The South Shore Surf Guide Series: Tongg's
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About Tongg's
The first Waikiki surf spot after coming around the corner from Diamond Head, Tongg's is a mellow, somewhat wind-affected left-hander named after Rudy Fah Tongg, whose nearby family home was the hangout spot for local surfers in the mid-1900s. Accessed via a concrete seawall with a set of steps just east of Kaimana Beach, Tongg's starts in deep water than moves to slightly shallower water on the inside, where the wave stands up as it breaks over dead coral reef. It quickly shoulders off, making for a relatively short ride that is user-friendly and never quite as crowded as the rest of Waikiki.
Swell, Wind, and Tide
Tongg's breaks on anything from a southeast to west swell, and is best on a straight south or southwest in the chest- to head-high range (around two to three feet at 14 seconds). While it is more protected from easterly wind than Diamond Head, the break is still pretty exposed, so the more northeast in the trades, the better. Low tide gets a little shallow on the inside for beginners, but generally speaking Tongg's is a pretty forgiving wave that is surfed on everything from shortboards and funboards to longboards and foils (it's actually become quite popular with foilers over the past few years, particularly those who are at the end of a downwind Kaiko'os Run from around the corner at Black Point).
Board Selection
A high-performance longboard is the tool of choice out at Tongg's, where an HIHP Speed from Harley Ingleby will provide the requisite paddle power, drive, and speed to enjoy what is generally a semi-soft wave.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Tongg's
Where is Tongg's surf spot located?
Tongg's is located at the eastern edge of Waikiki, just around the corner from Diamond Head. It is accessed via a concrete seawall with a set of steps just east of Kaimana Beach.
What is the best swell direction for Tongg's?
Tongg's breaks on anything from a southeast to west swell. It is best on a straight south or southwest swell in the chest- to head-high range — around two to three feet at 14 seconds.
What is the best wind for surfing Tongg's?
Tongg's is more wind-protected than nearby Diamond Head, but it is still a somewhat exposed break. The more northeast in the trade winds, the better. Early morning sessions before the sea breezes kick in are always your best bet.
Is Tongg's good for beginners?
Tongg's is a user-friendly wave and generally less crowded than the rest of Waikiki, which makes it approachable for intermediate surfers. That said, low tide can get a little shallow on the inside over dead coral reef, so beginners should factor tide into their planning.
What kind of board should I ride at Tongg's?
A high-performance longboard is the board of choice at Tongg's. The wave handles everything from shortboards and funboards to longboards and foils, but a high-performance longboard gives you the paddle power, drive, and speed to make the most of this generally semi-soft wave.
Is Tongg's popular with foilers?
Yes — Tongg's has become quite popular with foilers over the past few years, particularly those finishing the downwind Kaiko'os Run that starts around the corner at Black Point and ends at Kaimana Beach.