The North Shore is a fantastic part of the surfing earth, but at only five miles long, it is very small slice of Hawaii.

The East Coast of Oahu offers beautiful scenery and uncrowded waves, while Makaha on the west coast is an undervalued big wave spot with an iconic history.

“Kauai is quite possibly the best surf destination in the world,” Joel Parkinson, 2012 World Champ, told Mpora before adding a caveat, “if you know the right people.”

It is a paradise and has (well guarded, but accessible) waves of mind-numbing quality.

Maui also offers way more than just the incredible Jaws (although watching that break is worth the trip alone) and Honolua Bay, as seen in the recent women’s World Title decider.

Inter-island flights are cheap and regular, plus accommodation is often easily sourced. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught in the North Shore bubble with its waves and exciting atmosphere, but exploration will bring rewards.