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.

West Side: "The beach is called White Plains for obvious reasons. It's really white and bright. There is half reef and half sand. The break is virtually identical to Canoes, the traditional learning spot in Waikik. In fact, some people call it the "Waikiki of the West Side". There are lefts and rights and peaks all over the place. It can hold 100 people and everyone will still be scattered and getting lots of waves. The wave will break up to half mile offshore and it just keep breaking and reforming. White Plains will pick up South swell, a North wrap, or a West swell -- basically everything but an East swell. The peaks move around a bit depending on the swell direction. It's maintained by the Navy so its in much better shape than the county or state parks around the islands. There are lifeguards on duty in the day time and even surfboard racks. A lot of schools take their students out here so you're definitely not alone. There is a surfboard rental concession but they are only for military, even though the general public enjoys full access to the beach. The rides are quite long. On a really big day the longboards try to catch it from the outside and come all the way in. The crowds are really mellow. The waves generaly get up to headhigh and that's as big as it gets. There is a current on a big south swell that tends to pull steady to the West. There are a couple of Hawaiian monk seals (a rare endangered species) that have adopted that beach and beach themselves frequently. They pop up right there where you are surfing and haul out right on the beach."

Image via Hawaii Surfboard Rentals

—Alex, 10/23/06