Kauai Surfing, Boarding, and Snorkeling:

Kauai Surfing Information:

All Pictures were taken in front of Kuhio Shores in May 2003 by Doug Porter. All rights reserved.

Kauai Surfing and Boogie Boarding

Kauai offers a great surfing experience. The island of Kauai is home to serene beaches with great surf spots that offer year-round options for world class waves. From reefs to breaks, you're sure to find a surf location that suits your style on the island of Kauai.

South Shore

Kuhio Shores, on the south side of Kauai, is home to eight surf spots that offer swells ranging from three to fifteen feet. Four of them are main attractions for experienced surfers. Acid Drops is a great right on south swells. Here you'll find steep and hollow barrel rides up to fifteen feet. Centers is considered a right but is also a great left. Watch for a shallow reef and lots of locals at this spot. PKs is a constant-breaking, steep left that morphs into a right as it moves toward the shore where lots of locals and boogie boards show up in the afternoon. Roughly twenty minutes west of these three spots is Pakalas, a left that "peels a long way" according to local surfer Don Cofer. It is a mellow wave between two and fifteen feet; look for more long boards at this location than at the others near Kuhio Shores. Other spots in the area include Longhouse, Cow's Head, First Break and Waiohai and promise great surfing variety. Plan to hit the surf in the morning and evening for optimum conditions, but any time of day can be great depending on the winds.

North Shore

A one hour and fifteen minute drive from Kuhio Shores takes you to the North Shore. Hanalei Bay is a world-famous surf spot and a favorite of many. If you're up to braving the crowd and a ten minute paddle, you'll find three different spots with the potential to get very big. For a more secluded surf experience, try Hideaways, which is just around the corner from Hanalei. There you'll find a nice, barreled right. Walcoco is a great left off the point across from Hanalei Bay. Expert surfers can also enjoy huge swells and speeds at Tunnels, Dump Trucks and Cannons just east of Hanalei. Be sure to check local surf conditions for current information regarding surf and weather hazards.

Don and Pam Cofer in front of Kuhio Shores

For beginners, surfing and boogie boarding lessons are available through shops and private enterprises all over the island. Contact information is listed in the local yellow pages. Prices range from $30 to $60 per hour of instruction.

"I have been surfing Kauai since 1984 and still love it, wouldn't go any place else for a surf adventure. Kuhio Shores faces the ocean, about 25 feet away, and you can watch and take pictures of all four spots." -Don Cofer, local surf expert