The 15 Best Puerto Vallarta Surf Trips

1.Surf lessons in Puerto Vallarta and Nayarit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 137 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $110Our pick

Okala Surf School takes you from your hotel or home to the best beach for your skill level and current sea conditions. With instructors such as Kristhian, Jonathan, Diego, and Kalany, you get private coaching, boards, rash guards, snacks, water, and photos during a four-hour lesson.

“I'd always wanted to learn how to surf, and this was an excellent introductory experience. Jonathan and his brother are great teachers- direct, detailed, attentive. They gave great feedback each time I attempted to surf. Without their help and teaching, I would not have reached my goal of standing on the board (even if just !a few seconds). They offered me a different spot on a group trip the next day since no one else was scheduled besides me the day I did this- I couldn't do the group lesson even though that would have been fun, because I wasn't going to be in PV by then...but the private lesson…”

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2.Private Surf Lesson Experience at Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $94

Travel from central Puerto Vallarta to Punta Mita for a private surf lesson with instructors such as Edson, Jean Carlo, or Rafael. Practice on the beach, ride beginner-friendly waves, then choose more surfing, beach time, or a visit to Sayulita.

“My brother and I had an amazing time. He is now hooked on surfing. We will definitely be back to hit the beach again!”

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3.Paddleboard and Snorkeling Experience in Los Arcos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 107 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Meet Felix, Mariella, Daniella, or Sergio at 8:30 am in Puerto Vallarta, then drive to Mismaloya for a lesson and a one-mile paddle to Los Arcos. You’ll enter sea caves, snorkel for 30 to 40 minutes, and return with water and a granola bar included.

“It was wonderful! The guides were very friendly and knowledgeable. The waters was nice, not super challenging despite the waves. It was really fun when paddling the board cross the cave. The view is very unique! We saw colorful fish during Snorkeling time. We also swam crossing another cave. Overall we had a great time! Will definitely recommend to friends.”

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4.Fun 2 hr Surf Lessons in Punta de Mita

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 92 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Meet Alejandro, Alex Jr., or Diego at Av. El Anclote for a private Punta de Mita surf lesson. You’ll practice balance and pop-ups before entering the water, learn to read ocean conditions, and use provided boards and rash guards. Lessons begin at 10 a.m. or 5 p.m.

“Alejandro was awesome the day we had planned our lessons there were no waves. So we rescheduled for a couple days later. I have been trying to surf for years, he had me up and surfing in 30 minutes. Very friendly respectful instructor.”

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5.Vallarta surf lesson with Pickup Included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $120

You get a private half-day lesson with pickup from Puerto Vallarta, a beach chosen for the day’s waves and your ability, and about two hours in the water. Instructors including Emilian, Andru, Joaquin, and Jonathan teach beginners patiently, with an optional seafood stop afterward.

“Nice car and great instructor Joaquin. Enjoyed surfing and trip. We took a boat trip to Lalancha. Highly recommend.”

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6.Sayulita Surfer Beach Town and Zarandeado with Seafood Grill

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $146

Meet guide Jose Antonio or a member of his small team at 8:30 a.m. for an eight-hour trip from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita and Patzcuaritos Beach. Expect local fruit, sweets, tacos, free time in town, a rugged beach walk, and a generous grilled fish and shrimp lunch beside the Pacific.

“I have been struggling to write this review as it is that good! I think this is the best tour in PV. I would give it 10 stars if I could. Jose Antonio Garcia Rivas and Yahir and just the best! From the beginning to the end, every detail was thoughtful and special. We were taken to a small roadside farm stand for a little shopping, then off to Sayulita for a couple of hours of exploring this awesome little community, shopping at the hippy market and artisan market. I can see why so many people come here and never return home. It's that special. We stopped off at Luna's…”

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7.2 Hour Private Surfing Experience in Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

This private surfing outing takes you from Puerto Vallarta or Bahía de Banderas to Punta Mita or Nuevo Nayarit. Joaquin, Emi, Danny, and their team teach safety and basic technique before two hours of surfing, with boards, snacks, water, and a GoPro included.

“Joaquin & Danny were amazing! We had such a fun morning learning to surf. My sons did great with their instructions. And had a blast. I did not think I would get up on the board but I did! Danny & Joaquin are patient, kind, funny and amazing instructors. You cannot go wrong with 10/10 experience.”

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8.Puerto Vallarta premier Surf Lessons VSCO

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $90

Vallarta Surf Co takes you from Puerto Vallarta to a quiet beach reached by a six-minute jungle walk. Leo and his team teach pop-ups, timing, and paddling on sand before guiding you into shallow water with small waves, snacks, shade, chairs, and photos.

“We showed up to the designated meeting area and the provider never showed. We waited for thirty minutes. No phone call, no email, I even tried calling the store and it went to voicemail right away.”

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9.Stand Up Paddle Boarding Adventure in Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Paddle along Puerto Vallarta’s Malecon for about 90 minutes with a guide from Vallarta SUP & Adventure. Expect stable boards, local sights, bilingual instruction, photos when available, and chances to spot whales, turtles, dolphins, birds, or manta rays.

“We had an incredible experience. Our guide was so helpful and kind. He made sure that we were fully okay with the scheduled times, and was willing to adjust if necessary. I would recommend that you do not bring extra items or phone, wallet or many valuables just because there is no place for you to safely put i. Other than that. You have found the paddle board guide of your dreams.”

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10.Stand-Up Paddle Board Lesson in Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $56

Meet Xiutla Riders Ecoadventure, learn basic paddleboarding on the beach, then paddle toward Puerto Vallarta’s Malecon and Los Muertos pier. Edson may lead your lesson. This private, two-hour outing runs in the morning or at sunset and suits beginners age seven and up.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to actually paddle board. The ocean was rough and honestly it should have been cancelled. My boyfriend and I are decent at paddleboarding and neither one of us could stand up. We only spent about 30 mins or so on the water before we gave up. The current moved us behind are starting point and we only were able to get back to that point. The tour guide was generous enough to take us on a tour of downtown and drop us off back at the port.”

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11.Private Surf Lesson in Punta Mita

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $105

Meet WildMex at La Lancha near Punta Mita for a private, three-hour surf session. Coaches such as Cesar teach first-timers, children age six and up, and stronger surfers. You get a soft-top board, rash guard, booties, towel, changing room, storage, and showers.

“Instructor was awesome!! Waves were fantastic. Customer service was great!! We got lost and they directed us to their shop.”

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12.Swim and Paddle Board with Wild Dolphin Pods in Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $110

Set out from Los Muertos Beach Pier with a private group and a marine-life guide such as Eduardo. Search near river mouths for wild dolphin pods, approach by paddle board, swim with snorkeling gear, and use towable boards when conditions allow. Whale sightings are also possible.

“We booked a private tour for six of us - lovely time. We had lots of views of whales and dolphins. Swimming in the middle of the pacific was a real thrill.”

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13.Private Stand Up Paddle Experience in Los Arcos Jalisco

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $107

Meet Xiutla Riders in central Puerto Vallarta, ride to Mismaloya Beach, and paddle a private SUP route to Los Arcos National Park. Your guide, including Edsom on some outings, provides instruction and local context. Snorkeling, board time, and an optional tequila tasting are available.

“The paddle board adventure was a bit more than we expected in terms of difficulty but ended up being more rewarding! The tour guide and drive out was beautiful and to really enjoy the area you have to leave the port and the port city. Los Arcos is a national park and a very enjoyable location to visit and snorkel. We took this tour over the cruise ship offerings and it was worth it! The instruction on paddle boarding allowed all of us to be successful in making it out to Los Arcos. We felt a bit rushed getting from the port over to the store but a quick uber…”

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14.Surf classes in Puerto Vallarta with local instructors

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $107

Meet at 8:00 am in Puerto Vallarta, or arrange pickup if available, then ride to Villa Varadero in Nuevo Vallarta for a private surf lesson. Your instructor supplies the board, leash, rashguard, shade, water, and a snack. Daniel is one named instructor associated with the experience.

“I had such a great experience, surfing the for the first time. Everything was arranged perfect, got picked up at the hotel en we drove tho the beach where I got lessons from Daniel! Really recommend this one!!”

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15.Surfing Lessons La Lancha

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $83

Julio picks you up at your Puerto Vallarta hotel or Airbnb, drives you to Playa La Lancha, and provides a private two-hour surf lesson with boards included. Expect a clean beach, clear water, patient coaching, and a simple path to getting upright on the board.

“Julio was helpful and patient. He made it so I could remember what to do in the moment. We were successful in getting me up on the surfboard and Julio is a kind person who has a deep connection to the ocean like me 🌊”

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