Surfing

Surfing began in Hawaiʻi as the “sport of kings,” enjoyed exclusively by Hawaiian aliʻi (royalty). Today, surfing is one of the most popular activities for visitors to the Hawaiian Islands, and ideal conditions can be found year-round. If you dream of leaving the crowds behind and riding the waves on a beautiful, unspoiled beach, then Lānaʻi may just be the place for you.

Hulopoʻe Bay, a pristine white-sand beach on Lānaʻi’s south shore, is the most accessible beach on the island – and one of the best for surfing. The beach faces south, which means it gets consistent swells in the summer months; you may even find yourself surfing alongside one of the spinner dolphins that call this marine reserve home! For children and those not quite ready to stand upright, Hulopoʻe Bay is also a great spot for body surfing and bodyboarding.

Excellent beaches for more advanced surfers lie beyond the south shore, but you’ll need a four-wheel drive vehicle in order to reach them on Lānaʻi’s unpaved backroads. Thirty minutes north of Lānaʻi City, Kaiolohia (Shipwreck Beach) on the north shore offers eight miles of undeveloped coast with consistent waves all year. The shore is rocky in spots and the surf can be rough at this beautiful but rugged beach, so always use extreme caution when surfing or swimming here, as there is no lifeguard on duty.