Tropical Rush

Surf shop in Haleiwa, HI

SurfSpotGuide verified

4.2 (91 reviews)

Haleiwa, HI

About Tropical Rush

Tropical Rush in Haleiwa, HI, offers a wide variety of surf gear sales alongside highly praised stand-up paddleboard and kayak rentals right at the river mouth. Customers consistently highlight the exceptionally friendly and helpful staff, excellent value, and the bonus of seeing numerous turtles during paddle excursions. This location is ideal for first-time paddlers and families seeking an easy, enjoyable water experience with the added perk of free shaved ice.

The Good

Customers overwhelmingly praise the staff for being extremely friendly, helpful, kind, and providing excellent customer service with an 'authentic aloha spirit.' The location is highly rated for paddleboarding due to its easy access to both the calm river (ideal for beginners) and the ocean bay, often resulting in sightings of numerous sea turtles. Rental prices, especially for paddleboards ($15-$20/hr) and kayaks, are frequently cited as being a great value or cheaper than competitors. Perks like free coffee or free shaved ice upon rental completion are a significant bonus. The shop also carries a wide variety of merchandise and board selection.

Things to Consider

Significant negative feedback centers on poor management, communication issues, and perceived dishonesty. Specific complaints include being misled about equipment availability (like car racks), duplicative paperwork processes, and staff taking no responsibility for misinformation. One customer reported being charged for a repair on a pre-existing ding on a rented surfboard, feeling scammed. Other issues noted were a lack of clear return policies after ownership changes, an instance of unprofessional owner behavior witnessed by customers, and a perceived price hike for regular users. One customer felt scammed after purchasing a used board that did not suit their needs.