Kauai, Hawaii - Kauai Surfing Guide
By Steve Wolshin - Kauai Vacation Rentals

First of all I want to say Aloha to all my old friends that I have not seen or heard from in a long time. Please send me an email and say hello!

For everyone else -- Aloha from the island of Kauai. I have been surfing Hawaii now for over 35 years. I have surfed Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. Surfing on Kauai, for me, has been very special over my 45 year surfing career.

Surfing on Kauai can be Life and Death on any day - in any moment. You take your life in your hands when you surf Kauai. Sharp reefs, rip currents, hollow waves, insane drops, big waves, huge waves, sharks, crowds, and much more can make surfing on Kauai very dangerous. However, if you are careful and put safety first, you can have a great time…

There are so many different places to surf on Kauai. I will start on the west side and go around the Island to the end of the road on the north shore and talk about most of the surf spots that I have surfed or know about. I am sure that there will be a lot of spots that I do not mention, but then they may be secret spots and are not to be mentioned unless you are here and know the right people to get you there.

The wind has a lot to do with the surf spots being good. Of course we all want off shores winds or glass conditions, but many times I have fun with onshore uncrowded waves. Kauai is a round Island. So usually you can find good conditions somewhere if you are ready to drive.

I am sorry to say that Kauai has more drownings than any other Island in Hawaii. So again. safety first...

Surfer Level: sl
I will rate the level of a surfer I feel you need to be to surf the spot we are talking about. Surf levels will be between 1-5. 1 will be for beginners -- 5 will be experts.

Poli Hali Point -- right hand semi point wave: sl-3,4,5
When everything comes together, the swell direction, the right wind, what a great speed tube riding wave! I got it maxed out at 6-8 ft. and just flying. Not every wave is perfect but when you get the right one it is world class.

Poli Hai Beach -- Beach Breaks: sl-1-5
When the sand is right and the swell is not too big this area which is a long stretch of white sand beach can offer up a lot of fun waves. Warning: if it gets big, the rip here is tremendous and you can die very easily --lost at sea.

Poli Hali Reef Breaks: sl-3-5
There are two main reef breaks in this area. One is a right hander that when all the conditions are right it is a insane tube ride. The other is a very nice long left point wave that breaks on a south swell. Lots of fun!

The Military Base on Kauai- Barking Sands: sl-1-5 First of all it is very difficult to get on the base any more. But if you do there are many surf spots to surf.

Rifle Range -- still on the base but more down the beach: sl-3-5
Right hand peeling, tubing, spitting, grinding wave. What a wave when it is good! I have had very long tube rides there and have seen an 18 second tube rides as well. Joey Cabel told me that in 1969 he caught one wave at the range that was 20 feet and road it all the way for miles to where first and 2nd ditch are. Go Joey!!!

First & 2nd Ditch-Right Hander: sl-3-5 Needs a big swell to wrap around the base, but when it does it is a great and fun wave! It is easy to get to and the last surf spot you see as you drive toward the base.

West Side Surf Spots: sl-1-5 There are many different spots that are all over this area. You just have to see what is good on any given day.

Davidsons's -- right hand reef: sl- 2-5
This is a fun wave. Breaks over a very sharp and shallow reef. Good up to 4-5 feet.

Pakala's "Infinitys" -- famous left hand point wave: sl-1-5
I surf this wave a lot. It is fun and a nice peeling wave. Takes a south direction swell. Best on south east swell. It has several different spots and can get crowded. This spot is a local favorite. It can handle only up to 6 feet.

Tigers -- right hand reef - big wave: sl- 4,5
This wave is outside Pakala's and only breaks when the swell gets big. Starts at about 8 feet and goes up to as big as the swell gets. Three years ago was one of the best days in 20 years with 20-25 footers and a gaping tube ride for the tow-in surfers. It is a long and peeling perfect right hand semi point wave way out in the ocean.

Salt Pond -- Right & Lefts: 1-5
This can be a very fun wave when it is good. It can hold any size. The bigger it is the future out it breaks. I surfed it one day by myself with my 10'4' 10 ft plus. I was sitting out in the middle of the ocean and still got caught inside by a huge set. I did get some real fun waves. Also Salt Pond is fun for wind surfing and kite boarding.

Shark Cove -- Right Hander: 2-5
Last time I surfed this wave was summer of 2004 and I was with my daughter Kandace. We had a great session. There is an out side break and then a reform inside. My daughter surfed the outside and I surfed the reform inside that had a little tube on it. Lots of fun!

Heroin's -- right hand reef break: sl-4,5
This wave is a short and very hollow throw out tube ride. You will see a lot of body boards here, but on the right day the surfers get some insane deep tube rides. A lot of fun to watch because it is close to the beach. Extremely dangerous because you are right on the rocks. If you do not make it you can land on the rocks or get smashed into them.

Acid Drops -- right hand Reef break: sl-3-5
This is one of my favorite waves on the south shore. I started surfing Acid Drops when I first came to Kauai in the early 70's. What a wave! The reef has this unreal flat shelf that just comes right up out of the bottom of the ocean. When the swell hits it you had better be ready and in the spot! If you are off by one inch or one second you will get launched over the falls and out in mid-air. When it gets big - 6 ft. and 8 ft. and then 10 -12 feet plus -- it is very dangerous. I have been held down on the bottom face first several times in the impact zone. But if you get the right wave you can get not one, but two or even three, tube rides on one wave. Good luck making the drop. It is vertical and even inside of itself. Acid Drop is what surfing is all about to many of us that have dedicated our life to surfing.

Centers -- right & left hand reef break: sl-2-5
This is a real fun surf spot! When it gets good it can be a perfect tube ride and a speed wave. But be careful for the big rock that at low tide comes up right in the 2nd bottom turn…

PK's -- rights and lefts - reef: sl-1-5
This surf spot is the most consistent surf spot I have ever seen. It has a real fast left hander on south east swell that can tube for a long time. Mostly you go right for a while the left into the white water then back right. Lot of kids and contests here.

Nawiliwili Harbour: Two spots: #1- rights only reef break 2-5 #2. right and lefts 1-5
There two waves in this area.

#1 wave can get real hollow and is very close to the jetties. It also can get back wash on the wave. Can be lots of fun and great tube rides.

#2. Kalapaki -- this wave is where the beach boys at the Marriott take tourist for surf lessons. It is a fun wave and great for beginners. A couple of years back my daughter Crystal and her friend enjoyed the best I have ever seen it in years. It was firing and tubing! My other daughter Kandace really got her confidence surfing here. The wave must find its way in through man-made jetties and the bay. A lot of fun and a family surf spot!

Cemeteries -- right hand reef break, right in front of the Hilton Resort: sl- 2-5
This wave is very shallow and can get real hollow. Very sharp reef below -- carefull. It is easy to find. It is right in front of the Hilton Resort on the east side.

Golf Course -- right and left beach and reef breaks: sl-1-5
Behind the east side golf course is a long stretch of beach that has several surf spots. You can 4 wheel drive right on the beach and surf and have a family outing. Lots of fun on the right days.

Lydgate Beach -- right and lefts beach & reef breaks: sl-1-5
I have surfed this area quite a bit a few years back. Fast and hollow. Not too crowded. Several different places to surf. You just need to look and see what looks best that day.

Wailua River Mouth -- right hand river break: sl-3-5
This wave, when good, really sucks out and spins down the line. Only good a few days per year, but when it is on it can be real fun!

Wailua Beach Break -- rights and lefts: sl-1-5
Lot of body boards here. But it can get good on any given day.

Hornners -- right and left semi point and reef break: sl-2-5
This surf spot has about 7 different take off areas. From inside to a huge right way out side tha can hold 10-20 feet. 3 years ago was the biggest east side swell ever and they were towing in on the out side 20-30 feet! Can be a lot of fun on the right day.

Makaiwa -- left hand semi point wave: sl-3-5
When this spot is good it is my favorite wave. Very rare to see it good. But when it is on; it is a long left hand speed and tube ride wave. It is way out in the ocean. It holds from 2 feet to 20 feet. When it gets bigger it just breaks out further. It is back side for me. If you want to see the wave you would need to get my video FurCat Surf Adventures VOLUME #1 (Available for purchase online soon!). It is the only surf video that has Makaiwa in it.

Anchors -- right hand reef break: sl-3-5
When Anchors is on, it is a tube ride over this very shallow reef. It drains and sucks out very fast. When it is good -- it is real good. Lot of fun right behind the Kapaa Library.

Kapaa Look Out -- left Hand Semi Point & Reef: sl-3-5
This wave only breaks when it is big enough on the east side. When it does break it get very hollow. Needs an east side swell.

Kealei Beach -- right and left -- beach break, river mouth, and reef: sl-1-5
This is the main spot for all the locals on the east side. When it is good it gets real good. Just the other day I got a grinding little tube ride that made my day! I have seen it years ago 10-15 feet off the river mouth with huge rights peeling four ways with 3 guys surfing it. It is a long beach with many different places to surf and body board. Lots of fun and almost always has waves. Lifeguards are now there.

Donkeys -- beach break right and lefts: sl-3-5
A fun waves that picks up a swell more than other places in the area. Can get real good on the right day!

Crack 14 -- Left hand point wave: sl-4-5
What can I say about this place? I have seen my friend pull in a 20 foot tube years ago. I surf here a lot because it is very close to my house. There is an outside take off area that if you are too far back you get killed. Lots of fun and very fast! Dangerous with the rocks on the other side of the bay.

Anahola area -- rights, lefts reefs, beach breaks, semi points: 1-5
This bay has all types of waves. You just have to do the surf check to see where it is breaking. There are over 6 different waves in this area. Mostly locals. I will tell you that about 20 years ago I did get the outside left point about 15 feet and rode waves for over a ½ mile. When it is good it is real good.

Molowaa -- right and left semi point-reef: sl-3-5
Very rarely good. I did experience decent waves years ago and had a blast.

Pelau -- right and left reef: sl-3-5 When it gets big -- 20 feet plus, this is a good place for tow-in surfers. There are several places to surf in this area. The area is a wild life natural reserve and is beautiful with huge birds that nest right where you walk down the trail. 2-6 feet is fun.

Rock Quarry -- right and left reef and beach breaks: sl- 1-5
There is a large jetty that holds back the wind in this area. Beautiful white sand beach and fun surf. On the right swell direction, which is northeast, there is a right hand semi point wave that fires. Then off the jetty there is the left. In between there are several waves. Lots of fun. Used to be a secret spot but no more.

Secret Beach -- right and left beach break: sl-3-5
Need to be a small swell then this area goes off. Suck out tube rides. Hard to get to and ripoffs where you leave your car. But the wave can be very good on the right day.

Kelihiwai or just The "Y"-- right hand reef point down a cliff: sl-3-5
This is one of the greatest waves in the world. When I was younger I lived for this wave! All I can say is it gets real heavy when it gets big. You can stand in the biggest round tube you have ever seen for a long time. We called it Banana Bay in the old days. When you are in the tube from the point, you can not see out the tube as it bananas around the bend and down the cliff and point. But if you just hang in there you can get the tube ride of your life. This is a very special wave and you need to be ready for what it will do to you holding you under.

This wave is nothing to play around with when it gets 4 feet and more. There is a 500 foot cliff with huge boulders that is the shore line. This is why I started the surf leash in the 70"s. I would surf the "Y" a lot by my self or just with a few friends for years. When I would loose my board it would get wasted and fin broken off all the time. I spent so much time fixing my boards that there were days that I had no surfboards to surf on because all my boards where being fixed or were destroyed. So I started with a hole drilled in the fin and tied to my ankle. From there we progress to what you see today.

The surf leash saved my boards at the "Y". The biggest day I ever surfed it was too big. It had 15 foot sets and if you wiped out you would die. I caught one smaller wave and then watch a set from the side and then just paddle in as fast as I could. I have never seen anything like that since!

Kalihiwai beach -- reef beach break left and roght off rocks: sl-3-5 The inside of the "Y" is a fun right hander to the beach. It gets very good and can tube when the conditions are right. Then there is a left of the big rocks at the end of the bay. The wave comes in and bounces off the rock and forms a t-pee. It can get hollow. Lot of bodyboarders here. Fun tube ride and then close outs.

Annie -- right and left reef and points waves: sl-1-5
There are many waves in this area. You just need to check and see what is good. My favorite spot is Furcat point. As far as I know I was the first to surf it. It is called Bali-Nene Lefts now. I surfed it for years by myself -- years. 12 years and nobody. I have had such great waves at this spot. It is a full left hand semi point. Hard to figure out and keep in the line up. Very sharp reef and very hard to get out. But what a wave when it is good! I went to G-land and got to surf with Jerry Lopez, and Peter McCabe, and Ed, in the old days when g- land was just getting known. G-land really helped me get ready for this down the line speed left.

Hide-a-ways -- right hand semi point wave: sl-2-5
You will need to be ready for a nice hike down to the beach. It is not too bad but you do need to be careful and not slip on the way down. The waves in this area are lot of fun. There is one wave that is world class and was great last week at 10 ft. My friend Felipe told me that it was the best he has ever seen it. Long tube ride and perfect peeling. Needs a real north east swell for this. All the other waves are fun and not to heavy. Several spots to surf. Here you can pick your own peak and surf with just you and your buddy. Lots of fun!

Hanalei Bay -- Right hand point wave bay: sl-2-5
This is most likely the most famous surf spot on Kauai. This is where my daughters and I now surf the most. The trade winds here are always off shore. Hanalei has a lot of different looks. Form the bowl small and fun to the biggest meanest outside impossiblies 20-30 feet. Flat rock is between the bowl and out side. It is a wave all by itself. But when it is big and the right swell direction which is west -- you can get one wave from the very outside point all the way to the inside paddle out spot. A very long, long ride!

I see a lot of tourist here... VERY, VERY CROWDED! After surfing here for over 35 years I have too many stories to tell you. Email if you want any Hanalei Bay stories.

Pine Trees -- right and lefts beach breaks: sl-1-5
Right in the middle of Hanalei Bay is a beautiful beach with white sand and lot of waves. When it is good it's allot fun. It can only hold up to 4-5 feet. Many contests are held here through the year. This area can get hollow and long rides at times. Andy & Bruce Irons grew up surfing here.

Middles -- left hand reef point: sl-3-5
When you look at Middles you see this wave out in the middle of Hanalei Bay. You watch it and it looks fun. Not too big. Then you paddle out to find it is always bigger than it looks! It is a long paddle out and many times you are dealing with the rip. But when it is good it is &Da Best". I have had stand-up backside barrels here that are as good as anywhere in the world. Up to 6 feet it is fun but when it hits that 8-10, 12-15 and then 20 feet plus it becomes a whole different ball game. Best on a North-Nort East -- just like hideaways.

Chickenwings -- left hand secret spot: sl-3-5

Waikoko's --- Mainly a left semi point with a short right hander: sl-2-5
This wave can be a lot of fun. When it is good it is very good. Not a super hollow wave. Always picks up the swell more than anywhere usually in that area. Watch out for vanna -- the little black round things that will push into your foot if you step on it. You want pain? Try one. Not fun. I know from experience!

Lumahai -- beach break right and lefts: sl-4-5
My friends told me that Lumahai was great last week. Very hollow and suck out wave. Not for the beginner -- experts only -- when it is good it is stand up barrels.

Tunnels -- right hand reef: sl-3-5
This is where I surfed everyday for many many years when I lived at Taylor Camp in the early 70"s. Was never crowded in the old days. Only Jimmy Lucus surfed it before I did. I had many days by myself for hours and hours (just thought I would rub it in). What a wave! Has many different take off spots depending on the direction of the swell.

My favorite was West Reef. The inside. Good on the west and north west swell. When it was 10 feet outside it would come in to the inside 6-8 feet and have this one backdoor take off spot that as soon as you dropped in, you were in the tube. You can just stay there until the rock pile and then get out.

This is where I learned to tube ride. Surfing here got me ready for the heavier "Y". Shallow and sharp reef. Wipeout would leave the surfer with their backs all bloodied and ripped open. I started to wear surf booties and wetsuit armor. Surfed a lot here with Billy Hamilton. He called me the Gladiator. I must of looked pretty weird walking out to go surf tunnels with my booties on and all my protection. I found that with my weight - 220 pounds back then - and my height of 6'2", I would land on the bottom reef more than most. So I was ready. And it worked for 30 years. I would always try to land feet first - like a cat. Deep Deep tube rides.

Then there is in-betweens. Lots of fun - good on north and north east swells Then there is Dumptrucks -- you want a challenge, here it is. There are many different types of waves out there. The one that sticks in my mind the most is when it is big 6-8 feet and these two picks are coming together then meet right where you are sitting and jack up to the sky. Good luck making the drop, but if you do you get a incredible tube ride. I could go on and on about tunnels. Tunnels was my life for over 20 years. I dedicated my life to this wave. That is called addiction; total-tunnels addict.

Hanea State Park -- right reef break: sl-3-5
I am putting this wave in here because my friends and myself have got it good. Real good. It is a very short wave but it is fun and fast. Right in front of the Hanea State Park, it is right there when it breaks.

Cannons -- left reef break: sl-3-5
I have surfed Cannons a lot. It is hollow and very shallow. When the swell is right it can connect from the outside all the way to the inside bowl. Years ago after coming back from Fiji with Jerry Lopez and Tony, I thought I had a good switch stance. So I was surfing tunnels and getting some good switch stance tube rides. Well this set came in, I tried to catch it and make the drop. I got pitched and landed on a dry boulder on my back. I barely could breath and make it back to the beach. My friend helprf me to my car and I drove home in pain. The next day I was paralyzed. I could not move my body from the waist down. I was like that for about 6 weeks. My kickboxing instructor, Willie, came over and gave me massage to try to help get some blood back into my lower body. Then he got me this little Philippine guy that really did the job. He came every day and gave me these deep tissue massages that really helped me to get better. I never switched stance at Cannons again. Just a short Cannon's story for you.

BoBo's -- left reef break: sl-3-5
This is the real tube riding spot. On the west swell this wave has a peak that gives you a great take off and then a down the line left tubing and grinding down the reef. I was there when Carlos and his buddy BoBo's first surfed this wave. When they left, I paddled out and surfed by myself. This wave can be perfect when it all comes together.

Donuts -- left reef break: Sl- 3-5
This is a difficult wave to surf. It is all over the place. But if you get a good one the tube is round like a donut. My friend Tommy Munsion was lost at sea surfing Donuts back in the early 70's when I was staying at Taylor Camp.

Kee' Beach -- right and lefts reef breaks.
There are a few surf spots at the end of the road. You just need to check and see what spot is good that day. All sharp and shallow reef breaks.

I hope that you enjoyed my rundown of Kauai Surf spots that I have surfed or known about. I made the decision long ago to give it all up to surf Kauai for as long as I can. That is what I did. There are even more surf spots on Kauai that I did not mention because they are either real secret spots or I just felt that you probably will never surf them. Always remember Safety first when surfing Kauai. This is the real deal.

Mahalo & Aloha,

"FurCat"