The Surf Breaks

Understanding the Lineup

Alright, let's talk waves. This is the heart of the matter, the reason Honoliʻi is etched into the soul of every Hilo surfer. Forget what you might have read elsewhere. Ask any local who knows, and they'll tell you there are three main peaks at Honoliʻi: The Point, Mids, and Privates. The name "Honoliʻi" itself translates to "small bay" or "small cove," which is a general name for the entire area, not a specific break.

And if you hear someone talking about "The Bowl," they're not referring to a separate spot. They're describing the beautiful, hollow, barreling shape the wave can take—usually at Mids—when the conditions are just perfect.

This is where it all begins. The area closest to the beach and the mouth of the stream offers the most forgiving waves at Honoliʻi. On smaller summer days, this is the perfect classroom for beginners, groms (young surfers), and anyone looking for a mellow longboard session. The waves here are smaller, rolling, and less intimidating, giving you a chance to, as one local puts it, "flop around and find your center."

This is the logical starting point for anyone new to the spot or new to surfing in general. You'll often see surf lessons happening here. The main thing to be aware of is the influence of the stream. The freshwater outflow makes the water noticeably colder and can create some tricky, swirling currents that you need to account for when positioning yourself.

Paddle straight out from the river mouth and you'll find yourself at Mids, the central and most versatile peak in the bay. This is the domain of the intermediate-and-up surfer and is the heart of the lineup on most days. Mids is a fantastic wave that offers both lefts and rights, but it's most famous for its classic, long right-hander that you can ride all the way back towards the river mouth.

If Mids is the heart of Honoliʻi, The Point is its soul. Located off the northern point of the bay, this is the spot for advanced and expert surfers only. This is where Hilo's best surfers come to test their skills, and on a solid winter swell, it is a sight to behold. The wave here is a powerful, fast, and often hollow left-hander that breaks with serious authority. On those magic days, it produces the "perfectly formed barrels" that surfers dream of.

On the south side of the bay, to the right as you face the ocean, is a peak known as Privates. This spot is another great option for intermediate to advanced surfers and can sometimes be a strategic escape from the crowds at Mids. It primarily offers a quality right-hander that breaks back towards the center of the bay.

Honoliʻi Surf Break Cheat Sheet

To make it simple, here's my breakdown of the lineup. Keep this in your back pocket.

For the truly seasoned waterman or waterwoman looking for another level of challenge, there's a legendary spot just a long paddle away. When the swell at Honoliʻi gets huge—we're talking 10-foot faces or bigger—a powerful, heavy wave known as "Tombstones" starts to break further up the coast. It's a regional classic that breaks over massive boulders near the cliffs.