headed to the north shore of kaui for the first time next tuesday. staying in princeville. most likely gonna surf in and around hanalei bay. any tips?
hanalai bay can have some fine surf, esp this time of year. it you are staying at the priceville, take some time to study the right from the resturant/deck. watch the locals paddle out, stake out the channel and follow their lead. take a position well off the main peak and be aware of the tide. i had many a fine session there. you may also want to check out tunnels (HaEna Bay) or some of the beach breaks heading south on Kuhio Hwy depending upon the winds and your ability. and make sure you take some time to hike or kayak down the napali coast. it is gods country..
I'm heading to Kauai for the first time in June, can't wait! Have fun man and check back in when you get back and let me know how it was if you don't mind. We're going for our honeymoon and spending 5 nights in Poipu (South Shore) and 5 nights in Princeville.
yea im definately gonna take a look at tunnels. but prob gonna spend a lot of time at the beach breaks around the bay and around the highway depending on the swell size. im definately not experienced in sizeable surf like they are getting now, so i was tryin to focus on the beach breaks
just got back. really awesome trip. the beach break pine trees was really fun at times, but usually closing out. the point break is a super far paddle, but well worth it. i made the mistake of surfing pine trees when it looked too big and crowed on the point. defintately just go for it. its an easy take off, and plenty of places to sit and catch waves. reef is not too shallow, and most of the locals were friendly and relaxed, even welcoming, with the exception of one or two guys. looked at tunnels around the point the one day when it was peak swell. the wave is perfect but breaks onto dry reef. watched three local guys get dragged across. went back and surfed the bay.seemed to be a bit smaller there. definately a cool place
Sounds sick man, I can't wait. Thanks for checking back in, I'll have to check out the point out there in the bay. I've seen some videos of it and guys getting super long rides.
Did you bring your own board or rent one there? I think I'll probably get one there just so I don't have to deal with the hassle of traveling with mine, just wondering how the boards are at most of the shops around there.
I went in June of 2002 on my honeymoon and stayed at The Princeville. I surfed Pine Trees as it was summer and small. Saw some guys out at the point of the deck but my wife was worried I would die out there so I stayed in the bay. I went to the shop in Hanalei(Sp?) right behind the shaved ice stand. It was waist to stomach high and peeling right and left in the bay. Went to the shop and asked to rent a 9 foot longboard to get my toes on the nose in Hawaii! They asked me where I was from and I told them NC and they understood. They gave me my pick of the boards and did not even charge me! Best place I've ever been and the local folks are so wonderful! Have a great time.
I just got back from princeville on my honeymoon. Stayed at st Regis.I surfed the main break out in the bay several days. Fantastic wave and long rides. Only challenge for me was being on a shortboard it's hard to get a lot of waves as it is a big longboard and sup spot. You kinda have to pick off the ones they missed or bailed. Another spot I went to in princeville was hideaways. It was much less crowded and easy paddle out. It is a shallow reef on the inside, but if you catch the better sets on the outside it was not an issue. Rides aren't as long but much higher wave count during my sessions there. Have a great trip.
