My wife and I will be heading to Oahu at the end of January for the first time and I was hoping for some insight from the LAKAWA crowd. She has a work function on the island and I've volunteer to carry her bags, which should keep me busy going from and to the airport. The rest of the time, windsurfing!
We are in the process of lining up a place near Kailua on the east side but haven't solidified anything yet. I was hoping some of you that have been there before could advise us on the basics.
Where to sail?
Where to avoid?
Renting equipment?
Local edict?
Renting a car?
Weather?
Other activities not to miss?
Going out to eat?
My wife doesn't sail, but we would both like to try SUP and surfing, but where?
I've been spending a good amount of time on the internet checking, but I think some first hand knowledge from this group would be far more reliable.
Hawaii, Oahu in January
Moderator: MK
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Mark_in_SD
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Wed Feb 27, 2008 10:59 pm
- Location: Brookings, SD
Re: Hawaii, Oahu in January
Where to sail?
Kailua for a sheltered and polular spot with a great beach and facilities.
Mostly sandy bottom
Mokuleia on the North shore west of Haleiwa for waves. This place is quiter and the bottow is a reef.
Great beach but no shops.
Where to avoid?
The west side is interesting and great for surfing if the North shore is to big for you but you are looking for a powerful wave. Be easy and friendly. Respect the crew and do not leave anything in your car. -this is local territory. I had a great time there but you have to be cool with your environment. Check out Yokohama bay at the north end of the West side It is a buitifull spot to just visit for half and hour or so but do not leave anything in your car.
Be careful with the North shore waves for Surfing, windsurfing and even swimming. They are powerful.
Renting equipment?
Local edict?
Respect the people around you in the water. Oahu is a crowded place.
Renting a car?
There is a bus that goes around the island but for for flexibility and your gear you will need a car.
Get the insurance and do not leave anything in your car. Hawaii is a safe place but broken windows are common.
Take the radio. Possibly even consider leaving the car unlocked in the parking lot.
Weather?
Winter is not the prime sailing season so pick your sailing days based on the FC. Afternoon sees trade winds.
North shore waves are powerful. Do not surf on an upcomming swell unless you know you can do it.
South shore waves are small and mellow at this time of year.
If you do not like the weather, go to the other side of the island. -The four sides have distinctly different weather.
Other activities not to miss?
To many to just list here...
Going out to eat?
A lot of good asian food.
Haleiwa cafe in Haleiwa
My wife doesn't sail, but we would both like to try SUP and surfing, but where?
Talk to the beach boys in Waikiki. Its a great place to learn.
Mostly sand bottom
Diamond head is a great reef point break with mellow waves this time of year.
I've been spending a good amount of time on the internet checking, but I think some first hand knowledge from this group would be far more reliable.[/quote]
Have a great time
Kailua for a sheltered and polular spot with a great beach and facilities.
Mostly sandy bottom
Mokuleia on the North shore west of Haleiwa for waves. This place is quiter and the bottow is a reef.
Great beach but no shops.
Where to avoid?
The west side is interesting and great for surfing if the North shore is to big for you but you are looking for a powerful wave. Be easy and friendly. Respect the crew and do not leave anything in your car. -this is local territory. I had a great time there but you have to be cool with your environment. Check out Yokohama bay at the north end of the West side It is a buitifull spot to just visit for half and hour or so but do not leave anything in your car.
Be careful with the North shore waves for Surfing, windsurfing and even swimming. They are powerful.
Renting equipment?
Local edict?
Respect the people around you in the water. Oahu is a crowded place.
Renting a car?
There is a bus that goes around the island but for for flexibility and your gear you will need a car.
Get the insurance and do not leave anything in your car. Hawaii is a safe place but broken windows are common.
Take the radio. Possibly even consider leaving the car unlocked in the parking lot.
Weather?
Winter is not the prime sailing season so pick your sailing days based on the FC. Afternoon sees trade winds.
North shore waves are powerful. Do not surf on an upcomming swell unless you know you can do it.
South shore waves are small and mellow at this time of year.
If you do not like the weather, go to the other side of the island. -The four sides have distinctly different weather.
Other activities not to miss?
To many to just list here...
Going out to eat?
A lot of good asian food.
Haleiwa cafe in Haleiwa
My wife doesn't sail, but we would both like to try SUP and surfing, but where?
Talk to the beach boys in Waikiki. Its a great place to learn.
Mostly sand bottom
Diamond head is a great reef point break with mellow waves this time of year.
I've been spending a good amount of time on the internet checking, but I think some first hand knowledge from this group would be far more reliable.[/quote]
Have a great time
Re: Hawaii, Oahu in January
Mark -
Excellent feedback (for a guy who only has 18 posts!) Maybe Mike can move this to the Destinations portion of the site.
Excellent feedback (for a guy who only has 18 posts!) Maybe Mike can move this to the Destinations portion of the site.
Re: Hawaii, Oahu in January
Thanks Mark, greatly appreciated. Maybe I can rent a dog for the week to keep an eye on the car. 
I'll do a post when I get back and supplement your input with what I find out for the Destinations chat.
In the mean time, as far as rental equipment goes, if anyone can recommend a shop with good condition, up to date equipment I'd like to hear it.
The colder it gets here, the more excited I am to get there. Aloha all.
I'll do a post when I get back and supplement your input with what I find out for the Destinations chat.
In the mean time, as far as rental equipment goes, if anyone can recommend a shop with good condition, up to date equipment I'd like to hear it.
The colder it gets here, the more excited I am to get there. Aloha all.
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Terry Dunklee
- Posts: 187
- Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2003 12:02 am
Re: Hawaii, Oahu in January
Hawaii\Oahu are wonderful year round but January can be slightly cooler and have more rain. The ocean temps are also cooler so you may want to bring a wetsuit. I've gotten pretty cold in a shorty before. I've primarily sailed out of Kailua. There are some smaller beach parks on the south side and you can sail out of Waikiki but the wind are not as strong or reliable. There is a poor selection of old equipment on the beach in downtown.
Mokuleia is a beautiful stretch of deserted beach on the western north shore and has good waves. There is a beach park with bathrooms but no other facilities. You would have to bring equipment.
Kailua Beach Park is the main kiting and windsurfing spot. Kailua is on the windward (rainy side) of the island. Naish, Hawaiian Watersports and a couple other companies have trucks with equipment in the parking lot so you can check out what they have for equipment. You need go to their shops in town (4-5 blocks) to complete rental forms and pay since no commercial transactions can take place in the park. The reef is 3/4 mile out so there is a large area inside that gets large rolling waves. You can sail out to the reef for better wave action.
And don't miss the Kalapawai Market just before you enter the beach park. A great little green and white convenience store with wonderful deli sandwiches , salads and wine and beer selections.
Aloha
Terry
Mokuleia is a beautiful stretch of deserted beach on the western north shore and has good waves. There is a beach park with bathrooms but no other facilities. You would have to bring equipment.
Kailua Beach Park is the main kiting and windsurfing spot. Kailua is on the windward (rainy side) of the island. Naish, Hawaiian Watersports and a couple other companies have trucks with equipment in the parking lot so you can check out what they have for equipment. You need go to their shops in town (4-5 blocks) to complete rental forms and pay since no commercial transactions can take place in the park. The reef is 3/4 mile out so there is a large area inside that gets large rolling waves. You can sail out to the reef for better wave action.
And don't miss the Kalapawai Market just before you enter the beach park. A great little green and white convenience store with wonderful deli sandwiches , salads and wine and beer selections.
Aloha
Terry
Re: Hawaii, Oahu in January
Nice choice staying in Kailua. Oahu is a great island once you get out of Homolulu/Waikiki. Nice beach to ride out of in Kailua. Immediately south of Kailua, just past the boat ramp is on of the nicest beaches on the island, Lanikai. You can poark along the road and there are public access points. There's also a nice hike up to the old WWII pill boxes there. Across from Lanikai are two islands called "the Mok's." (pronounced Mokes). It's fun to rent sea kayaks and bring a picnic lunch over there.
Other stuff to do.... if you have never surfed before, Waikiki is a great place to learn. Nice, long mellow break.
Places to eat: in Kailua: Boardriders is a fun bar/restaraunt that a friend of mine owns. He's a Minnesotan as well. Ask for Brian. Buzz's is also cool. Be sure to have a "BFRD." (Big F$%^& Rum Drink.) Duke's in Waikiki is a cool place, albeit a bit touristy. Good place for a drink in the afternoon and to have a few pu-pu's. Henry Kapono usually places there.
You could try to catch a luau somewhere. I found the Polynesian cultural center interesting, but was disappointed in their luau.
Be sure to explore the North Shore. Gorgeous up there.
Have fun!
Other stuff to do.... if you have never surfed before, Waikiki is a great place to learn. Nice, long mellow break.
Places to eat: in Kailua: Boardriders is a fun bar/restaraunt that a friend of mine owns. He's a Minnesotan as well. Ask for Brian. Buzz's is also cool. Be sure to have a "BFRD." (Big F$%^& Rum Drink.) Duke's in Waikiki is a cool place, albeit a bit touristy. Good place for a drink in the afternoon and to have a few pu-pu's. Henry Kapono usually places there.
You could try to catch a luau somewhere. I found the Polynesian cultural center interesting, but was disappointed in their luau.
Be sure to explore the North Shore. Gorgeous up there.
Have fun!
Re: Hawaii, Oahu in January
Excellent info. I'll be sure to check out Boardriders.
As far as a wetsuit goes, do I need to bring my 3/2 or will a shorty suffice? Is there anything else equipment wise that I should bring with or ship down?
I'll be arriving a week after a full moon. Anyone have any idea what the jellyfish are like in Hawaii, especially in Kailua? What I've heard is that they come around a week after a full moon, but there is no mention of how long they stick around. My wife still cringes at the remembrance of when she picked one up in Florida. Cut her some slack, she was eight at the time. I'm sure she won't do that again.
As far as a wetsuit goes, do I need to bring my 3/2 or will a shorty suffice? Is there anything else equipment wise that I should bring with or ship down?
I'll be arriving a week after a full moon. Anyone have any idea what the jellyfish are like in Hawaii, especially in Kailua? What I've heard is that they come around a week after a full moon, but there is no mention of how long they stick around. My wife still cringes at the remembrance of when she picked one up in Florida. Cut her some slack, she was eight at the time. I'm sure she won't do that again.