The 15 Best Surf Lessons & Trips on Oahu

Oahu North Shore Experience: Activities, Waterfall & Free Time - Coffee and macadamia nuts at Tropical Farms

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,799 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $167Our pick

Ride the Surf Bus from Waikiki to Oahu’s North Shore with guides such as Sam, Kevin, and Cousin G. Choose snorkeling, kayaking, SUP, cycling, surfing, or Waimea Falls, then enjoy free time in Haleiwa.

“This was excellent! The tour guide Kevin was so knowledgeable and funny, made the trip even more fun. We got a chance to see some extra sights and the bus was clean and comfortable. If you need to see a lot of the island in a short amount of time I highly recommend this tour!”

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Open Group Surfing Lesson in Waikiki, Hawaii

2.Open Group Surfing Lesson in Waikiki, Hawaii

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 582 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $112

Meet your Hans Hedemann instructor at 150 Kapahulu Ave, learn safety and surf etiquette, then practice paddling, standing, and turning at Waikiki Beach. Boards, rash shirts, reef shoes, and lockers are included. Instructors such as Niko, Luis, and Charlie work with beginners in small groups.

“Did a group lesson with Nico and Lewis, who are both great teachers! They have everything you need to borrow (booties, rash guard etc). Our 2nd time with this company. Suuuuper fun. I think everyone caught waves. My 14 yr old is hooked… coming back for a semi private lesson!”

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Oahu: Beginner-Friendly Waikiki Beach Surfing Lesson

3.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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Surfing Lessons On Waikiki Beach

4.Surfing Lessons On Waikiki Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 317 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $129

Meet at Big Wave Dave Surf & Coffee near Waikiki Beach Walk, where your instructor covers safety, paddling, and board control before taking you into the shallow, sandy water. The 90-minute lesson includes a board, leash, locker, and hands-on coaching. Instructors have included Derek, Josh, Tanner, Mouse, Alex, and Cody.

“Very fun if you get the right guy get was very nice and informative not just about the surfing experience but also about the ocean and animals and everything not just learning how to get up on the surf board also just a very fun guy to be around.”

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Waikiki Private Group Surf Lesson

5.Waikiki Private Group Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 298 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $123

Meet Stoke Drift at Ocean Patio B in Waikiki for a 90-minute private surf lesson. You’ll spend 15 to 30 minutes learning safety and technique on land, then about an hour catching waves with an instructor such as Chaz, Justice, Joey, Keith, or Cole.

“My son and his girlfriend (first-time surfer) had a great experience learning to surf in their private lesson together. Most of their time was spent on the water with their instructor providing excellent on-task, individual, instruction. Both kids rode waves during their lesson. My wife and I viewed the whole thing from our Waikiki hotel room lanai, too! Highly recommend!”

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Surf Lessons on the North Shore of Oahu

6.Surf Lessons on the North Shore of Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 267 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $95

Meet Suzy’s Surf School in Hauula for a 90-minute beginner lesson with instructors such as Andy, John, Suzy, or Matthew. You’ll spend 15 minutes learning on the beach, then practice in the water with a board, rash guard, leash, and local guidance included.

“Andy was amazing! We’re all new to surfing and aren’t great swimmers either but Andy made this experience so memorable. He’s patient, fun, and he made us feel we’re in good hands the entire time. We’ll definitely do it again! Our son rated this activity #1!”

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Family, Private & Group Surfing Lessons, Waikiki Courtesy Shuttle

7.Family, Private & Group Surfing Lessons, Waikiki Courtesy Shuttle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 216 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $107

Meet at Ohana Surf Project near the Waikiki Beach Marriott, gear up, and ride a shuttle to the beach for a two-hour lesson. Instructors such as Luke, Jayden, Jake, and Tyler work with beginners, families, and mixed-skill groups. Boards, rash guards, reef shoes, and Waikiki transport are included.

“Friendly and experienced coach. We were able to stand up for the first time. One coach takes care of one family, it’s very professional”

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Haleiwa River Paddle Board Rental with Blue Planet Adventure Co.

8.Haleiwa River Paddle Board Rental with Blue Planet Adventure Co.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 215 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $39Best value

Rent a stable stand-up paddleboard or single kayak from Blue Planet Adventure Co. and explore Haleiwa’s Anahulu River at your own pace. The private launch area makes getting on the water easy. Staff members such as Julie, Elena, Cree, Tyler, and Max have helped beginners get started.

“Amazing spot, great people. Saw lot of turtles and very beautiful scenery. The shop owners are very easy going and accommodating”

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Oahu: Waikiki 2-Hour Beginner Group Surf Lesson

9.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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Private Surfing Lessons in Waikiki

10.Private Surfing Lessons in Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 176 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $96

Meet at Moku Hawaii on Koa Avenue for a 90-minute private Waikiki surf lesson. Max or Wil starts with safety, board position, paddling, and standing practice, then walks with you to the beach. Boards, wax, and sunscreen are included.

“Surfing lessons were lots of fun! Instructor did a great job walking through the process and getting us standing on the boards:) We paid extra to have the lessons videotaped, and it was definitely worth the extra expense.”

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Surf Lesson Without the Crowds Including GoPRO Videos

11.Surf Lesson Without the Crowds Including GoPRO Videos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 167 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $125

Meet Michael McChrystal’s team at Ala Moana Park for a 90-minute beginner surf lesson limited to a small group. Mike, Rio, and John teach safety, etiquette, and wave skills, then coach you in the water while GoPro footage is captured and emailed after editing.

“Had an amazing time with the team, lots of support and excellent guidance on surfing techniques. Was able to catch a few waves my first time surfing ever!”

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Family, Private & Group Standup Paddle Lessons in Waikiki

12.Family, Private & Group Standup Paddle Lessons in Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 143 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $118

Meet Ohana Surf Project at the Waikiki Beach Marriott, ride a complimentary shuttle to the beach, and spend about two hours learning with a professional instructor. Boards, paddles, rashguards, reef shoes, storage, and safety instruction are included. Photos and videos cost extra.

“This was an awesome experience! From communication before the event to the photos after, it was very smooth. Our Instructor, Mark, was the best! He was very attentive and wanted my husband and I to catch as many waves as possible during the 2 hours. If we got a little tired from paddling, he would help pull us out to the surf for the next wave. This day was definitely a highlight of our trip!”

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Lunar Legends Night Stand up Paddle Kayak Water Experience

13.Lunar Legends Night Stand up Paddle Kayak Water Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 141 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $107

Spend about 90 minutes paddling or kayaking through the Polynesian Cultural Center after closing. Your storyteller-guide shares legends from Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Tahiti, and New Zealand as colorful LEDs glow beneath the board. The water is calm, shallow, and suitable for beginners.

“Fantastic experience, excellent guide and stories, cool location for an easy SUP. If you’ve never done stand up paddling - great for a newbie: calm lagoon waters, easy speed with stops for the history on the Polynesian areas, and shallow waters. The LED is such a nice touch on SUP!! Went with my family, we all own and paddle board occasionally so cool experience as a newbie or experienced paddle boarder with a twist!”

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Outrigger Canoe Surfing

14.Outrigger Canoe Surfing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 122 reviews · 20 minutes (approx.) · from $51

Meet Waikiki Beach Services at the Royal Hawaiian and paddle a traditional outrigger canoe into Waikiki’s surf. A licensed captain leads your group of up to six, with at least two waves planned. Children from age five and nonswimmers can ride, while only four seats are set up for paddlers.

“Great experience and fun to do with kids! The guys were super professional and it was a blast. It's just too quick. We pretty much rode 3 waves and we were done.”

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Paddleboard Yoga Class in Honolulu

15.Paddleboard Yoga Class in Honolulu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 120 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $57

Meet Yoga Floats at Ala Moana Beach Park for a 75-minute paddleboard yoga class in shallow water. Your instructor teaches balance, yoga poses, meditation, and savasana on the board. Groups cap at 10, and instructors such as Kelsey, Julie, and Jen offer modifications for beginners and experienced yogis.

“Yoga Floats was such a relaxing time! I went with my brother, who has no experience with yoga, and neither of us had paddleboarded before. The instructor was so nice and showed different variations of each pose so that everyone could participate no matter how experienced at yoga you are. This is a must in Honolulu!!”

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