3-Day Surf Camp on Maui at Kalama Park in Kihei

Catching a wave on day one is fun. Learning how to catch more on days two and three is the real point of this three-day Maui surf camp. At Kalama Park in Kihei, you return to the same general surf setting and build on what you learned instead of starting over with a new instructor each morning.

I like the progressive format, which gives you time to improve your balance, timing, and confidence. I also like that boards, reef shoes, and rash guards are included, so you do not need to assemble a pile of beach gear before your first lesson. The main consideration is the price, $502.56 per person, plus the need to provide three preferred dates at checkout.

I also like the personal feel reported from instructors San and Lucas. San helped one student catch waves independently within three days, while Lucas patiently worked with a family. Just check the listed maximum of two participants before booking, especially if you are arranging this for a larger group.

Key points before you book

• Three days at Kalama Park: You return to the Kihei surf area for a gradual learning program rather than a single introductory class.
• Full basic surf gear included: The package provides a surfboard, rash guard, and reef shoes.
• Patient instructors matter here: San and Lucas receive specific praise for helping beginners progress and feel comfortable.
• Flexible departure choices: Several start times are offered throughout the day, which helps you fit lessons around a Maui schedule.
• No hotel transportation: You must reach the Waves Hawaii Surf School meeting point yourself.
• Provide three dates at checkout: Failing to list your preferred dates can lead to cancellation.

Why three surf days work better than one

A single surf lesson can show you the basics. You may learn how to lie on the board, paddle, and stand, but the clock moves quickly. If your first session includes plenty of falling, you may leave just as the movements begin to make sense.

This camp gives you three chances to return to the sport. The first day is for learning the basic positions and getting used to the board. The next sessions can focus on correcting small problems, such as standing too early, losing balance, or missing the timing of a wave.

That extra repetition is the strongest reason to choose this package. Surfing is a physical skill, and improvement often comes from trying the same movement again with a small adjustment. You are not promised expert-level surfing in three days, but you have a better chance of catching waves on your own than you would in one short class.

The supplied duration is listed as approximately three days and two hours. Since the information does not give an exact lesson length for each day, you should confirm the daily schedule when your booking is accepted. Several departure choices are available, so you may have some room to fit the camp around meals, beach time, or other Maui plans.

Meeting at Kalama Park in Kihei

The surf sessions take place at Kalama Park in Kihei. You meet the Waves Hawaii Surf School van at 1900 S Kihei Road, Kihei, Hawaii 96753, five minutes before your lesson.

That five-minute instruction is worth taking seriously. Give yourself enough time to find the meeting point, park or reach the area by public transportation, and locate the van without rushing. The activity begins and ends at the meeting point, so there is no hotel pickup or drop-off to simplify the day.

Kihei is a practical base for a beach activity. The meeting area is near public transportation, and most people can participate. Still, you are responsible for getting there, so this camp works best if you are staying in or near Kihei or have your own way to reach the meeting point.

The setting also helps the course feel consistent. Returning to Kalama Park each day means you spend less time figuring out a new meeting area and more time working on your surfing. The supplied details do not promise a private beach, guaranteed wave conditions, or a particular surf break, so keep your expectations focused on instruction and practice rather than a specific type of wave.

What you learn across the three days

The school describes this as a surf progression. In plain terms, the goal is to move from basic instruction toward better control and more independent surfing.

On the first session, expect the instructor to introduce the basic skills needed to handle the board and attempt a wave. The exact teaching sequence is not provided, so I would not assume a particular classroom or beach routine. What is clear is that a professional instructor guides the activity and that the camp is designed for beginners as well as people who want to improve.

The second and third days are where the format earns its cost. You can apply corrections from the earlier session instead of forgetting them between unrelated activities. If you had trouble standing, paddling, or timing a wave, the instructor has more than one day to help you work on that problem.

One student specifically credited San with helping them catch waves without assistance by the end of the three days. That is a useful benchmark, but not a guarantee. Surfing ability, comfort in the water, and daily conditions vary. Treat independent wave catching as a possible target, not a promised result.

The camp is also promoted for all ages and skill levels. That makes it a reasonable option for a parent and child, a couple with different experience levels, or an adult who has never surfed before. The school also describes it as a popular choice with kids. Children should still meet the participation requirements for the activity, and you should confirm any age-specific questions directly before paying.

The instructors: San, Lucas, and the value of patience

Instructor quality can make or break a beginner surf lesson. A board, a beach, and a good forecast are not enough if the teaching feels rushed.

San receives especially strong praise for helping a student progress from instruction to catching waves independently within three days. That suggests a teaching style focused on practical improvement rather than simply getting you standing once for a photo.

Lucas is also specifically praised for being helpful and patient with a family. That detail matters if you are booking for several ages or confidence levels. A calm instructor gives nervous beginners room to make mistakes without turning the lesson into a contest.

The information lists the activity for a maximum of two participants, yet a separate account describes a family of four taking part. Because those details do not match neatly, confirm the current group size before booking if you are traveling with more than two people. The family-friendly label does not automatically mean a single booking can include an entire family.

You may also encounter Elijah, who handled photos for one student across all three days. Souvenir photos are not included in the listed package and are available for purchase. The account describes photos being sent promptly after the camp, but you should ask about the current photo arrangement and cost if pictures are important to you.

Gear included, and what you still need

The camp includes the core equipment:

• Surfboard
• Rash guard
• Reef shoes

This is a real saving in effort. You do not need to rent a board separately or arrive with specialized footwear. The rash guard can help protect you from board friction, while reef shoes are useful for the conditions around a beach surf lesson.

The package does not list hotel transportation, meals, towels, or souvenir photos as included. Do not assume those extras are part of the $502.56 price. Bring whatever personal beach items you need, though the supplied information does not specify a required packing list.

The included gear also makes the camp easier for first-timers. You can try surfing without buying equipment or deciding which board to rent. If you already own a board or water gear, the school will determine what equipment is suitable for the lesson.

Is $502.56 a fair price?

At $502.56 per person, this is not the cheapest way to try surfing in Maui. The price makes more sense if you intend to treat surfing as a skill-building activity rather than a one-off vacation novelty.

Spread evenly over three days, the cost works out to about $167.52 per day. That is only a simple comparison, since the actual value depends on lesson length, group size, instructor attention, and the amount of time you spend actively practicing.

You are paying for three days of professional instruction, a board, a rash guard, and reef shoes. You also get several departure choices and the chance to return to the same Kihei area. For someone who wants a real introduction and hopes to continue surfing after Maui, those features can justify the cost.

The value is less clear if you are unsure about surfing or have only a short window in Kihei. In that case, a single lesson could be a lower-risk way to test the activity, if one is available from the same school. This particular booking is for three days, so you should be ready to commit before paying.

A small group could improve the value, but again, verify the current participant limit. The listed maximum is two people. That could mean more instructor attention, though the supplied information does not explicitly promise a private lesson.

Scheduling, confirmation, and cancellation

You must enter three preferred dates in the Special Requirements field at checkout. This is not a minor request. If you leave those dates out, the booking can be canceled.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. That means you should avoid building a tightly packed Maui schedule around the camp until your dates are confirmed. Several departures are offered each day, but the available time depends on the provider accepting your requested dates.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours ahead, you will not receive a refund, and changes made inside that window are not accepted. The cut-off follows local Maui time.

This policy is fairly workable if your plans are settled. It is less forgiving if your island schedule depends on weather, transport, or another activity changing at the last minute.

Who will get the most from this camp?

I would consider this a good fit for:

• A beginner who wants more than one attempt to learn
• A parent arranging a kid-friendly water activity
• A couple or small party with mixed skill levels
• Someone who wants instruction and equipment handled in one booking
• A visitor staying close enough to reach Kalama Park independently
• A returning surfer who wants three guided sessions to improve basic skills

It may not suit you if you want hotel transportation, a large family booking with no extra planning, or a guaranteed private schedule. It is also not the right choice if you only want a quick introduction and do not want to reserve three days.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is described as suitable for most people. Those points are helpful, but they do not replace checking personal medical or mobility concerns with the provider before booking.

A practical way to plan your three days

Leave room around each surf session. The exact daily lesson length is not supplied, so avoid scheduling another important activity immediately afterward.

Use the first day to learn the basic movements without worrying about looking polished. On the second day, pay attention to the instructor’s corrections. By the third, focus on repeating what worked and asking for help with the one problem that keeps stopping you.

If you want photos, ask about them early. Elijah is associated with taking photos during all three days for one participant, but the general terms list souvenir photos as an extra purchase. Confirm what is available and how much it costs rather than assuming pictures come with the camp.

Finally, write down your three preferred dates before checkout. This is the easiest detail to miss and the one most likely to cause a booking problem.

Should you book the Maui three-day surf camp?

Book it if you want a structured introduction to surfing, value patient instruction, and can commit to three days in Kihei. The repeat practice is the main advantage, and the specific praise for San and Lucas points to a school that puts attention on beginner progress.

Think twice if $502.56 feels high for a beach activity, if you need hotel pickup, or if your party exceeds the stated maximum of two. Confirm the participant limit and your dates before payment.

For a first-time surfer who wants a genuine chance to improve rather than simply stand once on a board, this camp is a strong choice. Go in expecting practice, falls, and gradual progress, not an instant transformation. That is how you get the most from it.

FAQ

Where does the surf camp take place?

The surfing takes place at Kalama Park in Kihei, Maui.

Where do I meet the surf school?

Meet the Waves Hawaii Surf School van at 1900 S Kihei Road, Kihei, Hawaii 96753, five minutes before your lesson.

How long is the activity?

The listed duration is approximately three days and two hours.

Is this a one-day surf lesson?

No. This booking is for a three-day surf camp and surf progression.

What equipment is included?

A surfboard, rash guard, reef shoes, and a professional instructor are included.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off provided?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The activity begins and ends at the meeting point.

Do I need to provide preferred dates?

Yes. You must provide three preferred dates in the Special Requirements field at checkout. Not providing them can result in cancellation.

Are photos included?

No. Souvenir photos are available to purchase but are not listed as included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.