By Crystal

Just a jump, skip and two-minute paddle from Queens sits Canoes. So named for the numerous Outrigger canoes that haunt this lineup, Canoes is an even longer, slower, and gentler right than its neighbor, Queens. For the Canoes newbie, this means that on top of having to skillfully evade the plethora of tourists [five points for hitting a tourist on a rented board, thirty if you can make them cry] you also need to clear out at the first site of one of these wooden-prow-ed beasts. While you may think that as a surfer you “belong” there more than the canoes [and the people inside of them] do the fact remains that they are bigger, harder and it will hurt you more than the canoe in a head-to-head collision.

As with almost every other spot on the island, the regulars of Canoes are just as territorial of their wave as a pit bull peeing in the front yard. Consisting largely of middle-aged longboarders, these men and women will bottom-turn and nose-ride circles around you. Just remember to R.E.S.P.E.C.T. the people around you because they’ve been known to bite. For specific surf spot location check out our Oahu surf maps.

Crowd factor: Very, very, very crowded. It’s never an empty day at Canoes whether it’s two inches or six feet. There is always someone around - which is great if you’re one of those people who can’t even go to the bathroom by themselves.
Bottom: Oh-so-sandy. Just like Queens, but since the h2o at Canoes is more shallow you have to keep a lookout for those tricky pieces of coral.

Ability level: Beginner. It’s where they take the tourists with floaties tied to their arms. If they can do it, so can you [one would hope].
Access: Since Canoes is towards the front of Waikiki you can always opt to park in a parking structure. The payoff is a shorter walk to the beach and a [presumably] safer stay for your vehicle but be prepared to pay upwards of $5 or $6 unless you know the owner of the building and/or are dating the parking attendant.

What board to bring: A 9’0, single fin, noserider, preferably in yellow or pink [just because].

Places to stay: There are numerous cheap Waikiki hotels including the Maile Sky Court ($69/night) peppered up and down Waikiki. The Ilima Hotel, located in the center of Waikiki, is one of Waikiki’s finest, small condominium hotels. Though the Ilima Hotel has only 98 available rooms, their rooms are also the most spacious and comfortable. Studios run between $128 to $199 a night, suites between $193 and $209 a night, and the three-bedroom penthouse between $447 to $551. Children under the age of 18 are FREE when staying with parents sharing the same bedding. (Ph) 808-923-1877

Places to eat: If you’re absolutely desperate for a quick bite to eat Jack in the Box is conveniently located right [and I do mean directly] across the street from Canoes. With Mad Cow Disease no longer an obvious threat to our precious hamburger supply it’s now safe [or safer] to consume the burgers that you love! And ever since the fast food industry has grown calorie-conscious, Jack in the Crack caters to the vegetarian and/or diet-obsessed with salads and other non-meat, non-fatty options. The adventerous should experience a Honolulu luau at least once in their lifetime.

Surf shops in the area: Also directly across the street from Canoes, Billabong is conveniently located on Kalakaua providing tourists and locals alike with all the beach and surf necessities a person could ever dream of. Even if you don’t really “need” anything, a few minutes perusing Billabongs latest fashions and board designs you’ll probably discover a few things you can’t help but want.

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