Howzit!
Clips Owner's Hawaii Surf Guide
Enjoy Hawaii's quality fun waves!
Makoto, who has been surfing in Hawaii for over 30 years, will guide you to the best surfing spots around Oahu's south shore! (Ala Moana, Diamond Head, Waikiki, etc.) We will take you to the best spots considering the swell direction, wind direction, tide, and your surfing level. We also take photos for free!
Check it out!
Why our surf tour is the best!
- The kind Japanese owner is in charge of the guide!
- 2 You can also get commemorative photos and riding photos for free!
- 3 A long and satisfying surfing time!
- Full rental board such as Firewire and Channel Islands!
- We also give advice on surfing and board selection!
Enjoy the fun waves!
The South Shore of Oahu, Hawaii is a perpetual summer surfing paradise with constant breaking waves all year round. May to August is the peak season, with fun waves breaking almost every day, and sometimes big swells. Even outside of summer, there are waist to chest high waves almost every day, and the spots are vacant, so you can enjoy surfing at your own pace. Your guide, Makoto, will mainly show you the spots at Ala Moana Park, but he can also take you to Diamond Head and Waikiki if you wish.
Meet Makoto!
Makoto, your guide
Started surfing at the age of 16, and immediately after graduating from high school, went to Hawaii to learn surfing and study abroad. He soon started working at the surf shop "Clips" and served as GM until the closing of the shop in 2007. After retiring from high-end apparel shop VP, in April 2014, he re-opened "Clips". He holds an American Red Cross lifeguard license and cardiopulmonary resuscitation license.
DOB: 01.28.1975
Birthplace: OSAKA, JAPAN
Stance: Regular
Favorite board: Channel Islands, Firewire
Price
Tour Fee
Semi-Private $95 - Per person
- Number of participants: For 2 people
- Participate with friends, family, couples, etc.
- Duration: Approximately 3 hours
- Photo shoot included
Private $150 - per person
- Number of participants: For 1 person
- One to one private guide
- Duration: Approximately 3 hours
- Photo shoot included
Chaperone - $20 - per person
- Those who want to relax on the beach
- Note: Because it is far offshore, you cannot actually see the surfers.
Surf guide details
| Travel time | Approximately 3 hours |
| Date | Every day (Guided tours are available on public holidays and Sundays) |
| Start time |
7am or 3pm (hotel pick-up time) If you require a different time please contact us. |
| Eligibility | Anyone who can take off on their own is welcome. If you are still unable to take off on your own, please sign up for surfing lessons. |
| What to bring | Surfboard (rental boards available), bath towel, swimsuit, rash guard or wetsuit, sunscreen, drinking water, change of clothes, etc. |
| Rental Board | We will prepare it for $20. Tupperware can be rented for $5. |
| Additional options | Video shooting with a GoPro camera is $40. Guide extension is available for $50 per 30 minutes. |
| Pick-up and drop-off | Roundtrip transportation to hotels in Waikiki, Ala Moana and Kakaako |
| Guide location | Ala Moana area, Diamond Head area, Waikiki area |
| Payment Method | Payment by credit card or cash (in dollars) on the day |
Guided tours require a reservation. Click the button below to proceed to the singup page. Fill in your information, the number of participants, your desired dates, etc. Customer service will send you a reservation confirmation email within 24-48 hours.
Surf Gallery
Today's Schedule
If you book a morning surf tour, the schedule will be as follows:
Hotel pickup and drop-off
7:00 AM
MAKOTO will come to pick you up at the hotel's driveway. A white Toyota minivan will arrive at the hotel's driveway.
Depart for the surf point
7:15 AM
We will explain today's wave conditions and decide the best spot based on your level and wishes. We will check out several breaks and decide on the best spot to surf.
Arriving at the surfing spot
7:20 AM
We prepare by changing clothes and waxing our surfboards. Before entering the water, we are given an explanation of the characteristics of the spot (currents) and points to note when getting out. This is important because most of the spots in Hawaii are reefs.
Paddle out & surf session
7:30AM
During the surfing, you can enjoy conversation, listen to surfing advice, and enjoy the friendly atmosphere. We will also take photos.
Surfing session ends with the last good wave
9:30 AM
After taking a shower and changing clothes, we leave the spot.
Arrival at Hotel
10:00 AM
We plan to arrive at the hotel at 10:00 AM. This often varies by about 10 minutes.
Please read before applying.
Notes and Remarks
This actovity is not a surfing lesson, but a surfing tour. People who have never surfed before or cannot ride the waves on their own cannot participate. If you are not yet able to take off on your own, please apply for MAKOTO's surfing lesson .
Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances, the tour may be canceled or postponed. We will contact you and discuss this in advance as much as possible.
Surfing is an ocean sport and is therefore always risky. We recommend that you purchase overseas travel insurance before leaving Japan. Medical expenses in the United States are very expensive.
Please do not bring passports, large amounts of cash, valuables, etc. with you when participating in the tour. There is a risk of car break-ins while surfing. We take great care in car security and accident prevention, but we cannot be held responsible in the unlikely event of theft, accidents, or injuries.
Please agree to the above before applying.
<Cancellation fees>
*Reservations from 48 hours before the tour date: Free *48 to 24 hours before: 50% of the tour price
*24 hours before to the day of the tour: 100% of the tour fee
Frequently asked questions
About the Surfing Tour
Anyone who can take off on their own can participate. Since Hawaii is a long way out, we recommend a board with a little more buoyancy than usual.
Town guides will take you to spots around Ala Moana and Diamond Head. We will try to take you to spots that are as empty as possible.
The trip from the hotel to the return takes approximately 3 hours, with time in the water being approximately 2 hours.
We have rental boards from top brands such as Firewire, Album, and Al Merrick. You can rent a board for $20 when you are guiding. Please select the board you want from the rental board page .
Valuables can be left in the locked car. However, it is better not to bring more valuables than necessary. Please do not bring your passport under any circumstances. There is a risk of car break-ins, so please do so at your own risk.
The size and condition of the waves vary from day to day, but the average size is waist to chest high. It is generally not flat.
Clips guides are free to take photos, and the photos will be sent to you by email as digital files.
There is a fee for video recording ($40). We will provide you with the data recorded with a GoPro.
Hawaii is always summer, but it can get chilly in the winter and in the mornings and evenings. The water temperature is around 24°C all year round, so we recommend wearing trunks and a wetsuit. Springs and long sleeves are not generally necessary, but if you are sensitive to the cold, you may want to bring some between November and March.
We do not offer full day guided tours, but you can make separate reservations for morning and afternoon tours.
If you wish to extend your session, an extension fee of $50 will be charged for every 30 minutes. Please note that we may not be able to extend your session due to other bookings.
View the Surfing Blog
Surfing Guide in Hawaii February 20, 2025
Thursday morning I surfed Ala Moana Big Rights. The waves were chest + and fun.
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Surfing Lessons in Hawaii February 19, 2025
Wednesday morning I had a surf lesson at Rockpile. This morning the waves were bigger, the sets were chest high and the conditions were great.
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Surfing Guide & Lessons in Hawaii February 18, 2025
Tuesday morning we surfed at the empty Ala Moana, and in the afternoon we had a surfing lesson at Rockpile.
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