6 Best Places to Paddle Board in Haleiwa, HI

Welcome to Haleiwa, Hawaii’s picturesque surf town.

Have you ever dreamt of discovering the best places to paddleboard in Haleiwa?

Get ready to ride the waves and glide over turquoise waters in this tropical paradise.

Join us as we explore the top spots for unforgettable SUP adventures in Haleiwa.

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Planning Your Paddle in Haleiwa

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024, rental counts come from OpenStreetMap. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

Season: average daily highs stay above 59 °F right through the year, so there is no closed season. September is the warmest month, averaging 85 °F.
Rules and licences: The US Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel as soon as you leave the immediate swimming or surfing area. From that point a wearable life jacket for every person on board is required, together with a sound signal, and a white light after dark. Individual states add their own rules on top, so check the state boating agency before a longer trip.
Rentals nearby: OpenStreetMap lists one place within 16 miles that hires out boards, kayaks or canoes: Blue Planet Adventure Co Paddle Board and Kayak Rentals in Haleiwa. Call ahead, opening times outside the main season are short.

Where to Paddle Board in Haleiwa

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 Waialua Bay

🏖️ ️Location Type: Oceanfront
📍️ Access Point: Aweoweo Beach Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, light winds, occasional swell
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Turtles, dolphins, tropical fish
🏞️Landmarks & Views: Stunning North Shore views, scenic Haleiwa coastline
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Always check local conditions, be prepared for changing ocean currents

Waialua Bay, located in Haleiwa, offers a perfect paddleboarding spot with gentle waters and picturesque North Shore views.

This tranquil bay is home to a diverse array of marine life, including turtles and dolphins, making it a top destination for memorable paddleboarding experiences.

#2 Puaena Point Beach Park

🏖️ Location Type: Oceanfront
📍️ Access Point: Puaena Point Beach Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Mild waves, gentle currents
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Turtles, tropical fish, occasional dolphins
🏞️ Landmarks & Views: Scenic Haleiwa coastline, Puaena Point
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Check ocean conditions, watch out for other water users

Puaena Point Beach Park offers an excellent paddleboarding experience near Haleiwa. This quiet spot along the North Shore boasts clear waters and mild waves, perfect for beginners and experienced paddlers alike.

Keep an eye out for turtles and tropical fish as you glide along the scenic coastline.

#3 Puʻuiki Beach

🏖️ Location Type: Oceanfront
📍️ Access Point: Haleiwa Ali’i Beach Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, protected waters
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟️Wildlife Encounters: Green sea turtles, tropical fish
🏞️ Landmarks & Views: Haleiwa Harbor, scenic coastline
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Respect others, watch for boats, be aware of ocean conditions

Puʻuiki Beach, situated just past the Haleiwa Aliʻi Beach Park, offers pristine waters and a protected bay perfect for paddleboarding.

Glide along the scenic shore and watch for green sea turtles resting on the sand or swimming nearby. This family-friendly spot is a wonderful choice for first-timers and seasoned paddleboarders alike.

#4 Kaiaka Bay Beach Park

🏖️ ️Location Type: Oceanfront
📍️ Access Point: Kaiaka Bay Beach Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Moderate waves, ocean currents
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, sea turtles, tropical fish
🏞️ ️Landmarks & Views: Scenic North Shore, natural rock formations
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be cautious of larger waves, check ocean conditions

Kaiaka Bay Beach Park is another paddling spot near Haleiwa, surrounded by natural beauty and breathtaking rock formations.

This location offers moderate ocean waves, making it a good spot for intermediate to advanced paddlers. Keep an eye out for dolphins and sea turtles as you explore this picturesque bay.

#5 Anahulu River

🏖️ ️Location Type: River
📍️ Access Point: Haleiwa Beach Park (Google Maps)
🌊️Water, Currents & Wind: Gentle river currents, calm waters
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Green sea turtles, ducks, occasional fish
🏞️ ️Landmarks & Views: Verdant riverbanks, Rainbow Bridge
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Check water levels, respect wildlife, and private properties

The Anahulu River, a short distance from the bustling town of Haleiwa, offers a peaceful, scenic paddling spot. The calm river is perfect for a leisurely paddle, with abundant green sea turtles and lush riverbanks. Glide under Haleiwa’s iconic Rainbow Bridge and enjoy a different side of this popular North Shore destination.

#6 Kawailoa Beach

🏖️ Location Type: Oceanfront
📍️ Access Point: Kawailoa Beach access pathway (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm to moderate waves, light winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟️Wildlife Encounters: Turtles, dolphins, shorebirds
🏞️Landmarks & Views: Panoramic North Shore scenery, beachfront
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Check ocean conditions, be mindful of swimmers

Kawailoa Beach, located east of Haleiwa, provides a tranquil oceanfront paddleboard location. With panoramic North Shore views and gentle to moderate waves, this beach offers a serene paddling experience.

Admire the pristine shoreline, spot turtles and dolphins, and enjoy the soothing ocean breeze as you paddle in this idyllic location.

What to Take With You

Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.

Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Vest

Life jacket

Check price

Typefoam, paddle cut
ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada

Rules differ from state to state and from country to country, but on open water this is the piece that gets checked, and the one that counts when the wind turns while you are still a long way out.

Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding

NRS Quick-Release SUP Leash

Waist leash

Check price

Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
Swivelstwo in-line

A leash keeps the board within reach after a fall, and a board that drifts off is the start of most rescues. On moving water use a quick release belt rather than an ankle cuff.

Every model we tested: The 9 Best SUP Waist Leashes

Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch

Phone case