A comprehensive list of surf spots in the Hawaiian Islands and a guide for beginner and expert surfers alike

Surf spots are arranged as featured and secondary spots with a comprehensive list of facts you need to know. The featured spots contain detailed information about the spot such as, description, directions, surfer level, map of the region, and comments from visitors to the site. The secondary spots consist of a short description about the spot. Wave heights are listed in Hawaiian scale (back of the wave). Click here for more information about wave measurement.

If you do not see your favorite surf spot listed, help us by adding it to our ever growing database of spots.  You are welcome to post any comments for each featured surf spot.

What soul surfing is all about...

Consisting of eight major islands, Hawaii is home to some of the finest waves in the world. Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Hawaii (Big Island), Molokai and Lanai have accessible surf from land while Ni’ihau and Kaho’olawe are off-limits. There are also outer reefs on the Northern Hawaiian Islands that produce open ocean surfing and tow-in surfing.  The island of Oahu is known for having more famous surf spots per mile than almost any other place in the world. On Oahu’s North Shore you will find several famous spots such as the Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach and Waimea Bay.

In the winter months, from October to March surfers from around the world travel to Hawaii to test their skills in some of mother natures most challenging surf. Large, powerful swells generated in the North Pacific during these months produce waves up to 60 feet high on the outer reefs and spots like Waimea Bay, on Oahu and Jaws on Maui. During the summer months, from April to September, southerly swells start to arrive on the South shores of the Hawaiian islands producing fun waves for beginners and some great surf for experts at certain spots.

When you visit the islands, remember to talk to the lifeguards before you enter the water. Even if you are an expert surfer, Hawaiian waves can be deceiving when looking from the beach. Take a few moments to prepare your mind and body and see how frequent and large the sets are that day. The ocean might look calm from the beach but when you least expect it a large set can roll through making for an extremely scary situation.