Queen's Surf Beach
Queen's Surf Beach is a vibrant section of Waikiki Beach, popular with bodyboarders and movie lovers alike. Framed by the Kapahulu Groin and Waikiki Aquarium, it offers calm snorkeling spots, beachside sculptures, and summer movie nights under the stars.
Queen's Surf Beach, Oahu
Named after Queen Liliuokalani because her beach house and its pier used to stand here, Queen's Surf Beach (view panorama) × is located right in Waikiki and is actually a section of Waikiki Beach.It is located between the Kapahulu Groin on its west end and the Waikiki Aquarium on its east end.
The Kapahulu Groin was built in 1951 and surfers named it The Wall, or in short Walls. Walls is also the name of the nearby surf break, which is reserved exclusively for bodyboarders (no surfboards are allowed within 150 yards of it and the area is marked by buoys). Another popular big-wave surf spot, named Cunha's, is located straight out from The Wall.
So besides being a bodyboarder's paradise, Queen's Surf Beach is also a great spot for snorkelers. There is a reef in front of the Waikiki Aquarium where snorkeling is good when the water is calm.
In the park near The Wall is a bronze sculpture, which was dedicated by the City and County of Honolulu in 2003. Designed by artist Robert Pashby, It's called "Surfer on a Wave" and it is a monument to surfing in Waikiki.
The Kapahulu Groin also marks the western boundary of the Waikiki Marine Life Conservation District, which goes all the way from the Groin east to the War Memorial Natatorium. In this area, fishing and removing marine life is prohibited.
If you like movies, come here on select weekend evenings during the summer months when free outdoor movies are shown on a big movie screen (you can't miss it, just look out for the large construction right on the beach). The event, known as Sunset on the Beach, includes music entertainment prior to the movie and food booths and begins at around 4 p.m. The movie begins around sunset, or around 7 p.m.
Key Features of Queen's Surf Beach
- Bodyboarding hotspot: "The Wall" is a dedicated break exclusively for bodyboarders, marked by buoys offshore
- Scenic snorkeling reef: Located near the Waikiki Aquarium with calm conditions during good weather
- Sunset on the Beach movies: Free open-air movie screenings with food vendors and entertainment during summer weekends
- Marine conservation zone: Part of the Waikiki Marine Life Conservation District, where fishing is prohibited to protect reef life
- Convenient Waikiki location: Close to shops, restrooms, rental services, and major attractions like Sans Souci Park
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Queen's Surf Beach good for bodyboarding?
Yes, "The Wall" is a designated bodyboarding zone and a popular local spot, especially for beginners.
Can you snorkel at Queen's Surf Beach?
Yes, there's a reef near the Waikiki Aquarium that provides a good snorkeling area when the ocean is calm.
What is Sunset on the Beach?
It's a free event held on some summer weekends featuring outdoor movies, live music, and food vendors right on the beach.
Are there facilities at Queen's Surf Beach?
Yes, the beach offers restrooms, showers, picnic tables, lifeguards, and food stands nearby.