Honolulu, HI

outdoors

Tonggs Beach

I was a townie. The big, powerful North Shore waves were too much for me. Pops is a Waikiki break, but the looooong paddle out there deterred most tourists and surfers. So, despite the name, it’s not terribly popular. Once you finally got there, it was pure fun, and usually double the size of Canoes and Queens (the insanely crowded Waikiki breaks). It’s the only place I ever surfed at night (late night), and probably my most memorable session.

Honolulu, HI

outdoors

Diamond Head

Diamond Head usually serves up the biggest waves on the South Shore, and it usually comes with a whole lot of wind. Despite the often choppy conditions, I love surfing Diamond Head. It’s a beautiful little hike down, and there’s almost always waves all year round.

Honolulu, HI

outdoors

Tonggs Beach

When Diamond Head was too blown out and windy to surf, Tongs was just around the corner — sheltered from the wind. It’s probably the only left, goofy foot wave on my list. Despite it’s close proximity to Waikiki, it’s somewhat hidden access in a small neighborhood near Kapiolani Park kept it from becoming too crowded.

Honolulu, HI

outdoors

Queen's Beach

This isn’t the place to go for a great time of actual “surfing.” It’s a great place to go surfing with friends and watch pure insanity ensue. Despite everything so wrong about these well known Waikiki breaks, it can be a blast. You have to surf these spots in the right mindset. If you’re looking for a wave to yourself, don’t go here. This is party wave central. Surfers of every skill level and attitude pollute these waters. It is actually a great wave, but you’ll never have it to yourself.

Haleiwa, HI

outdoors

Banzai Pipeline

Acclaimed as the best wave in the world, the Banzai Pipeline (also referred to as Pipeline or simply Pipe) is everything that one can expect and more. Very few waves in the world rival its power and perfection. When there is a lot of swell, head to Ehukai Beach Park to see the majesty of this wave unveil itself.

Haleiwa, HI

outdoors

Ke Iki Beach Bungalows

Made famous by Clark Little, this stretch of beach break is as dangerous as shorebreak (waves breaking close to or on the beach) comes. While it is a beautiful location, and a great one to watch powerful waves breaking, it is not intended to be a swimmer’s beach for those that are not advanced surfers.

Waimea, HI

outdoors

Waimea

has everything from a jump rock, shorebreak for bodyboarders and bodysurfers, and a point break for standup surfers. While the surf only breaks when there is a lot of swell, Waimea Bay is a great place for lounging, playing a game of pick up football, or swimming around.