Hawaii rec. for beginning surfers?

[m61376]

Hi everyone- trying to plan a family trip to Hawaii. We've been to Ko'Olina, Maui Marriott and Waiohai, and loved all for different reasons. We'd also be open to the Westin in Princeville if that area would be better. Want to take daughter and grandsons, aged 10 and 14 next summer. My daughters and grandsons want to be able to surf, with my daughter a bit experienced and the kids learning. Obviously want an area with lessons. Besides the obvious Waikiki area on Oahu, what areas on each of the islands are good for learning to surf/availability off lessons and appropriate calm waves for beginners?

I know on Maui lots of kids boogie board in front of the Marriott Maui (not my grandsons' thing) but I'm not sure about the surfing. It's not something we do, so other than liking to watch I never paid attention to the details.

Each island has lots of other things for the kids/family, and I'd definitely plan at least a day or two layover in Oahu if we don't stay at Ko'Olina for Pearl Harbor, etc., so please base recommendations on the surfing, since they're both psyched to surf in Hawaii . We're on the East coast so it's a long trip.so want to make this really special for all.

The dates for our August 3BR reservation at the Surf Club won't work for them so trying something different, and hoping to find a good trade in II, so obviously would consider multiple places,

 

[buzglyd]

Generally the South shore has smaller waves and better for beginners. The North shore of the islands is expert only territory.

 

[brentw52]

Not a surfer but if you don’t mind driving a bit from Westin Princeville, we see beginners taking lessons all the time at Hanalei bay.

 

[ljmiii]

Why do you discount Waikiki? It's kind of *the* place Haoles learn to surf in Hawaii...and certainly O'ahu. It's also possible that you could find someone willing to give lessons at Nimitz or Eisenhower Beaches...but I really know nothing about them other than that they exist and are reasonably close to Ko Olina. I'm not sure I would risk the East or North shores even in summer.

On Kauai we sometimes see surfers on Nawiliwili Bay in front of KBC. But don't think I've ever seen anyone giving lessons...and I don't know what the waves in summer would be like. Maybe you could find someone/somewhere along Kauai's south shore if the waves on the bay are too small...but I wouldn't try the section of Poipu Beach adjacent to Waiohai.

A-Bay on the Big Island (adjacent to Waikoloa MVC) wouldn't be good...but maybe a nearby beach?

 

[GregT]

I agree with Waikiki -- those waves are so predictable and can offer a long run. My (limited) surfing history was most successful at Waikiki, however I think the Hanalei Bay point is a good one. Good luck and they are the right age to start!

Best,

Greg

 

[m61376]

Thanks everyone. I wasn’t discounting Waikiki- although it’s a drive from Ko’Olina, what I meant is on Oahu I know that’s an obvious choice but was wondering if there were other good areas.
Wonder if anyone knows of lessons on the beach adjacent to Waiohai or if there’s even good beginning surfing there in early summer. And thanks for the info about Hanalei Bay Area.
Are there any good spots in Maui? Greg, hoping you'd have some insight as the resident Maui expert.

Obviously we'll be doing lots of other stuff, but since I know it's something they'll want to so a few times while there I want to make sure what's there and appropriate.

And now t hope for an exchange...
Thanks all!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Luanne]

Quite a few years back our daughters took surf lessons from a group of Hawaii firefighters. It was on Oahu, but not at Waikiki. They got picked up at our hotel and taken to wherever it was they had the lessons. I don't think this group is doing lessons any more, which is too bad.

 

[Fasttr]

My daughter took lessons just down the beach from MOC a few years back. Consistent small waves. Seemed like a good place to learn.

 

[m61376]

My daughter took lessons just down the beach from MOC a few years back. Consistent small waves. Seemed like a good place to learn.

View attachment 102254

perfect- that's great pic and just the info. I was looking for!

 

[tahoe]

Our kids had a good experience with lessons near Waiohai in Kauai. They had basic instruction in front of Waiohai and walked along the beach (toward the Sheraton) to the surfing location. It was a relatively safe/shallow area - the instructor just stood in the water and helped each kid - pretty efficient pipeline.