By Alex Salkevar

Bodyboard the surf, snorkel the reef, kayak the coast: Islanders reveal irresistible gateways to tropical adventures.

Josh Wills loves getting tubed in the surf. As a three-time U.S. bodyboarding champ, the Hawaii native has become a fixture at world-class breaks around the Islands. And even though he has traveled the world in search of perfect waves, he'd rather ride in Hawaii than anywhere else. "You've got so many different kinds of waves," Wills says. "You've got the perfect barrels at Pipeline and the heavy waves at Sandy Beach. It's like a giant amusement park for me." Wills got an early start on the surfing life. "I used to ride with my dad, and he pushed me into waves," Wills says. He has surfed at most of the serious breaks around Hawaii, from the North Shore of Kauai to clear blue barrels on Oahu's Makaha Coast, his own backyard.

"Bodyboarders have more fun," says Wills. Especially in Hawaii, which has the most consistent waves of anyplace in the Pacific. While beginner breaks for surfing are generally packed, beginner bodyboarding breaks are seldom shared by more than 10 people. A perfect wave for novices, says Wills, gently washes over either soft sand or, at the least, rounded rocks. It should break slowly to the left or the right — surf that pounds directly onto sand can be fun when small but dangerous when bigger. "Bodyboarding here always puts a smile on my face," Wills says. "You get a feeling out in the lineup with the people and the ocean and the sky that you just don't get anywhere else."

Tips

• Wear a rash guard to protect your chest and arms. Though a bodyboard is slippery, hours of rubbing can cause rashes.

• Use short, bodyboarding swim fins to kick into waves. It's difficult to catch a ride without them.

• Practice the basics at beaches with lifeguards, who can advise on local conditions and safety.

• Before you drop in, look both ways to make sure no one else is on the wave.

BEST BODYBOARDING

Check surf shops listed for other beginner breaks.

1. KAUAI

Brennecke's Beach
The sandy cove in Po`ipu Beach Park has launched the bodyboarding careers of many Kauai keiki (kids). Forgiving waves wash ashore in blue mini tubes. A big south swell can jack waves up quickly; check with nearby lifeguards before paddling in.

INFO: Kauai County Parks Division (www.kauai.hawaii.gov or 808/241-6671). From Po`ipu Rd. in Po`ipu, take Hoowili Rd. to parking at Po`ipu Beach Park; Brennecke's is one block east. Rent gear at Nukumoi Surf Co. ($7.50 per day; 2100 Hoone Rd.; 808/742-8019), right across from the park.

2. OAHU

Bellows Field Beach Park
A local favorite for family outings, Bellows is located on an Air Force base in Waimanalo. Stands of ironwoods shade the beach, and mellow rollers wash ashore on miles of soft sand.

INFO: Bellows Air Force Station (open noon Fri until sunset Sun; www.bellowsafs.com or 808/259-8080). From Kailua take Kalaniana`ole Hwy. (State 72) 4 miles southeast; turn left into base. Rent gear at Hans Hedemann Surf School in Waikiki ($20 per day; 2586 Kalakaua Ave.; 808/924-7778).

MORE FROM ROMANTIC GETAWAYS

Romantic Getaways Section Front

Top 10 winter resorts for lovers A chocolate-inspired romantic weekend Bar hopping, adventure and romance The most romantic place on Earth Best cruises for weddings Real Hawaiian adventures   Slide show: Hawaiian paradise Luxury and romance in Puerto Vallarta Best places for honeymoons 8 dream beaches of the Caribbean Romantic Getaways Section Front   Add Romantic Getaways headlines to your news reader: