The 15 Private Surf Lessons in the USA That Earn Their Price

1.Private Hanalei Sandy Bottom Surf Lesson on Kauai

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 339 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $118Our pick

Meet Hawaiian Surfing Adventures in Hanalei for a private lesson in the bay. Instructors such as Nick, Luca, Patrick, and Tapu teach ocean safety, board skills, and wave timing with equipment included. Most beginners stand during this roughly 90-minute session.

“Sean was an amazing instructor! My husband and I felt confident and were surfing on the first wave! The day was perfect and we had a blast.”

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2.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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3.Private Stand Up Paddle Boarding Tour in Turtle Town, Maui

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 293 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $169

Paddle Turtle Town with guides Aqua or Sky on a private two-hour morning tour. Learn SUP basics, look for turtles, coral, fish, and rare monk seals, hear about Maui’s culture and geology, and receive digital photos afterward.

“Truly enjoyed the experience of paddle boarding for the first time! Beautiful scenery, spotted turtles up close, and Aqua the instructor was the best!!”

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4.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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5.Private Surf Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 200 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $199

Meet Kona Town Surf Adventures near Kahaluʻu Beach Park for a 90-minute private surf lesson. Your instructor provides the board, reef shoes, and surf shirt, then coaches you in the water. Arie, Aria, Joe, Milo, Hanz, and Donovan are among the praised instructors.

“The staff and trainers were friendly and worked with all of us to catch a wave and surf. All 5 of us rookies were able to ride a wave.”

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6.Private Surf Lesson for Two Near Lahaina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 189 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $145

Meet Rivers to the Sea near Lahaina for a 90-minute semi-private lesson limited to two people. Instructors such as Sharky, Tanner, Eric, Kane, and Jess teach beginners on soft-top boards, with rash guards and reef shoes included. Expect a land lesson, ocean practice, and plenty of one-on-one help.

“Great experiences? Friendly and knowledgeable person, my family had a great time, I recommend it. My family would do it again when we come back.”

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7.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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8.2 Hour Semi-Private Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 161 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Meet Jack’s Surf Lessons and Board Rentals for a 2-hour lesson with a surfboard and instructor included. You’ll practice the basics in a small-group setting, with local tips and guidance from instructors such as Kevin. A wetsuit is not included and may be needed through mid to late April.

“My 13 yo son went with a friend. He loved the whole experience. The two girls giving the lessons where amazing.”

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9.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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10.2 Hour Private Group Surf Lesson in Lahaina Maui

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 129 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $125

Spend two hours learning to surf with Keep It Simple Hawaii in Lahaina. Your private group works with instructors such as Mario, Mack, Austin, Luke, or Ramon, starting with a 20 to 25 minute beach lesson before heading into the water for hands-on coaching. Boards, rashguards, and water shoes are included.

“Honest company Great experience and good waves for beginners. Registering online was seamless and easy.”

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11.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.

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12.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!”

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13.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.”

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14.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!”

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15.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.”

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