15 Surf Lessons in Oahu Worth Booking

1.Open Group Surfing Lesson in Waikiki, Hawaii

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

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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.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 !”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Waikiki Private Group Surf Lesson

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

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

5.Surf Lessons on the North Shore of Oahu

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

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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.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

7.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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.North Shore Beginner Surf Lesson, Hawaii

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 114 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $104

Meet Surf N Sea in Haleiwa for a two-hour North Shore surf lesson at Waialua Bay. Instructors such as Henry, Eric, Tanner, Mark, and Travis teach safety, etiquette, wave timing, and beginner technique. You must be able to swim, provide your own transport, and children under 13 need private lessons.

“This was a great experience for anyone looking to just try out surfing for the first time. Tanner took us out and was excellent at teaching us the etiquette and technique for surfing. We even got up on the boards and found some success in it! He helped us pick out which waves we were going to surf and made the overall lesson very personable. Thank you, we would 10/10 do this again!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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.

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Group Surf Lesson in the Heart of Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 107 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $119

Meet at Makai Gift Outlet for a 90-minute Jamie O’Brien surf lesson on Waikiki Beach. You’ll use a board, booties, and rashguard while instructors such as Mo, Happy, and Kikki help beginners build confidence in the water.

“What a great experience, Happy and Kikki are excellent teachers and kept the whole family safe for which we are grateful. Highly recommended...”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.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

14.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

15.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