11 Beginner Surf Lessons in the USA Worth Booking

1.Two Hour Beginner Group Surf Lesson in Kihei

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 950 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $98Our pick

Meet Surf Shack Maui in Kihei for a two-hour beginner lesson with no more than six students. Instructors such as Mike, Ivan, Sofia, Jay, and Francisco teach safety, etiquette, paddling, and standing up. Boards, rash guards, and water booties are included, with optional surf photos afterward.

“People were great, my son's teacher was fantastic. But waves were almost non existent. Pics taken by company were really good.”

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2.Beginner-Friendly Waikiki Beach Surfing Lesson

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

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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3.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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4.2 Hour Beginner Group Surf Lessons

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 154 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Learn the basics of surfing in a group of no more than five at Lahaina. Your instructor covers technique on shore, then helps you catch waves with provided boards, reef shoes, rash guards, and other gear. Ages 9 and up may join group lessons.

“Nice and helpful instructor. Mario was funny and kept our son going the whole time. He was exhausted but so happy!”

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5.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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6.Surf Class for Beginners in Venice

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Spend about two hours learning to surf near Venice Beach with a 30-minute land lesson followed by guided practice in the water. Boards and wetsuits are included, and instructors such as Alex, Alexi, Martin, Felipe, and Diego focus on safety, simple technique, and helping beginners catch a first wave.

“It was excellent. I was taught by Diego, who had a lot of experience and broke down things in a way that made it very easy to understand. I managed to catch a few waves, which was very cool. Highly recommended.”

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7.Private Beginner Paddleboard 101 Lesson: Makena Landing!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $159

At Makena Landing, your private ocean guide teaches paddleboarding from shore, then coaches you across calm Turtle Town waters. You may spot sea turtles and fish, while a professional photographer captures the outing. Guides including Peg, Pam, John, Lowe, Dana, and Emily have earned warm praise for patient instruction.

“This was our favorite water activity of the trip. Peg was a great teacher, very knowledgeable about the ocean and islands, and fun to hangout with for a couple of hours.”

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8.Beginner-Friendly Island Snorkeling by SUP or Kayak

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 61 reviews · 2h 30m · from $99

Learn to kayak or stand-up paddleboard, follow a guide through mangroves, then take a boat to Sandspur Island for shallow-water snorkeling. Safety vests help non-swimmers, and guides such as Tony, Miguel, and Celia are praised for patient instruction. Expect wildlife, fruit, drinks, and a relaxed 150-minute outing.

“not much could be improved. Gabby was an amazing guide but the raccoons stole the show. highly recommend the experience.”

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9.Private Beginner Paddleboard Lesson with Snorkel in Turtle Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $179

Meet your private guide at Makena Landing Park for a gentle paddleboard lesson, then hold onto your board while snorkeling above Turtle Town’s reefs. Guides such as Peg, Heidi, and Chris work with beginners and young children, provide water and safety gear, and can capture photos for purchase.

“Wow! We booked a little last minute (the week of) and it absolutely worth it. Peg called the night before like she said she would and confirmed all details, and made a suggestion that we go a little earlier because the weather had been better then. And THEN she sent her own picks for local food and souvenirs! It was an absolutely perfect morning on the water. Chris, the guide, was fantastic and everyone was up and paddling about quickly. He had so much patience for the slightly anxious person too. Then came the snorkeling. My kids were in LOVE. Chris pointed out some amazing creatures, turtles, sea urchins, octopi,…”

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10.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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11.2h of Private Surf Lesson for Beginners in Santa Monica

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $285

Meet the Badass Surf School team by the blue VW bus at Santa Monica Beach for a private two-hour beginner lesson. Jake, Jeff, or another instructor starts with beach safety, paddling, wave timing, and pop-ups, then coaches you in the water as you work toward riding waves to shore.

“Jake and his staff were amazing! We couldn't think of any better way to be Californian than to have the kids surf. We are from Florida - and it was the kids first visit to the west coast. While I had researched different surf schools prior to our trip, we opted for flexibility in our schedule and didn't book anything prior to our arrival. We saw BASS set up on the beach for their summer camp. And even though we met Jake at about 3pm, after having taught a whole day of camp, he put in full effort to teach my kiddos how to surf for over 2 hours...at the…”

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