Take Nimitz to Sand Island access road and follow to the end. Park at the showers past the fishing area and follow the path to the rock wall, where the path meets the wall drop your slippers and go over the rocks. There is a good channel to paddle out on your left of the impact zone.
relax, the sharks are just curious. there have been no shark attacks in recent memory. a more serious and all too real concern is the sewage outfall offshore. probably a good idea to stay away from this spot during kona (onshore) wind conditions.
Overview
Atmosphere
My favorite non-tourist spot on the South shore of Oahu!
General
sand island is a fun town surf spot that most surfers never surf because, altho its close to downtown honolulu, its off the beaten track.
comment by South Shore Underground, 2007-12-29 18:49:05
Only for the brave!
Could be mixed up, but I think the first break towards town is called Towers, and the next one over (bigger one out to the right from the beach) is Regulars. We used to surf outside of the Kalihi Channel at a place called Rainbows; I think it's the same break as Paradise. Sick break on a big day. Hammerhead central, though, man; catch plenty of babies fishing and find them washed up dead on the beach lagoon end of Sand Island a lot, too.
There was another break farther out around the Reef Runway, about halfway down the runway on the outside. Used to take the boat out to that one when it was good, too. No idea what it was called, or if it had a name. Was coming home from Maui couple of years ago during a big swell and saw some boys out there towing in; brings back good memories; gotta buy another boat!
comment by Anonymous, 2007-12-10 23:20:18
Just to the right on big days
I was stationed at Sand Island from 84-86. surfed it on all big days and alot of small ones. Waves reform from outside. Place can be sharky. The biggest shark I've ever seen was here in 85. Just me an a Samoan were surfing good 3-4 backs with overhead sets. A small shark came by early in the session, maybe a 3 footer. An hour later I heard the Samoan go: "LOOK AT THAT BIG SHARK". I about shit. It was a Tiger (can see the marks), about 13 to 14 feet and cruzing on the wave in front of us about 50 yards out. It was the biggest one I'd seen here and saw at least 9-10 over a two year period. There is alot of reef on the inside so I think most stay out. You can surf "Paradise" too. It is farther right outside the lagoon, but you need a boat or jet ski and can get epic and empty in summer.
comment by Anonymous, 2007-11-03 08:10:15
There's another break out there, too, looking to the right from the beach. Fun, but plenty rocks. And if you really feel the brass on your balls, walk all the way down the beach and check out the breaks off the Keehi Lagoon and towards the Reef Runway of the airport. Sharky, but epic on the right day.
comment by South Shore Underground, 2007-12-29 18:49:05