Waikīkī Beachboy Blog

By Emma Susas  If you only have one day in Waikīkī, you’ll want to make the most of it. Between sun-soaked beaches, legendary surf, and world-famous dining, this stretch of Honolulu offers the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Here’s how to spend 24 hours in Waikīkī — with a bit of help from…

By Emma Susas What you wear matters when you’re heading out for a surf session. The right surfing gear keeps you safe, comfortable, and confident in the water—so you can focus on catching waves instead of dealing with distractions. Here’s what to keep in mind: The Perfect Surf Suit Should Have: Stability – Stay secure…

By Hero Jones Surfing—or heʻe nalu in Hawaiian—is a tradition woven into the fabric of Hawai‘i. Centuries ago, Native Hawaiians rode powerful wooden olo boards across rolling waves, honoring their spiritual bond with the ocean and their land. Waikīkī: The Global Stage for Surfing Waikīkī played a pivotal role in bringing surfing into the modern…

By Emma Susas  What is so special about Waikīkī? Why is this stretch of coastline the heart of surfing, where people have come for generations to ride waves? We had the chance to talk story with the Surf Professor, Ian ‘Akahi Masterson (@thesurfprofessor), to answer these questions.  Why Waikīkī Is a Surfing Hotspot There are plenty…

By Hero Jones August 24th marks the birthday of one of Hawai‘i’s most iconic figures – Duke Paoa Kahanamoku. Born in 1890 in Honolulu, Duke wasn’t just a champion swimmer, surfer, and actor. He was a true Hawaiian waterman, the Father of Modern Surfing, and a true ambassador of aloha. At Waikīkī Beach Services, we’re…

By Emma Susas Looking for an unforgettable family water activity in Honolulu? Waikīkī Beach Services offers family-friendly surf lessons, SUP lessons, and outrigger canoe surfing. It’s a fun way to ride the waves together while soaking in Hawaiian culture. Surf Lessons: Is It Safe for Kids? Ages & Format Kids must be able to swim…

Your Guide to Catching Waves in the Birthplace of Modern Surfing By Hero Jones  Waikīkī isn’t just a beautiful beach; it’s a legendary surf destination with deep cultural roots. From the days of Duke Kahanamoku to today’s Beachboys sharing the waves with visitors from around the world, Waikīkī has always been a special place…

By Emma Susas Here in Waikīkī, we’re lucky to surf some of the most iconic waves in the world. But whether you’re a first-timer or already paddling out regularly, one of your most essential choices is your surfboard. But with so many board types and materials out there, it can feel a little overwhelming. Let’s…

A beginner-friendly guide to the parts of a surfboard and how each helps you confidently ride waves with the Waikīkī Beach Services beachboys. By Hero Jones Before you paddle out for your first lesson, it helps to get familiar with the gear under your feet. Understanding the anatomy of a surfboard can make learning to…

By Emma Susas Waikīkī is more than just a world-famous beach—it’s a place of deep cultural significance, rich history, and powerful moʻolelo. The waves we surf today carry the names and stories of those who came before us. Here are the original Hawaiian names and the moʻolelo behind some of Waikīkī’s most well-known surf breaks:…

By Hero Jones This May, Waikīkī Beach Services proudly celebrated 70 years of riding waves, telling stories, and sharing the spirit of aloha along the shores of Waikīkī. Since our founding in 1955, we’ve grown into a cherished part of Hawai‘i’s beach culture — perpetuating the legacy of the Waikīkī Beachboy, sharing our passion and…

Thinking about taking a surf lesson in Waikīkī? Whether you’re a total beginner or just brushing up your skills, we’ve gathered the most common questions to help you get ready for your day in the waves with Waikīkī Beach Services. Do I need experience to take a lesson? No experience? No problem! Our surf instructors…

A Timeless Link to the Hawaiian Culture and Native Traditions By Traci Bush “The canoe was perceived as lying at the heart of the old culture—it was the central object at the heart of the web of the culture. Almost everything in the culture could be related to the canoe in some way.” -Herb Kane…

The first Hawaiians migrated from Oceania in 1300 with a fleet of outrigger canoes (waʻa), bringing along their livestock and families they navigated using the wind patterns and stars. The outrigger canoe was first created in a small island chain within Austronesia using a hollowed out tree stump. When the people of Austronesia migrated around…

Made from carved Koa Wood and sometimes Ula wood, the Alaia was the first type of surfboard made in the 6th Century. The beginnings of surfing were brought to Hawaiʻi when the first Polynesian settlers arrived 300 AD. This was the precursor to the modern surfboard and defined a whole culture of heʻe nalu or…

Meet the Waikiki Beachboys: Uncle Billy By Conor Lyden During the year 1952, Uncle Billy, our most senior beachboy, began his legacy on Waikiki Beach. At 12 years old, Uncle Billy was brought down to the beach by his family every Sunday and has been coming back since. In 1955, at 15 years old, Uncle…

MEET THE BEACHBOYS Written by Conor Lyden Beachgirl Sista Kaʻui, Queen of the Sheraton Waikīkī Diamond Head beach desk, sits atop a mighty kiosk throne, towering over her red umbrellas. Under her reign she has refined her crew to keep the beach in polished and professional order. Kaʻui welcomes anyone and everyone to her beach…

MEET THE BEACHBOYS Written by Conor Lyden Among all the friendly beachboys at Waikiki Beach Services, there is one who will undoubtedly restore even the greatest pessimist’s faith in humanity. You can always expect Aaron Char to tend to the needs of the beach, the morale of his co-beachboys, and of course, the relief and comfort…

MEET THE BEACHBOYS SERIES BEACHBOY MANAGER MIKE: Humble Man Of Mystery Written by Lauren Adelman Quiet, humble and unassuming, beachboy manager Mike, is the fearless leader of our Waikiki Beach Services (WBS) Sheraton Waikiki location, our largest beach & pool operation, overseeing over 40 employees at a time. He is a quiet force, preferring to…