winter

One of Oʻahu’s most iconic North Shore surf breaks is Paumalū, made famous by pioneering big-wave surfers such as Michael Ho and Gerry Lopez. The football field-sized reef break can offer as many as six peaks, all reserved for advanced surfers who can handle heavy lips, long paddles and powerful currents. When north swells are firing in the winter, Paumalū transforms into a big-wave spot for experts only, including during the WSL Sunset Pro surfing competition.

Skill level: Advanced

Parking: Yes

Rentals: No

Lessons: No

Season: Winter

Potential hazard: Powerful, massive waves and currents in winter

Mākaha is a white-sand beach set against the picturesque Waiʻanae Mountains, and also considered the most famous surf break on Oʻahu’s West Side. This reef break offers four distinct sections, so beginners can stay on the friendlier inside reef while the local shredders dominate the outside peaks. If you surf out here, you’re going up against some talented surfers who have a deep understanding of the wave, so be mindful of the crowds and always follow etiquette — locals always go first. Mākaha can have fun waves year-round, working off of both northwest and southwest swells.

Skill level: Intermediate and up

Parking: Yes

Rentals: No

Lessons: No

Season: Year-round

Potential hazard: Not following surf etiquette

Often hailed as Honolulu’s best surf break, Bowls earned its name from the way the wave curves into a bowl-shape during pumping south swells in the summertime. At most sizes, the wave is steep, speedy and a whole lot of fun for skilled surfers. Unless the surf is miniscule, there’s almost always a crowd at Bowls, so beginners should be mindful of surf etiquette, and be wary of when the tide is low, as a shallow reef filled with spiky sea urchins can be painful to land on during wipe outs.

Skill level: Beginner to advanced

Parking: Yes

Rentals: Yes, Quality Surfboards Hawaii has a diverse selection of boards to rent at a decent price.

Lessons: Hawaii Surf Guru Surf School teaches surf lessons at Rockpiles, a chiller break next to Bowls.

Season: Summer

Potential hazards: Shallow reef with spiky sea urchins

This reef break at the Kewalo Basin Harbor is a premiere wave for shortboarders and groms, with speedy sections to do airs and hacking turns. If a summertime south swell hits, the best surfers on the island can likely be spotted at Kewalos, and observers can score a front-row seat on the wall and picnic tables directly fronting the water. Right next to Kewalos is a less aggressive but crowded surf break called Straight Outs — named for being directly straight out from the rock wall — where longboarders and less advanced surfers can score playful rides.

Skill level: Intermediate to advanced

Parking: Yes

Rentals: No

Lessons: No

Season: Summer

Potential hazards: Shallow reef and boat traffic

Mother Nature shows its full power at Waimea Bay during the wintertime north swells, which bring waves towering up to 40 feet in height. At this time, the beach can become home to the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, often shortened “The Eddie.” This big-wave surf competition invites the best and bravest surfers to conquer the skyscraper-sized waves in honor of a highly respected Native Hawaiian lifeguard named Eddie Aikau, remembered for saving nearly 500 people in his lifetime. In 1978, the respected waterman was lost at sea while trying to rescue the crew of the Hokulea when it capsized in 1978. When the giant waves roll into Waimea Bay, beachgoers flock to its shores to watch the ocean’s mighty display. Just be sure to stay far from the waterline to avoid getting pulled out.

Skill level: Advanced

Parking: Yes

Rentals: No

Lessons: No

Season: Winter

Potential hazard: Powerful, massive waves and currents in winter

Set along the North Shore’s famous Seven Mile Miracle — a stretch of 36 immaculate surf breaks — ʻEhukai, also known as Banzai Pipeline, is one of the most famous in the entire world. In Hawaiian, Ehukai translates to “seaspray,” a fitting name for such a powerful yet nearly perfect wave. North winter swells hit a series of three shallow reefs that send energy into a steep, hollow A-frame that breaks in sometimes just a few feet of water. Surfers who succeed here can score the wave of their lifetime, but not without a high risk of serious injury. It’s awe-inspiring to watch ʻEhukai in action and watch competitions like the Vans Pipe Masters and Da Hui Backdoor Shootout during winter.

Skill level: Advanced

Parking: Yes

Rentals: No

Lessons: No

Season: Winter

Potential hazard: Powerful, massive waves and currents in winter

Also check out: Where to Watch Big-Wave Surfing on Oʻahu’s North Shore This Winter