Canoes
Surf Guide
Canoes is named after the proliferation of outrigger canoes that litter the lineup, which have a tendency to come steamrolling at you when you're least expecting it. This is all when it's under three-feet and rather warbly, though. Because when it comes together with a solid S swell and a bit of tradewind, Canoes becomes a super-fast right tube, and those outriggers have a hard time keeping up with the racetrack. Count on sharing the lineup on a four to six-foot day with the South Shore's finest tuberiders. *Note: This surf zone has bleeding control emergency supplies provided through the Adopt a Cove program. Learn more here.
Ability Level
All Abilities
All levels, but best suited for beginner to intermediate most of the time. Gets really good on solid swells.
Local Vibe
Doable
Usually mellow, but expect drop-ins. Sharing is caring.
Crowd Factor
Heavy
All the spots through Waikiki are pretty much always crowded all the time.
Spot Rating
Fun
Usually a mellow and user friendly wave, but when it comes together with a solid S swell and a bit of tradewind, Canoes becomes a super-fast right tube.
Shoulder Burn
Light
Long paddles to and from beach, but not bad once you're out there.
Water Quality
Clean
Clean for the most part, but most of Hawaii's population lives on the South Shore of Oahu. Tons of people.
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
Anything from the SE to SW, but usually from the S to SW.
Wind
Calm or offshore from NW to E, with NE straight offshore.
Surf Height
Chest high-2X overhead
Tide
Low to medium