| By Crystal
China Walls is infamous in the islands both for its breathtaking
beauty as well as treacherous waters. Due to the numerous
fatalities that have taken place over the years, China
Walls break has gained the reputation of being unpredictable
and deadly. It is considered by some, to be a “rite
of passage” [not necessarily by those with the most
common sense] to leap off the cliffs of Portlock into
the rolling surf below. Though warning signs are posted
on the cliffs overlooking Portlock Point, cautioning visitors
to the area of the dangerous surf there are no lifeguards
on duty to patrol the area. If you’re not a strong
swimmer – meaning that you cannot swim a continuous
mile, and even if you can – this break is not recommended
for you! As always, know your surroundings and your own
limitations before entering the water. For specific surf
spot location check out our Oahu
surf maps.
Crowd factor: If you hit this spot
midday during the week you’ll probably luck out
and find it empty. Stay away during the weekends, it
gets gnarly.
Bottom: Jagged reef. Equally as dangerous
as the jutting cliffs that you’ll slam into if
you don’t kick out in time.
Ability level: Experienced to kamikaze
[suicidal].
Access: If you don’t know where
you’re going, this is not an easy spot to spot.
Besides the fact that there is no parking, finding your
way to the water requires a good 5-15 minute trek down
a steep cliff. Not for those with a heart condition.
What board to bring: A shortboard
is definitely ideal for this faster, shorter wave.
Places to stay: If you've got $5 million lying around you can buy a beachfront mansion in one of Hawaii's most desired neighborhoods. Portlock real estate features some of the most lavish and resort styled homes on Oahu. For those of us who don't have a few million lying around, one of the poshest
hotels on the island is located just a 10 minute drive
from Portlock. The Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel, once
the Kahala Hilton, is where royalty [presidents and
celebrities alike] stay when they come to wine and dine
in Hawaii. This regal, 550-square-foot beachfront property
juts out into Kahala beach and features everything from
residential-style Spa Suites, a state-of-the-art fitness
center, various restaurants and swimming pool to meeting
rooms, and private business center. The Kahala Mandarin
is also well-known for its private lagoon which is home
to a few select dolphins. If you haven’t been
fortunate enough to swim with dolphins close up in the
open ocean, here you’ll be able to snuggle up
to one up close and personal! One night’s stay
can range anywhere between $355 and $770 for a single’s
or double’s room and $1,100 to $3,800 for a private
suite. (Ph) 808-739-8888
Places to eat: Situated in the Hawaii
Kai Corporate Plaza on the front of Hawaii Kai’s
Maunalua Bay is Roy Yamaguchi’s infamous restaurant,
Roy’s. The menu at Roy’s combines fresh
local ingredients with bolder European and Asian spices
and sauces to create the innovative flavor behind Hawaiian
fusion cuisine. Perfect for a post-surf dinner [after
you’ve showered and donned some aloha attire,
of course] or even a romantic rendezvous, dinners run
about $45 per guest. (Ph) 808-396-7697
Surf shops in the area: Another locally
owned surf brand, Da Kine, is located another 10-20
minute drive away from Portlock [depending on how much
you’re breaking the speed limit by]. Peddling
wares for everything from surfing, skating and snowboarding,
Da Kine also carries gear for serious skiers, windsurfers,
bikers and kitesurfers. This uniquely all-inclusive
store was started up in Maui in 1979 and now sells its
products across the US and Canada. If you’re looking
to spread your water wings and dip into another ocean
sport, Da Kine is the place to go for high-quality,
innovative gear.
Back to Oahu Surf Spots
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