SURF LESSONS

The 15 Best Surf Lessons in the World

266 trips  ·  from $13 a head

Two hours, a soft-top and waist-deep whitewater is how nearly everyone starts. These 15 lessons are compared on group size, what the price includes and whether the beach is forgiving enough to spend the session standing rather than swimming.

Tenerife: Surfing Lesson for All Levels, Photos included - The first 20 minutes: learning the basics on land
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Tenerife: Surfing Lesson for All Levels, Photos included

1.Surfing Lesson for All Levels, Photos included

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,314 reviews · 2 hours · from $50Our pick

Meet the Shaka Surf Tenerife team 15 minutes early for a two-hour lesson at Playa de las Américas. You get a wetsuit, water shoes, board, theory, warm-up, coaching, snacks, and photos. Instructors including Juan, Kaia, Marco, and Rodri teach in several languages.

“It was a lot of fun! The teachers were really kind and helpful. The waves were big so we went to a quieter place. So it is accessible for all levels of experience.”

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Group Surfing Lesson at Playa de las Américas, Tenerife - Moving from the beach to the Atlantic
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Group Surfing Lesson at Playa de las Américas, Tenerife

2.Group Surfing Lesson at Playa de las Américas, Tenerife

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,072 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $43Top rated

Meet Tenerife Surf Point in Playa de las Américas for a 2.5-hour beginner lesson with theory, beach practice, roughly an hour in the water, photos, and technique feedback. English, Spanish, Russian, and Latvian support may be available. Groups are capped at six.

“Amazing experience! My initial plan was to have 1 lesson but it was so nice that I plan to go back and have more.”

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Canggu: 2-Hour Surf Course - The first 30 minutes: learning on dry land
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Canggu: 2-Hour Surf Course

3.2-Hour Surf Course

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,053 reviews · 2 hours · from $23

Meet the Spicy Surfschool team at Black and White surf cafe on Batu Bolong Beach. Beginners practice standing, paddling, and water safety on land before surfing with a coach. Instructors including Oges, Gibe, Ryan, Rapli, and Ramadan provide patient one-to-one help, while experienced surfers head straight for wave coaching.

“Had an amazing 2-hour surfing lesson in Canggu. The instructor was patient, encouraging, and explained everything clearly. Even as beginners, we were standing up and catching waves within the first session. The location was perfect, and the whole experience was fun, safe, and well organized. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to try surfing in Bali.”

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Legian Beach, Bali: Beginner or Intermediate Surf Lessons - Starting on land near Pullman Bali Legian Beach
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Legian Beach, Bali: Beginner or Intermediate Surf Lessons

4.Legian Beach, Bali: Beginner or Intermediate Surf Lessons

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,019 reviews · 1 day · from $16

Meet near Pullman Bali Legian Beach for a small-group surf lesson with local instructors such as Uncle Bob, Jones, Momo, and John. You’ll cover safety and technique on land, then practice catching waves with a softboard. Photos, rash guard, and water are included.

“Really patient teacher considering I struggled to follow instructions. It’s very good value for money, especially when receiving the high quality photographs of the experience. It was our first lesson and because it was made to be enjoyable, we want to have another go. Really nice group of guys!”

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Playa de las Américas: Private or Small-Group Surf Lesson - The first 20 minutes: learning on dry land
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Playa de las Américas: Private or Small-Group Surf Lesson

5.Playa de las Américas: Private or Small-Group Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 980 reviews · 2 hours · from $41

Meet Kontraola Surf School in Playa de las Américas for a two-hour private or small-group lesson. You’ll get a 20-minute theory session, wetsuit and board, then guided practice at low tide. Instructors including Victoria, Sebastian, José, Filippo, and Nigel teach in Spanish, English, or Italian.

“Had lots of fun. The guide (Lille) was really knowledgeable and supportive and the waves were just right for beginners like us”

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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

6.Two Hour Beginner Group Surf Lesson in Kihei

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

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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Bondi Beach: 2-Hour Surf Lesson Experience for Any Level - Arriving at 128 Ramsgate Avenue
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Bondi Beach: 2-Hour Surf Lesson Experience for Any Level

7.Bondi Beach: 2-Hour Surf Lesson Experience for Any Level

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 935 reviews · 2 hours · from $70

Meet the Let's Go Surfing team at Bondi Beach for a two-hour beginner lesson limited to five people. You’ll learn beach safety, practice on sand, then work with instructors such as Matt, Luke, Marcus, or Jessie to catch your first wave using soft boards and warm wetsuits.

“Instructors were great. Real fun time. Recommend to anyone.”

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Matosinhos: Surfing Lesson with Equipment - What happens before you enter the water
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Matosinhos: Surfing Lesson with Equipment

8.Matosinhos: Surfing Lesson with Equipment

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 926 reviews · 1h 30m · from $35

Learn the basics at Fish Surf School in Matosinhos with a wetsuit, board, safety briefing, sand practice, and guided time in the water. Groups have up to eight people, with English- and Spanish-speaking coaches such as Ivan, Ricardo, Nuno, Rafa, and Diogo. Suitable for beginners aged 10 and up.

“The coach was great and good at teaching the technique and cheer you on. It was a good laugh. The only thing is that there’s quite a lot of different groups in a small area of the beach.”

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Uluwatu: Beginner & Intermediate Surf Lesson with Equipment - A clear start on the sand
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Uluwatu: Beginner & Intermediate Surf Lesson with Equipment

9.Beginner & Intermediate Surf Lesson with Equipment

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 832 reviews · 2 hours · from $36

Spend two hours learning to surf with instructors such as Luis, Irawan, Repho, and Aldin. You get safety coaching, equipment, lockers, water, sunblock, and a trainer for every two students. The beach may change with the waves, and photos and videos are included for bookings of two or more.

“For the intermediate site very happy with luis giving tips and pushing in the right break when needed 10/10”

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Albufeira: Surf Lesson - From the kiosk to the first wave
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Albufeira: Surf Lesson

10.Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 699 reviews · 2 hours · from $36

Meet SUPA at its wooden kiosk by Praia da Galé, collect your wetsuit and board, then learn surf safety, paddling, and standing up on waves. Instructors such as Mariana, Antonio, Jorge, and Matheus teach in Portuguese and English, with group and private options available.

“All the coaches are amazing! The experience is marvelous!”

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Byron Bay: 2-Hour Small Group Surf Lesson - Safety first, before anyone chases a wave
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Byron Bay: 2-Hour Small Group Surf Lesson

11.2-Hour Small Group Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 657 reviews · 2 hours · from $60

Meet Lets Go Surfing at 5/11 Fletcher Street for a beginner lesson in Byron Bay. Expect beach safety, warm-up drills, paddling, wave selection, and standing practice with instructors such as Tim, Luke, Guido, or Ava. Groups stay small, with no long ride out of town.

“Thoroughly enjoyed this activity. The guides were really lovely and helpful. 🖤”

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Porto: Small Group Surf Lesson with Transportation - The beach changes with the day
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Porto: Small Group Surf Lesson with Transportation

12.Small Group Surf Lesson with Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 594 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $58

Meet the surf van near Aliados and head to the Porto-area beach with the best conditions that day. In groups of up to seven, instructors such as Igor, Bernardo, and Katerina teach paddling, standing, and wave timing. Transport, board, wetsuit, and insurance are included.

“Super nice and friendly team, very reliable and great instructor. First we booked one day and then came back for another as we had such a great time. We tried another surf school in Porto before. Now we would definately come back to Pura Vida. Felt very safe. The team took great care of us and the places we visited were an experience in itself. Thanks Bernardo and team :-) See you next year.”

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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

13.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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Kuta/Bali: Private Beginner & Intermediate Surf Lessons - Moving into Kuta’s beginner waves
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Kuta/Bali: Private Beginner & Intermediate Surf Lessons

14.Kuta/Bali: Private Beginner & Intermediate Surf Lessons

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 563 reviews · 1h 30m · from $13Best value

Meet 27 Surf School at Kuta Beach for a 90-minute private lesson with an English-speaking local instructor. You will practice beach safety, paddling, balance, and standing on a soft board. Coaches such as Ozzy, Alex, Ardi, and Tito are praised for patient, clear instruction.

“Great activity we had never surfed before. We done some lessons on land then went into the sea, our guides were very helpful and made the activity fun and were always patient and kind when we were struggling to do it. Really fun activity highly recommend!”

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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

15.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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