LOOSE / Spot guides / waikiki beginner surf
surf guide · honolulu, hi
Waikīkī beginner surf, where it all started
Waikīkī is where Duke Kahanamoku and the Waikīkī Beach Boys taught visitors to surf. Its gentle breaks still draw first-timers. Here's how they compare.
Lessons are highly recommended by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority for your safety and everyone else's. Most breaks are over reef, not sand. South swells bring the best waves.
Beginner breaks
Canoes
In front of and just east of the Royal Hawaiian, 2259 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
A soft, rolling reef break with long, gentle waves. It's the most beginner-friendly break in Waikīkī.
Queens
Off Kūhiō Beach, near the Duke Kahanamoku statue
A longboarder favorite. Good for beginners to intermediates, especially on a south swell.
Inside Pops (Puakenikeni)
In front of the Sheraton Waikīkī, 2255 Kalākaua Ave
Slower, rolling waves for beginners and longboarders. Watch the reef.
Later, when you're ready
| Break | Level |
|---|---|
| Pops (Populars) | Off the Sheraton, with a longer paddle out. |
| Threes | Intermediate to advanced. |
| Publics | Intermediate. A left over shallow reef. |
Lessons & etiquette
- Where: lesson booths line Kūhiō and Waikīkī beaches. Lessons usually run 1 to 2 hours on longboards.
- Don't drop in, wait your turn, and keep hold of your board, using a leash in crowds.
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard help in the Hawaiian sun.
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Sources
Facts on this page come from these public sources (checked Oct 2026). The wording is our own.