9 Best Surf Spots In Waikīkī, Hawaii

surf spots in waikiki
Salim
Salim 
Updated
| 4 min read

Waikiki and surfing go hand in hand, and Hawaiians are proud inventors of this exciting sport. Years before Duke Kahanamoku, the legendary surfer, brought the attention of the world to surfing, the locals had ridden the waves of Waikiki. At this location, you will find the very surf breaks that made Kahanamoku famous. Whether you are a surfing pro, or completely new to the scene, a trip to this beautiful destination is an ideal opportunity for you to catch some impressive waves and pick up a new hobby. As there are several places to surf in Waikiki, it might be hard knowing the right place to go. Check out these best surf spots in Waikīkī and spend your vacation in the right places.

1. Queen's Surf Beach

Queen's Surf Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii
Source: Photo by Flickr user Matt Kieffer used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Queen’s Surf Beach is located between Waikiki Aquarium and Kapahulu Groin. This site is also used as a marine life conservation district where you’ll sight many beautiful fish and other remarkable scenery. Although Queen’s Surf Beach is usually busy, the large crowd doesn’t affect the enjoyment you’ll get here, with its consistent break and surf quality. You can also get delicious snacks at the barefoot cafe on-site. Occasionally, there are events like beach volleyball, canoe races, and concerts that can be enjoyed at the beach. Parking is free and also secure.

Queen's Surf Beach

Address: Queen Kapiolani Beach, 150 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

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2. Canoes

surf spots in waikiki | canoes
Source: instagram

Canoes sits in front of the famous Royal Hawaiian Hotel, which has been standing since the early 1920s. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional in the fun-filled water stunt, Canoes has something for you. It is an extremely safe place to learn because of the sandy bottom and a few coral heads. The mesmerizing scene can’t be pictured in words, and the magical feeling can’t be felt without paying a visit. There are also numerous friendly people that you would want to mingle with, which will make a memorable surf session for you, your family, or friends.

Canoes

Address: 2259 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

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3. Fours

Surfing
Source: Pexels

Fours surfing spot is found straight out from the U.S Army Museum. This location get ready for a surf only when the waves get big, which presents an excellent opportunity to enjoy surfing and bodyboarding. It is the favorite of the local surfers, and as such, it usually gets very crowded. Whether you are a longboarder or a stand-up paddle surfer, you will have an exciting time at this surf spot.

Fours

Address: U.S. Army Museum, 2131 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

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4. Publics

surf spots in waikiki | publics
Source: instagram

Publics is the stretch of beach that lies between Waikiki Aquarium and Queens Beach. The site features public restrooms at the beachfront for your convenience. There is a breakwater that lies 300 feet (91.4 meters) from the shore. It is not as crowded as other surf sites and offers a mellow surfing spot for surfers of all skill levels. There are several activities to enjoy on-site, aside from surfing, including yoga, picnics, and barbecues.

Publics

Address: 151 Kapahulu Ave Honolulu, HI 96815

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5. Diamond Head


Close to off Makalei Beach Park in Diamond Head you can find the surf spot named Suicides. It is a spot strictly for the experts only because it is usually quite windy and prone to strong currents. Off the parking lot at Diamond Head Lookout there are awesome breaks such as CLiffs and Lighthouse. Diamond Head’s windy weather attracts sailboarders and kiteboarders during extreme conditions.

Diamond Head

Address: Oʻahu, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

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6. Baby Queens

Posted by Big Wave Dave Surf & Coffee on Sunday, 28 August 2016

Baby Queens is an excellent surf location, which is endowed with smaller waves, and presents a unique opportunity for learners. You’ll be delighted to learn nose-diving as you surf and in no time be a better surfer. The guards are also always on the vigil, which adds to your confidence to discover a new hobby. There is also a vast landscape of soft sand that you can sit on to enjoy the rest of your day while taking a break from the water-based activities.

Baby Queens

Address: Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815

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7. Cunhas

Cunha’s July 2019 South Swell testing out the new wave riding vehicle #southshore #waikiki #honolulu #oahu #hawaii @terronjoel @wrv1967 @wrv1967_hawaii #waikikibeach #surf

Posted by Terrón • Oahu, Hawaii on Wednesday, 16 October 2019

Cunhas is named after one of the early 1900s estates in Waikiki. Emanuel Sylvester Cunha’s sizeable two-story home was located at the intersection of Kapahulu and Kalakaua Avenues. Although the Cunha home was torn down after World War II, the site is still known as Cunha’s. It is one of the few surf sites in Hawaii where paipo boards are yet ridden. It is one of the most illustrious places for surfing, and it welcomes thousands of visitors annually. You’ll enjoy the amusing sight of other surfers, and you can also learn to be a better surfer. Available on the ground, are guards to attend to any emergency issues, and the security is airtight, thereby allowing for optimum enjoyment.

Cunhas

Address: Kalakaua Ave & Kapahulu Ave Honolulu, HI 96815, USA

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8. Castles


Castles is the most famous big wave surf site on the south shore. It is named after the home of Samuel Northrup Castle, who arrived with Christian missionaries in 1837. He is famous for being the co-founder of Castle & Cooke Company. The second reef at Castle does not break unless the wave height reaches up to 10 feet (3 meters) or even more. It is a rather challenging spot for surfing, and you must have great skills to ride the waves successfully. The experience of surfing at Castles is memorable, unmatchable, and fascinating. Your next surfing should be here!

Castles

Address: 2161 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

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9. Ala Moana Bowls

barrel
Source: Photo by Flickr user photoskate used under CC BY 2.0

For decades, both locals and international visitors have flocked to Ala Moana Bowls. This surfing spot has a reputation for offering some of the best surfing waves in the world. The reception is a first-class experience as you would want to watch the mouth-watering sight of the sea waves, and witness the surfers as they showcase various skills and techniques. Ala Moana Bowls is a surfing spot great for intermediate and professional surfers. While exploring the city, you can conveniently take some time off at this beautiful spot.

Ala Moana Bowls

Address: Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon Boardwalk, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

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Ride the best of waves

Visit Waikiki with your surfer buddies and have a memorable time. The water is ideal for longboarding, stand-up paddling, surfing, and short boarding. The breaks vary from shore to shore, and it is up to you to choose the spot you love. Regardless of whether you are a beginner or a pro, you will find something right for you with these top surf spots in Waikiki.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Salim is a lover of adventure and creativity. He is fascinated with the beauty of nature and the great African arts and history. He has visited many of the waterfalls and museums in Nigeria and...Read more

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