The South Shore Surf Guide Series: Canoes
Canoes Is the Most Beginner-Friendly Surf Spot in the World
Canoes in Waikiki is arguably the most user-friendly surf spot on the planet — a soft, rolling peak that sits right in front of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, in the center of the most iconic stretch of beach in Hawaii.
Conveniently located right in front of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, with tons of rental boards and even more tourists cooking on the beach, this is ground zero for Waikiki beach life.
The wave technically has a right and a left. In reality it's a straight-hander where surf etiquette has been replaced by the stoke of beginners, families, beach boys, and outrigger canoes. Other forgiving spots on the island suffer from onshore wind — Canoes is offshore 350 days per year. That's the thing about Canoes that doesn't get said enough. It's not just soft and easy — it's almost always clean.
Canoes Runs April Through September — But Almost Year-Round
Canoes needs south or southwest swell, putting peak season from April through September. When a solid south swell pushes through, Canoes comes alive. But even on small winter days, the wave is forgiving enough to ride at ankle-high.
The offshore winds hold nearly year-round, so conditions are clean far more often than not. Early mornings tend to be glassiest — even in the afternoon trades, Canoes holds up well thanks to its favorable orientation.
More South Shore Spots Near Canoes: Queens Pops Walls
Bring a Big Longboard and Zero Ego
The only downside to Canoes is that it is always incredibly crowded — but that doesn't matter if you come with the right expectations. You are going to ride straight-handers with 10 other people. Half of them are surf school students. That's fine.
Bring the biggest, fattest, flattest longboard you can find. Paddle out with a smile. Go straight with everyone else. You'll quickly remember why you started surfing to begin with — and realize why Waikiki is the spiritual home of surfing.
More in the HSS South Shore Surf Guide Series:
Frequently Asked Questions About Canoes
Is Canoes a good surf spot for beginners?
Canoes in Waikiki is arguably the most beginner-friendly surf spot in the world. Canoes is a soft, rolling wave that's forgiving in almost any conditions, offshore nearly 350 days a year, and surfable even when the waves are tiny. The crowd is made up of families, surf school students, and beach boys — so the vibe is as welcoming as it gets.
When is the best time to surf Canoes in Waikiki?
Canoes needs south or southwest swell to break, which puts the main season from April through September. That said, because most people aren't chasing performance, Canoes is surfable even at ankle-high during winter months. Any time there's swell in the water, Canoes will be running.
How crowded does Canoes get?
Canoes is always incredibly crowded — that's part of the deal. On any given day you'll share waves with surf school students, outrigger canoes, families, and tourists. Come expecting to ride straight-handers with a dozen other people, and you'll have a great time.
What kind of surfboard should I ride at Canoes?
The bigger, fatter, and flatter the better at Canoes. A large longboard is the ideal tool — it helps you catch the soft, rolling waves easily and gives you the stability to stand up and ride. Leave the high-performance shortboard at home.
Where exactly is Canoes located in Waikiki?
Canoes is located directly in front of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in the heart of Waikiki, between Queens to the east and open ocean to the west. Canoes is the central hub of Waikiki beach life, with rental boards, beach boys, and surf schools operating right there on the sand.