| By Crystal
When a swell hits during the summer, Courts is one of
the breaks that hugely benefits from the size. While the
rest of Ala Moana closes out this break just gets better
throwing down long, leaning rights. Courts is ideal in
3-5+ ft Hawaiian [head to a few feet overhead face] but
also paddle-worthy in smaller, 1-3 ft [waist to shoulder
face] high sets. Also fun on big days is Baby Courts,
a break that forms further in towards shore when it reaches
4+ ft Hawaiian [head high faces]. Though it doesn’t
get the same size as Courts it’s safer for beginners
and receives less attention [and therefore less crowds].
For specific surf spot location check out our Oahu
surf maps.
Crowd factor: Less crowded than Waikiki
but it has a tendency to grow gnarly [25 + people] during
southern swells.
Bottom: Somewhere down there its reef,
but you’d have to go a good 10 – 15 feet
under to find it.
Ability level: Because Courts is a
much slower, sloping wave than its Ala Moana neighbors
the level of ability here is also considerably lower.
Think: beginner to intermediate.
Access: Most people paddle out from
Ala Moana Beach Park regardless of the tide [if you
wanted to, you could also climb down the rocks from
Magic Island side], the tricky part is avoiding the
parts of reef that jut out in certain places.
What board to bring: Courts is definitely
a longboarding wave, not because they’re territorial
[as in Waikiki], but its much to slow and sloping to
have much fun shortboarding over here.
Places to stay: The Pacific Beach
Hotel is located in the middle of Waikiki, offering
937 rooms all with great views of Oahu’s lush
and gorgeous landscape. Rooms are furnished with either
king-sized beds or two double-beds and also feature
full lanais [balconies], full baths and showers, coffee
makers provided with Kona blend coffee, hair dryers,
clock radios, refrigerators, video checkout, digital
telephones, video games and Internet access. One of
Pacific Beach Hotel’s main features is its Oceanarium
which provides its guests with an up-close view of our
ocean wildlife. The 280,000 gallon aquarium is the only
one of its kind located in a single hotel and is home
to nearly 400 fish from over 70 different species. (Ph)
808-923-4511
Places to eat: Perfect if you’re
up for something Mexican, Wahoo’s serves up an
assortment of fast Mexican food. Dining here is a combination
of take-out and dine-in – you order your food
at the counter, but have your order brought to you at
your table whilst you wait. The very first of the California-based
chain to migrate to the Hawaiian islands Wahoo’s
is best known for their fish tacos though their carnitas
tacos and other burritos are excellent as well. Because
Wahoo’s is so casual you can come still in your
bathing suit and not feel completely out of place. Another
reason to visit? Portions are generous so that healthy
appetite you worked up during your 3 hour surf session
can easily be taken care of. Wahoo’s is open Sunday
– Wednesday from 11 am until 9 pm and Thursday
– Saturday from 11 am till 10 pm. (Ph) 808-591-1646
Surf shops in the area: Just down
the street from Wahoo’s is Ward’s newest
shopping complex which is home to variety of surf stores.
Amongst them is Xcel Wetsuits which offers up a wide
variety swimsuits and other surf paraphernalia though
[obviously] they specialize in wetsuits. Visiting Xcel
is a must for those who do early morning dawn patrol
as well as for those locals who get chilly when the
weather dips below 70 degrees. (Ph) 808- 596-7411
Back to Oahu Surf Spots
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