Summary
When it comes to surfing, Kauai, is probably Hawaii’s best hidden gem. Most northern of the 4 major islands, the surf in Kauai is obviously still exposed to the same perfect swells as its neighboring islands, while being more quiet and raw. With a population of about 75,000 people on Kauai, it is said that there actually are more surfboards than people on the island.
Known as “The Garden Isle”, Kauai is the island for adventures and great outdoors. The Napali Coast, on Kauai north shore, is an absolute natural beauty and deserves a visit at least once in your lifetime. There is not much happening in Kauai after dark and this is how we like it.
Read: Which Hawaiian island should you chose for a surf trip?
When people think of surfing in Hawaii, the names of Oahu’s Pipeline or Maui’s Pe’ahi (Jaws) always come on top of everyone’s mind. However, while it is not as publicized, the surf on Kauai is just as flawless and rewarding.
Surfing in Kauai is for everyone!
When surfing in Kauai, beginners will find their fix near the pier at Hanalei Bay or at Poipu while more advanced surfers will head out to Tunnels, Hanalei point or Polihale. The south side is usually drier especially in the rainy winter months compared to the north side where we can find one of the world’s rainiest spot.
To find the perfect surfing destination for you, try our WaveFinder search engine!
On top of having incredible surfing conditions, Kauai provides spectacular hikes that are known to be some of the best in the world. The Kalalau trail, for instance, attracts tourists from all around the globe every year because of its unique coast line.
When to surf in Kauai
The best time to surf on the island of Kauai, Hawaii is mostly through the winter months from November to April. During this time, big and consistent swells push through the north Pacific Ocean and send perfect waves on Kauai’s west and north shores. Surf spots like Hanalei Bay, Tunnels, Polihale and Hideaway offer great conditions all winter long.
During the summer months, from May to October, Kauai still receive amazing waves from the south Pacific which will turn on surf spots like Poipu and Pakala, on the south facing shores.
January-February March-April May-June July-August September-October November-December
Suitable for: All surfers All surfers All surfers All surfers All surfers All surfers
Air temperature 25°C
77°F25°C
77°F27°C
81°F29°C
84°F28°C
82°F26°C
79°F
Water temperature 25°C
77°F25°C
77°F26°C
79°F27°C
81°F25°C
77°F25°C
77°F
Crowd Fairly crowded Fairly crowded Fairly crowded Very crowded Fairly crowded Fairly crowded
Swell Consistency 95% 95% 90% 90% 90% 95%
Swell height 9 ft 9 ft 7 ft 5 ft 5 ft 8 ft
Where to stay in Kauai
Kauai is relatively small and it is easy to get around. Therefore, no matter where you will be based, you can reach any part of the island within a two hour drive maximum.
Kauai’s North Shore, including Hanalei and Princeville offers the prettiest setup on the island with great beaches and amazing mountain views. In winter, that is also where most of the surf is located and although this area is rainier, it remains extremely pretty with numerous waterfalls and lush rainforest.
The best places to stay on Kauai’s north shore include 1 Hotel Hanalei and the Club Wyndham Bali Hai Villas.
On the east side, the historic town of Kapa’a can be a great place to settle due to its strategic location. It is half an hour from Hanalei, 10 minutes from the airport and about an hour and a half from Polihale and Waimea.
Down south, Poipu is a very popular holiday town with numerous hotels, resorts and home rentals to chose from. While being “touristy” and developed, Poipu remains a beautiful spot.
Browse our interactive map to find the best accommodation deals in Kauai!
Best Surf Hotels in Kauai
The Westin Princeville is located on the north shore close to the best surfing spots on Kauai and just steps away from majestic Hanalei Bay.
In Kapa’a, on the east side is located the only hostel on the island, the Kauai Beach House Hostel. It is pretty expensive for a hostel but definitely cheaper than renting an Airbnb or Hotel.
Further south, in Po’ipu, Ko’a Kea Resort is a great option as well as Sheraton Kauai Resort.
Camping in Kauai
Accommodation in Kauai is very expensive, both for tourists and locals. Many budget travelers decide to camp in order to experience the island’s natural beauty as well as saving a good amount of money. There are many campsites located around the island but beware, you need to buy a permit for every night that you are camping. Park rangers do go around and give fines to people who are illegally camping around.
Permits are easy to obtain through this official website for around $3 for campgrounds and a bit more for state parks.
Some of the best campsites on Kauai include Polihale State Park, Anini Beach Park Campground and Koke’e State Park.
Getting there and around
The best way to get to Kauai is obviously by air. Fly into Lihue airport from any of the Hawaiian island or from the mainland or Canada. Flights from Asia will most likely transit in Honolulu.
Once on the island, the best way to get around is by renting a car. There is one highway going all around the island, except for the Na Pali Coast stretch. It is also very easy to hitchhike on Kauai and you will get picked up fairly fast. Local buses run around the island and are very reliable.
Safety/things to know
-In winter, waves in Kauai can be very big and mean with sets coming from nowhere. Be very careful. If in doubt, don’t go out.
-Localism can be strong is certain spots. Always respect local surfers.
-Camping is a very nice way to discover Kauai with several campgrounds all around the island. Make sure you acquire the right permit to avoid being woken up by a ranger.
Kauai Surf spots
Hideaways
Located in Princeville, not too far from 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay resort, Hideaway is a beautiful spot with an exposed reef break. On a good NW swell, this wave is a nice and hollow A-frame with very little crowds. Watch out for the sharp reef, especially on low tide. There are only 10 parking spots for Hydeaway Beach which tend to fill up quite quickly.
Wave direction : Left and right
Bottom : Reef
Best tide : Any
Skill level : Intermediate and advanced
Optimal swell direction : NW
Optimal wind direction : SSE
Hanalei Bay
Hanalei Bay is the most popular and mediatized surf spot in Kauai. It is a very easily accessible beach located just next to Princeville, on Kauai’s north shore. The bay has different waves to suit surfers of all skill levels. Next to the pier will be the smaller waves, where most toddlers on Kauai catch their first waves. Further down the bay, Pavilion and Pine Trees are two spots that catch a bit more size.
All the way up the beach, Hanalei point is a reef break located in front of 1 Hotel. On a good NW winter swell, the point is one of the longest and most consistent waves on Kauai. Hanalei can get very crowded on better surf days. The point also requires a 15 minute paddle out and on bigger winter days, the currents can be strong across the bay.
Wave direction : Left and right
Bottom : Reef and sand
Best tide : Any
Skill level : Any
Optimal swell direction : NW
Optimal wind direction : SE
Waikoko’s
On the other end of Hanalei Bay is a secluded and beautiful beach called Waikoko’s. There is a beautiful left breaking right in front of the beach over a pretty shallow reef. The ideal conditions for Waikoko’s is on a smaller NW swell, typically from 4 to 8 feet. Above that, currents pick up and the lineup closes out more. Waikoko’s also offers a right-hand ride which is usually shorter than the left and ends up in a shallow section of the reef.
Wave direction : Left and right
Bottom : Reef
Best tide : Mid to high
Skill level : Advanced
Optimal swell direction : N
Optimal wind direction : S
Kealia
Kealia is a classic beach break located just outside of Kapa’a. With easterly winds being dominant in Hawaii, Kealia is often onshore and messy. However, summer or winter, waves can be found here which makes it a fun place to play around. Beginners are welcome but waves can be quite dumpy and currents can be strong. Kealia is also a good spot for bodyboarders.
Wave direction : Left and right
Bottom : Sand
Best tide : Any
Skill level : Any
Optimal swell direction : E
Optimal wind direction : W
Poipu
Poipu is another good spot for surfers of all levels. It is a horseshoe reef located on the south-east side of Kauai that catches most of the summer swells. In winter, there are still some swells coming in from the south and Poipu will work on some days. It is a very popular tourist destination with many resorts and accommodation in the area.
Wave direction : Left and right
Bottom : Reef and sand
Best tide : Any
Skill level : Any
Optimal swell direction : S
Optimal wind direction : NW
Rock Quarry
Located near Kilauea, on the north shore of Kauai, Rock Quarry is a beach break with a few rocky or reef sections. As Rock Quarry does not have a pure north exposure, it needs some particular conditions to work properly. On the usual NE trade winds, Rock Quarry will be messy and disorganized. However, if winds are light or switch to a westerly direction, it becomes a great playground. Rock Quarry offers lefts and rights depending on the swell direction. On the left side, it starts with a smooth takeoff and builds up into a nice maneuverable wave further into the bay. Rock Quarry is an overall good beach break for all skill levels but will mostly suit more experienced surfers.
Wave direction : Left and right
Bottom : Sand and rocks
Best tide : Any
Skill level : Any
Optimal swell direction : NE
Optimal wind direction : W
Polihale
Polihale is a remote beach located at the end of the road on the west side of Kauai. It is one of the most beautiful beaches on Kauai and it is the widest beach in the whole state of Hawaii. When is comes to surfing, Polihale starts pumping on the winter NW swells and becomes a magical beach break with multiple peaks and an empty lineup. In summer, some south west swells can also make it up to Polihale.
Wave direction : Left and right
Bottom : Sand
Best tide : Any
Skill level : Advanced
Optimal swell direction : NW
Optimal wind direction : SE