Going on a surf trip to Hawaii should be on the bucket list of every passionate surfer out there…Not only was the sport of surfing itself born in Hawaii, but it simply is a very special place to visit with amazing landscapes and countless different activities to chose from.
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Planning such a trip is not as easy as it seems as there are many things to think about, including the big question: which Hawaiian island should I visit on a surf trip? This is the most frequently asked question and as you will see, the answer is not so simple…
Hawaii is an archipelago composed of 137 islands. However, only 7 of them are populated which narrows the selection quite a bit. To break it down, let’s focus on the 4 major Hawaiian islands that are Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawai’i and highlight the differences between each one of them to make sure you chose the right one depending on what you are looking for.
Hawaiian Islands Comparison Table
| Oahu | Maui | Kauai | Big Island | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All skill levels? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Surf schools? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Beginner spots | More than 25 | More than 10 | From 5 to 10 | Around 10 |
| Advanced spots | Over 100 | From 50 to 100 | Around 50 | Under 50 |
| Crowd | Extreme | High | Moderate | Moderate |
| Nightlife | Yes | Yes | Limited | Limited |
| Pros | -Legendary breaks -Cultural activities -Social life/shopping | -Good mix of social and adventure -Very diversified scenery | -Quiet -360° swell exposure -Hiking paradise | -Least crowded -Many things to see/do |
| Cons | -Crowded -Commercial | -Not as many surf spots as Oahu -Unsurfable east side | -Limited opportunities for beginners | -Getting around is more difficult -Less surf spots |
Oahu
“The Gathering Place”
Read our detailed surf guide to Oahu, Hawaii
Oahu is the main surfing island in Hawaii. With legendary surf spots like Waikiki, Pipeline, Hale’iwa and Sunset Beach, Oahu is by far the most visited island in Hawaii. It is also the island with the highest population with just a bit over 1 million residents.
Yes, a high population on land does translate to heavier crowds in the water. However, there are so many surf spots on Oahu that it helps spreading the crowd a little. It remains the most crowded place to surf in Hawaii.
What makes Oahu a great surfing island
Oahu is a 360 degrees swell magnet. There are spots all around and they are all pretty accessible, unlike Kauai’s Napali Coast or Maui’s east side. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, there is definitely a wave to challenge you on Oahu.
Waikiki is the main tourist area located just next to Honolulu. It also has some great waves and surf spots with a rich surfing culture. If Waikiki is very commercial, you definitely still feel in Hawaii with some very good surf and a strong Hawaiian culture. If you are looking for nightclubs, restaurants and shops, this will be the place for you.
Maui
“The Valley Island”
Check out our detailed surf guide to Maui, Hawaii
Maui is a very trendy island and a popular destination for all generations of travelers. With a solid nightlife, hikes, beaches, rock pools, decent surf and even a volcano, Maui has everything to please everyone.
It is the perfect “all around” island if you want to avoid the heavy tourism of Oahu or the quietness of Big Island and Kauai.
Beginners will have plenty of fun at spots like Lahaina or Kihei while advanced surfers will get challenged at Honolua Bay or Ho’okipa Beach.
Hawai’i
“The Big Island”
Check out our complete surf guide to Big Island
The island of Hawai’i is the biggest island in the archipelago and it is an important aspect to keep in mind on a surf trip. Unlike the other islands, you probably will not be able to drive from one side of Hawai’i to the other for a surf check.
It is best to chose between the east coast (Hilo) or the west coast (Kona) and stick to it for a few days before going to the other side.
A bit like Kauai, Big Island will get you away from the heavy crowds. However, there are not as many surf spots to chose from. Although it has some amazing surf, Big Island is probably the island with the least surf spots and overall surfing potential.
Kauai
“The Garden Island”
Here is our full guide to surfing in Kauai
Home of many surfing icons, Kauai is gifted with some of the most amazing waves in Hawaii. Although it has some good beach breaks like Polihale, Kealia or Hanalei, most of the surf spots on Kauai are reef breaks. Beginners who want to stick to beaches are pretty much left with Hanalei as an option to surf.
However, if reefs don’t scare you, Kauai will spoil you with several world-class waves breaking all year round.
Everything that Kauai lacks in nightlife, it gains in outdoor activities with some of the best hikes like the Kalalau Trail and the Waimea Canyon.
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