Top 11 Beginner Surf Lessons in Oahu

1.Beginner-Friendly Waikiki Beach Surfing Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 425 reviews · 2 hours · from $125Our pick

At Surfer Girl Academy, you get a two-hour Waikiki surf lesson with English- or Japanese-speaking instructors, a 20 to 30-minute beach briefing, and about 70 minutes in the water. Small groups, reef shoes, boards, rash guards, and patient coaching make this a solid first lesson.

“Find the location was easy, Noah was a amazing teacher and helper in explaining and showing with details how to go throw the waves !”

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2.Waikiki 2-Hour Beginner Group Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 191 reviews · 2 hours · from $103

Spend two hours learning to surf about a mile outside Waikiki’s crowded surf zone. Current professional surfers such as Turner, Kai, and Noah coach small groups of up to six, covering safety, etiquette, board handling, and proper stance before helping you catch waves.

“I felt so bad for my guide because he had a workout pushing me all the way in and all the way out. I got one good run only because I was so sick. Sea Sick wasn't a joke. Noah was the guide and was a good sport about pushing my fat butt out!! I would definitely try again and it would be awesome if it was Noah again!”

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3.North Shore Beginner Surf Lesson, Hawaii

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 114 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $104

Meet Surf N Sea in Haleiwa for a two-hour North Shore surf lesson at Waialua Bay. Instructors such as Henry, Eric, Tanner, Mark, and Travis teach safety, etiquette, wave timing, and beginner technique. You must be able to swim, provide your own transport, and children under 13 need private lessons.

“This was a great experience for anyone looking to just try out surfing for the first time. Tanner took us out and was excellent at teaching us the etiquette and technique for surfing. We even got up on the boards and found some success in it! He helped us pick out which waves we were going to surf and made the overall lesson very personable. Thank you, we would 10/10 do this again!”

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4.Waikiki Beginner Private Surf Lesson- Female Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 40 reviews · 1 hour · from $135

Meet Ali at Duke Kahanamoku’s statue for a private Waikiki surf lesson made for beginners. You’ll spend 20 to 30 minutes learning on the sand, then paddle out with your board to practice catching waves. A rashguard, sunscreen, water, and swimming ability are essential.

“My daughter (12) loved her surfing lessons! Ali was clear and accommodating with her instructions. She helped my daughter feel confident and ensured she was successful. Would definitely book again!”

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5.Surf lessons for beginners in Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 40 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $100Best value

Meet at the Duke Kahanamoku Statue for a private Waikiki surf lesson with an instructor such as Preston, Jameson, or Scotty. You’ll cover ocean safety and board basics on the sand, then practice in the water with personal coaching. Surfboards are included, and the lesson lasts about two hours.

“Amazing experience with Preston! We booked the two hour lesson early in the morning, and it couldn’t have been better. It was easy to find him on the beach, we went over the basics in the sand, and then got right in the water. He gives you four simple steps, and my husband and I were catching waves in no time! Preston could read the water very well, and gave us some tips and tricks to help us learn for ourselves. Definitely recommend the two hour lesson vs one hour, it gives you tons of time to improve your skills. Would 100% book with Preston and Hawaiian Boy Surf School…”

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6.Group Surf Lesson: Two Hours Of Beginners Instruction

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) Top rated

Meet at Kaimana Beach Hotel for a two-hour beginner lesson with a maximum of six people. You’ll practice on land, then learn paddling, balance, safe falling, and wave riding with CPR and lifeguard-certified instructors such as Noah, Janelle, Max, Kai, and Josh.

“Our family of 5 had an awesome surfing experience with Janelle. We learned how to surf and most importantly, had a blast. 😉 We had a great time!!! Janelle was a great teacher. She’s pleasant, patient, accommodating, taught us a lot of tips how to stand up on the board, how to paddle correctly, how to fall on the water and what to expect w the waves. Hands down best surfing experience in Oahu than we had in Maui 3 years ago!”

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7.Beginner Surf Lesson in North Shore, Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $130

Meet your instructor at Puaʻena Point Beach Park for a hands-on North Shore surf lesson. You get a board, leash, fins, rash guard, life jacket, and coaching in English. Group lessons run about two hours, while private lessons last about one hour. Mitch is one named instructor.

“Three of us went to North shore Banzai for a private beginners lesson. My two teenagers -13 and experienced, 16 some experience and me (old, no experience). I received a friendly message with a dropped pin for meet location and he was there and meeting up worked seamlessly. Friendly and helpful throughout the lesson he made it fun and effort free for all of us despite our differing fitness and skill levels. Towing us out, pushing us off and with helpful feedback each time we ‘caught a wave’. What an experience surfing together on the North shore!”

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8.Beginner Surf Lesson at North Shore Haleiwa, Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $150

Meet Kekai and the local surf team at Puaʻena Point Beach Park for a two-hour beginner lesson. You’ll receive a board, leash, rash guard, safety briefing, land practice, and guided time in the waves, with Hawaiian green sea turtles often nearby.

“My family was so nervous to be out in the ocean but Kekai and Koa were amazing and made us quickly feel comfortable. All of us got up and our 8 and 10 year olds did quite well surfing! All thanks to the great tips we got from Kekai and Kia. We definitely recommend them and would take lessons from them again!”

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9.Group Surf Lessons for beginners on the North Shore of Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $150

Learn the basics of surfing on Oahu’s North Shore in a private group lesson lasting about two hours. Connor and the Catch’a Wave team provide the board, leash, and rash guard, then guide you from beach practice to your first small-wave ride.

“Teacher is very careful, observant, helpful, and patient. We started with dry exercises on the beach before going into water which was very good to train the basics before trying anything getting into the waves.”

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10.Private Surfing Lesson: Two Hours of Beginner Instruction

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 17 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Meet at Kaimana Beach Hotel for a private two-hour surf lesson in English. You’ll learn board position, paddling, wave safety, standing, and balance with all equipment provided. Kids 10 and under and weak swimmers must book private instruction.

“My daughter had a great time her first time surfing! Noah was a great instructor, super helpful and effective, now she wants her own surfboard! Definitely recommend for anyone interested in surfing”

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11.Beginner Surfing Lessons In Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $110

Meet your private instructor at the Duke Kahanamoku Statue for a one-hour beginner lesson at Waikiki Beach. Preston and Scotty have earned strong praise for patient coaching, clear safety guidance, and helping first-timers stand up and ride.

“Scotty was great! Encouraging they teach you very basics and get you going on the water. Honestly best experience ever.”

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