The South Shore Surf Guide Series: Queens
Queens Is Waikiki's Premier Longboarding Wave
Queens in Waikiki is widely considered the best longboarding spot on Oahu's South Shore — located directly out from Queens Beach, west of Walls and east of Canoes.
This is the wave where many of the world's best longboarders perfected their cross-steps and noserides, from Kai Sallas and Kaniela Stewart to Kelis Keleopa'a, Kelia Moniz, and Johnny the Ripper.
Photo Courtesy from The Hawaiian Islands
Queens Is Virtually Always Clean
Queens is offshore in E to NE wind, so it's virtually always clean. Queens is best in the waist- to head-high range, so a decent but not overly large south or southwest swell is ideal.
Queens tends to bowl up a bit more at low tide, while high tide can get a bit fat — but still fun.
The Queens Lineup Is Competitive — And Worth Every Minute
Queens is always extremely crowded with a mix of pro longboarders and beginner to intermediate surfers. A peak with a short, shouldering-off left and a longer, soft but bowly right perfect for noseriding, Queens runs a lineup that tends to be incredibly competitive — particularly for a relatively user-friendly wave. But the wait is worth it when you finally luck into a good set.
Ride a Single-Fin Longboard at Queens
Queens is the go-to spot for logging and noseriding, so a traditional single-fin longboard is the call. Consider riding a CJ Nelson Sprout or Slasher Low Pro with a pivot fin, or spice things up by swapping the pivot out for a Takayama Flex Fin, which will add a bit more pep to the board through turns, without compromising the ability to perch on the nose.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Queens
What makes Queens the best longboarding spot in Waikiki?
Queens in Waikiki is best for longboarding because it has a soft but bowly right-hander shaped perfectly for cross-stepping and noseriding. Queens is where surfers like Kai Sallas, Kelia Moniz, and Johnny the Ripper developed their craft. The combination of consistent south swell, offshore trade winds, and a forgiving wave face makes Queens ideal for logging.
What swell direction and size is best at Queens?
Queens works on anything from a southeast to west swell, but Queens is best on a straight south or southwest in the chest- to head-high range. Too small and Queens gets fat; too big and the crowd gets overwhelming fast.
What are the wind conditions like at Queens?
Queens is offshore in east to northeast wind, which lines up with Oahu's prevailing trade winds. That means Queens is virtually always clean — one of the reasons it's such a reliable session even without checking the forecast first.
How crowded does Queens get?
Queens is consistently one of the most competitive lineups on the South Shore for a wave this user-friendly. Queens draws a mix of pro longboarders and beginners all chasing the same sets. Patience is part of the deal out there.
What boards work best at Queens?
Queens is a traditional longboard wave, so a classic single-fin is the call. A CJ Nelson Sprout 2.0 or Slasher Low Pro with a pivot fin is ideal for noseriding at Queens. Swapping in a Takayama Flex Fin adds more drive through turns without giving up nose time.
What tide is best at Queens?
Queens tends to bowl up more at low tide, which is when Queens is at its best for noseriding. High tide can make Queens a bit fat, though it's still worth paddling out.