Bodysurf-only break: surfboards not allowed
Point Panic is a legally protected bodysurfing / handplane-only wave: stand-up surfboards and bodyboards are prohibited by Hawaii law and enforced with fines. If you ride a board, surf the adjacent legal breaks instead — Kewalo's and Ala Moana Bowls are a short walk away. We don't send board-surf trip alerts for this spot.
When is the best time to surf Point Panic?
Peak Jun–Aug · often good Apr–May, Sep–Oct · can still fire Nov–Mar.
Point Panic runs on South Pacific swell: the prime window is roughly April through September, with the most consistent, biggest barrels June–August — the same season that powers all of Oahu's South Shore. October still catches late-season souths worth jumping on. Winter is quieter here but not a write-off — occasional wrapping or storm swells sneak onto the south side with almost nobody out, exactly the kind of day worth watching for. Best on low-to-medium tide with light or northeast (offshore) winds — get there early before the trades and the crowd build. Water is warm year-round; trunks and a rash guard, no wetsuit.
What does a surf trip to Point Panic look like?
A typical trip from our guide. A real alert comes with the forecast for each day and a fare from your airport.
How much does a surf trip to Point Panic cost?
A five-night trip, per person, before food and rentals.
Flight ranges are typical round-trip fares for September from Google Flights price history, checked Sep 3. Stays use our guide's nightly bands; transfers use the guide's quoted rates. Real alerts price the exact dates.
Where should you stay at Point Panic?
Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra $
hotel · By Ala Moana Center, ~15–20 min walk to Kakaako Waterfront Park
Why this one: Big, reliable mid-range tower connected to Ala Moana Center and a short walk from Ala Moana Beach Park and Bowls. Solid value for a Town surf trip with shopping and a bus hub at the door.
Nicer: Prince Waikiki, Overlooking Kewalo Basin, ~5–10 min walk / short ride to Kakaako Waterfront Park · Nicer: The Modern Honolulu by Diamond Resorts (Hilton Vacation Club), Ala Moana/Eaton Square side, ~10–15 min walk to the waterfront
Points play: Hilton Hawaiian Village (Hilton), about 60k points a night, ~6 min from the break.
Browse stays near the breakThe full list, with every pick and its booking link, is under where to stay below.
What is the wave like at Point Panic?
Break type
Reef
Wave direction
Right
Best swell
S (ESE–SW window)
Ideal size
2–8 ft
Best tide
Low to mid
Works at every stage
Consistency
Fairly Consistent
Peak season
Jun–Sep
Nearest airport
HNL · ~6 mi
Drive from airport
12–20 minutes
That caveat aside, the wave itself is a gem: a bowling, barreling right-hander that breaks over reef on the west side of the Kewalo Basin channel, in front of the rock wall at the east end of Kakaako Waterfront Park. It picks up South Pacific swell from roughly April through September, throws genuine open-face barrels, and on its day is regarded as one of the best bodysurfing waves in the Hawaiian Islands — the spiritual home of Oahu's hardcore bodysurf scene, famous from Keith Malloy's 'Come Hell or High Water.' It sits right in urban Honolulu, walking distance from Ward Village condos, Whole Foods, and dozens of restaurants.
For a traveling surfer the move is simple. If you bodysurf, bring your Da Fins and a handplane and you've landed somewhere special. If you ride a board, treat Point Panic as a sightseeing stop and surf the breaks on either side instead — Kewalo's (Kewalos) just across the channel and Ala Moana Bowls a short paddle or drive west are world-class, board-legal South Shore reefs. Base yourself in Kakaako or Ala Moana and you're minutes from all three plus everything a big city offers.
Who it suits
Bodysurfers and handplane riders of all levels who want a legendary, barreling South Shore wave with full urban convenience. Stand-up and bodyboard surfers should come to bodysurf only and ride boards at nearby Kewalo's or Ala Moana Bowls instead — boards are illegal in the Point Panic lineup.
Where exactly is Point Panic?
21.2883, -157.8617
What are the lineup and the town like at Point Panic?
Localism
heavy
Crowd
An expert-heavy bodysurfing crew that runs deep on summer south swells, plus spectators on the rock wall. It gets genuinely crowded and competitive when it's firing; weekday dawns are the thinnest window. Because boards are banned, you'll never see the usual stand-up crowd here — it's a bodysurf-only scene start to finish.
Point Panic is the single most rules-bound break in Honolulu, and for good reason: it's a legally protected bodysurfing-only zone, and the crew is known worldwide as among the best and most protective bodysurfers anywhere. The non-negotiable etiquette is simply legal: no surfboard, no bodyboard, no exceptions — handplane or bare bodysurf only. Beyond that, it's a tight, skilled lineup that's known for rewarding humility, wave knowledge, and waiting your turn; show up quiet, watch a few sets, and don't drop in. If you ride a board, the respectful (and lawful) move is to surf Kewalo's or Bowls and watch Panics from the wall.
In the lineup: The wave is a fast right-hander breaking over reef along the rock-wall point at the east end of Kakaako Waterfront Park, by the Kewalo Basin channel. Entry/exit is off rock, not sand — time it between sets and watch your footing. Sit inside the pack only once you've read the peak; the bowl barrels quickly and closes on the inside near the rocks. There's current toward the channel on bigger days.
This is urban Honolulu, not a sleepy surf town — Kakaako is a dense, fast-gentrifying neighborhood of new glass condo towers, street-art murals, craft restaurants, coffee shops and the SALT block, wedged between downtown, Ala Moana, and the harbor. You surf (or bodysurf) in the morning and you're back among high-rises, Whole Foods, and traffic by breakfast. It's convenient, walkable and lively, with all the upside and grit of a real city waterfront rather than a resort strip.
How do you get to Point Panic?
Fly into Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu) (HNL) — about 6 miles from the break, 12–20 minutes (longer in rush hour). HNL is effectively the only option — it's Oahu's single major airport and the gateway for all Neighbor Island and mainland flights. The interisland terminal sits at the same field.
- rideshare$25–40 to Kakaako/Ala Moana · 12–25 minutes
Uber and Lyft both operate at HNL with a designated rideshare pickup zone (follow airport signage to the ride-app area). Easiest door-to-door option. A standard car won't fit a longboard bag — order an XL or check with the driver; shortboard bags usually go in a sedan trunk or back seat.
- taxi$30–45 to Kakaako/Ala Moana · 12–25 minutes
Metered taxis queue at the airport curb — no booking needed. Tell the dispatcher if you have boards so they assign a wagon or van. Roughly comparable to rideshare for this short hop.
- rental car$45–90/day · 10–20 minutes drive once you have the car
All major agencies sit at the HNL Consolidated Rental Car Facility (CONRAC), a short shuttle from baggage claim. Worth it if you'll chase swell around Oahu (the North Shore is ~45–60 min away). Request a vehicle with roof rails for board straps, or pack soft racks. Parking in Kakaako is mostly paid garages/meters.
- bus$3 single ride (HOLO card) · 40–60 minutes with a transfer
TheBus Route 20 connects the airport with downtown/Waikiki and you can transfer toward Ala Moana/Kakaako. Cheap, but TheBus does not allow surfboards on board, so this is luggage-only — fine for bodysurfers traveling light with just fins and a handplane.
Do you need a car at Point Panic?
Do you need a car?
optional
Walkability
High for an urban surf trip. If you stay in Kakaako or Ward Village you can walk to Kakaako Waterfront Park (where Point Panic breaks offshore at the east end) in 5–15 minutes, plus Whole Foods, restaurants, and bars. Ala Moana Center, Ala Moana Beach Park, and Kewalo Basin are all within a 10–25 minute walk or short ride.
You do not need a car to surf Point Panic and live in Kakaako — it's a dense, walkable neighborhood with rideshare everywhere (Uber/Lyft, typically $8–20 for short hops). A rental car ($45–90/day) only pays off if you want to chase swell to the North Shore, Town's other reefs, or windward beaches on flat days. TheBus covers the island cheaply ($3/ride, $7.50 day cap on a HOLO card) but bans surfboards, so it's for bodysurfers or non-surf errands. Biki bikeshare docks are all over Kakaako for quick neighborhood trips.
Boards: Remember boards aren't legal in the Point Panic lineup, so on-water board logistics here are about getting to the adjacent legal breaks. For Kewalo's and Ala Moana Bowls you can walk or roll a board from Kakaako/Ward lodging in 5–20 minutes, or short-ride it. TheBus won't take boards; rideshares need an XL for anything over a shortboard; rental cars need roof rails or soft racks. Hawaiian South Shore and T&C in Ala Moana rent boards if you'd rather not fly with one.
Where can you stay near Point Panic?
Overlooking Kewalo Basin, ~5–10 min walk / short ride to Kakaako Waterfront Park · Modern oceanfront tower right on Kewalo Harbor — arguably the closest full-service hotel to Point Panic. Ocean-view rooms look straight at the harbor and Town surf; infinity pool, easy walk to the waterfront and Ward dining. The premium pick for a comfortable South Shore base. (Direct (princewaikiki.com), Booking.com, Expedia)
Ala Moana/Eaton Square side, ~10–15 min walk to the waterfront · Sleek boutique-style hotel between Ala Moana and Waikiki with two pools and a strong design scene. Good for travelers who want polish and nightlife within walking distance of the Town breaks. (Direct (Hilton), Booking.com)
By Ala Moana Center, ~15–20 min walk to Kakaako Waterfront Park · Big, reliable mid-range tower connected to Ala Moana Center and a short walk from Ala Moana Beach Park and Bowls. Solid value for a Town surf trip with shopping and a bus hub at the door. (Direct, Booking.com, Expedia)
Waikiki edge, ~20–25 min walk or short ride to Kakaako · Renovated mid-range hotel on the quieter Ala Wai side of Waikiki — a cheaper base than Kakaako proper, with easy rideshare or a 10-minute drive to the Town breaks. (Direct, Booking.com)
- Ward Village / Kakaako vacation rentals (Airbnb & Vrbo condos)vacation rental · $ mid-rangeCheck rates
Many towers are a 5–15 min walk to Kakaako Waterfront Park · The new Ward Village high-rises (Aalii, Anaha, Waiea area) and older Kakaako condos list legal short-term units with kitchens and pools — the most convenient, self-catering option right above the waterfront. Confirm the unit holds a valid Honolulu short-term-rental registration before booking, as the city enforces this. (Airbnb, Vrbo (verify STR registration))
Waikiki (Diamond Head end), ~15–20 min drive to Kakaako · Long-running budget backpacker spot near the Waikiki Aquarium — dorms and privates, beach-club vibe. Not walking distance to Point Panic, but the cheapest sleep on the South Shore with easy bus/rideshare to Town. (Hostelworld, Booking.com)
Waikiki/Duke Kahanamoku end, ~10 min drive to Kakaako · Sprawling beachfront resort with lagoon, pools, and dozens of dining options — overkill for a pure surf trip, but a strong pick for families or mixed groups who want the full Waikiki resort and a short hop to the Town waves. (Direct (Hilton), Booking.com, Expedia)
Where do you eat at Point Panic?
- Highway Inn Kaka'akorestaurant · $ mid-range
Hawaiian plate — kalua pig, lau lau, poi, pipikaula — Family-run since the 1940s, the go-to for traditional Hawaiian food in Kakaako, a short walk from the waterfront. Order a combo plate after a dawn session.
- Moku Kitchenrestaurant · $ mid-range
Farm-to-table New American plates, wood-fired pizza, live music — Anchor restaurant in the SALT at Our Kaka'ako block — lively, dependable, good for groups. Central to the neighborhood's food-and-mural district.
- Scratch Kitchenrestaurant · $ mid-range
Milk & cereal pancakes, global comfort brunch — Popular all-day spot in South Shore Market at Ward Village, walkable from Kakaako lodging — a reliable breakfast/brunch stop before or after surfing.
- Redfish Poke Bar by Foodlandrestaurant · $ mid-range
Build-your-own poke bowls, cocktails — Inventive poke and a bar in the Salt complex — fast, fresh, and very local. The easy post-surf refuel in the heart of Kakaako.
- 53 By The Searestaurant · $$ high-end
Fine-dining seafood with Kewalo Basin and skyline views — Special-occasion restaurant perched on the water near Kewalo Basin, overlooking the Town surf. Pricey and dressy — save it for a non-surf night.
- Mr. Tea Cafe (SALT at Our Kaka'ako)cafe · $ budget
Boba, milk tea, light bites — One of many one-of-a-kind small vendors in the SALT block — cheap, quick, good for a between-sessions caffeine or boba hit. Kakaako is full of these independent cafes and food spots.
Cooking for yourself
- Whole Foods Market Queen (Kakaako)supermarket
Big Whole Foods on Kamakee St in Ward Village, a short walk from the waterfront — full grocery plus a strong hot/cold prepared-food bar and poke counter. The most convenient self-catering and grab-and-go stop for surfers staying in Kakaako.
- Foodland Farms Ala Moanasupermarket
Large upscale Foodland inside Ala Moana Center with full groceries, a renowned poke counter, and prepared meals. Easy stock-up if you're based near Ala Moana; HI-5 deposit and local brands here.
- Down to Earth Organic & Natural (Kakaako)supermarket
Vegetarian-leaning natural-foods market on Ward Ave with a hot bar and salad bar — handy for produce, supplements, and plant-based meals near the breaks.
Where do you rent or fix a board?
- Hawaiian South Shoreboard rental · board sales · fins · leashes · wax · ding repair · wetsuits · apparel · ~$25–40/day (call to confirm)
Founded 1996, an Ala Moana institution whose staff actually surf Bowls and the Town reefs — the best local brain to pick for South Shore conditions, board advice, and rentals. Note: they sell handplanes and fins, which is the only gear legal at Point Panic itself; rental boards are for the board-legal breaks (Kewalo's, Bowls).
- T&C Surf (Town & Country, Ala Moana Center)board rental · board sales · fins · leashes · wax · ding repair · apparel · ~$25–40/day (call to confirm)
Hawaii's classic surf brand since 1971, flagship in Ala Moana Center directly across from Ala Moana Beach Park and Bowls. Full retail plus rentals and ding repair — the easy one-stop before paddling out at the legal Town breaks.
- Da Fins / bodysurf gear (via local shops & online)fins · apparel
For Point Panic specifically you need swim fins (Da Fins, Viper, etc.) and optionally a handplane — sold at Hawaiian South Shore, T&C, and dive/snorkel shops around Ala Moana, or bring your own. No board, leash, or bodyboard is usable or legal in this lineup.
What do you do when it's flat?
- Ala Moana Bowls & Kewalo's (board-legal surf)water · free (your own board) or ~$25–40/day rental
The reason board surfers come to this stretch: Ala Moana Bowls is a world-class man-made left over reef, and Kewalo's a punchy reef right just across the channel from Point Panic — both fully legal for surfboards and a short walk/paddle from Kakaako.
- Kakaako Waterfront Park & Pow! Wow! muralsculture · free
Watch the bodysurfers at Point Panic from the rock wall, then wander Kakaako's open-air gallery of large-scale street murals from the Pow! Wow! Hawaii festival — one of Honolulu's best free strolls, right by the break.
- Ala Moana Beach Parknature · free
Calm, lifeguarded swimming lagoon and big grassy park between the breaks — the safe-swimming counterpoint to Point Panic's rocky, no-swim shoreline. Great for a flat-day reset, sunset, or a non-surfer in your group.
- Diamond Head (Lēʻahi) hikeadventure · $5/person entry + $10 parking (reservation required for non-residents)
Iconic crater-rim hike with a panoramic South Shore view, ~15 min east. Reserve a time slot in advance at gostateparks.hawaii.gov. Easy half-day on a flat surf morning.
- Pearl Harbor National Memorialculture · free (USS Arizona); some tours ticketed
Major historical site ~20 min west near the airport — book the free USS Arizona Memorial program ahead on recreation.gov. A meaningful flat-day or arrival/departure-day stop.
- Honolulu Night Market / SALT at Our Kaka'akonightlife · free entry; food/drink extra
Kakaako's nightlife and events hub — bars, restaurants, periodic night markets and live music right in the neighborhood, walkable from your lodging.
What should you know before you go?
Cash & ATMs
No problem — this is downtown Honolulu. Bank ATMs (Bank of Hawaii, First Hawaiian, American Savings) and machines inside Whole Foods, Foodland Ala Moana, and Ala Moana Center are all within a short walk. The U.S. dollar and cards are used everywhere; little cash needed beyond parking meters.
Medical
Full urban medical access. Straub Medical Center (downtown, ~5–10 min) and The Queen's Medical Center (~10 min) have 24-hour emergency rooms; urgent-care clinics and pharmacies (Longs/CVS, Walgreens) are scattered through Kakaako and Ala Moana. Dial 911 for emergencies; ocean rescue is via Honolulu lifeguards and the fire department.
Water safety
Treat this as a reef-and-rock break, not a beach. The shoreline at Kakaako Waterfront Park is rocky with a seawall — swimming is not recommended there, and entry/exit at Point Panic is over reef and rock, so reef cuts and urchin are real risks (booties help on exit, fins on in the water). The wave is fast and breaks close to the rocks; there's current toward the Kewalo channel on bigger south swells. There is no lifeguard tower directly on the Point Panic rock wall — the nearest guarded swimming is Ala Moana Beach Park to the west. Water quality is generally fine on normal days but, like all urban Honolulu shorelines, can degrade after heavy rain due to storm runoff into Kewalo Basin — avoid the water for ~48–72 hours after major rain. Above all: never paddle out on a board here. It's illegal and you'll be cited.
United States basics: money, entry, phones, water
Currency
US Dollar (USD) — Home currency — 1 USD = 1 USD
Entry (US passport)
Unlimited — domestic travel — No passport needed for travel within the 50 states (including Hawaii) or to Puerto Rico. Since May 7, 2025 you need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license (star marking) or a passport to clear TSA for domestic flights — check your license before booking.
Language
English, Spanish (widely spoken, esp. California, Texas, Florida). Native — English works everywhere, including every surf town.
Plugs
A, B · 120V / 60Hz
Tipping
Expected and culturally significant: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars, 10–15% for taxis/rideshares. Counter-service tip screens are common but optional.
Phone / data
Your existing US plan, T-Mobile / AT&T prepaid, Travel eSIMs (Airalo, Holafly, Nomad). Strong LTE/5G in cities and most coastal towns. Expect dead zones on rural stretches of coast — parts of the Big Sur/Central California coast, the North Shore of Kauai, and remote East Coast barrier beaches. Download offline maps for surf-check drives.
Tap water
Safe to drink nationwide from municipal supplies, including Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Emergency
911 for police, fire, and ambulance everywhere (including Hawaii and Puerto Rico). International visitors: US healthcare is extremely expensive — an ER visit can run thousands of dollars — so travel insurance with medical coverage is essential.
Other passports: entry rules differ — check the official source before booking.
Frequently asked questions about Point Panic
Can you surf Point Panic on a surfboard?
No. Point Panic is a legally designated bodysurfing-only zone under Hawaii state rules — surfboards and bodyboards are prohibited, and offenders can face fines up to $1,000 and even jail. Only bodysurfing and finless handplanes are allowed. Board surfers should ride the adjacent legal breaks, Kewalo's or Ala Moana Bowls, instead.
Is Point Panic really bodysurfing only?
Yes. It's one of the only waves in Hawaii reserved by law exclusively for bodysurfers, enforced by DLNR officers and a famously protective local crew. You can ride it with swim fins and a handplane, but never a surfboard or bodyboard.
What's the best time of year to bodysurf Point Panic?
Summer. South and southwest swells from roughly April through September power Oahu's South Shore, with the most consistent barrels June–August. It's best on low-to-medium tide with light or offshore (northeast) winds — get there early. Winter is usually small here.
Where can surfers ride a board near Point Panic?
Right next door. Kewalo's (Kewalos) breaks just across the Kewalo Basin channel, and Ala Moana Bowls — a world-class man-made left — is a short walk or paddle west. Both are legal for surfboards and rank among Honolulu's best Town reefs.
How far is Point Panic from Honolulu airport?
About 6 road miles, roughly 12–20 minutes by car or rideshare from Daniel K. Inouye International (HNL) to the Kakaako waterfront. Rideshare runs about $25–40; TheBus is cheaper but won't carry surfboards.
Do you need a car to surf Point Panic?
No. Point Panic sits in walkable urban Kakaako, so if you stay in Ward Village or Ala Moana you can walk to the waterfront and to the nearby legal breaks. A rental car only helps if you want to chase swell to the North Shore on flat South Shore days.
Is it safe to swim at Point Panic / Kakaako Waterfront Park?
Swimming isn't recommended at Kakaako Waterfront Park — the shoreline is rocky with a seawall and the surf breaks close to rocks. For safe, lifeguarded swimming go to Ala Moana Beach Park just to the west.
Can you rent bodysurfing gear or boards near Point Panic?
Yes — Hawaiian South Shore and T&C Surf in the Ala Moana area sell fins and handplanes (the only legal Point Panic gear) and rent surfboards for the nearby board-legal breaks like Bowls and Kewalo's, typically around $25–40/day.
Sources for this guide
- hawaiiansouthshore.comeditorial · Wave description (bowling right-hander at Kewalo channel rock wall), bodysurfing-only legal status, handplane-only gear, local crew, surf sh
- hawaiinewsnow.comsecondary source · DLNR enforcement of bodysurfing-only rule — citations issued, boards confiscated, penalties
- slydehandboards.comeditorial · Bodysurfing-only legal status, ~$1,000 fine/jail, best conditions (low-medium tide, south swell, NE wind, Apr–Sep), east end of Kakaako Wate
- to-hawaii.comsecondary source · Kakaako Waterfront Park ('Point Panic Beach Park') location, rocky shoreline / swimming not recommended, bodysurfing-and-diving use
- files.hawaii.govofficial · Hawaii Administrative Rules framework (DOBOR / Title 13) governing ocean-recreation management areas including the Point Panic bodysurfing d
- rome2rio.comsecondary source · HNL→Kakaako road distance (~5.8 mi) and drive time (~10 min); transfer options
- surfline.comeditorial · Ala Moana Bowls as the world-class board-legal left adjacent to Point Panic; South Shore swell context; Kewalo's reef
- tcsurf.comofficial · T&C Surf (Ala Moana Center) location across from Ala Moana Beach Park, services, history since 1971
- myhighwayinn.comofficial · Highway Inn Kaka'ako verification (Hawaiian food, location, family history)
- tripadvisor.comsecondary source · Whole Foods Market Kakaako (388 Kamakee St) location for groceries
- us.trip.comsecondary source · Lodging near Kewalo Basin (Prince Waikiki, Modern Honolulu, Ala Moana Hotel) and proximity
- en.wikipedia.orgsecondary source · Kakaako Waterfront Park / neighborhood character, Pow! Wow! murals, SALT at Our Kaka'ako context
Guide researched and verified 2026-06-12. Details change; confirm bookings and entry requirements before travel.
Bodysurf-only here — we watch 130+ board breaks
Point Panic is bodysurf-only, so we don't send board-surf alerts for it. But join free and we'll alert you when board-friendly breaks nearby — and 130+ spots worldwide — are about to fire.