Pohoiki Reviews and Ratings
(Big Island, USA)
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Visitor reviews of Pohoiki surf break
(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“My basis of comparison is Oahu where I lived almost all my life. 4 years here in Puna. Pohoiki is scenic, consistent, mostly uncrowded...but the wave quality is below average. Usually windswell with side winds. Can get excellent but can go for months with only shifty, swelly, erratic surf. There is a dawn patrol crew of mostly older surfers though they generally clear out by mid-morning. Pohoiki is very difficult to predict. You got to drive on down and find out. Conditions vary unpredictably through the day. If you are reasonably thoughtful (meaning don't drop in on others or aggressively hog waves) you will have no problems with the local surfers. One bit of advice: there are several breaks which vary from mellow rollers to lunging, shallow dangerous double overhead barrels. One break, 3rd Bay, is as radical as any spot in the island chain.”
Peter Easterling from UNITED STATES - 05 May 2017
Pohoiki Ratings
Overall: 2.0. Based on 10 votes and 3 reviews. Vote
Quality on a good day: 4.0(1 star: Even when the swell and winds are optimum, the waves are poor quality, 5 stars: If conditions are right, the waves will be World Class). |
Consistency of Surf: 3.7(1: Pohoiki is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 3.0(1: Pohoiki is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Big Island. 5: the best break in Big Island). |
Difficulty Level: 3.1(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 3.1(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Pohoiki can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 2.6(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Pohoiki, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 1.8(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Pohoiki are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 4.1(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 3.6(1: Often too crowded. 5: Pohoiki is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 4.1(1: Getting to Pohoiki requires an overland expedition or chartering a boat. 3: A 30 minute walk from the nearest parking. 5: Park a vehicle right by the break). |
Scenery: 4.1(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 2.5(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 2.0(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Pohoiki for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 3.5(1: Camping at Pohoiki is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 2.7(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Pohoiki is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 2.1(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 1.9(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Pohoiki, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 2.0(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Pohoiki where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
“Position is a OK surf spot but it has serious localism issues.... Crowded on weekends and during weekday mornings the older (60 and above) crowd is out acting like they own the place, so noon on is a go...”
Eric from UNITED STATES - 26 Sep 2015
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