Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort

Located on the beach that many consider to be the birthplace of surfing, Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort on O’ahu, Hawai’i sits beachfront on the famed and historic beach of Waikiki. Though the area has been developed into a tourist attraction, the spirit of ancient Hawaiian surfers and surf icon Duke Kahanamoku is still prevalent there.

For those not familiar with Waikiki, this isn’t a surf destination for those looking for a secluded, quiet surf vacation. Both the town and beach of Waikiki are busy and bustling with tourists year-round and finding a wave to yourself is nearly impossible. However, the area is rich in surf history, dining, nightlife tourist, and cultural opportunities.

Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort is a large hotel that has 524 rooms, including sections of the hotel that have complete or partial ocean views. They also have their Voyager 47 Club suites that include premium amenities and evening cocktail receptions.

Dining options are plentiful and diverse both within the resort and throughout Waikiki. Duke’s Waikiki Restaurant honors the revered waterman. Grammy-nominated Henry Kapono headlines on Sunday afternoons with live music. Other dining options include Hula Grill, Sunrise Shack, and Pai’s Deli. Room service is available for dining within your room. Outside of the resort, the options are endless and the international influence is evident. It’s nearly impossible to not find the type of cuisine you’re looking for.

Waikiki Beach itself has a variety of fun breaks along its coastline. They range everywhere from more slopey, rolling waves ideal for longboarding such as Queens and Canoes, to steeper, faster breaks such as Kaisers and Bowls. The reef along the coastline extends out up to a few hundred yards in some places, allowing for novice and beginner surfers to learn in gentle rollers. Being on the south side of the island, the ideal time to surf this area is April into November. However, for beginner surfers especially, there is always at least a little something surfable rolling in. Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort is also within an hour or so of almost every other wave on the island, including the much-heralded North Shore spots, so there’s surf to be found year-round.

Surf lessons and coaching are available at Faith Surf School, which is located directly in front of the hotel on Waikiki Beach. Stand-up paddleboard lessons are also available. Surfboards and all other surf gear are available for rental. Outrigger is one of the better hotels for those looking to have a more surf-related experience in Waikiki. One example of this is their Surfer In Residence events. This consists of professional surfers and their families staying at the resort for story-telling, mingling, and even sharing a few waves with the guests.

Non-surfing activities are plentiful both from Outrigger and throughout the island of O’ahu. Snorkeling, hiking, fishing, sightseeing, cultural shows, museums, war memorials, and more are all within a short walk or drive.

Flights are made into Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Waikiki is just a short 10-15 minute drive from the airport and shuttles can be arranged through the hotel.