Surfing
Kauai Surf School
Kauai Surf School is a premier destination for surfers of all skill levels looking to catch some waves in the beautiful waters of Poipu. Located on the stunning island known for its impressive surf spots and rich surfing history, Kauai Surf School offers a unique and unforgettable surfing experience for visitors and locals alike.
With a team of experienced and knowledgeable instructors, Kauai Surf School provides top-notch surf lessons tailored to individual needs and abilities. Whether you’re a beginner looking to catch your first wave or an experienced surfer seeking to improve your skills, the instructors at Kauai Surf School are dedicated to helping you achieve your surfing goals in a safe and supportive environment.
The school offers a variety of lesson options, including private and group sessions, as well as surf camps for those looking for a more immersive surfing experience. Lessons cover everything from basic surf etiquette and ocean safety to advanced techniques for riding the waves like a pro.
Kauai Surf School is committed to promoting a love and respect for the ocean and the sport of surfing. In addition to providing top-quality instruction, the school also emphasizes environmental stewardship and encourages students to appreciate and protect the natural beauty of Kauai’s coastline.
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.
Poipu Beach Surf School
Poipu Beach Surf School is owned and operated by professional waterman and former pro bodyboarder Doug Muraoka. Poipu Beach Surf School is committed to providing each of its guests with a safe, fun, and friendly surfing experience.
Poipu Beach Surf School teaches people how to surf at the Sheraton Beach in Poipu. It is very safe, with only four people per instructor. Instructors also stay with the surfers for the full lesson, never leaving them alone in the ocean. Our instructors are dedicated to making your safety our number one priority!
Phone: 808-652-9590
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
Surf Lessons
Place your fears aside because surfing is an incredibly fun activity, not only for you, but it is something the entire family can get involved in. If you haven`t surfed before and have really thought about giving it a try, then there`s no better place to start than enrolling in a surf school. You`ll learn the correct techniques, gain valuable tips, and build a strong foundation before you decide to paddle out looking to become the next Kelly Slater. Sure, it can be intimidating to learn something new and when you`re older it may feel awkward trying to hold your own with younger individuals. But, just remember, it`s all for fun. If you fall over a few times, it doesn`t matter; the best surfers had their fair share of wipeouts when starting out.
All surf lessons are designed with safety as the number one. Locations are carefully chosen to ensure all students are able to get the most from their instructors without risking serious injury. You can find lessons available for all ages, both private and with groups. If you are in the Poipu Area, Koloa Kai works with Kauai Surf School to give guests a memorable surfing experience. They have been instructing since 1999, they work with beginner to intermediate skill levels, and their limited class size provides personal attention for greater success.
No matter where you take your surf lessons, you will take in a wealth of knowledge. You`ll learn about the different surf gear that will aid you while you`re out there, you`ll learn how to correctly paddle out and how to properly pop up to minimize falls, and you will even get some insight into “reading” the ocean and positioning yourself for the best opportune waves.
Are there any prerequisites to surfing? Well, if you`re reading this article I hope you know how to swim. That`s pretty important.
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.
Buying a Surfboard on Kauai
There are many great places to buy surfboards on Kauai. Here are a few of the best options:
1. Kauai Surf Co: This surf shop offers a wide selection of surfboards, from beginner boards to pro models. They also offer a surfboard rental program. Located at the Poipu Shopping Village and the Coconut Marketplace in Kapaa.
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.
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