Ala Moana Beach Park

bevvy1
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
2
Reviews
3
Photos
Editor Pick

For City Surfers

  • July 18, 2008
  • Rated 3 of 5 by golden101 from Honokaa, Hawaii
For City Surfers

My son began surfing at Bowls, Rockpiles and Kaisers in front of the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor and to the left of Magic Island (near Ala Moana Beach). He got a shortboard from Surf N Sea in Haleiwa on July 12 and wanted to go surfing on the same day. I told him to surf in front of our hotel since the waves were big along the south shores of Oahu. I couldn't believe how many surfers were out in front of the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor and to the right of Magic Island near Ala Moana Beach! I must have counted about 40 surfers just sitting on their boards in front of our hotel (The Hawaii Prince Hotel in Waikiki). Anyway he decided to surf at Bowls which is near the left of the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor directly in front of the long breakwater wall. After he returned from surfing he said that he really liked surfing at Bowls except for the fact that it was really crowded. He also said that it was easier for him to duck under the large waves with a shortboard instead of a longboard. Since the waves were really big (4'-6') and hollow, he said that they barreled and closed out really quickly. He told me that he got scraped up from the reef since it was really shallow even though the surf was up. He must of enjoyed it the first day because he went surfing everyday until we checked out of our hotel on July 17th. I would recommend surfing at this popular surf spot which is called Bowls, Rockpiles and Kaisers but the only downfall of this spot is that it is really crowded. The waves are beautiful when they get big because they barrel and they are long (they stretch from one side of the beach to the other side). I got a little worried on the first day that my son went surfing because I saw and I heard a fire rescue truck pull into the parking lot (to the left of the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor) to rescue someone that nearly drowned there. To get to Ala Moana Bowls, drive down Ala Moana Boulevard towards Waikiki and make a right before the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki. Continue driving through the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor and make a left after you see the Hilton Lagoon. If you are lucky you might find parking in the small parking lot at the end (it usually fills up by 8:00 a.m.). It might be easier for you to just walk to Ala Moana Bowls from Waikiki or catch a ride there. Also just remember to be aware of your surroundings...I think that local surfers don't like it when you drop in on "their" waves. This is a surf spot with a lot of locals so if you are new to the area, use the buddy system.

From journal Week in Honolulu from July 12 - 17, 2008

Honolulu

  • August 19, 2003
  • Rated 4 of 5 by bevvy1 from peterborough, United Kingdom
Shopping is Honolulu is slightly surprising. Although Honolulu is a big American city I didn't really expect it to have the shopping that it did. The clothes shops really are brand shops. Starting at one end of Waikiki is the Ala Moana centre which is the sort of mall you would expect with a GAP, department stores and a food hall. It is a great place to shop though as it has no roof and therefore feels spacious and very laid-back.

The main Street is Kalakaua Avenue which is also fantastic for the same reasons, most of the shops do the sort of surf clothing you would expect from there, Quiksilver, O'neill and Hurley. If you follow this road all the way through Honolulu you do start to reach the boutiques of Prada, Gucci and Burberry but the prices are slightly high, apparently due to the Japanese influence. There are also great jewellery shops for all budgets and local shops that sell gorgeous shells and gifts, including all the flower leis and bright Hawaiian shirts that you would expect, this is a really laid-back place to shop, hang loose.

From journal 7419 miles from home

Compare Honolulu Rates

1. Enter travel information

City

2. Select websites to compare rates

Each selected website will open a new window.

Honolulu Travel Deals