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    Big Wave Dave

    4.6 (561 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 7:30 pm
    Updated a few days ago

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    Ryan Z.

    Amazing class! Worth every penny. It's not a tent on the beach - it's a storefront coffee shop on Lewer's street. The guys help you out and it's not in deep water. Recommended for sure!

    Love this place.... Better drinks than Starbucks! Our local coffee spot, they even offer surf rentals and some really nice clothing.
    Krystal R.

    We are staying at the embassy suites and they are on the first floor, convenience for coffee super early in the morning and surf access to Pops surf break.

    Outrigger Canoe 8.23.2024
    Michelle L.

    Single rider waitlist via text, you can only book online if you meet a minimum of 2-4 people per party, minimum 4 for the whole canoe. Big Wave Dave and sister company Pacific Island Beach Boys operate this Outrigger Canoe experience. I was able to text message them to get on the waitlist for a single rider on a Wednesday, and got a slot on Friday afternoon that worked for my schedule. Payment info provided over the phone, confirmation via e-mail. Note this is not located at the Big Dave Coffee and rental surf shop on Lewers, just go straight to the boat. Look for the check-in spot at the Outrigger Canoe at the scheduled time....you can find the boat (it's tan & white) on the water's edge. An easy landmark, it sits behind the famous Duke Statue on Waikiki Beach (across the street from the Hyatt Regency Hotel). The captain will meet you at the Canoe. There were two other groups of 2 people, so 5 of us plus 2 co-captains. There was an umbrella attendant on the beach, storage for personal belongings at the location is at your own risk. I walked in since it was super close to my accommodations, but set aside extra time to park and walk if you're driving in. Parking suggestions provided by Big Dave: Valet at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki, International Marketplace, Waikiki Shell, Honolulu Zoo, metered street parking. The two guides demonstrated how to best paddle, enter/exit the boat, and assigned role crew seating in the canoe based on size and strength. We all worked together to push out the canoe into the water, hopped into our spots, and listened to the captains! We paddled as a team through the shallows and other swimmers/surfers to the surf break, and the captains would observe/read the waves and set us up in the best position to catch them. I'd say, within the half hour 2:45-3:15PM, we attempted 5 waves, and succeeded at riding 4 of them! Dig in as fast as you could, then paddles up (even standing up if you wanted) to ride the wave in back toward the shore. No life vests required. Paddle hard! Matching boat speed with the speed of the wave is key, and it's essential not to lose momentum. The more these speeds match, the more the wave will propel your boat, and you want to milk the wave as long as possible. The feeling is exhilarating! I guarantee you'll want to do it again and again just to get that same rush from this one-of-a-kind adventure. This was very fun. I've never surfed or paddleboarded before, although I have done sea kayaking, whitewater rafting, parasail, jetski, snorkel, and scuba. We even saw a sea turtle! No photos or videos provided. Not sure if bringing your phone in a waterproof pouch would be helpful as you do have your hands full focusing on paddling.

    Kaylee K.

    My husband and I very much enjoyed our surf lesson with Derek! He was super helpful in providing us with all the tips and making it a fun experience for us both. We would definitely recommend these surf lessons with Derek to everyone.

    Signed up our kids for surf lessons in the early morning about 8ish. Their group was small -total of 3 people. Keawe was their instructor. He did great instructing and helping everyone to be successful on the water. Our kids had nothing but great things to say. The pictures that we choose to purchase from Waikiki Betty Media were amazing. Memories to cherish for a long time. Mahalo!

    Practicing standing up.
    Jenna H.

    So my husband and I wanted to try surfing. Ok, it was me, but made him come along. We did a semi private lesson with Walaka (so sorry if I have that wrong, please correct me if so, I'll fix it!) and he was great. A good pre-lesson at the shop and he was super kind and helpful. I even caught a wave fairly quickly when we got out onto the water, even if I didn't stand all the way up. It still counts!!!! He was super encouraging to me and really helpful with my husband whose ears don't work well enough to hear anything Wanaka was saying. As I should have expected, I got seasick and he was so incredibly helpful despite my dying on my board in all the waves. He even got me on another wave before I really couldn't do it anymore, and I was able to stand up and ride the wave. Yaaassss! Granted I threw up afterwards and Walaka had to tow me in but he helped get me back to solid land and was really great about it. A million stars to him and a good experience with Big Wave Dave despite my almost dying ;)

    Expect to see awesome views of Waikiki on the canoe.
    Dave M.

    This 3-star rating has nothing to do with the outrigger canoe experience. As a matter of fact, the Beach Boys (our guides) were great and definitely made the whole canoeing, riding the waves, an experience we will never forget. However, we were promised, and even called to confirm prior to booking, that all 8 of us in our party can go together on one boat. When we got to the beach, we were told that wasn't the case. We had to split the group in half which wasn't bad but not what we were promised. Even the website indicated that the canoe was available up to 8. What's not indicated was 8 passengers included the 2 guides. Again, even when we confirmed, we were promised something different. Also, my advice for those who have booked the outrigger adventure, make sure you check-in at the coffee shop location 20 minutes before your appointment time. It takes about 10 to 15 mins to walk to the beach.

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    3 years ago

    Rented chairs and the guy was super nice and gave us extra time. and he was very cute

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    5 years ago

    Great coffee, the women knew my order after 2 days, went every day we were on the island

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    5 years ago

    Inexpensive, good service, and a wide selection. What's not to like? A great place to rent gear for your trip.

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    Page 3 of 15

    Ask the Community - Big Wave Dave

    Do they provide life jackets if you decide to rent a paddleboard?

    Aloha, life jackets are available for rent.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Big Wave Dave

    Instructors James, Alika and Jack (photographer) were absolutely patient, professional, fun and totally helpful!

    Mentioned in 74 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    I have stopped in here over the years, to check in on board rentals for visiting relatives, etc…read more They have a nice selection of just about everything you need, fins, wax, rash guards, bodyboards and fins, surboards and rentals, etc. With the covid-19 shut downs, it was difficult to find surf shops open, just to buy wax. Things are still shut down, but Koa board Sports will let you do in-store shopping. All you have to do is call the number, and within a few minutes they will open the shop for you. I needed to buy a new fin for my longboard, and they have an excellent assortment of used fins at reasonable prices. Picked up a used 10 inch fin for $40 and it was just what I needed for my 9' 9" longboard! They also have a good selection of newer fins from different manufacturers, but the used fin was exactly what I wanted, so no need buy new. I came by another time and picked up a leash, and another time they opened up so that I could look through their rash guards. So yes, a little humbug to have to call the number and wait a couple of minutes for them to come down and open the shop, but they are still making themselves available to their customers. Parking is easy, just park right in front of the shop. You won't find a better selection in the Waikiki area.

    Completely horrible experience. Was super stoked to come back to this shop on my trip. Walked…read moreover to the shop....'By Appointment only'......was on the door. Odd? Middle of the day on a Thursday. So I called, made an appointment for Saturday afternoon. No dice. I came back on Monday....no answer to the phone. Left message. No call back. Called again Tuesday, "I can't talk now, I'll call you back".....no return call. I tried again Thursday late morning, no answer. Thought I would walk over just for the heck of it, sometimes when you roll the dice you win. I got there and the proprietor was letting in another lady and her daughter into the store. I told them I had tried calling, scheduling, and was having a really hard time getting in to BUY things. She told me I could not come in...."Appointment Only". Are you kidding me? DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME!!! - They have a great selection, but did not want to sell any of it ; )

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    Hawaiian Island Creations - The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational runs from December 7, 2025 to March 8, 2026. The list of surf competitors are on the bottom.

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    1.2 miAla Moana
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    I always make a point to stop here when I'm visiting. They have a great selection of clothing…read morepieces and jackets and backpacks. The service is good, they will always help you find sizes. They often have HIC only sales so keep an eye out for that. The prices are comparable to others in the mall, but I do feel like the selection and variety here at HIC is better.

    Went to a store at Alamoana today to get slippers. Not one…read morepressing greeted me when I went in. Three people walk right past me ... some grumpy woman who was building something on the wall... this other young boy looking at me like what are you doing in my store? While the whole time I'm trying to figure out the sizes and the straps for them make your own slippers. There was a bunch of sales people behind the register talking to who I found out was the regional manager. I was gonna talk to him about the service, but he looked grumpy as hell so I thought it wouldn't even make a difference if I talk to him. Finally the girl who rang me up got the right straps for my slippers put it all together and gave me the buy one get 1/2 off discount. But in all ... no aloha in that store. It could've been a mainland store. Sometimes I don't understand our local people who work in service oriented jobs ... No aloha. Mahalo, I will not be back.

    Photos
    Hawaiian Island Creations - The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational runs from December 7, 2025 to March 8, 2026. The list of surf competitors are on the bottom.

    The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational runs from December 7, 2025 to March 8, 2026. The list of surf competitors are on the bottom.

    Hawaiian Island Creations
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    Big Wave Dave - beachequipmentrental - Updated September 2026

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