Hawaii's Legendary Surf Spots
Your complete guide to finding the perfect wave across all Hawaiian Islands
Written by a Local Surf Expert
Jade KawanuiUnderstanding Hawaii's Surf: The Seasonal Rhythm
Finding the right wave in Hawaii is about understanding a simple, fundamental rhythm of the ocean: in the winter (roughly November to March), powerful swells generated by North Pacific storms march down and light up the north-facing shores of each island.
In the summer (roughly May to September), the energy shifts, and swells from the South Pacific bring waves to the south-facing shores. This seasonal pulse is the key to planning your surf adventure.
The unique geography of each island creates "swell shadows," where certain coastlines are protected from the full force of the waves, like the Kona coast on the Big Island, which is largely shielded from the massive winter swells.
❄️ Winter Season (Nov-Mar)
North Pacific storms generate powerful swells that light up north-facing shores.
- • North Shore Oahu: Pipeline, Sunset, Waimea
- • North Shore Maui: Honolua Bay, Hoʻokipa
- • Hanalei Bay, Kauai
☀️ Summer Season (May-Sep)
South Pacific swells bring waves to south-facing shores across the islands.
- • Waikiki, Oahu
- • Kihei & Lahaina, Maui
- • Poipu, Kauai
- • Kona Coast, Big Island
Oahu: The Heartbeat of the Surf World
Oahu is the epicenter, the global stage where legends are made and surfing's highest dramas unfold. From the gentle, welcoming waves of Waikiki to the terrifying perfection of the North Shore's "Seven-Mile Miracle," Oahu offers the full spectrum of the surfing experience.
Oahu Surf Spots Quick Reference
🏖️ South Shore (Summer swells)
- Waikiki: Canoes - South Shore beginner paradise with gentle, soft, rolling rights. Best on summer south swells. Extremely crowded with surfers, canoes, and catamarans.
- Waikiki: Queens - Perfect for beginners and longboarders. Mellow whitewater on the inside, rippable left on the outside. Summer south and southwest swells work best.
- Waikiki: Diamond Head - South Shore waves for all levels. Consistent rollers that can be more challenging than Waikiki proper. Less crowded alternative.
🌊 North Shore (Winter swells)
- Puaʻena Point - North Shore beginner spot with mellow, gentle sloping rights and lefts. Best on small winter north swells. Watch for shallow inside reef.
- Chun's Reef - Beginner to intermediate waves with soft right point and fast left. Small to medium winter north swells. Sharp, flat reef hazard.
- Laniakea - Intermediate to advanced long, powerful right point break. North and northeast winter swells. Strong currents, reef, and expert locals.
- Sunset Beach - Expert only powerful, deep-water right-hand wave. Best on northwest to north-northeast winter swells. Huge sets, long paddle-out, unruly conditions.
- Banzai Pipeline - Expert only world's most famous left-hand barrel. Northwest winter swells. Shallow, sharp reef with underwater caves. Deadly and extremely crowded with pros and locals only.
- Waimea Bay - Expert only massive (20-50ft) deep-water wave. North and northwest winter swells. Extreme size and powerful shorebreak.
🟢 Beginner Spots Details
Waikiki is the cradle of modern surfing for a reason. Canoes offers slow, soft, rolling waves perfect for your first time on a board. Be prepared for company - dozens of other learners, outrigger canoes, and catamarans.
On the North Shore, Puaʻena Point and the inside section of Chun's Reef are the go-to spots for lessons during winter when the swell is small. They offer mellow, protected waves over reef that's more forgiving than expert breaks nearby.
🔴 Expert Spots Details
Pipeline is simply put, the most perfect and perilous wave in the world. A thick, hollow left-hand barrel that explodes over an absurdly shallow and sharp reef riddled with underwater caves. Pipeline has claimed more lives than any other wave.
Waimea Bay is the legendary big-wave spot, awakening only on the largest winter swells, producing rideable mountains of water up to 50 feet high. A spectacle to behold, but strictly the domain of the world's elite.
Explore More Island Surf Spots
Discover the unique surf breaks of Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island
🌊 Current Conditions
- North Shore: 2-4 ft
- South Shore: 1-3 ft
- East Shore: 3-5 ft
- West Shore: 1-2 ft
* Conditions change rapidly
📊 Difficulty Guide
🏝️ Islands at a Glance
Most variety - beginner to expert
Great for longboarding & learning
Natural beauty, fewer crowds
Adventure surfing, rocky coasts
Maui: The Valley Isle's Diverse Breaks
Maui's surf personality is a tale of two coasts. The south and west sides offer mellow, resort-friendly waves perfect for longboarding and learning, especially in the summer. The North Shore, however, is a different beast, home to world-class, expert-only waves that rival Oahu's for power and perfection.
Maui Surf Spots Quick Reference
🏖️ South & West Sides (Summer swells)
- Kihei: The Cove - South Shore beginner spot with gentle, tranquil waves. Summer south swells. Popular for lessons with high crowds.
- Lahaina: Launiupoko - West Side beginner and longboard waves. Long, mellow, friendly reef break. Summer south swells. Very high weekend crowds and shallow reef.
- Lahaina: Breakwall - West Side beginner spot with small, forgiving, consistent waves year-round. Rock breakwall hazard and extremely high crowds from surf schools.
🌊 North Shore (Winter swells)
- Paia: Hoʻokipa Beach Park - North Shore advanced to expert powerful rights and lefts. Consistent on north and northwest winter swells. Strong winds, currents, and long paddle.
- Kapalua: Honolua Bay - North Shore expert only perfect, photogenic right-hand point. North and northwest winter swells. Crowds, localism, and sharp reef.
- Haiku: Peʻahi (Jaws) - North Shore expert only giant (30-80ft) big-wave break. North and northwest winter massive swells. Extreme size requiring jet ski access.
🟢 Beginner Spots Details
The Cove in Kihei is the epicenter for learning, with numerous surf schools operating in its calm, gentle waves. Launiupoko State Wayside Park is a local family favorite, offering long, easy-to-ride waves perfect for beginners and longboarders, though it gets extremely crowded on weekends.
Near Lahaina Harbor, Breakwall is another hyper-popular beginner spot with consistent, forgiving waves, but be prepared for it to be overrun with large surf school groups during peak hours.
🔴 Expert Spots Details
Hoʻokipa Beach Park is a high-performance playground, a consistent and powerful reef break that is a proving ground for local pros and a favorite among windsurfers.
When a perfect northwest winter swell hits, Honolua Bay transforms into a flawless, world-class right-hand point break, offering incredibly long rides and deep barrels. It demands respect due to crowds and powerful local talent.
Peʻahi (Jaws) is the ultimate big-wave arena, awakening only on the most massive winter swells, producing terrifyingly beautiful waves that can exceed 60 feet. This is the exclusive domain of the world's best tow-in surfers.
Kauai & Big Island: Raw Beauty and Rugged Adventure
Kauai, the "Garden Isle," offers a surf experience defined by its raw, natural beauty and slightly fewer crowds than Oahu or Maui. The Big Island, geologically the youngest, has a rugged, rocky coastline where finding a good wave is an adventure in itself.
Kauai and Big Island Surf Spots Quick Reference
🌺 Kauai - "The Garden Isle"
- Hanalei Bay (Pier) - North Shore beginner and longboard spot with gentle, rolling waves. Small winter north swells. High crowds with reef awareness needed.
- Poipu (Lemon Drops) - South Shore beginner spot with slow, broad, forgiving waves. Summer south swells. Moderate crowds over reef.
- Kealia Beach - East Side intermediate consistent, powerful beach break. East swells year-round. Strong currents and dumpy waves with moderate crowds.
- Hanalei Bay (Point) - North Shore expert long, world-class right point break. Northwest winter swells. Long paddle, strong currents, high expert crowds.
🌋 Big Island - Raw and Rugged
- Kahaluʻu - Kona beginner spot with consistent, long, gentle waves. South and southwest summer swells. Reef and sea urchin hazards with high lesson and snorkeler crowds.
- Pine Trees - Kona beginner to intermediate consistent, mellow reef break. South and southwest swells year-round. Shallow reef with moderate to high crowds.
- Honoliʻi - Hilo all levels consistent river-mouth break. North and northeast winter swells. Sharp rocks, murky water, and strong local vibe.
- Banyans - Kona advanced to expert high-performance reef break. Southwest and west swells in summer and winter. Shallow reef, urchins, and strong localism.
Kauai Spot Details
The stunning amphitheater of Hanalei Bay is the island's premier surf zone. In summer or on small winter days, the inside section near the pier offers gentle waves perfect for learning. But when a real winter swell arrives, the outer point transforms into one of Hawaii's longest and most perfect right-handers.
On the South Shore, Poipu Beach has several breaks, with the mellow "Lemon Drops" being ideal for beginners during the summer months when south swells are most consistent.
Big Island Spot Details
On the Big Island, surfing is a more challenging proposition due to the young, rocky coast. The undisputed best spot for beginners is Kahaluʻu Beach Park in Kona, which offers a consistent, protected wave and is home to most of the island's surf schools.
Pine Trees, just north of Kona, is another consistent spot that works for beginners on small days but is often frequented by more experienced surfers.
On the Hilo side, Honoliʻi Beach Park is the local favorite, a river-mouth break that offers waves for all levels but can be tricky with its rocky bottom and strong local vibe. For experts, Banyans in Kona is a world-class reef break with a reputation for high-performance waves and an even higher-performance local crew.