Kauai Surf Spots
Fifty miles of white sandy beaches and trade winds all year long
characterize the island of Kauai, also known as “The Garden Isle.”
Featured in the movie “South Pacific” and known for its amazing mountain
scenery, Kauai is loaded with surfing spots, many of which are secret. All of
the beaches on Kauai are public. Even the beaches that are privatized by a hotel are still accessible via public walkways, so you can feel free to explore as much as you want.
May through October, the South Shore provides consistent swells that work for all skill levels. One of the more popular spots is Poipu Beach, and a good beginner wave is called Lemon Drops, too slow for experienced surfers but perfect to learn on. Located in front of the Prince Kuhio condominiums is PK’s, a good all-around wave with a relatively easy take-off. Located nearby are Acid Drop and Heroins, two spots for experienced surfers only. On the southeastern shoreline is Kalapaki Beach at the Nawiliwili Harbor, a shallow left and right sandbar break with an easy paddle-out that attracts a lot of beginners and bodyboarders, with the more experienced surfers at Ammonias on the outside. Also on the east coast is Kealia Beach, also popular with both surfers and bodyboarders in the summer. On the west side is Pakala, a left point break that can get really long.
On the North Shore, surfing is best during the winter months. Experienced surfers flock to spots like Hanalei Bay, which offers about two miles of sandy coastline. At Hanalei Pier, the waves roll in gently for beginners, and it’s considered a right of passage for young locals to jump off the Pier as soon as they are brave enough. Other North Shore spots include Cannons, which can get really big and is thought by some to be the Kauai Pipeline, and Kalihiwai Point, an epic right point break located off the beaten path.
There are some potential hazards when surfing on Kauai’s beaches, as is the case with all the Hawaiian Islands. The waves are known to come in sets, and a calm period of 20 minutes can be followed by a sudden, intense and possibly dangerous wave. Also, the currents can be really strong. If you’re caught in a riptide, conserve your energy, don't try to fight it, and wave for help. Kauai has the highest drowning rate of all the Hawaiian Islands, so practice caution: use the buddy system, follow posted warnings, and "when in doubt, don’t go out." Last but not least, be respectful to the locals.
Find a Kauai surf school.
North Shore Kaui Surf Breaks
North Shore - Hanalei Bay |
| Surf Location |
At Hanalei Pier |
| Best Swell Direction |
Northwest, West |
| Best Tide |
All |
| Best Wind Direction |
East |
| Best Surf Season |
Winter |
| Wave Quality |
Epic right-hander. Near the pier is also a good place for beginners. Postcard scenery goes with this high-quality wave. |
| The Surfers |
Can get very crowded and localized in some places. |
| Boards |
Longboard and shortboard |
| Paddle Out |
Fair to difficult depending on the swell |
| Skill Level |
Experienced and up |
| Bottom |
Reef with sand |
| Watch Out For... |
Sharp coral and rocks, localism |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Hanalei Bay, Kauai - Surf Video
North Shore - Waikokos |
| Surf Location |
Across from the Hanalei Bay surf area just off the main highway |
| Best Swell Direction |
North, Northwest, Northeast |
| Best Tide |
Incoming tide |
| Best Wind Direction |
Southwest, South, Southeast |
| Best Surf Season |
Winter |
| Wave Quality |
A fast, powerful and ledgey right and left reef break |
| The Surfers |
Crowded at times with locals and tourists |
| Boards |
Depends on size, but shortboards prevail |
| Paddle Out |
Long paddle-out through Hanalei Bay or straight out to the break with help from the current...mind the reef |
| Skill Level |
Experienced and up |
| Bottom |
Reef with sand |
| Watch Out For... |
Sharp rocks, sea urchins, riptide and undertow |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
North Shore – Waiohai Beach |
| Surf Location |
In front of the Waiohai Hotel |
| Best Swell Direction |
South, Southeast |
| Best Tide |
Mid to High |
| Best Wind Direction |
West |
| Best Surf Season |
June-September (Summer) |
| Wave Quality |
Easy and gentle rights and lefts |
| The Surfers |
Pretty mellow vibe |
| Boards |
Short or long boards |
| Paddle Out |
Easy to moderate |
| Skill Level |
Beginner |
| Bottom |
Reef |
| Watch Out For... |
Crowds and localism |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
South Shore Kaui Surf Breaks
South Shore – Lemon Drops |
| Surf Location |
Just down the beach from Brennecke’s Beach past the rock outcrop |
| Best Swell Direction |
South, Southeast |
| Best Tide |
All |
| Best Wind Direction |
Northwest, West |
| Best Surf Season |
Summer months |
| Wave Quality |
Easy rollers, great spot for beginners |
| The Surfers |
Good place to learn to surf, without the crowds and serious beatings of larger more critical waves |
| Boards |
Short and long boards |
| Paddle Out |
Easy to moderate |
| Skill Level |
Beginners |
| Bottom |
Sandy with some rocks |
| Watch Out For... |
Jellyfish, sharks |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
South Shore – PK’s (Prince Kuhio’s) |
| Surf Location |
On the south side, directly in front of the Beach House Restaurant |
| Best Swell Direction |
Southwest, South, Southeast |
| Best Tide |
All |
| Best Wind Direction |
Anything out of the North |
| Best Surf Season |
June-September (Summer) |
| Wave Quality |
A fun right and left reef break, normally short |
| The Surfers |
A good mix of locals and tourists. A good break for all levels of surfers. |
| Boards |
Short and long boards |
| Paddle Out |
Easy to moderate |
| Skill Level |
All |
| Bottom |
Reef with rock |
| Watch Out For... |
Sharp rocks, riptide and undertow, sea urchins |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
South Shore – Acid Drop |
| Surf Location |
On the south side, take a left at the Koloa stop and another left to Poipu. After about a mile, take another left to Lawai Beach Resort. |
| Best Swell Direction |
Southwest, South, Southeast |
| Best Tide |
Mid-tide |
| Best Wind Direction |
North, East, Northeast |
| Best Surf Season |
June-September (Summer) |
| Wave Quality |
A hollow, fast, powerful and ledgey right and left reef break. As the name implies, the take-off is steep, and the reward is hollow and fast. |
| The Surfers |
Semi-crowded with experienced locals |
| Boards |
Shortboard |
| Paddle Out |
Long paddle |
| Skill Level |
Experienced and up |
| Bottom |
Reef with rock |
| Watch Out For... |
Sharp rocks, sea urchins, riptide and undertow, sharks |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
South Shore - Kekuiula Harbour |
| Surf Location |
Kekuiula Harbour right next to the jetty/breakwater |
| Best Swell Direction |
South, Southeast |
| Best Tide |
Mid to High |
| Best Wind Direction |
Northwest, West |
| Best Surf Season |
June-September (Summer) |
| Wave Quality |
Hollow right-breaking wave with a soft left-hander. Good spot for beginners and intermediate surfers. |
| The Surfers |
Mellow vibe |
| Boards |
Short and long boards |
| Paddle Out |
Easy to moderate depending on size |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Advanced |
| Bottom |
Reef, rock, and sand |
| Watch Out For... |
Urchins, crowds; look out for the inside reef on the right hander |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
South Shore – Salt Pond |
| Surf Location |
On the most southern part of Kauai, near the Port Allen Harbor |
| Best Swell Direction |
South |
| Best Tide |
Mid to High |
| Best Wind Direction |
North, Northwest |
| Best Surf Season |
June-September (Summer) |
| Wave Quality |
Long and reeling right-hander. Can get good when overhead and offshore. |
| The Surfers |
Locals and tourists. The inside is a family-oriented area with lots of snorkelers and body boarders. |
| Boards |
Shortboards, and longboards on smaller days |
| Paddle Out |
Long paddl,e as this wave breaks about 1000 yds out |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Intermediate |
| Bottom |
Sand and reef |
| Watch Out For... |
Urchins, other surfers |
| Water Condition |
Clear and clean |
