15 Private Surf Lessons in Oahu to Build a Trip Around

1.Waikiki Private Group Surf Lesson

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

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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.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”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Private Surfing Lessons in Waikiki

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

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Oahu Private Surfing Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 113 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $226

Meet at Kahalewai Place for a private North Shore surf lesson built around your pace. Your instructor works with you on the beach and in the water, covering paddling, board control, wave selection, and safety. Lessons welcome students age four and up, with a board and rash guard included.

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Private 1-on-1 Surf Lesson with Videos and Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 107 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $160

Meet Jake or another Manifesting Aloha instructor at Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon for a private one-hour surf lesson. You’ll learn safety, paddling, and pop-ups, then practice with hands-on help. Boards, rash guards, water shoes, and same-day photos and videos are included.

“It was fun! Jake was really awesome!he will really help you a lot to learn surfing.i really recommend it to everybody!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Private Surf Lesson at Waikiki Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 107 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $179

Meet at Big Wave Dave Surf & Coffee, where a certified instructor prepares you on land before walking you across Lewers Street to Waikiki Beach. Your 90-minute private lesson is tailored to your level, with instructors such as Paulie, Lee, Madison, and Josh teaching paddling, balance, and wave timing.

“From the moment we arrived everyone was so kind and helpful(Crystal and Faith). Pauly and Josh were our instructors and we couldn’t have asked for better instructors. We were able to surf most of the waves due to their great instructions.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Family, Private & Group Bodyboard Lessons in Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 106 reviews · from $111

Meet at Ohana Surf Center near the Waikiki Beach Marriott, gear up with a board, rash guard, and reef shoes, then ride the shuttle to the beach. Instructors such as Romeo, Roland, Kevin, and Jayden work with families and first-timers, including children who can swim and paddle their own boards.

“This experience was one of our favorites from our trip! Our instructor was chill and helpful and we felt at ease the whole time. Something we’ll remember forever!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Family, Private & Group Bodyboard Lessons in Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 104 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $118

Meet at Ohana Surf Project near Waikiki Beach Marriott, watch a short safety lesson, gear up, and ride to the beach. Groups are limited to four per instructor, with boards, rash guards, fins, and reef shoes supplied. Expect beginner-friendly coaching and plenty of time in the water.

“It was my very first experience of surfing. The coaches were super nice and supportive for everything you might need in the sea! Definitely will come back for my next lesson.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Private Surfing Lessons on the North Shore of Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 87 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $150

Meet your private Catch'a Wave instructor at Puaʻena Point Beach Park for a two-hour lesson built around your ability and goals. You’ll receive a board, leash, fins, and rash guard, then practice on land before working toward small waves and longer rides with personal coaching.

“Incredible tlexperience learning how to surf on the NORTH SHORE! Connor was great at showing us, first timers, what to do. He personally navigated us around the busy waves, and got us onto a few fun waves. Connor was very patient and a good instructor for the two of us. He started us out on land, and then we transitioned to the water. We will definitely.be back!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Private Surf Lesson in Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $159

Meet Shane or Captain Neil near Rainbow Tower for a private Waikiki surf lesson built around your pace. You’ll get a board, reef shoes, rashguard, locker, and close coaching in the water. Pickup may be arranged, and photo or video packages may be available separately.

“Shane and Captain Neil were incredible teachers and made sure we each got up for several waves. They were so helpful and motivating. Captain Neil got great footage through the tour and even caught a turtle popping up! 10/10 would do this again!”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Private Surf Lessons in Honolulu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $199

Spend about two hours at Waikiki Beach with a private surf instructor from Hans Hedemann Surf School. You get a board, waterproof gear, and coaching matched to your level. Instructors including Niko, Chris, Charlie, Charles, and Kalani work with beginners, children, and returning surfers.

“My son had an amazing time with his instructor Chris. The whole crew made sure that we had the best time out there on the waves. They had patience and compassion for a first timer and it showed. Highly recommend. Worth every penny.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.1.5-Hour Semi Private Surfing Lesson in Honolulu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Meet Gone Surfing Hawaii near Waikīkī Beach for a private 90-minute lesson with your group of up to six. Your instructor covers safety, wave reading, paddling, and surf etiquette on the sand before helping you catch beginner-friendly waves. Boards and rash guards are included.

“Thank you for the best instruction and great experience. Was super fun. Definitely recommend these guys. The spot is out of the way from all the people traffic in the water.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Oahu Semi Private Surfing Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 73 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $166

You’ll learn surfing basics in a calm North Shore cove with a private group, surfboard, and rash guard included. Your instructor explains surf safety, wave timing, etiquette, paddling, and standing, then coaches you through each wave. Instructor Marjorie is praised for clear, friendly feedback.

“It was our first time to Hawaii and this was the best way to spend our trip! We got away from Waikiki and came to a calm beach and the best instructor! We learned quickly how to surf and we will be back again soon!”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.1.5-Hour Private Surfing Lesson in Honolulu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Meet Gone Surfing Hawaii at Waikīkī Beach for a private 90-minute lesson led by a licensed instructor. You’ll cover ocean safety and etiquette on the sand, then practice wave reading, positioning, and takeoffs in the water. Lessons suit swimmers age 5 and up, with private booking required for children under 13.

“Tommy was a great instructor for my 10yo son’s private surfing lesson! This was his second time surfing in Hawai’i (first time he was 7yo) and Tommy was a patient and supportive, giving my son encouragement and tips to catch the waves. He also listened to his needs - when my son got too cold he brought him in and was able to provide some bandages as my son got a few scrapes on his foot from the reef (you may want to wear reef walkers while surfing to avoid cuts). Gone Surfing was also fantastic- we had initially booked a Saturday 2pm lesson but due to high tide, there…”

Check availability →Read our full review