Hawaiian Activities — island tours, luaus, and adventures across Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.
A surf lesson is the default way to ride a wave in Hawaii, and for a lot of people it is the wrong one. Standing up on a board is hard, two hours is long, and in any group someone simply does not want to try. Oahu has three alternatives that deliver the wave without the pop-up, and one of them is older than surfing on a board.
Quick Answer: Outrigger canoe surfing in Waikiki costs $48 per rider: a six-person canoe steered by two certified canoe captains paddles out to the break and rides waves back in, with no surfing skill needed, ages 5 and up, and a minimum of three riders. A private one-hour canoe charter is $400 for up to six. A two-hour bodyboarding lesson in Waikiki is $145. Surfing with trained rescue dogs costs $200 in Waikiki or $150 on the North Shore, for 90 minutes.
TL;DR
- No skill needed: outrigger canoe surfing, $48, ages 5+
- Your group only: private canoe charter, $400 per canoe for up to six
- Easier than surfing: bodyboarding lesson, $145, two hours
- The story you tell later: dog surfing, $200 Waikiki or $150 North Shore
- Where: Waikiki, except North Shore dog surfing at Pua’ena Beach Park
The options, side by side
| Experience | Where | Length | Ages | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outrigger canoe surfing | Waikiki Beach Services, Royal Hawaiian | 20–40 min | 5+ | $48 per rider |
| Private outrigger canoe charter | Waikiki Beach Services, Royal Hawaiian | 1 hour | 5+ | $400 per canoe, up to 6 |
| Bodyboarding lesson | Waikiki, Ohana Surf Project | 2 hours | Confirm at booking | $145 pp |
| Dog surfing, Waikiki | Duke Kahanamoku Statue | 90 min | Confirm at booking | $200 |
| Dog surfing, North Shore | Pua’ena Beach Park | 90 min | Confirm at booking | $150 |
All four sit comfortably below the price of a private surf lesson, and the canoe is cheaper than any group lesson on the island. Our budget Hawaii guide ranks it among the best-value hours in the state.
Outrigger canoe surfing: the original Hawaiian wave ride
Canoe surfing is run by Waikiki Beach Services from their stand at the Royal Hawaiian, 2259 Kalakaua Avenue. Up to six riders sit in a traditional outrigger canoe with two certified canoe captains, who steer and help you paddle. You paddle out to the surf break, join the line-up, and when a wave comes the whole canoe paddles hard and rides it back towards the beach. The operator calls it the original Hawaiian rollercoaster, and describes Waikiki as currently the only place a visitor can surf a wave in an outrigger canoe.
No surfing or paddling ability is needed, and all swimming abilities are welcome. Adult life jackets are available on request. Children from age five can ride, but a parent or guardian must be in the canoe to hold them and must bring their own life jacket or flotation device. A minimum of three riders is needed, and you should expect to get wet.
The private charter: when your group is six
The private charter is $400 for the canoe for one hour, with up to six riders. For a full canoe that is $66.67 each, or $18.67 per person more than a shared ride, in exchange for roughly double the time and nobody else aboard. For a family reunion or a group of friends, that is an easy decision; for a couple, the shared ride is the obvious choice.
Bodyboarding: waves lying down
Bodyboarding removes the hardest part of surfing, the stand. Ohana Surf Project’s two-hour bodyboarding lesson in Waikiki is $145, with a bodyboard and fins provided and instructors teaching technique for catching and riding waves. Comfortable swimming ability is required, and you should arrive 15 minutes early.
It suits children who can swim but find a surfboard frustrating, and adults who want wave time without the balance. On Maui, the same idea costs far less without instruction: a boogie board rental delivered to where you stay is $30 for four days.
Surfing with rescue dogs
SUPDog Hawaii run the most unusual listing on this site. In the Waikiki session ($200, 90 minutes), you meet at the Duke Kahanamoku Statue at 2424 Kalakaua Avenue, arrive in swimwear, and learn to surf in the company of local rescue dogs, which are trained and handled by the crew throughout. Life vests and safety gear for the dogs are included. Bring a waterproof camera or a secured phone; this is the kind of morning people want pictures of.
The North Shore session at Pua’ena Beach Park near Haleiwa is $150. If you are hoping to bring your own dog, confirm with the operator first: the listings note that dogs must be comfortable around water, may need proof of vaccinations, and should stay leashed until the session begins.
Which one should you book?
A mixed group, including non-swimmers or grandparents: the canoe. Children who swim but do not want to stand: bodyboarding. Dog people, or anyone who wants a story rather than a skill: dog surfing. Someone who genuinely wants to learn to surf: none of these; book a lesson and read what happens in a first surf lesson first.
For children, our minimum age guide shows which schools take which ages. For a guaranteed wave with no ocean at all, the Wai Kai wave pool is the other alternative. And if the water in Waikiki appeals but the waves do not, stand-up paddleboarding or snorkeling Turtle Canyon are a short walk from the same beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is outrigger canoe surfing in Waikiki?
$48 per rider for a shared canoe with Waikiki Beach Services, or $400 for a private one-hour charter for up to six riders.
Do you need to be able to swim for outrigger canoe surfing?
No particular swimming or paddling ability is required, and two certified canoe captains steer. Adult life jackets are available on request; children need a parent-supplied flotation device.
What is the minimum age for canoe surfing in Waikiki?
Five. A parent or guardian must ride in the canoe to hold the child and provide their life jacket or flotation device.
Is bodyboarding easier than surfing?
Yes. You ride the wave lying on the board, so there is no pop-up or balance to learn. A two-hour bodyboarding lesson in Waikiki is $145 with board and fins included.
Can you surf with dogs in Hawaii?
Yes. SUPDog Hawaii run 90-minute dog surfing sessions on Oahu with trained rescue dogs: $200 from the Duke Kahanamoku Statue in Waikiki and $150 at Pua’ena Beach Park on the North Shore.
Where do Waikiki canoe rides leave from?
From the Waikiki Beach Services stand at the Royal Hawaiian, 2259 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu.
Prices checked against operator listings, September 2026. Availability and rates are set by the operator and can change.
Ride a wave today
Canoe surfing from $48 in Waikiki, no experience needed.
Book canoe surfing · All Oahu wave riding · (808) 207-9427
