Surfing
With fifty miles of white sandy beaches and trade winds all year long, Kauai is loaded with surfing spots! From May through October the South Shore provides consistent swells that can be enjoyed by all skill levels. Poipu Beach has a good spot for beginners called Lemon Drops and PK`s fronting the Beach House Restaurant is a good all-around wave that is popular with the local surf groms. Located nearby are Acid Drop and Heroins for experienced surfers. On the southeastern shoreline is Kalapaki Beach at the Nawiliwili Harbor, a shallow left and right sandbar break with an easy paddle-out that attracts a lot of beginners and bodyboarders, with the more experienced surfers at Ammonias on the outside. Also on the east coast is Kealia Beach, also popular with both surfers and bodyboarders in the summer. On the west side is Pakala, a left-point break that can get really long.
Hanalei Bay on the North Shore is an exposed reef and point break that has consistent surf, although summer tends to be mostly flat so surfing is possible mainly during the winter months. Other North Shore spots include Cannons, which can get really big and is thought by some to be the Kauai Pipeline, and Kalihiwai Point, an epic right point break located off the beaten path.
Surf Lessons
Place your fears aside because surfing is an incredibly fun activity for the whole family. If you haven’t surfed before, there’s no better place to start than a surf school. You’ll learn correct techniques, gain valuable tips, and build a strong foundation before paddling out to become the next Kelly Slater. It can be intimidating to learn something new, but just remember — it’s all for fun. Falling a few times doesn’t matter; the best surfers had their fair share of wipeouts starting out.
All surf lessons are designed with safety as the number one priority, with locations carefully chosen and classes available for all ages, both private and in groups. If you’re in the Poipu Area, Koloa Kai works with Kauai Surf School to give guests a memorable experience — instructing since 1999, with beginner to intermediate levels and limited class sizes for personal attention.
No matter where you take lessons, you’ll gain a wealth of knowledge: the right gear, how to paddle out, how to pop up properly, and how to “read” the ocean for the best waves. Oh, and one prerequisite — knowing how to swim is pretty important.
Hoku Watersports
Hoku Watersports brings the magic of Hawaiian surfing to life on the shores of Po’ipu Beach, offering surf lessons for both adults and kids in one of the most breathtaking settings in the world. Whether you’re a first-time surfer or looking to build on your skills, Hoku’s experienced instructors are dedicated to giving every guest a safe, fun, and memorable experience on the water.
With both private and group lesson options available, Hoku Watersports is the perfect addition to your Po’ipu vacation. A one-on-one private lesson offers personalized guidance at your own pace, while group sessions are a fantastic way to share the thrill of catching waves with family and friends. Hawaiian surfing is an experience you’ll carry with you long after you leave the island — and Hoku Watersports is ready to make it happen for you.
Photo by Jess Loiterton
Kauai Surf School
Kauai Surf School is a premier destination for surfers of all skill levels looking to catch waves in the beautiful waters of Poipu. Located on a stunning island known for impressive surf spots and rich surfing history, the school offers an unforgettable experience for visitors and locals alike.
With a team of experienced instructors, Kauai Surf School provides top-notch lessons tailored to individual needs and abilities — whether you’re a beginner catching your first wave or an experienced surfer looking to improve. Instructors are dedicated to helping you reach your goals in a safe and supportive environment.
The school offers private and group sessions, as well as surf camps for a more immersive experience, covering everything from basic surf etiquette and ocean safety to advanced wave-riding techniques. Kauai Surf School is also committed to environmental stewardship, encouraging students to appreciate and protect the natural beauty of Kauai’s coastline.
Poipu Beach Surf School
Poipu Beach Surf School is owned and operated by professional waterman and former pro bodyboarder Doug Muraoka, and is committed to providing each guest with a safe, fun, and friendly surfing experience. Located at the beautiful Sheraton Beach in Poipu, the school offers an ideal setting for surfers of all skill levels to learn and grow in the water.
With a maximum of four students per instructor, Poipu Beach Surf School ensures every guest receives personalized attention and guidance throughout their lesson. Instructors remain with surfers for the full duration of the lesson, never leaving them alone in the ocean, making safety the absolute number one priority. Whether you’re stepping on a board for the first time or looking to build on existing skills, the dedicated team at Poipu Beach Surf School is committed to helping you have an unforgettable experience on Kauai’s stunning waves.
Phone: 808-652-9590
Photo by Jess Loiterton
Best Kauai Surf Spots
Kalapaki Beach-Beginner: A beginner-level surf spot located next to Nawiliwili Harbor, offering fun and gentle waves year-round. Rentals and surf lessons available, along with amenities like restrooms, showers, and parking.
PKs at Prince Kuhio Beach (Lawai Beach)-Beginner-Intermediate: A beginner to intermediate level surf spot with multiple peaks to choose from. Beginners can enjoy mellow waves near the Beach House Restaurant, while more advanced surfers can tackle faster, steeper waves nearby. Good bathrooms and showers available, but parking can be tricky.
Kealia Beach Park-Intermediate: An intermediate level surf spot known for its consistency and long beach with several peaks. Powerful waves and currents make it suitable for experienced surfers, with a memorial to legendary surfer Andy Irons located at the park.
Anahola Beach Park-Beginner & up: A beginner-friendly surf spot with mostly easygoing waves that get bigger in the winter. Ideal for families with amenities like lifeguards, showers, restrooms, and picnic tables available.
Hanalei Bay-Beginner-Expert: A surf spot suitable for beginners to experts, with massive waves during the winter months and mellow waves the rest of the year. Offers different peaks and room for everyone, making it a versatile spot for surfers of all levels.
Poipu Beach- Beginner-Expert: A surf spot with crescent-shaped bays and various breaks suitable for beginners to experts. Surf schools nearby offer tutorials on the area, making it easy for surfers to find the right wave for their skill level.
Kekaha Beach Park- Beginner-Expert: A surf spot on Kauai’s west side with a 15-mile stretch of beach and multiple breaks. Popular waves like Inters and Mana Point can be found along the coast, offering surfers the chance to discover their own wave. Strong waves and rip currents make it important to surf with caution.
Tunnels Beach-Intermediate-Expert: An intermediate to expert level surf spot east of Haena Beach, known for its barreling rights and shallow reef. Best left to experienced surfers due to the long paddle-out and popularity with local surfers.
Renting a Surfboard in Poipu
Nukumoi Surf Company is a well-known surf shop on the island of Kauai that offers high-quality surfboard rentals to tourists and locals alike. With a wide range of boards to choose from, and knowledgeable staff to help you select the right board for your needs, renting a surfboard from Nukumoi Surf Company is the perfect way to experience the wonderful waves of the Pacific Ocean. Located in sunny Poipu, Nukumoi Surf Company offers customers a variety of surfboard rental options, from short boards to long boards, and even stand-up paddleboards. The staff at Nukumoi Surf Company are experienced surfers themselves and can assist you in selecting the perfect board for your skill level, the type of waves you`ll be riding, and your personal preferences.
Location: Across from Poipu Beach Park
Phone: 808-742-8919
Buying a Surfboard on Kauai
There are many great places to buy surfboards on Kauai. Here are a few of the best options:
1. Deja Vu Surf Kauai: Located in Poipu, Lihue & Kapa’a, Déjà Vu Surf Kauai offers a wide selection of boards and gear to suit every skill level. Their knowledgeable staff can help you find the perfect fit, whether you’re buying your first board or looking to upgrade.
2. Aloha Exchange: Although not specifically a surfboard shop, Aloha Exchange sells a curated selection of high-quality surfboards from local manufacturers. Two shops, one in Kalaheo and the other in Kilauea.
3. Poipu Surf: Located in Poipu, this shop has a good selection of new and used surfboards. They also offer surf lessons and rentals.
4. Hanalei Surf Company: With two locations on Kauai’s north shore, Hanalei Surf Co offers a large selection of surfboards, including longboards, shortboards, and stand-up paddleboards.
5. Tamba Surf Co: Specializing in custom boards, Tamba Surf Co creates handmade boards that are designed specifically for each individual customer. They are located in Kapaa. These are just a few of the many great surfboard shops on Kauai. Visitors to the island can find a variety of options to suit their needs and preferences.
Photo by Jess Loiterton
Surfing Contests
If I were to ask you what instantly comes to mind if I said, Hawaii, what would you say? The beach? The weather? The hula girls? It would be surfing.
Surfing is to Hawaii, as hockey is to Canada.
Very much so that whenever I mentioned to people on the mainland that I live in Hawaii, it eventually reaches that point in the conversation of, oh I do not surf though. The usual response is, you live in Hawaii and you are not a surfer. Yes, I am not a surfer, but let me go ahead and write you this surfing article anyway.
In comparison to our neighboring islands of Oahu and Maui, surfing on Kauai has been more recreational than competitive. We currently have two annual competitions: The Live Like Sion GromFest and the Iron Brothers Pine Trees Classic. The GromFest takes place in Poipu at Prince Kuhio Park, while the Pine Trees Classic is held in Hanalei at Waioli Beach Park or Pine Trees Beach. Now, before you start charging the waters, keep in mind that both events are for the kids and it is nothing but a friendly contest for all. If you are in the area, you are more than welcome to come out and support us! If your children would like to participate, then, by all means, let it be an absolutely memorable experience for the family!
Dates may vary due to weather, but stay updated with our events calendar for more information, such as registration and contest dates, as they are made available.
In case you were wondering, the annual events are in honor of two local Kauai surfers Sion Milosky and Andy Irons. Milosky, a respected big wave surfer; Irons, a highly decorated competitor. Both shared a great intensity for surfing and it was only appropriate for their legacy to be about giving back to those who share the same passion for their craft.
I surf because… it keeps my life at an even keel, without it I would tip into oblivion – Andy Irons