The South Shore Surf Guide Series: Kaisers
Kaisers Is Ala Moana's Most Localized Reef Break
Kaisers is a shallow, semi-hollow peak with a bowly right and a softer left — the last wave along the Ala Moana stretch before the coast gives way to Waikiki.
Kaisers is home to a tight-knit crew of local surfers who are loyal to the spot — and who would prefer it not get as crowded as its famous neighbor, Bowls. Located directly in front of the 31-story Rainbow Tower, Kaisers is a fixture of the Ala Moana surf scene, even though it serves as the border between Ala Moana and Waikiki.
Photo Courtesy to Atwood Trapnell via Surf Forecast
Kaisers Has Old-School Hawaii Surf Culture Written All Over It
Immortalized in the Ka'au Crater Boys classic song "Surf," Kaisers (also known as the Kaiser Bowl) is separated from Ala Moana Bowls by Rock Piles and In-Betweens. Kaisers is also notorious for its shallow, urchin-infested reef, which keeps most beginners and tourists away. It's best surfed on a normal shortboard, although there are a lot of uncles who will paddle out on high-performance longboards, such as the Harley Ingleby HIHP Speed.
Kaisers Likes South Swell and Northeast Trades
Like most waves in the Ala Moana and Waikiki zone, Kaisers likes south or southwest swell, northeast trade winds — north and east-northeast work, while northwest and straight east become a bit problematic. Early morning glass-offs are another reliable window. Kaisers' reef is a bit more forgiving at high tide, but it can be surfed at any tide by those who dare.
Photo Courtesy from Surfline
Shortboards and High-Performance Longboards Both Work at Kaisers
Kaisers rewards boards with drive and responsiveness. A normal shortboard handles the semi-hollow right well, while uncles who know Kaisers can make a high-performance longboard sing on the outside sections. The HIHP Speed from Harley Ingleby gives you the paddle power and drive to make the most of a wave that doesn't always offer a lot of push on the inside.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kaisers
Where exactly is Kaisers surf spot located?
Kaisers sits at the border between Ala Moana and Waikiki, directly in front of the 31-story Rainbow Tower with its world-famous tile mosaic mural. Kaisers is separated from Ala Moana Bowls by a couple of less-impressive waves called Rock Piles and In-Betweens.
Is Kaisers good for beginners?
Kaisers is not a beginner wave. The shallow, urchin-infested reef keeps most beginners and tourists away from Kaisers, which is part of why Kaisers maintains its local character. Kaisers is best suited for intermediate-to-advanced surfers who are comfortable on a reef break.
What kind of boards work best at Kaisers?
Kaisers is best surfed on a normal shortboard, though there are a lot of uncles who paddle out on high-performance longboards like the Harley Ingleby HIHP Speed. Kaisers' semi-hollow character and shallow reef reward boards with some drive and response.
What swell and wind conditions are best at Kaisers?
Like most waves in the Ala Moana and Waikiki zone, Kaisers likes south or southwest swell with northeast trade winds. North and east-northeast work too, while northwest and straight east become a bit problematic at Kaisers. Early morning glass-offs are another reliable window.
How does tide affect Kaisers?
Kaisers' reef is a bit more forgiving at high tide, which helps cover up the shallow sections. Experienced surfers paddle out at Kaisers at any tide — they just know what they're getting into.
Is Kaisers crowded?
Kaisers is home to a tight-knit crew of local surfers who are loyal to Kaisers — and who would prefer it not get as crowded as neighboring Bowls. The shallow, urchin-infested reef naturally filters out the casual crowd, keeping Kaisers more manageable than you'd expect this close to Waikiki.