As the birthplace of surfing, there’s no better place on earth to surf than Hawaiʻi. Oʻahu has killer surf breaks and easily accessible beaches close to one another. From beginners to groms, novices to experts, there’s a wave for everyone.
Surf is always up on Oʻahu but some breaks are seasonal and more local than others. We asked our surfer friend Taylor Clark to breakdown the best Oʻahu surf spots on the island.
Oʻahu’s South Shore
The South Shore of Oʻahu, featuring Honolulu and Waikīkī beaches, is the most crowded part of the island. This should be no surprise since it’s where the majority of locals live and tourists stay. There are waves year-round, but they’re best in the summer south swells (May-Oct).
1. Canoes
Located right behind the Duke Kahanamoku statue, Canoes is quite possibly the ‘drop-in’ capital of the world. It’s very crowded with a mix of professional and first-time surfers. Rights and lefts, from ankle-high to overhead, and slow smooth waves especially during the summer south swells.
2. Queens
Find Queens across the channel from Canoes. It’s an iconic longboard break with rights and lefts. The crowd is more local and can be a little ‘testy’ compared to other breaks along Waikīkī Beach. While it’s best in the summer south swells, you can surf it any time of year.
3. Diamond Head
There are waves at Diamond Head year-round, but they’re often blown out. Get to the beach via a walking path just past the lighthouse on Diamond Head Road or take the steep ‘goat trail’ at the last scenic parking lot, and try not to ding your surfboard. The current is stronger here and rights and lefts break all over the place. You can kiteboard and windsurf in heavy trade winds.
Oʻahu’s North Shore
The North Shore of Oʻahu is famous and known among the surfing community as the proving grounds. The ‘seven-mile miracle’ from Haleʻiwa Beach Park to Sunset Beach consists of world-class surf breaks. The swells produce an insane amount of power in winter (Nov-Apr), not for the beginner or novice. Be aware it can go from flat to triple overhead without warning.
4. Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach is the heaviest wave on the North Shore, it’s renowned for long hold-downs. It breaks in any type of winter swell, but it’s very temperamental and the peak can be shifty. It has a strong rip when big, and is shallow and reefy on the inside. Experts only, please.
5. Pipeline/Backdoor
If you aren’t about to go pro, I’d sit back and enjoy Pipeline/Backdoor from the beach. If it’s firing, you’ll see barrels bigger than your hotel room! One of the great things about this wave is that it’s close enough to see, a rarity for barrels this perfect. For those brave enough to paddle out be aware of the pecking order, the local Uncles have priority and the pros and photographers will block you from catching waves. If you’re lucky enough to catch a wave, it’ll be the ride of your life.
6. Haleʻiwa
In west swells, Haleiwa might be the best place to learn to surf on the entire island. It’s perfect for longboards and shortboards, however, there’s always a rip current pulling you out past the break. When it gets overhead, this wave breaks all the way to the ‘toilet bowl’ (a shallow closeout that has claimed many surfboards). It features steep ledges when the swell is more north with shorter rides. There is a fair amount of parking at the beach park.
Oʻahu’s West Side
The West Side of Oʻahu probably offers the most consistent surf year-round. It sports bigger waves in the winter (Nov-Apr) but also picks up some summer swells (May-Oct). It’s arguably the least crowded of anywhere else on the island, with the exception of Mākaha. This area is intensely localized so make sure you surf with aloha!
7. White Plains
White Plains is a great place to learn, albeit crowded. If you are staying in Ko Olina, this is your best bet to surf, as long as it’s not blown out. It breaks a little bit like Canoes in Waikīkī until it gets overhead, and then it can be more challenging. It’s very easy to access with a lot of parking.
8. Tracks
Look out for Tracks just north of the power plant. It is best throughout the winter on a west or north swell. The waves usually hit any size up to head height. This is a nice beach that’s suitable for beginners and all types of surfboards, long, short or bodyboard.
9. Mākaha
The most famed break on Oʻahu’s west side is Mākaha and it’s very localized. All sorts of boards wade in these waters long, short, boogie boards and body surfers. It breaks in all kinds of swells but the peak will shift with direction of the swell. Recommended for intermediate to expert surfers. Be respectful in the line-up and don’t drop in on anyone here. It offers some parking.
Oʻahu’s East Side
The East Side of Oʻahu has a few surf spots with some really long paddles but it’s blown out most of the time. If there are tradewinds, which there usually are, you might be better off with a bodyboard, kiteboard or a sail. Some of Hawaiʻi’s most beautiful white sandy beaches are on Oahu’s eastern coastline. If there’s no surf, they’re the consolation prize.
10. Makapuʻu Beach
Surfing is allowed at Makapuʻu until 5pm. It has a very steep shore break, so grab a bodyboard or some fins because this is one of the most fun waves Oʻahu has to offer. It can get extreme, but if you hit the bottom at least its sand, a nice change from all the reef breaks on the island. It’s hard to find a better-looking beach. There is a small parking lot with additional parking along the road (read the signs). This, combined with Sandy Beach around the corner, account for the most surfing-related accidents in all of Hawaiʻi. Please, be extra careful.
11. Bellows
Bellows is military property open to the public and a fun shore break. It’s a better-known break for kids bodyboarding and bodysurfing. It’s super fun for adults, too. It’s situated on the beautiful Waimānalo Beach, Oʻahu’s longest stretch of sand with the Koʻolau mountain range as it’s backdrop.
12. Flat Island (Popoiʻa Island)
Flat Island is suitable for all sorts of surfers, especially beginners and longboarders. It works best in summer and when the winds are not too strong. The island is a bird sanctuary, so it’s top sightseeing from the board. Don’t go on the island, or you’ll likely encounter a hefty fine. Did I mention how gorgeous this beach is? Tons of parking and full beach facilities.
It’s important to end on a safety note, please be careful when you’re surfing on Oʻahu. The swells change quickly and most breaks are on shallow reefs.
