Don’t see your question answered here? Please contact us at info@waikikibeachservices.com.
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The health and safety of our customers and staff is our top priority. We have put special measures in place to keep everyone safe both during and after activities and rentals with WBS.
Please note that personal belongings should not be left unattended at any time on the beach or pool. Bringing money or non-essential personal belongings to the beach or pool is highly discouraged. The pool and beach staff is not responsible for guests’ personal belongings.
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I am unable to book a lesson/activity online–is there anything available? Reservations can be made up to 3 months in advance and up to 48 hours prior to a reservation time.
If you would like to make a reservation that will occur within the next 48 hours, please contact the activity desk where you would like to take your lesson/activity:
- Waikīkī Beachboys at the Royal Hawaiian (808) 388-1510
- Waikīkī Beachboys at the Sheraton Diamond Head Desk (808) 927-6448
What is the “OSF” fee I am being charged? OSF stands for “Ocean Stewardship Fund”. In 2023, the State of Hawaiʻi enacted a law creating a special fund to be used towards the stewardship, conservation, and preservation of our ocean natural resources. This law will go into effect on January 1, 2024 and requires all operators of commercial vessels, watercraft, or water sports equipment to collect a $1 fee from each passenger or customer served.
More information from the Department of Land and Natural Resources regarding this fee can be found on here and here.
Please note that the OSF fee will not be refunded for any activity that has been conducted.
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Please note that the safety of our guests, visitors and instructors is our main concern. Therefore, any person under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be refused service for rentals, activities or lessons.
How do I modify or cancel my reservation? Cancellations must be received at least 48 hours prior to a reservation time to qualify for a refund. Please either contact us directly at the activity desk where your activity/rental is scheduled, or, contact us via email at info@waikikibeachservices.com
No-shows will result in a full charge to the guest. Guests may request to change their reservation without a penalty. Please note that our office is closed over the weekends and holidays and will not be able to issue refunds until the next business day.
Why is my refund is not showing up? Please allow 7-10 business days for refunds to process. Contact us if you do not see your refund after this time has passed.
Will I be penalized for a cancellation due to rain/wind? Guests will receive a full refund if our operations must close due to inclement weather or unsafe conditions. Clouds, showers and overcast weather are not categorized as inclement weather and are usually fleeting.
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Gift cards can be purchased on our website in $25 increments. To redeem a Gift Card:
- Book your activity.
- At checkout, click on “Add Promo or Discount Code”
- Enter in your Gift Card number.
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Are there any restrictions I should be aware of for surfing/SUP?
- All participants must be able to swim at least 25 yards unassisted.
- Women who are pregnant may not take surf or SUP lesson.
- Kids 12 and under must take private one-on-one surf lesson for safety reasons.
- Kids 13 and under may not participate in stand up paddling lessons for safety reasons.
Can I make a reservation for a surfboard rental?
All board rentals (SUP boards, surfboards, boogie boards) are first-come, first-surf and can only be booked in person at one of our service desks.I’m not a strong/confident swimmer–do you have life jackets for rent?
We do not encourage the use of life jackets for surf or SUP lessons as they impede a student’s ability to paddle and maneuver the board. There may also be times in the surf where you will need to submerge yourself in the water to avoid an oncoming board and a lifejacket would prevent submergence. If you are not confident in your swimming abilities, please consider booking an outrigger canoe ride instead of a surf or SUP lesson.What do I need to bring for my lesson?
- Sunscreen
- Towel
- Cover Up
- Please do not bring valuables.
- Note: rashguards are available to borrow during your lesson for no charge. Rashguards will help prevent chafing that newbie surfers sometimes experience.
Should I tip my instructor?
Instructors will always appreciate a tip if you experienced a great time with them! -
I have less than 3 people in my party and want to do an outrigger canoe ride. What can I do?
Our minimum booking amount is 3 people. If you have less than 3 people in your party, you can still ride and paddle on the canoe. Please select the 3 pax option and we will supply staff members to assist with paddling.
I have more than 6 people in my party and want to do an outrigger canoe ride. What can I do?
The best tip is to book back-to-back canoe rides and shoot our office an email about your booking (info@waikikibeachservices.com). We will make note that it is for the same party on the reservation.
What do I need to bring for my canoe ride?
- Sunscreen
- Towel
- Cover Up
- Please do not bring valuables.
Should I tip my canoe captain?
Staff will always appreciate a tip if you experienced a great time with them.How long is the canoe ride?
With the per person canoe ride option, you are guaranteed to catch three waves–some days this takes 30 minutes, some days it can take up to 60 minutes to find the right waves for the canoe. Please allow one full hour for arrival, check-in, the canoe ride, viewing of photos, etc. -
Are photos available?
Yes, photos are available for purchase. All lessons, canoe rides and beachboy valets will be photographed. Guests may view their photos at our desk after their activity.Can I bring my own camera on the surf lesson/canoe ride/etc?
Safety is our biggest concern and we do not allow guests to bring their own camera out during a lesson or canoe ride. Focus needs to be placed on staying safe while out in the surf and following the directions of the instructor/canoe captain.I lost my USB / my photos won’t load on my USB.
Please contact us at info@waikikibeachservices if you are having problems viewing your photos or if you need to reorder photos. We keep photo files for up to 4 months. -
How long is the burial at sea? The canoe is chartered for 60 minutes. This includes the time it takes for the land demonstration on how to paddle, instructions on seating in the canoe, paddling out to the burial location, time in the water for the ash scattering and then the paddling back to shore/catching a wave into shore. It is up to the discretion of the guest if they would like to return earlier than scheduled.
There are only two of us in our party–what will the cost be for the burial at sea?
The cost to hire the canoe for a burial at sea charter is $450+ tax no matter how many people are in your party. The maximum number of people we can take per canoe is 6 riders. If you have more than 6 in your party, you will need to hire an additional canoe for $450+tax. Please contact us if you need assistance with this type of reservation.Can I just book a regular canoe ride instead of a Burial-at-Sea to spread ashes?
Unfortunately, no, you must book the charter rate for a burial at sea due to the amount of time and manpower that is needed to paddle the canoe to the proper burial site.I have a large party of people–is there an alternative to booking a canoe for a Burial at Sea?
Yes. For larger parties, we can book a catamaran for a Burial at Sea service. The catamaran can accommodate up to 37 people. Please contact us to book.Can I bring flowers?
Loose flowers and lei may be placed in the water alongside ashes. We ask that you please take flowers from any lei off the string before placing in the water. The florists listed below can be contacted about flowers:Outside of Waikīkī:
Watanabe Floral (808) 832-9360
Leis By Ron (808) 838-1455
University Flowers (808) 951-7300Are photos included?
Photos are included with funeral services.Is Music Allowed?
Music can be brought on board the canoe. Please make sure the speaker/iPhone/iPad is waterproof or in a waterproof container.Where can I find a Kahu/Priest?
Please contact us at info@waikikibeachservices.com for suggestions and contact information. -
Where are you located?
Our desk at the Royal Hawaiian is located at on the pool deck of The Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The address is:2259 Kalākaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815.
We have two service desks at the Sheraton Waikīkī: Diamond Head Beach Desk and Grays Beach Desk. The address is:
2255 Kalākaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815The Diamond Head Beach Location is at the foot of the Sheraton Waikiki’s Helumoa Playground Pool.
How do I get to your desk?
Royal Hawaiian: From the street (Kalākaua Ave), walk down the public beach walkway located between The Cheesecake Factory and The Outrigger Waikīkī Beach Hotel. There will be surfboard lockers on either side of the walkway; once you hit the sand at the end of the walkway, our desk will be directly on your right hand side.
Sheraton Waikīkī: There is a public beach access walkway located right after the Halekulani Hotel which will take you directly to our Grays Beach location. To reach us at Helumoa desk or The Edge Infinity desk, please go thru The Sheraton Waikīkī Hotel.
Are there storage lockers available?
There are no storage lockers and we advise that guests do NOT bring valuables to the beach.Do you provide towels?
Towels are not provided unless you are a guest at one of the hotels where we operate (Royal Hawaiian and Sheraton Waikīkī).Where can I park?
There are a number of parking garages within 5 minute walking distance to WBS.Waikīkī Trade Center
2255 Kūhiō Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Early Bird Special (6 a.m.-9 a.m.) $6 flat rate, good until 5 p.m.Click here to view a website that can provide other parking options to check out.
There is also metered parking down by Kapiʻolani Park, which is about a 10-15 min walk to our location.