Diamond Head Surf is back

Summer is (nearly) here and the waves are rolling in at Diamond Head again!  For those who are not familiar with the waves in Hawaii, in the summer we tend to get waves on the south side of the island (Honolulu) and in the winter we tend to get waves on the north side (the famous North Shore).

South Shore waves typically do not get as big as the North Shore.  It still gets big enough to be plenty fun and scary too.  When wave sizes are overhead, that's all I need for my thrills. 

Waves are measured in two ways.  The old way, also known as "Hawaiian Style" measures the wave from its back.  The more common way to measure waves these days is by the face.  Typically, the face of the wave is twice as big as the back.  So a two-to-four foot day (Hawaiian Style) has wave faces of four to eight feet in height.

There are a bunch of surf breaks at Diamond Head.  My favorite place to start is at the parking lot near the Diamond Head lighthouse.  A trail leads down to the sandy beach and there's a channel where surfers paddle out.  Immediately to the right of the channel is "Lighthouse" and paddling to the left will take you to "Cliffs."  A little further east from "Rights" is "Mansions," aptly named because surfers can look right up at the beautiful homes on the hillside and along the beach.  

Surfers line up for a wave at Mansions

Roy Vierra (owner of RV's Ocean - see below) recommends Lighthouse Point - the next break to the right after Lighthouse.  Great waves, less people.

Do be careful when surfing at Diamond Head.  The reef is sharp and it cuts easily.  During low tide, it's easier to end up on the reef, which can damage your board and your body.

Info for surfing at Diamond Head

One of the better surf shops in the Diamond Head area is RV's Ocean.  RV's is owned and operated by Roy Vierra.  His shop is located at 3348 Campbell Avenue in Kapahulu.  RV's stocks surfboards, leashes, wax and other necessities for getting you in the water.

Save gas and be green by checking out the surf before you drive there.  A favorite surf report website is www.surfnewsnetwork.com.  The site includes web cams that are updated several times a day, showing us the waves at Diamond Head as well as other surf spots around Oahu.

Diamond Head is also a great neighborhood for luxury homes.  Click on our Diamond Head neighborhood page for more photos and information about Diamond Head.

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