Tamba Surf Company

Surf shop in Kapaa, HI

SurfSpotGuide verified

4.8 (127 reviews)

Kapaa, HI

About Tamba Surf Company

Tamba Surf Company in Kapaa, HI, is an authentic, locally owned surf shop offering quality apparel and a wide selection of board rentals. Customers consistently praise the exceptional, friendly service, noting staff provide helpful local recommendations and generous treatment to all visitors. This shop is ideal for serious surfers and travelers seeking durable gear and genuine Aloha spirit from a long-standing island staple.

The Good

Customers overwhelmingly praise the exceptional, friendly, and genuine customer service provided by the staff, often mentioning specific employees by name (Paul, Zoe, Cliff, Tyson, Saa, Kala, Larry). The shop is highly regarded as authentic, locally owned, and a staple in the community, offering great local recommendations for surf spots. Product quality, especially clothing and hats, is noted as amazing and durable. Rental services are excellent, featuring reasonable prices, great weekly deals, and the highly valued ability to swap boards based on changing surf conditions. Many reviewers appreciate the 'Aloha spirit' and the feeling of being treated like family ('OHANA').

Things to Consider

The primary negative feedback centers on isolated incidents of poor customer service, specifically involving staff being abrupt, rude, or unaccommodating regarding closing times or online order inquiries, leading to unprofessional interactions. One serious complaint mentioned staff failing to warn renters about dangerous water conditions (brown water). A few comments noted that the shop is smaller than expected or feels 'no frills,' suggesting it caters more to serious surfers than casual browsers. There was also one report of slow shipping for an online order combined with rude follow-up communication.