MY FAVORITE SPOT

IN HAWAII

Why should you go to Hawaii for paddleboard ?

That’s where everything started : surf, paddleboard 

The surf culture is everywhere 

The spots are mythiques : Waikiki, Waimea…

The wave are just perfect 

SUP surf, downwind, cruising… everything is possible

surf culture

Mokulua Islands

From Lanikai Beach to Mokulua Islands

Lanikai Beach

2 à 3 hours

Intermediate

details & Itinerary

The calm and tranquil atmosphere of the Mokulua makes it one of the most beautiful places in Oahu to paddle.

Mokulua, in Hawaiian means “twin islands”, they are located off Lanikai beach.
Moku Nui (Big Island) & Moku Iki (Small Island) commonly known as “the Mokes” are bird sanctuaries protected by the state of Hawaii. It’s only alowed to go to Moku Nui, the northern Island (the one on the left).

DISTANCE – ITINERARY – LAUNCHING

1 mile separates the islands from lanikai beach, it takes about 30 to 40 minutes of paddle.
Being on the windy side of the islands means that the trade winds commonly pick up in the late morning.
Note: Depending of sure on your physical condition and your experience in SUP as well as the wind direction and the swell height this can take less or more.
On calm days, it’s a fairly easy paddle. However, the wind and currents are often strong and make it a more challenging paddle, particularly when you’re having to paddle directly into the wind or when the waves are coming at an angle.

My tip: Launching of Lanikai beach is the perfect place for a gentle entry with no beach breaks. Head towards the southern island to avoid the coral reefs. At 2/3 of the course, when the swell becomes stronger because coming directly from the open sea, paddleboard toward the left side of the island. To ease your landing on Moku Nui’s swath of white-sand beach, you’ll need to paddle past the island, then swing back toward it to dock on the small sand beach.
For the return, lanching from the little beach can be quite delicate when the ocean is agitated, so just wait for the good time. But great news, the return is often much easier because the current leads you to the beach and you just have to let yourself slide directly towards Lanikai.

What to see and what to do?

The adventure on Moku Nui does not stop there!
The water surrounding the island is so crystal clear that it’s impossible to not go for a swim. The waves around the island on calm day allow even beginners to surf.
You can explore more of Moku Nui by taking the lava hiking trails along the edge. The panoramic view of the ocean and Kailua is definitely worth a visit. Along the route, a natural saltwater pool awaits you.
If you’re lucky, you may be able to see a monk seal, Hawaian monk seal. This morning, a seal is there, lying on the sand. A volunteer working for animal welfare blocked the area so that he could rest and no one could approach him. Monk seals are among the most endangered animals in the world. Only 1,400 remain and the work of these volunteers is essential to their preservation.
The islands are also home to a bird, the beveled tailed puffin, another endangered species.
We also regularly come across large sea turtles.

Program
  • Start paddle from Lanikai Beach
  • Around 30/40 minutes de paddle to go there and 20 minutes to come back
  • Exploring Moku Nui
What you should bring?
  • To drink: personally, I always bring fresh coconut water, both energizing and very hydrating.
  • A little snack to eat if you wish
  • Sunscreen and a lycra to protect you
  • Flip-flops or sneakers to walk on the islet because the volcanic stones and the corals are sharp.
Best time

 

Early morning is the best for 2 reasons:

  1. It’s less hot (on the island, there is no shade).
  2. You avoid the numerous groups of rental kayaks arriving on excursions around 11am

By calm weather:
Indeed, if there is a lot of wind and swell, the paddle approach to the small beach of Moku Nui can be complicated.
I invite you to always check the weather before leaving
Winguru Kailua Beach

Getting there

Direction Lanikai Beach. Park the car in one of the streets perpendicular to Mokulua Dr.
Note: On weekends, it’s forbidden to park in Lanikai. You can leave your car in the parking lot of Kailua Beach Park. The departure from Kailua beach adds a good kilometer to the distance to be covered in paddle.

Adress: 1077 Mōkūlua Dr, Kailua, HI 96734, États-Unis

Nota

No restroom, no shower neither on Lanikai Beach or Moku Nui

Don’t miss: The surise from Lanikai Beach

Just buy a coffee at Kalapawai Market and go seat on Lanikai beach for this show of the new day igniting the sky.

Sandbar

From Kaneohe bay to the Sandbar

Kaneohe Bay

2 to 3 hours

Intermediate

details & Itinerary

Imagine yourself in the middle of the ocean, walking on the sand … This is the unique experience that you will live on the Sandbar.
The Sandbar is called Ahu O Laka in Hawaiian, meaning Chef Laka.
This natural formation is protected by coral reefs in the center of Kaneohe Bay. Depending on the tide, the sandbank can be covered with water to the waist or completely exposed, thus forming a beach. The Kaneohe Sandbar is approximately 5 km long and 1.5 km

Distance – itinerary – Lanching

A little less than 2km separates the Sandbar from the coast, it takes about 30 to 40 minutes of paddle.
Getting into the water is very easy. at the entrance to the port on the left, Lanch from the small beach located at the entrance of the harbour on the left next to theoutriggers. Then paddle along the harbor and around the coral reefs. Very quickly, we find ourselves at sea.
The biggest difficulty on this paddle is the wind which can come from the coast and push you towards the sandbank, the outward journey will be a great downwind but the return will be really chalenging or the reverse. The wind direction can change very fast.

What to see & what to do?

You have a 360 ° view of the Ko’olau volcano.
Just walk on the sandbank, admire the surrounding panorama. And chill!
The photos speak more than the words … As this is one of my top spots, I went there a number of times, I let you discover on pictures.

Program
  • Lanching from He’eia Kea
  • Around 20 to 40 minutes of paddle to go there and the same to come back
  • Exploring the Sand Bar
Best time

At low tide
I invite you to always check the weather conditions before leaving because the bay can be very windy and rough Winguru Kaneohe Bay

Getting there

He’eia Kea on the Windward Coast of Oahu is the closest small harbour to Kaneohe Bay Sand bar.
Take the coastal road called Kamehameha Hwy.
About 30/35 minutes by car from Waikiki.
Park in the parking lot. Parking is free.

Adress: 46-499 Kamehameha Hwy., Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744

What you should bring?
  • To drink: personally, I always bring fresh coconut water, both energizing and very hydrating
  • A little snack to eat if you wish
  • Sunscreen and wear a lycra top to protect you
Nota

You’ll find restrooms in the parking lot. 
No shower

Don’t miss it!

Like being on a beach but in the middle of the ocean: an incredible experience!

Coconut Island

Heading to Coconut Island

Kaneohe Bay

Around 2 hours

Intermediate

Details & Itinerary

Coconut Island, known as Moku o Loe in Hawaiian is a 28 acre mini island surrounded by coral reefs.
It houses the Hawaiian Institute of Marine Biology, access to which is restricted. It’s a hub for marine research into tropical Pacific biodiversity and conservation. Did you know that the Pacific Ocean shelters two-thirds of the world’s marine biodiversity?  Pretty amaing!

Distance – Itineray – Lanching

A loop of approximately 4 miles for which it takes between 1h30 and 2h of paddle.
Lanching is very easy at Kaneohe Beach Park. Paddle towards the island you see in the middle of the bay. Very quickly, we find ourselves at sea.

The biggest difficulty on this paddle session is the wind which can come from the coast and push you towards Coconut Island the outward journey will be a great downwind but the return will really be chalenging or the reverse. The wind direction can change very quickly.

What to do & what to see

The view of the Ko’olau volcano is absolutly breath taking. 
The Ko’olau Range ­peaks, two to three thousand feet high, joined by walls of sheer green cliffs. Ka Moa’e (the ENE trade winds) sweeps warm moist air into the mountains and clouds form along the summit. Rainwater has cut steep gullies into the cliffs giving them their distinctive wrinkled appearance. When it rains, dozens of thin silvery waterfalls run down the vertical gullies; half obscured by rain and mist, the waterfalls seem to pour directly from the clouds.
When arriving at Coconut island, paddle board around it counterclockwise. The water surrounding the island is crystal clear. You’ll observe the beautiful corals reef and some the fish bans. Draft along the mangrove on the shelter part of the island.
Hawaiian green sea turtles are swimming along.

 

Program
  • Lanching from Kaneohe beach park
  • The tour will take 1h30 – 2h
  • Paddle around Coconut Island
Best time

Early morning on a calm day
I invite you to always check the weather conditions before leaving because the bay can be very windy and rough
Winguru Kaneohe Bay

Getting there

Coconut Island is in the middle of Kaneohe Bay on the Windward Coast of Oahu.
Park the car at Kaneohe Beach Park
About 30/35 minutes by car from Waikiki.
Parking is free, but just a few parking spot are available.

Adress: 45-15 Waikalua Rd, Kaneohe, HI 96744, États-Unis

 

What you should bring?
  • To drink: personally, I always take fresh coconut water, both energizing and very hydrating
  • A little snack if you wish
  • sunscreen and a lycra top to protect you
Nota

You will find toilets in the parking lot.

Video

Come with me to Coconut Island

SUP Yoga

With Yoga Kai

SUP Yoga class at Waikiki

75 minutes

For everyone

Details

I tried the SUP Yoga class offered by Yoga Kai.
Zen guaranteed at the end of the session.

What is SUP Yoga

Yoga goes wonderfully well with the element of water.
SUP Yoga or Paddle Yoga consists of performing yoga postures on a longer and wider board than a classic paddle board.
It is not necessary to have experience, neither in Stand Up Paddle, nor in yoga.

Benefits

  • To keep your balance it’s essential to work on your core muscle.
  • The concentration necessary to stay balanced on your board means you have to empty your head completely
  • The relaxation phase lying on the board allows you to let go completely by letting yourself be lulled by the water

Practice

The SUP Yoga teacher will guide you through a practice that starts slowly, tuning into the breath and letting you get used to the floating surface. You will then move into a more vibrant flow offering different variations of standing postures before slowing down with restorative postures that will set you up for the sweetest Savasana you’ve ever experienced!

Schedule
  • SUP Yoga class at Waikiki
  • 75 minutes
best time

Yoga Kai offers morning or evening sunset sessions.
Check there website to book a class

Getting there

A few minutes from Waikiki, near Magic Island

Direction Ala Moana Beach Park
Turn in the large parking lot where it’s easy to park.

Meeting point at the far east of the Magic Island side park in the grass next to the parking lot behind the Lifeguard station

Adress: 1201 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814, États-Unis

What you should wear?

An outfit in which you are comfortable moving in and don’t mind getting wet: swimsuit, leggings … will work greats!

Nota

Restroom, showers and changing place available on the parking lot.

Just try it!

A sunset SUP Yoga practice