Water Activities

With endless golden beaches, inviting blue waves and balmy weather, you can play in the water all year long on Oahu. If you’ve always dreamed of hanging ten on a long board, Waikiki Beach is the spot to learn. Duke Kahanamoku and the Waikiki Beach Boys popularized the art of hee nalu (wave sliding) in the waters of Waikiki Beach during the early 1900s, and it’s still a perfect place to take your first surfing lesson today.
 
Beyond surfing, you can explore the ocean by taking a group outrigger canoe ride off of Waikiki Beach. If you’re looking for something fun for the whole family to do, try snorkeling and swimming at one of Oahu’s many beautiful beaches. Take a sunset cruise or sailing excursion and you might spot a humpback breach during whale watching season (December through May). Sports fisherman can also charter a boat and fish for Pacific Blue Marlin, Ahi (yellowfin tuna), Ono (wahoo) or Mahimahi.
 
Satisfy your sporty side with other water activities in Oahu, including jet-skiing, parasailing, wind surfing, kite surfing, wakeboarding and bodyboarding (boogie boarding). Stand up paddle boarding (SUP)—where surfers stand on a larger board using a paddle to maneuver—has also become a popular alternative to surfing in the islands. With so many exciting activities, you'll understand why adventure thrives in the deep blue Pacific surrounding Oahu.