Surfboard Rentals on Oahu: What to Know Before You Rent

Hawaiian Activities — island tours, luaus, and adventures across Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.

Renting on Oahu is cheap and easy. The pricing is not comparable between shops, and most visitors rent a board that is far too small.

Rent only when you can already surf

This guide assumes you can paddle out, read a lineup, and get yourself back to the
beach. If you cannot yet do those three things, a rental is the wrong purchase —
book a lesson instead, where a board is included and someone is watching you. Our
guide to lesson formats covers the options.

If you can surf, renting on Oahu is cheap and easy, and the pricing structure is the
main thing worth understanding before you walk into a shop.

What it costs, and why the numbers look strange

Those figures are not directly comparable, and that is the trap. Some shops quote
hourly, some quote a half-day, some quote
24 hours. An $8 listing and a $30 listing can work out identical over a
full day. Always check the rental period before you compare, and check whether multi-day
rates drop — most shops discount significantly from day three.

Picking a board you will actually enjoy

The single most common mistake visitors make is renting a board that is too small
because it looks better.

Soft-tops for almost everyone

Foam-decked longboards are stable, forgiving, and will not hurt you or anyone else
when you lose them. Hawaiian Island Creations rent Odysea soft-tops in three
configurations at $30:
9′0″ green,
9′0″ pink, and a
10′ blue.

The 10′ is the most stable board on this list and the easiest to catch waves on. If
you are returning to surfing after a break, or you are surfing Waikiki’s slow rolling
waves, take the longest board they will give you.

Hard boards for surfers who know what they want

The 6′8″ Boss Up I-Bolic
at $30 is a performance shortboard. It is the right rental only if you already surf a
board that size at home. On an unfamiliar break, in unfamiliar water, a shortboard turns
a mediocre session into a frustrating one.

The Honolulu shop on Kapahulu Avenue
carries eight sizes from 7’6″ to 9’6″, which is the widest range on this list and the
best option if you want to try a size up or down.

“Rent longer than you think you need. Nobody has ever come in from a session complaining their board was too easy to catch waves on.”

Where to take it

• Waikiki — slow, long, forgiving waves and a sand bottom in most
  spots. The best place on Oahu to surf an unfamiliar board.
• North Shore, summer — flat to small, and genuinely pleasant.
  Haleiwa is the natural base.
• North Shore, winter — do not, unless you are an experienced
  big-wave surfer. Between roughly November and February this coast produces waves that
  injure and kill experienced people every season. The $8 rental in Haleiwa is a summer
  proposition.

Practical points

1. Check the fins and the leash. A leash that snaps at Waikiki is an
   inconvenience; elsewhere it is a swim.
2. Photograph the board at pickup. Dings are the main source of
   deposit disputes, and rentals do carry damage liability.
3. Ask about transport. Not every rental car takes a 10′ board, and
   soft racks are usually an extra few dollars.
4. Reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard. You will be out longer than
   you plan to be.
5. Learn the lineup etiquette. Do not drop in on other surfers. On Oahu
   this matters more than almost anywhere.

Rent or bring your own?

Airline surfboard fees run $100 to $200 each way, and boards get damaged in transit.
For a trip of a week or less, renting on Oahu is cheaper and less stressful than flying
with your own board — and lets you ride something suited to the break rather than
whatever is in your bag. Bring your own only for trips of two weeks or more, or if you
are particular about a specific board.

Not ready to go out alone? Our guides to
your first surf lesson and
Waikiki versus the North Shore
are the right starting point.

Board Rental Prices Across the Islands

The cheapest surfboard rental in Hawaii is $8 on Oahu’s North Shore. Kona is the best value for multi-day hires, where three-day and weekly rentals include free roof racks and board swaps.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to rent a surfboard on Oahu?

From $8 on the North Shore and $10 in Waikiki, but check whether the rate is hourly or daily.

What size surfboard should I rent in Hawaii?

Longer than you think. A 9′ to 10′ soft-top suits most visitors, especially at Waikiki.

Should I rent a surfboard or bring my own to Hawaii?

Rent for trips of a week or less. Airline board fees run $100 to $200 each way.

Can beginners rent a surfboard on Oahu?

Only if you can already paddle out, read a lineup and return to shore. Otherwise book a lesson.

How much does it cost to rent a surfboard in Hawaii?

From $8 on Oahu’s North Shore and $10 in Waikiki. Soft-top longboards are about $30, Kona rentals start at $20 for two hours, and a 24-hour rental in Hilo is $40. For other cheap things to do, see Hawaii activities under $150.

Is it cheaper to rent a surfboard or take a lesson?

Renting, by a wide margin — $8 to $45 against $89 to $250 for a lesson. Rentals assume you can already surf; lessons include the board, so a first-timer is not comparing like with like.

Where can I rent a surfboard in Waikiki?

At Hans Hedemann Surf in the Queen Kapiolani Hotel, Waikiki, from $10. You collect the board at the shop and return it at the end of your booked period. Want something other than a surfboard? eFoiling on Oahu needs no waves at all.

Disclaimer: Prices are the lowest listed rate at time of writing and may refer to different rental periods. Confirm the period and any damage deposit.