Things to do in Oahu › Oahu tours and activities › Surf lessons › Outrigger Canoe Surfing
Outrigger Canoe Surfing
★ #9 of 14 in our Surf lessons list Picked from the 106 surf lessons in the Oahu catalogue, the way every tour here gets picked.
Updated the price every day; listing, departure times and pickup notes
Waikiki Beach Services takes your party surfing in an outrigger canoe with a captain at Waikiki Beach. The scheduled 20-minute activity costs from $51.54 per person for 3 or more. You meet at the Royal Hawaiian pool deck for daily starts from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nonswimmers can join from age 5. Children aged 12 and under ride without paddling alongside your party.
Our check
Outrigger Canoe Surfing at a glance
| Beach | Waikiki Beach |
| Duration | 20 minutes scheduled, extra time advisable |
| Price | from $51.54 per person for 3 or more |
| Format | Exclusive outrigger canoe ride for your party |
| Starts | Daily at 9 a.m. · 10 a.m. · 11 a.m. · 1 p.m. |
| Meeting point | Service counter on the Royal Hawaiian Hotel pool deck |
| Ages | 5 and up, nonswimmers welcome |
| Capacity | Up to six people, with four paddler seats and two rider seats |
| Main trade-off | Payment for at least three people, including smaller parties |
| Guide languages | English |
| Cancellation | All sales final, no refund |
Read from the operator's listing on the booking page, October 30, 2026. The price is the tour's starting price in U.S. dollars, re-read every day, last on .
What's included
- Licensed Captain
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Outrigger Canoe
- Outrigger Canoe Paddles
What's not included
- Gratuities
- Souvenir photos & video (available to purchase based on the availability of the photographer)
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Towels
- Sunscreen
Options
Which option to book
There's one exclusive canoe option with a captain. It runs daily at 9 and 10 a.m., with later starts at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
| Option | Departures |
|---|---|
| Outrigger Canoe Surfing | 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., daily |
The catch: Parties of 1 or 2 still pay for three, and cancellation doesn't bring a refund.
The day
How does the day work?
Your party checks in at the Royal Hawaiian before boarding a canoe to ride Waikiki's waves with a captain.
- 1
Counter and waiver
Check-in is at the pool deck service counter. You'll need to sign a waiver, and minors require their legal guardian's approval before taking part.
- 2
Canoe seats
The canoe has four seats for paddlers and two for riders. Children aged 12 and under sit as riders without helping paddle the canoe.
- 3
Ride the waves
Your party surfs together in the outrigger canoe with a licensed captain. You don't need swimming skills to join this ride from Waikiki Beach.
- 4
Return to shore
Your party returns to the Royal Hawaiian. You make your own onward arrangements from the meeting area once the canoe ride has finished.
The scheduled ride lasts 20 minutes, ending back at the Royal Hawaiian. Extra time is advisable around the booking.
Pickup and meeting point
- Arrival time: Arrive at the service desk at least 15 minutes before your booked time. It's on the Royal Hawaiian Hotel's pool deck beside the beach.
- Beach access: The counter is accessible from the beach. You can reach the beach using the public access from Kalakaua Avenue, with no hotel transfer included.
- Changing and packing: There isn't a dressing room at the meeting point. Bring your own towel and sunscreen for the canoe outing.
Before you book
- Swimming isn't required for this canoe ride. Children aged 12 and under take the rider seats without paddling.
Fit
Is this tour right for you?
A party of three to six can share this canoe ride, including nonswimmers aged 5 and up. Your date should be settled before paying. The scheduled outing is 20 minutes. It's a fit for families who want to ride waves together and accept the cancellation restriction.
For board instruction with tandem help for ages 4 to 11, Manifesting Aloha costs from $160 per person. Ty Gurney's shared hour suits two swimmers aged 15 or older, from $118.82 per person for 2 to 4.
Who it's not for
- Children under 5
- Parties larger than six
- Guests needing a refund if they cancel
- Travelers seeking instruction on a surfboard
Good to know
Know before you go
Riders can join from age 5, including non-swimmers. Children aged 12 and under ride without paddling. Minors need their legal guardian's approval, and every participant needs a signed waiver.
There isn't a dressing room at the check-in point. Wear your swimwear before you arrive and bring your own towel. Sunscreen isn't supplied either, so it belongs with your personal beach items.
The canoe holds up to 6 guests, with 4 paddler seats and 2 rider seats. Your party has the booking to itself. A party of 1 or 2 must still pay the minimum for 3.
You need to reach the Royal Hawaiian pool-deck service counter at least 15 minutes early. It can be reached from the beach. Your trip to the counter isn't included in the booking.
The operator must approve your reservation after you book. A request for a particular departure isn't immediate acceptance. Weather can also cancel the canoe outing, so the scheduled start isn't a promise of suitable conditions.
This booking has no refund for your cancellation. It uses a mobile ticket and accepts up to 6 travelers. Optional photos depend on a photographer being available, so they aren't guaranteed with every ride.
Reviews
How is it rated?
Alternatives
Which tour to choose instead
A child's first lesson on a board
Private 1-on-1 Surf Lesson with Videos and PhotosManifesting Aloha teaches children from age 4 individually. The hour costs from $160 per person, with an option to ride the instructor's board through age 11.
★ 5.0 · 120 reviews · from $160 per person
A couple learning to surf
Private and Semi-Private Surf Lessons in WaikikiTy Gurney's hour shares one instructor between two swimmers. It's from $118.82 per person for 2 to 4, with both students at least 15.
★ 5.0 · 79 reviews · from $118.82 per person for 2 to 4
Board instruction for your own party
Surfing Lessons in Waikiki with Hawaii FirefightersHawaii firefighters teach your party at Waikiki Beach. The 1-hour lesson is from $89 per adult for 3 or more and accepts children from age 7.
★ 5.0 · 316 reviews · from $89 per adult for 3 or more
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Good to know
People also ask
- Can non-swimmers take the Waikiki Beach Services canoe ride?
Yes, non-swimmers are welcome from age 5. You ride in an outrigger canoe with a captain instead of taking a board lesson. The boat carries up to 6 guests, and children aged 12 or younger don't paddle.
- Can two people book the Waikiki Beach Services canoe?
Yes, a party of 2 can book by paying the minimum for 3. Your canoe booking stays exclusive to your party. The displayed price is from $51.54 per person for 3 or more, without a reduced minimum for couples.
- Do children paddle on the Waikiki Beach Services canoe ride?
No, children aged 12 and under ride without paddling. The canoe has 2 rider seats alongside 4 paddler seats. A guardian must approve each minor's participation, and a waiver is required before the activity.
- How long should you allow for the Royal Hawaiian canoe ride?
The scheduled activity is 20 minutes, with check-in at least 15 minutes before it starts. You should leave additional room in your plans around the ride. Arrive already dressed because there's no changing room at the counter.
- Can you cancel the Waikiki Beach Services canoe ride for a refund?
No, cancellations aren't refundable for this 20-minute canoe booking. All sales are final. The operator also needs to approve your reservation after purchase, so you shouldn't treat the initial request as an accepted departure.
Times and conditions as the booking page listed them on October 30, 2026; the price is re-read every day, last on . Tours book on the booking page at its price; a booking through the button earns this site a commission, and your price is the same.