Hawaii Surfing

[FlyChicaga]

I'm heading out to Honolulu next month for about a week, and my good friend and I are looking to do some beginner surfing. She just moved out there, so she doesn't know the good places, and I have absolutely no clue. I know there are some surfing fanatics on here who live out that-a-ways, so I figured this place might be a good place to start.

Also, any good spots that we might want to check out while I'm there? She lives there, but just got off deployment and hasn't explored much. I'd like to take it all in if I can. I'm not sure how far we can stray from the Pearl Harbor/Honolulu area, but any tips are apprecated!

FC

 

[FlyChicaga]

Oh, btw... I had this woman tell me that THE place to go is Waikiki. This true? Or is it really touristy?

 

[johnpeace]

both.

Waikiki is home of the longest, cruisiest waves anywhere...way, way fun and easy and fun.

It's also really touristy.

For the inexperienced, it's where you'll have the most fun.

 

[johnpeace]

Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay is pretty fun...I think it's a bus ride away from Waikiki.

If you can get out to the north shore, there's a sailplane operation at Dillingham that would be some of the most awesome soaring in the world (ridge soaring the Koolau's in steady 20kt tradewinds!!)

 

[islandhopper]

Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay is pretty fun...I think it's a bus ride away from Waikiki.

If you can get out to the north shore, there's a sailplane operation at Dillingham that would be some of the most awesome soaring in the world (ridge soaring the Koolau's in steady 20kt tradewinds!!)

That's actually the waianae mountains but no big deal. "Town" surf spots include anywhere from Kewalo Basin where the tour boats leave through Sandy Beach on the SE tip of the island. These spots should be up and down anywheres from small ankle snappers up to 25 foot faces during the summer. Depends on how lucky you are if you hit it right. The West side also picks up the same South swells and is even bigger than town sometimes on the same swell. The West side includes everything from about Ko Olina Resort area out past Makaha. Those are going to be the cleanest spots. Look at any map and you can see there is more coastline exposed to the South swells but the angle is wrong and it gets blown out most times by the stiff summer trades. As a general rule of thumb.

The North Shore is great for diving/snorkeling in the sumer. Good luck. Be humble in the water.

 

[350DRIVER]

Day 1) Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach in San Diego...


Day 2) Rosarito Beach in Mexico.


2 surfers + 3 gals should leave for an interesting trip. The past 3 or so trips there the surf has been "decent", nightlife even better.


Fiji in the Fall or South Africa in the spring will be next, hear from quite a few that these are the best at the respective times of the year.


enjoy

3 5 0

 

[wrigley23]

Yep, J-Bay and Durban are great this time of year in South Africa, our summer, their winter. Durban has good nightlife, Jeffrey's Bay and Cape St Francis are in the middle of nowhere, but great waves.

FlyChicaga, sorry no advice for Oahu, but I would avoid Honolua Bay and Jaws on Maui, they kicked my @ss! Very, very flat this time of year though.

 

[njcapt]

Hey, FC, I just got back from HNL a couple of days ago. For a variety of beginners waves you can't beat the Waikiki area. I have stayed at the Ohana Waikiki Towers twice in the last year and love the access to the best south shore surf spots. Check out the Ohana website:

Ohana Hotels

They have some ridiculous airline rates in the off season. I got a $50 a night rate when signing up, and upgraded to a 17th floor room with an ocean view (all of Ala Moana and the Hilton Hawaiian Village, beer fridge included) for another $15 a night. Boards are available from any number of hotels and beach boy huts in the Waikiki and Ala Moana areas. I suggest renting from Koa Boardsports (2420 Koa Avenue Honolulu, HI 96815 Phone: (808) 923 - 0189), where you can leave your rental board in an outside board locker. This way, you can wake up at your normal show time (0500 Hawaii time for me based on Central Daylight body clock), get your board, and beat the crowds to Queens. They are a half a block from the Duke statue at Kuhio Beach. Just a short paddle out to Canoes or Queens.

As soon as you get to the south shore, I suggest going to one of the millions of ABC Stores and acquiring one of the 'Franko's Maps' of Ohau (and a bunch of Sapporo 22oz beers).

Franko's Maps

These outline all of the surf spots, snorkeling, and diving reefs on the island. They are also detailed enough to navigate the highways to get to all these places. Unless the surf is totally bogus (as happened to me last week), you should be able to score decent surf within walking distance from any of the Waikiki or Ala Moana hotels.

My favorite surf spot on the south shore is Queens, off Kuhio Beach. The surf is relatively consistent, and most of the serious kooks head to Canoes, leaving Queens to the generally gracious locals and semi-competent tourists like me. If you get a pad in the Ohana 'Village' near Lewers Street check out the surf at Pops, Threes, or Ala Moana Bowls (if you're a goofy foot or learned to surf backside like me).

Color me freaky, but I like the urban nature of Waikiki. I generally wake up early, pull on the board shorts, stop at Starbucks for some liquid stoke, grab the board from the locker, and get to Queens by 0700 for some bitchin' waves. I then meet up with the wife for a late breakfast at 1100 or so, nap a little in the afternoon, then go out for a righteous dinner and some adult entertainment at night.

Shlt, now I want to go back. Gotta hit North Carolina in September for hurricane season.

 

[Guam360]

J-bay, Mexico, Fiji....???

The guy is going to Honolulu. He doesn't surf, he wants to try it.

njcapt, awesome post for the guy, good luck flychicaga, you'll have a good time, no worries,

drive into Diamond head crater and hike to the top, you'll love the view of the south shore.

go deep and try the spam musubi at ABC store.

 

[LearLove]

Gotta hit North Carolina in September for hurricane season

I hear ya brother. Jersey shore w/ hurricanes too.

O where, O where did my youth go?

 

[FlyChicaga]

Hey all, thanks for the tips! I let you know how it goes. I imagine this is going to be one rockin time. Lots of waves in the day, and margaritas while digging my toes in the sand in the evening. I gotta get the good times in while I'm still young...

 

[njcapt]

Oh, I almost forgot. You gotta know about the Shore Bird Resturant at the Outrigger Reef right at the end of Lewers St on the ocean. The resturant is right on the beach. They give a 20% airline discount on their food with an ID. Kind of neat, you cook your own entrees on this big grill over by the salad bar. My wife and I ate there four times during our week in Hawaii, and they have a pretty decent breakfast buffet in the morning, too.

Have fun.

 

[English]

Hey FlyChicaga,

The margaritas are no good in Waikiki. Save those for the Cabo trip. Instead, go with the Mai Tai and other rum-based drinks. I've frequented many establishments and the bartenders just don't have the margi thing down. But, the Blue Hawaiis, Lava Flows and Mai Tais are good (just a little foofy).

Careful with the Mai Tais, they make them STRONG here!

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

First off, take a lesson. There are only two good places to do that this time of year. Waikiki and Barbers Point. If your friend is in the military, then she probably knows how to get to White Plains beach on Barbers Point (now called Kalaeloa). They rent boards there and the wave is perfect for learning. She also probably knows where Bloch Arena is at Pearl Harbor. Good deals on epoxy boards (less easily damaged) can be had there for weekly rates, and they will be able to point you to the places for lessons. If you opt for Waikiki, just walk along the beach and you won't be able to miss the beach boys out there with boards for rent and lessons to give.

PS, if you see a bald guy on a white board with orange flames on it, get out of his way.

 

[Guam360]

so what are you trying to say? are you BALD?

sources say you are balding....?

like I said before, shouldn't you be on that panel trying to figure out what happens when the APU is armed or the generators are on, blah , blah, blah....?

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

so what are you trying to say? are you BALD?

Tightly shorn. It's breathtaking. I suggest you try it.

 

[Russ]

Bald, thats not quite the vision I had. I guess I'll have to call all the hotties and tell them its off...

 

[Guam360]

define "shorn"

What?

"Breathtaking', like in the Seinfeld episode at the Hapmtons with the ugly baby?

 

[English]

Hugh pulls it off well. He's the SEXY balding type...

 

[FlyChicaga]

Hmm... so bright orange board and light gleaming off the melon like a lighthouse. Check. Will keep out of way.