Here's the latests in our series of beach lists from John Clark, the noted Hawaii beach expert and all around beach nut, will be feeding us his extremely informed take on best beaches around the Aloha State. At any rate, if you like what John tells you here, buy his books at the University of Hawaii Press for a much more in-depth look at Hawaii beaches.

Inside Puena Point: "This spot fronts Haleiwa Beach park. There's a ton of parking and bath room and the like -- a plus. There is an outside break a steep right that goes into the edge of the boat channel. That's not for beginners. As you come inside, though, the waves reform and the reef gets shallow enough to put out little rollers. Beginners can spread out and catch waves in a number of places along that reform. The inside break is mostly left so it carries you towards the beach. It's flat rock bottom but nothing sticks up, really. It's just like Canoes in Waikiki. You can really pack people in and people don't get too bunched up. The wave picks up a North or Northwest swell but won't show much on an East swell. This is where the surf schools like Surf-n-Sea take their pupils. I've almost never seen it get too big or scary for beginners, It's really protected."

Haleiwa Beach Park Map (Not to be confused with Haleiwa Ali'i Beach Park, which is across the harbor)

—Alex, 10/22/06