I’m thinking about taking my son to the North Shore next winter. He’ll be 15 next year. Me being 45 next year ought to put us in about the same boat as far as ability…I’m going backwards and he’s constantly improving.
What should I expect to budget for a place to stay. Any suggestions for where to stay on a father son trip. Rent a condo or stay at a hotel??? What’s available and affordable??? My plan is to start saving now for next year. Any info would be appreciated.
Going next month, we rented various houses/condos for the duration of the stay. Would have been easier to stay in one place, but by July, the place I wanted to stay was partially booked. Plan early, of course it depends on what time of year you go. My wife wanted to go in December, I wanted to go in the spring. Guess who won! What I found is that if you go a bit off-season you can save on rates.
Off season if you want to surf. Come after the pro tour is over, or every spot will be crowded and traffic is a mess. Turtle bay can be a good place to stay, but I don’t think it’s a budget place. Best to look online and see what’s out there. Being a local I don’t need to know what’s available. I like staying in Waikiki right on the beach when we staycation, but’s it’s not cheap. We only do it when can get a deal. September is the low point in our tourist season, so you might be able to find deals. Won’t be crowded up north, but it won’t be big either. Probably a good mix for you and your boy. Should have waves all over by then. Check locations on the east side too. Nice and peaceful on the east side, and there’s beach front vacation homes along that coast. You can drive up to the north shore from the east side.
Be careful when you surf the north shore for the first time. Give a shout out on Sways and maybe some of us can meet you for a surf.
For economy accommodations that are decent, there are some apartments/small condos in Haliewa that are rented privately. Pm me later (or someone on here might help) Spring break time would be good, still plenty of swell through March and winds can be lighter.
IMHO you should take shark country’s advice and approach it with respect and humility, it’s sacred ground. It’ll change your surfing life. You probably have some friends that have been, talk to them too.
Watch out for your rental car lol.
Definitely watch your personal items when you come here. Don’t leave valuebles in a rented car, or on the beach without someone watching them. I hate to say it but there are people who look for tourists and steal from them daily. They steal from locals too.
March is a real good month on the North Shore for more fun surf and less crowded - I’d like to suggest Richie Sterman from Sterman realty for helping you find a house or apt to rent - good luck.
Being from the east coast we’d be stoked with just about anything ridable. I know my comfort level and my son is not far behind me…I imagine by this time next year he will pass me by…and I hope he does. My limit is double overhead and smaller as the wave gets rounder. Jr is comfortable in conditions that are a couple feet overhead on him. Neither one of us would have any dilusions of surfing the big stuff…10 or 20 years ago I’m sure I would have given it a go though. I really want to get a trip like this in while I’m able to and before he’s too old to hang with dad. Perhaps when his little brother (currently 8) is 15 hopefully I can make the trip with him too.
Key words ---- “on a budget”. October thru December, but book in late summer. Febuary–March. book right after the first of the year. Don’t bring anything much. You can get it all there at a Walmart. There are also lots of good “Island Style” boards for sale in Honolulu and North Shore Surf Shops. Of course you’ll drop by Barnfields Shop?? On a budget---- Camp! Rent a van so you can lock up your boards inside and sleep in if necessary. Craigslist is your best bet. As it gets closer to Christmas the deals dry up, but I was on there last nite checking out Maui. Seems to be plenty of rentals curently and in any price range. Lowel
This place is awesome. I stayed there last November. Its less them 10 minutes from pipe and also has a nice wave right out front that is empty.
I am pretty sure you can camp on the beach even when they have groups there.
You may also be able to get a room if they have any when you are there.
I paid about 300 bucks for a 5 night stay. The rooms are nothing fancy ( kinda like indoor camping) but you are on the beach on the north shore and still have money in your pocket.
If they do have a grup there you may be able to eat with them on the cheap as well.
Also, renting a board is probably the best to save on travel costs (you can rent one for about 75 bucks a week) . The best spot is a little green rental shack right before you get to the tropical rush surf shop on the right side of the road just after you cross the bridge from the haweiwa beach park. If the waves get over 10 ft everyone closed down rentals (these guys will still let you rent and they let you trade in your board whenever you want for a different board).
I stayed here with my family when the kids were little. http://malaekahana.net/
It’s on the East side, but very close to the north shore. Beatup old houses, right on the beach. Lots of outer reef spots, but you should probably go with someone who knows the area. Malae Kahana is OK for young kids, or if the north shore is really big.
Mokuleia has surf spots along that coast, so you don’t have to go far.
Just make a note that there very few lifeguards once you get off the main beaches. The East side and Mokuleia side are not staffed like the main north shore is. The place where a guy recently drowned, alligator rock, does not have a lifeguard near by.
Just remember double over head on the north shore is not the same as double over head 8th st, your big board in OC will be your short board on the north shore.Other then that it is a very special place and you your son will remember it for a lifetime. Also March is a good month, good waves less growds. Enjoy yourselfs…
No such thing as on a budget in Hawaii unless you know someone to stay with. Your plane fare from the EC, plus the 6 hrs time difference will automatically put you a a huge disadvantage. Car, food, beer, and matching Island Isle tee shirts will set you back. So a little more cash for a decent place to stay is key, you want your first experience to be positive one.
Theres a spot called the KeIki Cottages. It’s right in the middle of it all, Google it. it’s an ok spot, safe, clean, all different sized accomidations…and it’s right on the beach…just walk out and go surf, or drive a 1/4 mile and go surf…It’s all right there. You can go do that Double Overhead thing you were talking about!
Before you go over there, do some breath holding exercises. Sitting at home on the couch, work your way up to holding your breath for a full three minutes. If you can do that relaxed, you can deal with a struggling one minute hold down. And open your eyes underwater, so that you can dodge the swirling bubble columns coming down at you. They can take you over the falls underwater. Not a fun experience. Don’t ask how I know all this!
I saw in another thread that you don’t like SUPs. In Hawaii just about every break has SUPs. Many of the riders are very good, others are not. We don’t have rules to keep guys from being wave hogs here, so things get out of control at some beaches. If you see guys on SUPs in the country, they are probably regulars wherever they are. On the south side and parts of the west side there are lots and lots of SUPs in the lineup.
Spots like Kammi’s and the break going down towards Rocky Pt are good for starting off. Ehukai beach and Alii Beach in Haleiwa is a good place too. Those 2 spots have bathrooms and showers. Otherwise get a gallon size plastic bottle and fill it with water to wash off. Used to always have one of those in my car. The sun here will burn you, so make sure you get good sun block. I use long sleeve rash guards. Lots of guys wear hats and eye protection these days.
Just to clarify if it matters to you, Mokuleia is more like 20-30 minutes from Pipe. Double that if you get caught in the weekend turtle traffic to get past Laniakea.
Camping on Oahu is severely regulated. Do your research if camping is part of your plan.
Lots of good advice here. I will add…
As a fellow East Coaster, you will often find very acceptable surf in spots that locals simply ignore. Even though it may be Winter, it’s possible to get waist high waves on the South shore most any time. My first trip to Oahu I’d already put 20 years in the water between the EC, Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara. Still, my first go-out on the North Shore was a wake-up call, and that was at Pupukea (considered an “old man’s” spot). I got some good days around the corner on the East side during Kona conditions at a spot near a golf course and also found Haleiwa to my liking after I got my bearings. As far as expenses go, I live in one of the most expensive places on the whole EC, so Oahu wasn’t that big of a shock. To avoid paying airline fees I’d suggest buying second hand after arrival and re-selling when you leave. Or, go with a rental as others suggest.
And Bud is right about the Sun. Leaving the EC in mid Winter I was pretty pale by Feb and got scorched the first few days.
My wife and I (before kids) stayed in Kailua(sp?) in a small building behind someone’s house. It was clean, safe, beautiful garden and very nice owners. Kind of a bed and breakfast deal only no breakfast. I can’t remember what we paid, but it was relatively cheap and we just drove all over Oahu. Nothing’s that far compared to driving around California. It had a small kitchenette, house geckos, pets, giant centipedes(outside in the garden). It was great and way more fun than staying in a hotel or condo(we’ve done that too). We ate pu pu’s and such at small family businesses, cooked a bit, fruit stands. It was all pretty cheap. Go where the local people go to eat and stay out of the tourist joints. Mike
If you like to explore, there are lots of great surf spots on island, and there is almost always something. If you are here when it is 25 footers on the north side, you can head west or east to catch wraparound depending on swell direction. While you are here continually look at surfline, noaa, and surfnewsnetwork,(also take them with a dose of skepticism) and they will give you good ideas of water, and wind condition. The graphs of swell height from waiamea and barbers point will let you know what is the general trend on north south and west. To summarize don’t rule out staying somewhere that gives you easy access to the while island. Feel free to pm me when you get here, I surf places less surfed:)
Also look into Owens Retreat, it’s out at Mokule`ia. I’ve stayed there a few times. There are 4 houses on the beach, the yellow one is very reasonable, and perfect for 2 or 3 guys. If you want to know about surf around there PM me offline.
Read and re-read all the comments on sunscreen and Hawaiian waves. Do a lot of under water swimming and like Bill said learn to hold your breath. Look for a good used board if you go late in the season there should be a lot of quality boards for sale. Respect the locals. That means everywhere not just in the water.