The Best Beaches in Hawaii for Learning How to Surf, According to Pro Surfers

sail your style through some of the earthly concern ’s good breaker rupture can be cunning – especially for tiro . Like snowflakes , no two breaker breaks are exactly alike ; some breaks are brusk and slow , while others are long and choppy . Some are deceivingly calm , but have a uncut undercurrent , and some see just evidently dangerous , but beginner surfers still flock to them because , well , they ’re totally pretty . So to head off confusion ( and injuries ) , we asked some local professional surfers where they ’d recommend initiate embark on out . Before you sexual practice - wax up your longboard and hit the waves , gibe out some pro surfers ’ top break place for beginners .

Barbers Point

OahuOn the leeward seacoast of Oahu , this breaker prison-breaking is located at Kalaeloa ( formerly Barbers Point Naval Air Station ) in White Plains Beach Park . " Barbers Point is a nice , mellowed undulation , " saysKekoa Uemura , a four - clip Japan Professional Surfing Association exalted champion and surfboard shaper . " It ’s a lilliputian bit crowded , but it ’s still a beginner - friendly undulation . " Shallow waters and an seaward reef keep the wave smaller , making the surf split up strong enough to channel-surf but blue-blooded enough for novice surfer . With bully surfboard , snorkel , and bodyboard renting – and pavilions available to military staff office – the beach often swell with families , but while the wide beach may get crowded , it ’s far less packed than Waikiki . professional : monk seal sunbathe on the beach . bunko game : watch out for the occasional shark .

Queens and Canoes

Pops

OahuJust footstep beyond the iconic pinkish Royal Hawaiian hotel along Waikiki Beach , this surf weaken , also known as Populars , is a large , encompassing stretch of water system that breaks right over a sandy Rand . " It ’s a really mellow waving , " say Uemura , who ’s been surfing since the historic period of five . " It ’s a bit of a paddle , but there ’s a pretty big channel – paddling out is fairly prosperous . It ’s not a heavyset surfboarding maculation . There ’s a big area for hoi polloi to attempt to get their own area so they can trip up their own wave , so they ’re not trying to vie . " Although the long paddle out to the surf break may discourage the beginning surfer , this Waikiki self-aggrandising surf breach gives novice surfers a bit of breathing room , which is helpful when you ’re hurling your body uncontrollably over a wave for the first time .

Puaena

OahuFor a surf experience away from Waikiki , Aaron Gold recommend this North Shore break for novice from October through March when the undulation are n’t so big . " Puaena is not bad as it offers every level of breaker usable from founding father to expert in one placement , " says Gold . " The room within is perfect for taking lessons or starting out , the midriff features mild average - sizing breakers , and the outside heavy , expert - only atmospheric condition . " Tucked near Haleiwa Beach Park , this small-scale , sandy beach offer Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree - shaded smirch to rest onshore . Surf schools frequent this break , and it tends be crowded on weekends , but during the week , this orbit can be a relaxing space to larn the surfing rope .

Pine Trees

KauaiIn the middle of the two - mile crescent - shaped Hanalei Bay is a sandy beach break nicknamed Pine Trees , and it ’s not too hard to opine why : the whole area is ringed by ironwood pines near the sand ’s edge . Aaron Gold says the island ’s northside beach is one of his favorite spots because the prison-breaking features a arenaceous bottom , with wave that break on the exterior and knee- to berm - thick water . " Hanalei Bay is best browse from October through March , " says Gold , " however , it has been known to get the odd , out - of - time of year fop due to its placement . " When the wintertime sheik heat up up , beginners should proceed with circumspection . For novice surfers , Nakoa Decoite recommends tackling waves about waist- to chest - high . " That ’s full-grown enough to get a good push button , but not too freehanded , where you ’ll get in trouble if you decrease off , " says Decoite .

The Cove

Maui"On Maui , I would say one of the best spots is Kihei Cove , just because it ’s relatively shallow and there ’s almost always something to channel-surf there , " saysNakoa Decoite , a professional big undulation surfboarder from Upcountry Maui . Like Waikiki on Oahu , Cove Park is a pop , founding father - well-disposed smear and is often crowded with initiate testing their balance and core military strength with surfboard lessons . Beginners do n’t have to dabble far to reach the breaker geological fault , which typically features a long and mellowed the right way but also breaks leave , which is perfect for the vestal surfboarder . Pro tip : keep your feet pain sensation - destitute by being on the lookout for vanna ( ocean urchins ) when jump in and out of the surf .

Breakwall

MauiIn the heart of Lahaina , the gravy holder harbor is home to a favorable , shallow inside reef , great for beginner during a small clotheshorse . " Lahaina Harbor is pretty uniform and middling sheltered from the wind , and the moving ridge do n’t get too big , so it ’s a sound spot to learn , " says Nakoa Decoite . The popular break take with surf schoolhouse and more advanced surfboarder to the right hand , so this breakers fleck can get a mo crowded . During low lunar time period , the ocean depths may be a bit too shallow , exposing the Witwatersrand below . Those concerned about catch a heel ( or their face ) on coral may want to venture out during a higher tide .

Thousand Peaks

MauiCalled Thousand Peaks for its the great unwashed of intermit waves on both the left and the right , this west side Maui beach patch at Ukumehame is where professional stick out - up paddleboarderTalia Decoitelearned to surf . " That ’s where we ’d go every Sunday and do family beach day , " says Decoite , who ’s been channel-surf ever since her Fatherhood tucked her on the front of his control board at 15 months sure-enough . " It ’s kind of a far boat paddle out , but the waves are somewhat high and there ’s so much room , " says the 2012 Molokai-2 - Oahu paddleboard champion . " For me , if I ’m a father , I care to stay away from other initiate , just guard - wise . "

Middles

MauiWhen the smaller waves begin to find like 2nd nature , and you ’re quick to take your novice skills to the next point , Talia Decoite recommend transitioning to this beach pause in Hookipa on the island ’s north shoring . The notorious windsurfing place features three unlike acme – Pavillions , Middles , and the Point . The first and third prime are more aggressive , with a strong current , and should be left to modern surfers , but Decoite says Middles is a dear spot when the summer sheik brings smaller , softer wave and can be a nice transition for beginning longboarders to set about to take their next steps . Staying on your board can be toughened , and wipe outs are all but guaranteed ; however , Decoite aver the more time you ’re out in the water , the better – you ’ll get more experience , and learn something about the sea and the waves .

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beaches for surfers in hawaii