Surfing
 

We would like to photograph surfers in action. Which island and location would give us the best opportunity to do that? Also, is there any special time during the year to have the best surf action?
Thanks in advance.

On O`ahu---

There are quite a few surfers right in Waikiki. If you have an oceanview hotel room you can get some neat views looking down on the waves. the surf break is quite a way out from the beach so having an elevated viewpoint helps, and you would need to zoom in. (we also saw a whale from our balcony in Feb.) You may also see some surfing action from the beach. I think the best surf in this area is probably in the summer.

The North Shore of O`ahu is famous for surf spots. Sunset Beach and Sunset Point are great spots for photography. The surf is often pretty flat in the summer and is biggest in winter. World surf competitions are held here in the winter. It may also be rainy and cool then, and the competitions attract crowds.

There is really interesting body surfing at Sandy Beach, and body surfing and boogie boarding at Makapu`u.

I have some trip photos on Worldisround
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/334335/index.html
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/376623/index.html
I just have a point and shoot camera but this gives you some idea of photos than can be taken by even a very casual photographer.

Thanks for the prompt reply. Is North Beach too cold/windy to stay in February and should we stay somewhere nearby and yet have good access to see the surfing action on North Beach?? And if so, where do you recommend staying that is a nice location with the good access, yet with warmer weather.

When we were in Oahu last week we enjoyed watching the surfers. There are a lot in Waikiki, along with a lot of people in general. If you are looking for a bit less people in your shots you can head to the west coast of Oahu up on Hwy 93 past Waianae. There are very few tourists there, most locals. Our son was getting married on the coast there so we took some time to explore the area and found it very nice and virtually people free.

We stayed on the North Shore in Feb of 2011, in a rental from VRBO. it was nice and warm. the trade winds were not blowing during part of our vacation and there was vog in Honolulu. I don't think we noticed the vog on the N Shore, and there is usually a breeze at the beach, but w/o the trades it felt sultry inland and in Waikiki among the buildings.

I'd recommend looking for a rental on the N Shore, as close to the beach as you can get, and if you want to go in Feb, now is not too early to book something.

If you want more of a hotel experience, Turtle Bay or Ke Iki Bungalows would be pretty much the only options.