Monterey: Private Surfing Lessons

Monterey’s cold Pacific water is no place to test your courage in a thin swimsuit. Big Surf Adventures solves that problem with warm 4/5mm wetsuits, booties, and professional boards, then gets you practicing the basics under an instructor’s watch. The lesson begins on the beach and moves into the water for hands-on coaching.

I like the one-on-one option, which gives a beginner more chances to work on paddling and the pop-up instead of waiting for a large class. I also like the practical teaching: board choice, surfer etiquette, surf reports, and ocean conditions are part of the lesson, not just standing up for a few seconds.

The main consideration is that the meeting beach is not fixed. Big Surf Adventures chooses one of five locations based on ocean conditions and contacts you one day before the lesson. That is good for safety, but it means you need to keep your schedule and transport plans flexible.

Key points to know before booking

• Two hours in the water: The lesson combines a short beach demonstration with guided practice and supervision in the waves.
• Cold-water gear is included: You receive a high-quality 4/5mm wetsuit, comfort-fit booties, a professional surfboard, and leash. Gloves and hoods are also available.
• Private formats give you choice: Book a single private lesson, a private group of two to four people, or a large group with extra instructors.
• The beach depends on the ocean: The operator selects one of five Monterey-area locations according to the day’s conditions.
• The instruction goes beyond the pop-up: You also cover board selection, oceanography, surf reports, and the rules that help you share waves safely.
• Omar has earned praise for his teaching: One recent session with Omar was described as a very enjoyable experience, while another short review called the day superb.

Starting with the right board and the right protection

Big Surf Adventures begins with the basics before you face the waves. You receive a board suited to your experience level, a leash, a thick wetsuit, and booties designed for comfort. Gloves and hoods are included as needed, and young children can receive life jackets if required.

That equipment matters in Monterey. The water can be cold even when the day feels pleasant on shore, and a beginner who is shivering will have trouble listening, paddling, or getting upright. The 4/5mm suits are intended to keep students warm on the coldest days, so you can put your attention on technique instead of counting the minutes until you get out.

The provided equipment also makes the $90 per-person price easier to judge. You are not paying only for advice. You are getting two hours of instruction, a board and leash, cold-water clothing, and supervision. If you had to rent each item separately, the cost and hassle would rise quickly.

Sunscreen is available if required. Still, I would treat that as a backup rather than a packing plan. Bring whatever personal sun protection you normally use, along with clothes for changing after the lesson.

The beach lesson: learning the pop-up before the waves

The first part takes place on the beach, where the instructor demonstrates the fundamentals. You learn how to position yourself on the board, paddle, and move from lying down to standing in the pop-up.

This dry-land practice is more valuable than it sounds. The pop-up happens quickly in the water, and you do not want to spend your first wave trying to remember where your hands and feet belong. A beach demonstration lets you repeat the movement without a wave pushing the board around.

You also discuss the kind of board that matches your ability. Beginners benefit from equipment that helps them learn steadily, and the instructor can explain why one board is a better fit than another. That advice remains useful after the lesson if you decide to rent or buy your own equipment.

The session also includes surfer etiquette. That is not filler. Surfing has its own safety rules about sharing waves and positioning, and learning them early helps you avoid putting yourself or another surfer in a bad spot.

Two hours of coached practice in Monterey

After the beach instruction, most of the lesson is spent in the water. You practice paddling, positioning, and the pop-up while the instructor provides guidance and supervision.

The private single lesson is the strongest choice if your main goal is to learn quickly. Your instructor can focus on your specific errors, such as starting the pop-up too slowly or lying in the wrong place on the board. You also avoid dividing practice time among several classmates.

For two to four people, the private group lesson keeps the same basic structure while making the outing social. This works well for family members or friends who want to learn together. You will still need to accept that everyone has a different pace. One person may be catching waves while another is still working on balance.

Groups of five or more receive additional instructors to support safety, guidance, and supervision. This format gives a large party a shared activity and access to more equipment, but private attention will naturally be spread across more people. The extra instructors help offset that issue, and the plan is to keep everyone practicing in the water so no one spends the whole lesson watching from shore.

The word private can mean different things in booking systems, so pay attention to the size you select. A single lesson is private in the most personal sense. A group lesson is private to your party, but it is still a group experience within that party.

What you learn beyond standing up

A first surf lesson can be reduced to one goal: stand on the board. Big Surf Adventures adds useful information that helps you make better decisions afterward.

You discuss how to read surf reports, which is a practical skill if you plan to continue surfing. You also cover oceanography, giving you a better sense of how the water and waves work. The lesson does not turn you into an expert, but these topics help connect the physical drills with the conditions around you.

Board selection is another useful piece. Different boards handle differently, and beginners need to understand why size and shape matter. After completing the lesson, you should have enough basic understanding to rent or purchase equipment and continue surfing with more confidence.

The etiquette portion is equally important. A surfer who can stand up but does not know how to share the water is not ready to surf independently. Big Surf Adventures treats responsible behavior as part of learning, not as an optional lecture.

Choosing a beach when conditions change

You will not be given a single permanent meeting point at the time of booking. The local partner chooses from five locations based on conditions and contacts you one day before the lesson.

This arrangement has a clear advantage: the lesson can be directed toward a safer, more suitable place instead of forcing every class to use the same beach. Ocean conditions matter a great deal for beginners, and a location that works one day may not be the right choice the next.

The tradeoff is planning. If you are arranging a tight Monterey itinerary, do not place another fixed activity immediately after the surf lesson until you know the selected location. You may also need to adjust your driving route.

The activity is held year-round, and the supplied cold-water equipment is designed for winter conditions as well as warmer months. The lesson remains weather permitting. If the ocean is not safe for surfing, the activity is canceled and a refund is issued. That is a sensible policy, though it means you should keep a backup plan for the day.

How Omar’s instruction shapes the experience

Omar is one instructor specifically praised for making the experience enjoyable. The short note about his session does not provide technical detail, but it does identify the quality that matters most in a beginner lesson: clear help from someone who can keep the atmosphere positive while you are trying an unfamiliar skill.

Big Surf Adventures uses safe, certified instructors, and the structure includes supervision throughout the water portion. That is especially important for first-timers, who may not yet know how to judge a wave or manage a board in moving water.

Instruction is in English. If your group includes people who are not comfortable learning in English, keep that limitation in mind before booking. The lesson covers physical movements and safety points, so understanding the instructor clearly matters.

Is $90 per person a good value?

At $90 per person for two hours, this is a fair price for a first surf lesson, particularly if you use the included equipment. The package covers a professional-grade board and leash, a 4/5mm wetsuit, booties, gloves and hoods when needed, and guided supervision.

The value is strongest for the single private lesson. You receive direct attention and can work repeatedly on the skills that give you trouble. If you learn better with friends or family, the two-to-four-person format may offer the best balance of individual help and shared fun.

A large group changes the calculation. The price still includes equipment and extra instructors, but you should not expect the same amount of direct coaching as a solo participant. It is a practical way to give a larger party an introduction to surfing, not the best route for intensive personal instruction.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Monterey plans may shift. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Those terms are useful because the lesson location depends on conditions and the ocean itself can force a change.

Who should book, and who should skip it

This is best for an adult or child age six and older who wants a structured first taste of surfing. It also suits a small family or friend group that wants to learn together rather than book separate activities.

A private single lesson is the clear pick for someone who wants fast feedback or feels nervous about trying a new sport in front of strangers. A two-to-four-person lesson works better for people who enjoy shared practice and do not mind different skill levels in the same group.

The large-group option suits parties of five or more that value a common outing. Extra instructors help with safety and organization, though the experience will be less tailored to each person.

The activity is not suitable for children under six, people with visual impairments, people with mobility impairments, or pregnant women. Those restrictions are important because the lesson involves handling a board and moving through ocean water.

What to bring and how to plan the day

The operator supplies the major gear, so you do not need to arrive with a surfboard or wetsuit. Wear or bring a swimsuit for changing into the provided suit, and pack dry clothes for afterward.

Keep your schedule open around the lesson until the beach location is confirmed. The operator contacts you one day in advance, so check your messages and make sure you can reach the selected location.

Plan on being physically active for the full two hours. The instruction includes beach practice, paddling, repeated attempts, and time in the waves. You do not need previous surfing experience, but you should be ready to listen carefully and follow safety directions.

A positive attitude helps. Your first lesson may produce a clean stand-up, a partial pop-up, or simply a better understanding of how to handle the board. The useful result is learning the process safely enough to keep practicing.

Should you book this Monterey surf lesson?

Book it if you want a real introduction to surfing rather than a quick photo opportunity. The strongest reasons are the cold-water equipment, private lesson choices, practical instruction, and two hours of supervised practice. The 4.9 rating from eight reviews also points to a consistently positive experience, with Omar receiving specific praise.

Choose the single lesson if direct coaching matters most. Choose the small private group if you want to share the day with friends or family. Pick the large-group format for a party activity, but keep your expectations realistic about personal attention.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed meeting beach, cannot manage a water-based physical activity, or have a very tight schedule that cannot absorb a location change. For everyone else, Big Surf Adventures offers a well-equipped, safety-minded way to meet Monterey’s waves with a qualified instructor beside you.

FAQ

How long is the Monterey private surfing lesson?

The lesson lasts two hours and includes guided, supervised instruction.

How much does the lesson cost?

The listed price is $90 per person.

Is surfing equipment included?

Yes. The activity includes a professional-grade surfboard and leash, a high-quality 4/5mm wetsuit, and comfort-fit booties. Gloves and hoods are also included.

Are life jackets available for children?

Life jackets are available for young children if required.

Where does the surfing lesson meet?

The lesson location depends on ocean conditions. Big Surf Adventures chooses one of five locations and contacts you one day before the lesson.

Is the lesson available all year?

Yes. Lessons are held year-round, and the supplied equipment is intended to keep students warm during cold conditions.

What happens if the ocean is unsafe?

The lesson is weather permitting. If the ocean is not safe for surfing, the activity is canceled and a refund is issued.

What lesson sizes are available?

You can choose a single private lesson, a private group lesson for two to four people, or a large-group option for five or more people.

Who cannot take this lesson?

The activity is not suitable for children under six, people with visual impairments, people with mobility impairments, or pregnant women.