The 15 New Zealand Surf Trips That Earn Their Price

1.Day Cruise & Island Tour – Snorkel/Wildlife/Paddleboard/Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 121 reviews · from $89Our pick

Spend 3.5 hours cruising from Paihia through the Bay of Islands, stopping at Roberton Island and a second island chosen for the weather. Guides such as Zac, Nicola, Cass, and Josh lead bushwalks, explain local history, and provide gear for snorkeling, swimming, and paddleboarding.

“The best day I’ve had in a tour in a long time. Seriously epic. Conditions were rough but felt safe in their hands. Took us to protected beaches so could still enjoy snorkeling. Dolphins were a hit, followed the boat and were with us so close to shore. I wanna do it again”

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2.2 Hour Surf Lesson – Te Arai Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 119 reviews · from $50

Meet Aotearoa Surf School at Te Arai Beach for a two-hour lesson covering safety, board handling, paddling, timing, ocean awareness, and the pop-up. Your instructor supplies the board, wetsuit, rash shirt, leash, and sunscreen, with lessons suited to beginner through advanced surfers.

“We booked four days of private lessons with Maya and couldn’t have asked for a better instructor. She handled different levels with ease — from beginner to intermediate — and was wonderful with our 7-year-old daughter who was just starting. Thanks to her great advice and sharp eye, we all got up and caught waves. Big thanks to Maya!”

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3.Raglan: Group Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · 2 hours · from $56

Meet Raglan Surf School at the red truck and wooden trailer in Ngarunui Beach carpark. In two hours, you’ll learn board handling, paddling, standing up, and surf safety, with instructors such as Holly, Ollie, Sarah, or Buddy offering close support in a small group of up to six.

“It was my first time surfing and it was a great experience! The instructors were very friendly and knowledgeable, and gave attention to everyone in the group. I’m glad I gave this experience a go!”

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4.Auckland: Group Surfing Lesson with Muriwai Surf School

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 34 reviews · 2 hours · from $41Best value

Meet your qualified instructor at Muriwai Beach for a two-hour beginner surf lesson, with a wetsuit, board, safety briefing, beach practice, and guided time in the water. Jacob has earned praise for clear explanations and patient help with first-time surfers.

“It’s like riding a bicycle. People can only show you how. You need to figure it out”

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5.Queenstown: White Water Surfing Along the Kawarau River

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 30 reviews · 4h 30m · from $164

Join Serious Fun Riverboarding for a small-group run down the Kawarau River. You’ll spend 1 to 1.5 hours in a 5mm wetsuit, riding rapids, whirlpools, standing waves, and underwater currents on a bodyboard. Transport from Queenstown, gear, snacks, and an English-speaking guide are included.

“So much fun and the guides took such good care of us. What a fun unique experience.”

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6.Queenstown: Kayaking or SUP Experience on Moke Lake

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 23 reviews · 3h 30m · from $89

You’ll paddle Moke Lake by kayak or stand-up paddleboard for 1.5 to 2 hours, with a safety briefing, gear, map, and time to explore at your own pace. Choose optional minibus transport from Queenstown, then finish with tea, coffee, and local snacks.

“Challenging paddling into the wind, but reasonably protected from the surrounding mountains. It was great that people could go at their own pace, so it suited beginners and more experienced paddlers.”

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7.Mount Maunganui: Group Beginner Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 1h 30m · from $47

Meet your English-speaking Mount Surf School instructor opposite 27 Marine Parade for a 90-minute beginner lesson. Learn safety, etiquette, paddling, and the stand-up move, then practice in Mount Maunganui’s shallow beginner-friendly waves with a board and wetsuit supplied.

“Bailey was awesome, he helped me out throughout the whole process to catch my first waves while giving pointers along the way! Will be back again tomorrow”

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8.Raglan: 2 Day Surf Lesson Package

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 6 reviews · from $98

Spend two consecutive days learning to surf at Ngarunui Beach with Raglan Surf School. Your English-speaking instructor covers beach theory, water safety, board skills, and practical coaching in groups of up to six. A surfboard and wetsuit are included, making this a simple way to start.

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9.Beginner Surf Lesson at Te Arai Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $49

Meet Saltwater Eco at Te Arai for a two-hour beginner surf lesson led by instructors including Locke, Lydia, and Kirsty. Start with beach safety, board handling, paddling, and pop-up practice, then head into the water at a beginner-friendly beach. Equipment and lesson photos are included.

“Clean and great beach for beginners. Locke was exceptionally patient with us beginners and we'd go back to Omaha just to surf with Saltwater Eco. If you're a first-time surfer, there's no need to be afraid when you're under Locke's guidanRead more”

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10.Raglan: 2 Day Surf Lesson & Rental Package

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 5 reviews · 2 hours · from $74

Meet Raglan Surf School at Ngarunui Beach for a two-day start to surfing. An English-speaking instructor teaches paddling, standing, wave choice, and safety in a group of up to six, then you return the next day to practice with rented gear.

“2ème jour conditions météo non favorable au surf (absence de vagues)”

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11.Private 2 Hour Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $126

Meet Aotearoa Surf School at Te Arai for a private two-hour lesson covering safety, paddling, pop-ups, timing, and wave riding. Your instructor adjusts the session to your level, with board, wetsuit, leash, rash shirt, and sunscreen included.

“Absolutely 10/10 recommend this company. We started off as a group of 9 inquiring about private group lessons, and I amended the booking 3 times, as our group kept increasing- 9, 12 and finally 14 gals. Each time our booking changed, coRead more”

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12.Kinloch: Lake Taupo Catamaran Cruise with Paddleboarding

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 3h 30m · from $170

Join a small group of up to six for a 210-minute catamaran cruise from Kinloch. Your English-speaking skipper, possibly Ian, takes you to Western Bays waterfalls, Karangahape Cliffs, native forest, and a boat-only beach for swimming, paddleboarding, or a picnic.

“Such a great afternoon with Ian our skipper, he was so informative and such a nice guy a small group only 5 of us which made the trip More personnel would thoroughly recommend to anyone who wants a fun afternoon and to see a more unspoilt side of lake Taupo”

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13.Auckland: Lucas Creek Waterfall SuP Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 2 hours · from $65

Meet your guide at 31 Wharf Road in Albany for a gentle two-hour SUP outing through Lucas Creek. You’ll get a 30-minute safety briefing, quality touring boards, a PFD, and guided time on the water near mangroves, rocky shores, beaches, and a waterfall. Chris is a supportive guide for beginners.

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14.Raglan: Private Surf lesson 2:1

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $81

Meet your English-speaking surf coach at the red truck and surf trailer in Ngarunui Beach car park. In two hours, you’ll learn the basics or sharpen existing skills with a private one-on-two lesson, wetsuit, board, and close support from Raglan Surf School.

“Very skilled and friendly instructor. We had never done this before, but got good help so we managed to get up in the end :) Recommended for anyone who wants to try surfing!”

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15.Greymouth: 2-Hour Beginner Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2 reviews · 2 hours · from $71

Join Out The Back for a two-hour beginner surf lesson in Greymouth. You will learn ocean safety and board basics on the beach, then practice turning, white-water waves, and standing up. Equipment is supplied, groups stay small, and the lesson time is set around the tide.

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