Kite Surfing in Hawaii

Hawaii's endless beaches make it a paradise for water sports. Kite surfing combines the speed of traditional surfing with the freedom of paragliding for a unique, exhilarating experience on the waves. Tourists and locals alike make kite surfing an integral part of their itineraries, and on these islands, there are many options for buying and renting your equipment, learning the sport, and experiencing a sense of flight in the wind and water.

  1. Finding Equipment

    • To get started as a kite surfer, you'll need a kite, kiteboard, harness and helmet. Water sport specialists on the islands will carry top brands like DaKine, Jimmy Lewis, Slingshot, and Naish. In Maui, Kiteboarding School Maui carries both new and used kite surfing equipment for sale, and in Oahu, Hawaiian Watersports sells and rents kite surfing gear in both Kailua and Honolulu, where you've got miles of shoreline to launch from.

      Kiteboarding School Maui
      400 Hana Highway
      Kahului, HI 96732
      808-873-0015

      Hawaiian Watersports
      415 Kapahula Ave.
      Honolulu, HI 96813
      808-739-5483

    Learning How to Kite Surf

    • Kiteboarding School Maui is one of the first International Kiteboarding Organizations in the U.S., and was the certified and affiliated school dedicated to kite surfing on the island of Maui. Trained and dedicated coaches will teach students here one-on-one at various levels of kite surfing, from beginner to advanced. For less serious water enthusiasts and tourists, kite surfing is readily accessible through tour companies like All Hawaiian Tours, which will connect you with hourly lessons and a flat, day rate on the beaches of Oahu.

      All Hawaiian Tours Oahu
      4285 N. Rancho Dr., Suite 110
      Las Vegas, NV 89130
      866-654-1438

    Oahu Kite Surfing Beaches

    • Now that you know the basics to get started, it's time to choose your location. In Oahu, Kailua Beach is a must for kite surfers of every level. About 30 minutes from Waikiki and Honolulu, Kailua Beach is located against Oahu's windward side and attracts tourists and locals alike to its warm water and beautiful coast. Kite surfers here can surf parallel to the shore because of ideal wind conditions.

    Maui Kite Surfing Beaches

    • In Maui, Kahana Beach is a water sports mecca. This large beach encompasses several smaller beaches in Maui's northern shore. It's located in Kahului Bay, where coves, wetlands, dunes, and streams surround the surf beach. Kite surfers will enjoy prime wind conditions and have many places to picnic, shower, or camp when they emerge from the water.

    Kauai Kite Surfing

    • Unlike Kahana Beach, Tunels Beach in Kauai offers no public restrooms, showers, or services. It's just you and the waves in one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. This beach is for advanced kite surfers who want to enjoy big ocean breaks.