Oahu Foil Surfing Guide
I have wanted to make this article a long time ago but have been hesitant secondary to the Hawaiians being very protective of their spots. Just a few short years ago many of the spots I would go to even other foilers from there did not know about. I felt I should respect the privacy of my fellow foilers that were kind enough to take me to these spots. This has changed a lot in the past few years. Most of the secret spots that I go to are known by many but are still foiled by a few. Just a few years ago Waikiki breaks such as Canoes and Queens were forbidden. That is not the case now. Here is my guide to Oahu and some advice to keep you from the rath of locals for doing the wrong thing.
Words of Advice
My first and most valued advice is to meet up with a local and go out with them. Foiling is still a small community. I have been going to Oahu for foiling since 2017 and initially used Instagram to connect with foilers on the island. When I would go there, I would always say hi to the local foilers and talk shop with them. I was amazed at how many of them knew me as @Surfdocsteve on IG. Having familiar faces in the water is key. The people I knew obviously knew others in the water and my network grew rapidly. I do not think they care if you are good at foiling but are more concerned if you are a nice person and are not going to make the lineup unpleasant. A local will guide you thru that.
The next advice is to let some waves pass you by. What I mean by this is that getting every wave is not the foiler way and applies even more to Hawaii. Relax there are plenty of waves coming thru and you will get yours. It is definitely easier to pump in Hawaii so most likely you will be able to get that second wave or more from that one wave. Cheering a fellow foiler will get you more waves then an aggressive style
Building on the prior tip, never pump back into a wave with another rider on it unless you know them, and they are ok with it. The guy taking off always has the right of way and even if you think you are giving them plenty of room, just the presence of you coming towards them may throw them off and ruin their wave. Swing wide and go over to the next one or just take the wave you are on further in.
Stay away from surfers. There are a fair number of surfers that still do not like foilers. Stay clear of them. I find an easy way to gauge if they are ok with foilers is to just strike up a conversation with them. You can sense right away if they are good with you being there. One of my pet peeves is guys who go left to go right or vice versa. There are many longboards that do that in the Waikiki area. They generally are averse to foilers. They will force you to the edge of the wave, so it is hard to get on it. They are not interested in sharing a wave with anyone. Stay clear of them. If you are going to take off with a surfer and you have priority, I like to just tell them I will go the other way, do that and then connect to another wave. I find that they are much more likely to share after that. The beauty of foiling is that you can get an inside wave and then pump to another one anyway.
When the surf report says it is 1-3 foot and poor to fair, then it is great small wave foiling. The surf crowd goes down markedly too. Just bring a bigger wing and if you have a shorter mast to stay off the reef then you will have an awesome session. One example is that I like to foil Rockpiles, which is just to the west of Kaisers. I have a 55cm mast that I use on low tide there on a small day when even other foilers won’t go out. Fun small waves and the short mast really teaches you to pump in a tight range.
Put some deck grip on the bottom of your board. The Hawaiians have this on for good reason. Shallow reef for the paddle in or out requires your board be flipped over. I still cannot paddle with both arms this way and keep my board straight, but one handed I have gotten decent.
Waikiki Area
Tongg’s
This is the furthest East in Waikiki area. It is the place where a lot of foilers go. It is a good consistent foil break. It will break on the outside reef and then backs off into a deeper bay. It is a fun wave, but is a left which I am not a fan off. I personally have not had an outstanding session there. I was out there one day and there were about 15 plus foilers along with longboarders, wave-skis, and standup boarders too. I just got a few waves and left. It is the most crowded and hectic place I have ever foiled. I get invited there all the time, but usually go someplace else. If you are goofy foot you will like this break.
Parking is meters that take quarters, so have a few handy. The paddle out is between 2027 and 3037 Kalakaua Ave. You will need to walk on some reef so be aware of it.
Old Mans
This is just west of Tonggs (towards Waikiki) I have foiled there too. It is a left also and needs more swell to be able to get into the waves. To get to this break you can paddle out from Kaimana beach in a channel that is deep. Be careful riding here because the inside reef gets shallow quickly and there are few coral heads sticking up to smack right into.
Parking in the loop is free but fills up quickly. Meters are across the street and usually open.
Queens
This break was once forbidden to ride. I stayed right across the street from Queens several years ago when the ban was in place. I would paddle out in the dark and get some waves there for about the first thirty minutes of light. Then it would get too crowded and I feared getting in trouble for foiling there. I would pump to Canoes and then out to Populars. I still would not go foil there during the day. It is very competitive with all the longborders and not worth it. There are better breaks close by.
Canoe’s
This also was once a forbidden wave to foil. It is not now, but I would stay clear of this break anyway. I have gone a few times with a big wing and very large volume board. This allowed me to get into the inside waves to the left and pump around. It can get crazy here with all the beginners and expert longboarders making finding a wave difficult. I would say you should only go out here if you are expert level. It can be an obstacle course to say the least. Early morning or late evening when the crowd factor is decreased are your best bets. Parking here is a nightmare. I usually park down the road at the park and walk up or have stayed in places right across the street. You can find some great deals thru Airbnb or VRBO on that side of Waikiki.
Populars
This is the next break west of Canoe’s. It is way on the outside, so it is a paddle. If you can get a wave at Canoe’s and pump out it will save your arms, but it might burn your legs. This is my favorite break in town. It can get crowded with longboarders and SUP guys. Sit inside and get a wave and pump out to the bigger waves but pay attention to my tips! This is the spot that the guys practice my pet peeve the most. The wave will break outside and then back off to a nice swell that pitches up allowing a real surfy type style foiling. There are showers on Waikiki beach.
Three’s
This is a little west of Pop’s. You can paddle out from Waikiki beach proper and across Pop’s to it or you can paddle out from the Sheraton. If you choose the Sheraton then keep your board flipped until you get past the pole in the water. It is generally deep enough after that, but very tide dependent. It is ok at low tide but can get shallow on the inside during low tide. It is a left and right, but the left will bring you to deeper water. There is a shower to the side of the Sheraton if you go in there. Parking here is a nightmare. I stay at the Illikai and just walk up the beach, about a 15 minute walk, But you can foil most of the way back and come in at Kaisers.
Four’s
This is more of a foilers break. It is a better left than right. The right goes towards a channel but it gets shallow before you get to the channel, so if you crash then lay flat. The left backs off into deeper water and swell that is really fun. You can then carve some turns and pump back out thru clean water. Paddle out is easiest at the Sheraton and in the channel. You can easily see the reef line and the channel. Keep the pole to your left on the way out. The break is to the right of the channel. It is a long paddle so be warned. Take your time and save your energy for the waves. There is a shower to the side of the Sheraton. Parking here is a nightmare. I stay at the Illikai and just walk up the beach, about a 15 minute walk, But you can foil most of the way back and come in at Kaisers.
Kiaser’s
This is a A-frame wave that most surfers go left on. Stay away from the peak. It pitches and is shallow. Stay to the left of the break and on the inside. This break tends to have multi directional waves on it allowing you to pump from wave to wave. It is better at a high tide. The reef gets shallow on low tide, and you will hit it, unless you use a short mast like I do. It can be hard to get a wave since the longboarders can take the left rather far. Park at the marina and paddle out from the jetty. I walk out to the tip of the L of the jetty and jump off from there. It is deep and you can paddle out thru the channel and around Kaisers to get to the left or if higher tide straight out. There are showers here.
In-betweens (Kaisers & Rockpiles)
This is where I usually go when I foil this spot. It gets shallow on the inside, but on high tide you can use a regular length foil. You might touch every once in a while on the paddle out. It is a left and right. It will break and back off as well. It needs a little more swell to break than kaisers. It is less crowded than the breaks right next to it. When it is bigger it walls up and I would go someplace else. Same parking and paddle out as Kaisers. There are showers here.
Marineland & Kewalo
This is a higher tide spot. Even then it gets pretty shallow on the inside. There are both lefts and rights here. I have only foiled it on smaller days, but I suspect it is good on bigger days as well. You can park at marina and then get in via a jetty type wall. I am not a fan of it, and it is an easy place to damage your board especially on the way in from a session. Parking is free and there are showers here.
Fly’s or Incinerators
This was a secret spot, but everyone I talk to knows of this place, so I am including it in this guide. You park in the parking lot by the medical school. It is free. Walk over the little hill and the break is right there. It is a left and a right. It is a deep-water spot. Even at low tide you will not touch the bottom. On small days you need a low tide for it to break. On big days it can really pitch up quickly and be rather difficult to get into a set wave. Forget that and just take the smaller ones on the inside. The entry and exit are the easiest of any break on the island. There are steps leading to a protected area behind a short jetty. You paddle right out to the break which is not far out. The bad thing about this place is the jetty. It refracts the waves and makes the ride challenging at times. I find this is the hardest and easiest place to pump out. If you catch a refracting wave it can feel like someone is pushing you out. On the other hand, pumping can be frustrating with all the turbulence in the water. Take-offs can be a challenge, since a refracting wave can launch you into the air. I would say this is a good spot on small to medium size days. Bigger days can be a challenge. Still on the right day this is the perfect place to experiment with your set up. You can literally pump into the protected area from a wave and change up your set-up, then get back out without exhausting yourself. There are showers here.
White plains beach
This is out of the way. It is a forty-minute drive from Waikiki. This breaks on a south swell and has lefts and rights all over the place. There are coral heads all over the inside and you can be in chest deep water one second and then hit a coral head the next second. On the outside it is fine. It is very sensitive to the wind so you need to have a light wind day or early morning before the wind picks up. Local knowledge is key here. There is plenty of parking except when it is the weekend and gets very crowded. Take note not to leave anything in your car here. It is prime for break-ins. I have had my mini-van door just prided open and left that way. I did not leave anything in the car, so nothing lost. I had a guy right next to me have his whole car stolen because he locked his keys in a lock box on the door. The thieves here consider that child’s play. If you cannot leave your car unlocked, then you have too much in the car. I bury my cell phone deep in my car BEFORE I get to this spot or take it in the water with you. I also use a waterproof pouch to keep my keys in and on me while foiling. NEVER leave your keys hidden anywhere! Make the investment in a waterproof bag. The best one I have used so far is Fidlock It fits in my swim trunks pocket or you can wear on a loop around your neck under your wetsuit.
???
If you do not know of this break or how to get to it, then do not go. I have never seen more than 10 guys out at this break. It has given me some of the best foiling sessions on the island bar none. It is like San Onofre on steroids, but no crowds. It is a fickle place, but if you know the right conditions to be there you will be rewarded tenfold. I feel privileged to have been taken to this place. I know most of the people who foil there. I would not go alone. It is remote and if you get into trouble, you are a distance from any help. Make some friends or if I am there, I will take you there. Do not leave anything in your car there either.
West Side
I have never been there and have not heard of anyone foiling there. I would guess it is good, but the local vibe is concerning. Stay away from this side.
Pua’ena Point
This is a great foiling wave. If it is small it is good. The waves breaks and backs off. It can get kind of wonky with all the refractions from the bay walls. I have had clean sessions there when it was really small. It can get very crowded with beginners and Longboarders so be aware. When it is big the area is protected and the swell is not as big there. You can get the reforms on the inside or smaller waves, but the crowd factor can be high since the rest of the North Shore is too big for a lot of people. Parking is easy and there is a shower. If it is small, you can paddle out from the beach or get in at the outer bay area.
Walls (Hale’iwa Beach)
This is much more sensitive to the winds. I have been out there on south wind days and it is offshore there. It is really good with waves that pitch up all over the place and waves you can pump to easily. It is a walk to get to the paddle out. It is a long paddle out. I mean long! It is not the easiest break to get to, but if the swell is small to medium it is worth the reward. Trade winds bring a lot of bump. Multi-swell directions can create nice peaks but make the line up confusing. There is a shower there.
Moku’Auia Beach
Is a fun inside break. Parking is easy and there are bathrooms and showers there. Entry is easy and small waves can break on the inside even though there are giant waves breaking on the outer reef. Tow in on the outer reef areas.
Kahana Bay
I have been to the island 20 plus times in the past three years and have only gotten this place a few times. They call it the chocolate factory since the run-off makes the water brown, but is also decreases the salinity as well. It is a wave that barely breaks, then backs off and then keeps rolling in until it rebreaks close to the beach. I used my Foil Drive board there when it was barely foilable and had a blast. The rolling waves are perfect canvases to carve on. You need a lot of wind and swell direction from the east to make this place break. It can get cold compared to the rest of the island so a wetsuit top is nice to have. The boat ramp parking fills up fast and the inner bay parking is prime for your car to get broken into. Leave it unlocked with nothing in it if you have to park there. The boat launch is relatively safe since it has a lot of activity with guys hanging out there. There are Man-O-Wars here so keep an eye out for them. There are bathrooms and showers there. It is about a 45 minute drive from Waikiki and it may not be breaking when you get there, but it is worth the risk. Low tide is the best for this break. Also be warned it may look like shit out there with the waves looking like nothing, but if there is any white water then go out! It will be way better than you think.
SURFDOCSTEVE FOOD GUIDE
Dixie Grill BBQ & Crab Shack : The pulled pork and brisket are amazing. They have six different sauces to put on it. My favorites are the Hawaiian & Southwestern. You would think you are in Texas it is that good!
Betty’s Burger : This place has classic hamburgers and coke in a bottle with real sugar. Fun place to go and support a local business.
Island Vintage Coffee : I like the Island Latte with oat milk. It is tasty. I ask for it with Cold Brew when I get it in the iced version, which makes it less bitter. All coffee is over priced now and they are no exception but they are better than Starbucks.
Tiny Pyramid : This place has the best desserts on the entire island. They have good main dishes as well, but this is the place to get coffee and a sweet treat. The baked lobster appetizer is amazing. Seafood pot pie is tasty as well.
Kansai Yamato Corporation : These are the best mochi on the island. I eat the chocolate peanut butter ones with my coffee or tea in the mornings before my foil session. The Banana cream ones are a great dessert. Yum!
Boots & Kimo’s Homestyle Kitchen : They make a great breakfast, but the only reason to go there is the macadamia nut pancakes. Wow! Just Wow! This is the place to go after that morning Kahana Bay session.
Da Seafood Cartel : This is a amazing place. The tostadas are the best ever! The Blue Crab Spread is what makes the place great. Lots of seafood on every dish, no three shrimp tacos here, just piles of seafood on every tostada.
Herringbone – This place has great seafood and upscale type meals. The Mussels are amazing, but the prices are up there too.
Mitch’s – This is hands down the best fresh fish on the island. It is very expensive, but worth it if you want the best fish. Hamachi is amazing. This is not a place to get rolls, just fresh nigiri.
Izakaya Nonbei – This is a great Japanese restaurant with all the good cooked and raw food you would want. The butterfish is incredible.
PAI Honolulu : If you want to go all out and are willing to pay about $200 per person then this is the place. Every dish is a masterpiece.
Surf N Turf Tacos– The fish tacos are amazing. They are big and you only need one or two to fill you up. There is not much seating here, but you can take it across the street to the international market and sit in there.
Siam Square :The main dishes are really good, but the best item to get is the Chicken Satay. It is the best one I have ever had anywhere! It has a creamy coconut sauce on it that is amazing.
Tonkatsu Tamafuji : Yeah fried food, what’s the big deal? Check the reviews out. It is amazing. I have tried several other places that are similar, but the way they cook it makes the breading so light and tasty. They cook in thirty gallon pots! If you want to go here make a reservation at least a month in advance. It is that popular.
I do not live on the island, but every time I go there, I go there to foil. Take my advice with that in mind. Please let me know if you have any other details to add to each spot or I am missing something about a spot. This guide will be updated as I explore more.
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