Just got back from my 1 st time on the rock, and have to say for anyone thinking of doing the same GO!
Had a bloody ball, got heaps of waves, cruised the island and there was heaps to keep the better half entertained also . So it was a win win.
Got to see 2 swells even though it was late in the season, the 1 st was 8 - 10 foot and a week later got to see the tail end of a 12 - 15 foot (hawaiian) swell. Big stuff
Had a good time in the water and found the locals friendly and mellow in the water
Which was a surprise because of all the things you hear about the place.
But did find some ( not all ) of the American locals to be pretty aggro in the water. Acting as if they owned the place until a group of true locals would paddle out and bring some more aloha to the line up.
Surfed waves on both north and south shores ( nothing to crazy ) and had a blast.
Waikiki is fun but personally Hale'iwa is so layed back it rocks.
For anyone that has thought about going I would say do it, yer its going to cost more than a trip to indo and the waves can get TOO BIG for the average punter (myself included), but the vibe of the place is so worth it.
I'll go back in a few years for sure, anyway just wanted to share the stoke.