Waikiki

This beach has a lot to live up to.  For surfing it is excellent with long rolling waves also good for beginners. But in our case just go to Ocean Grove to learn.  The hotels back onto the beach so there is no road in between.  Also it is South West facing which is good for the Northern Hemisphere, like North facing is good for us downunder ie the sun sets over the ocean. Unlike Surfers Paradise where they have killed the Sun around 2:30pm with great shadows from all the hotels behind.  There are rocky ledges in the water here, so you have to pick your path but there is plenty of sand as well.  Overall I think Waikiki is a winner, especially with the Diamond Head right there but bring your own shade.