Hawaii Surfing

Introduction

Hawaii surfing is the ultimate experience! Hawaii’s own perfected surfing, and no place does it better. Hawaii lies smack in the path of all the major swells that race unimpeded across the Pacific creating the most consistent surf, biggest waves, and deepest tubes.

Even in ancient times, when the waves were up, everyone in Hawaii was out in the water, and at some Hawaii surfing locales today you can still find the remains of coastal temples where Hawaiians paid their respects to the surfing gods before hitting the waves.

No one knows exactly when surfing originated, but many historians believe Polynesians were already well versed in the sport when they migrated to the Hawaiian Islands nearly 2,000 years ago.

Hawaii surfing is good throughout the year, with the biggest waves whipping in from November to February along the north shores of the islands. Summer swells, which break along the south shores, are usually not as frequent and not nearly as large as the north-side winter swells.

Hawaii surfing Oahu’s North Shore has Hawaii’s top surf action, attracting championship surfers around the world and hosting big-name surfing competitions. The winter swells at Waimea, Sunset Beach and the Banzai Pipeline can bring in towering 30 feet waves, creating the conditions that legends are made of. Waikiki has Oahu’s top south-shore surfing.

Though they may be less well known that Oahu’s surfing sites, Maui and Kauai also have some very good surfing spots, particularly in winter along their north shores — two of the best spots are Honolua Bay on Maui and Hanalei Bay on Kauai. The Big Island and Molokai are not as notable, but it is possible to surf on both islands.