SURF LESSONS IN THE USA

The 15 Best Surf Lessons in the USA

74 trips  ·  from $60 a head

Waikiki, Southern California and the Atlantic beach towns all teach through the summer. These 15 lessons are priced by group size, with the boards, the wetsuits and the beach parking spelled out.

Maui: Two Hour Beginner Group Surf Lesson in Kihei - The beach briefing covers more than standing up
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Maui: Two Hour Beginner Group Surf Lesson in Kihei

1.Two Hour Beginner Group Surf Lesson in Kihei

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 950 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $98Our pick

Meet Surf Shack Maui in Kihei for a two-hour beginner lesson with no more than six students. Instructors such as Mike, Ivan, Sofia, Jay, and Francisco teach safety, etiquette, paddling, and standing up. Boards, rash guards, and water booties are included, with optional surf photos afterward.

“People were great, my son's teacher was fantastic. But waves were almost non existent. Pics taken by company were really good.”

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Open Group Surfing Lesson in Waikiki, Hawaii - The First 45 Minutes: Safety, Etiquette, and Practice
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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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Outrageous Surf ScHool Lesson on Lahaina Side - Getting started at Ukumehame Beach Park
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Outrageous Surf ScHool Lesson on Lahaina Side

3.Outrageous Surf ScHool Lesson on Lahaina Side

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 547 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

You’ll learn beginner surf skills with instructors such as Scott, Tyler, and Patrick during a 90-minute lesson near Lahaina. Expect a short beach briefing, quality equipment, and plenty of time in the water. The small group has a maximum of five people, and you must know how to swim.

“Tyler was great at teaching us! Was able to get up and catch a wave on my first run ! Even saw a sea turtle ! Book with them 🤙”

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Los Angeles: Surfing Lesson in Venice Beach - The first 30 to 40 minutes on the sand
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Los Angeles: Surfing Lesson in Venice Beach

4.Surfing Lesson in Venice Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 442 reviews · 2 hours · from $69Best value

Meet your English-speaking instructor at 20 Bicknell Ave, suit up, and learn the basics on Venice Beach. You’ll practice pop-ups and safety on sand, then spend about 40 minutes with your instructor in the water. Boards, wetsuits, storage, and an outdoor rinse are included.

“Great experience! Must have for people, that would like to try something new. Good explanation from the guide. I recommend.”

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Oahu: Beginner-Friendly Waikiki Beach Surfing Lesson - Arriving at Surfer Girl Academy
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Oahu: Beginner-Friendly Waikiki Beach Surfing Lesson

5.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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Po'ipu Surf Lesson - Getting into the Poipu water
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Po’ipu Surf Lesson

6.Po’ipu Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 361 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89

Meet Hoku Water Sports at Koʻa Kea Resort on Poipu Beach for a 90-minute beginner lesson. Instructors such as Kele, David, and Dave teach paddling, pop-ups, and ocean safety on land before coaching you in the water. Boards, booties, and rash guards are included.

“Our teenagers who are beginner surfers loved this experience and did it for a few days. The instructors were kind, fun and professional. If you are looking for a great experience for your kids, or even for adults looking to learn surfing in a safe and supportive environment, look no further- this is it!”

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Private Hanalei Sandy Bottom Surf Lesson on Kauai - How the Private Format Changes the Lesson
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Private Hanalei Sandy Bottom Surf Lesson on Kauai

7.Private Hanalei Sandy Bottom Surf Lesson on Kauai

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

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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Surfing Lessons On Waikiki Beach - Entering Waikiki’s shallow beginner zone
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Surfing Lessons On Waikiki Beach

8.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 - About an hour catching Waikiki waves
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Waikiki Private Group Surf Lesson

9.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 - What happens during the 90-minute lesson
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Surf Lessons on the North Shore of Oahu

10.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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Group Surf Lesson at Kalama Beach in Kihei - The short land lesson before you paddle out
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Group Surf Lesson at Kalama Beach in Kihei

11.Group Surf Lesson at Kalama Beach in Kihei

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 264 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $108

Spend about two hours learning to surf at Kalama Beach in Kihei. Surf Club Maui supplies the board, reef shoes, and rash guard, then coaches such as Bryan, Sarge, Epps, and Pablo help you catch beginner-friendly waves in waist to chest-deep water.

“Amazing time! First time ever! Our instructor was so good. Only 4 people in our group great help. LOVED IT”

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Maui Lahaina Group Surf Lesson - The Lahaina meeting point and check-in
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Maui Lahaina Group Surf Lesson

12.Maui Lahaina Group Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 235 reviews · 2 hours · from $125

Meet at Royal Hawaiian Surf Academy in Lahaina, check in, gear up, and join a maximum five-person lesson near the guardrails between Puamana and Launiopoko beach parks. Instructors such as Lee, Steve, Inaldo, and Connor teach beginners in English, with boards, rash guards, and water shoes included.

“It was amazing my wife and son did because I had a bad ankle but I can’t wait to come back in 6 months so I can do it the guide was beyond helpful and supportive will definitely recommend this guys to anyone who want to do lessons for the 1st time or just wants to go surfing”

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Pismo Beach, California, Surf Lessons - What happens before you enter the water
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Pismo Beach, California, Surf Lessons

13.Pismo Beach, California, Surf Lessons

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 224 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $99

Meet Sandbar Surf Company at 100 Park Ave for a roughly 90-minute beginner lesson at Pismo Pier. Your instructor provides a board and wetsuit, explains surf form and safety, then coaches you in the water. Tyler, Derek, Josh, and Jonny are among the instructors praised for patient, confidence-building teaching.

“Wonderful communications, experienced explanation of what to expect, genuine teaching once in the water. Kids had a great time. Age range for our 4 kids was 15-20.”

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Surf Lessons in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina - The first 15 to 20 minutes: learning on dry land
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Surf Lessons in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

14.Surf Lessons in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 223 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Jack’s Surf Lessons in Myrtle Beach gives beginners a two-hour introduction to paddling, popping up, balance, and ocean safety. CPR- and first-aid-certified instructors such as Kevin, Genny, Aaron, and Harrison teach in small groups, with boards and leashes included. You must be able to swim.

“Had a great time with Kev. Never thought I’d surf. He got us both standing and riding waves within the hour.”

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Family, Private & Group Surfing Lessons, Waikiki Courtesy Shuttle - Check-in, equipment, and the short safety briefing
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Family, Private & Group Surfing Lessons, Waikiki Courtesy Shuttle

15.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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New in Surf Lessons in the USA

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★ 5.0Private Surf Lesson in Venice Beach42 reviews
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★ 5.01.5-Hour Private Surfing Lesson in Honolulu57 reviews
★ 5.0Surf Lesson in HaleiwaFrom $9960 reviews
★ 5.0Kids Surfing Lesson in Waikiki Beach (up to 12)From $20459 reviews
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