Waikiki is the best surf spot for beginner—happy to fight you on it

It’s no secret that I (Zuz Wilson, who runs this joint) love to surf in Waikīkī, Hawai’i. And that’s the surf spot we’ll cover in today’s episode.

Waikīkī, Hawai’i is the best beginner surf break in the world. You could argue that this is subjective. That there are better, less crowded, less expensive places to learn to surf. And sure, you wouldn’t be wrong.

But I’m telling you: Waikīkī is the best beginner surf break in the world—because you’re not just getting waves. You’re getting the surf, the culture, and the history. Here, you’ll be surfing the same waves that Duke Kahanamoku—the father of modern surfing—rode himself. And that’s beyond cool. Waikīkī isn’t just another surf break—it’s one of the most culturally important places in the history of surfing. Scratch that—it is THE MOST culturally important place. Sorry, getting emotional here a bit…

Waikīkī is the birthplace of modern surfing. Okay, there was one surfer who believed it was Peru where surfing originated, but that’s a story for another episode—because it’s a bit bonkers. Without Waikīkī and the Duke, and Hawaiians holding onto their traditions despite the missionaries being hell-bent on extinguishing the spirit of Aloha, there would be no surfing today. And what an unbearable world that would be.

Luckily, that’s not the case. And you can easily get to Honolulu from most places in the world, and Waikīkī is only about a 25-minute drive away.

Now, about the surf break.

Waikīkī at a glance ⬇️

🌊 Waves:
It’s a reef break, with a point-feel. You get a reef bottom—mostly flat and forgiving—but reef cuts still happen. You get gentle, rolling, long rides that are super forgiving. Slow breaks mean less panic, more time to pop up. Crowded AF—but manageable if you time it right and go early.

🚰 Water quality:
Generally clean, but surf near the Ala Wai Canal after rain at your own risk.

👙 Wardrobe:
Bikini and boardshorts-forward—but we recommend a rash vest for sun protection, and you might feel slightly chilly first thing in the morning. Reef booties not necessary.

☀️ Best time to surf:
Pretty much 365 days a year, with some minor exceptions. Try May–September for the smallest, friendliest waves.

⚠️ Hazards:
People. Lots of people. If you can get out of bed before the rental shops open, you’ll be okay.
Box jellyfish swarms—check the Box Jellyfish Calendar (typically 8–10 days after a full moon).
This is not an actual hazard, but a pleasant surprise: if you feel something pulling on your leash, turn around and see a giant honu (a turtle) swimming under your board.

🏄🏻‍♀️ Surfboard rental:
Girls Who Can’t Surf Good recommend Moku—hands down. You can get a board just for a day (pick up after 6 a.m., return by 8 p.m.) or opt for a premium board with a minimum 2-day rental and even have it delivered. But you will need surfboard storage.

If your hotel doesn’t offer one, check out Nalu Storage, just by the Cheesecake Factory. They offer weekly surfboard storage and even include the locks.

🏄🏻‍♀️ Solo traveling:
Absolutely. Waikīkī is a popular tourist destination. Main streets are well-lit, bustling with people, and the city is super walkable.

If you ever want to see what the beach and the breaks in Waikīkī look like, just Google “Waikīkī live cam”—there are aplenty.

🎉 What else to do (aka my personal itinerary for July 😜)
I haven’t been for a while, so I’m going to pack it all in:

• Hike Diamond Head for the views
• Visit the Bishop Museum, because it’s the coolest
• Get a Portuguese donut (malasada) at Leonard’s Bakery—it’s just a 30-minute walk from the break. I recommend those custard-filled ones. Yum.
• Buy springy hair ties at ABC Stores
• Drink the original Mai Tai at The Royal Hawaiian
• Catch a dawnie with the local Girls Who Can’t Surf Good
• And perhaps this time, I’m actually going to partake in the traditional outrigger ride—but I am not getting on the boat to see the sunset. Need to fit in an evening sesh!

So… I’ll see you there in July? Wicked.