Kaimana Paddle in Waikiki on Oahu, Hawaii

The Kaimana SUP Paddle starts at Kaimana near the Waikiki Aquarium. For our personal paddle, we went out toward the surf breaks of Waikiki, looped around near the windsock by Outrigger Canoe Club, & finished back at the beach. Kaimana beach is a perfect place for families, friends, & paddlers alike to gather after being done with work or hanging out for a potluck on the weekends. Kaimana is also great for stand up paddling because the waves tend to be smaller in this particular spot.

The best time to paddle here is early in the morning, when tide is low & waves are minimal. Although some of the reef will be exposed for the paddle out, you will not be battling against the winds that often come with the mid-day conditions of the south shore.

Distance: 2.1 miles
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Intermediate
Best time: Early Morning & Low Tide
Parking: Free

The Kaimana SUP paddle is in Waikiki, which is the biggest hub of the state of Hawai’i. Whether you’re looking for food, drinks, shopping, paddling or playing on the beach, this place has got it all. Be sure to check out our links & other resources at the bottom of this page for our favorite spots to eat on the south shore.

Getting There

Coming from Kailua or Waimanalo, get on either the Pali Hwy or Kalanianaole until it turns into the H1. From there, get off at whichever exit will take you closest to Diamond Head. This may be at 6th Avenue or Waialae ave near Kahala Mall. Then get onto Diamond Head Road & follow it along until you hit Kapiolani Park.

If you’re coming from Aiea or the airport & beyond, get on the H1 & follow the same directions as above.

Address for GPS: 2777 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 (Waikiki Aquarium)

Parking

All the parking is free at Kaimana, however there are only a dozen or so parking spots inside the loop & by the Natatorium. There are hundreds of parking spots along Kapiolani Park, however it is paid metered parking. Like we’ve said before, be sure to get there early! Also, there are some parking spots reserved for lifeguards only, so DO NOT park there, even if you are just unloading your gear. These spots are well marked with signs, but they are still something to be aware of.

Facilities

There are free showers to use both at the exit of the beach & inside the Natatorium by the parking lot. Restrooms are available inside Natatorium as well. There is a convenience store near the road as you exit the beach, should you need to grab anything you forgot before paddling.

Gear

Nothing really required here. Just a board, leash, paddle, & a great attitude!

Cautions & Hazards

Being a coastal open ocean paddle, the Kaimana SUP Paddle falls into the category of intermediate. On a more rough day, it can be quite difficult with the wind & waves, making it advanced. If you have any experience in the open ocean, this paddle will be very fun & easy for you.

Wind

We found that this was our biggest issue when we went paddling out at Kaimana. We went out during mid-day, & conditions were not as calm as we had hoped. Waikiki is a popular spot for outrigger canoe paddling, surfers, & fright traffic into the main harbors — so there is always a lot going on. Be sure to have your route in mind when you are going out there.