Surfing Beachbreaks in Oahu, Hawaii?

Question

Which beaches in Oahu, Hawaii have sandy bottoms (little or no reef), beachbreaks? I went to waikiki, but there's some sharp reef and I'd like the kids to surf at safe areas. Thanks

Answer 1

considering it's summer you'll probbably want to stay away from the south side if you've got kids that want to play in the watter, Oahu summer is big waves on the south, winter is big waves on the north...so all those big spots you see on TV in the winter time, are actually good small wave spots right now, go check out Waimea bay on the north shore, there is even a little 20 foot (or so) "Cliff" on the left side of the beach (as facing ocean) that the kids can jump off of,  make sure there is a local around that they can watch first to show them where to jump, but overall it's a pretty safe jump as long as you get away from the rocks and don't hit it at a wave bottom...

otherwise just cruise what everyone refers to as the north shore and you'll find some good ones...when you want to go watch people surf in watters that you shouldn't go in (this time of year) check the surf reports and wait for a good day to go check out Sandy beach...a few miles away from sandys is Ma'akapu (or something like that) a little smaller waves most days but the shore break is longer so more surfers and less boogie boarders...a few miles away on the other side is haunama bay (spelling again)...if your a tourist i guess you kind of have to go there, it's pretty cool, lots of local fish and all no shorebreak whatsoever because it's in a mostly enclosed bay...that's one you have to pay to get into though...

Enjoy your time on the island

Answer 2

There's a spot called "Pipeline" that has a small reef and gets really good in the summer.  You should give it a shot!

Answer 3

If you're looking for beginner breaks that are sand bottoms, it'll be tough, because the most popular sand bottom breaks are shorebreaks that are the most dangerous on the island (waimea, sandy's, makapu'u). I highly doubt you'd want to take your kids to any of those 3 spots unless they're already experienced. Experienced as in, intermediate-advanced level surfers/bodyboarders.

Hmm, one spot I've surfed as a kid that was primarily a sandy break was kalama beach in Kailua. It's a pretty fun and safe break for beginners. The wave isn't a quality one, but it will be good training for the basics.

Ali'i beach park in haleiwa is a safe learning spot in the summertime when the north shore is usually flat-3 feet. Many beginners start there. Barbers point on the westside is a reef break, but it's in deeper water and your chances of getting slammed into the reef is slim to none. Same with the inside break at Kualoa point and cockroach bay (next to makapu'u) on the eastside.

I want to mention though that reef breaks don't necessarily mean dangerous. Matter of fact, some of the safest breaks on the island are reef breaks and some of the most dangerous are sandy breaks. I'm just telling you this because I'll bet my *** that taking your kids out to waikiki will be MUCH safer for them than taking them to Sandy's or Makapu'u (sandy's has the highest instances of neck/spinal injuries on the island). Any place I mentioned as a beginner spot will be safe for the kids to paddle out. Kalama beach on Kailua is probably the best bet if you're looking just to take them out to a surfable break that has no reef. Waimanalo beach is also a spot that is safe to bring kids into waves, but it's more of a bodyboarding location (wave tends to double up and break right on the sand)