AUSTRALIA SURF LESSONS

Surfing in Australia: The 15 Best Lessons

35 tours  ·  from $36 a head

Patrolled beach breaks, warm water for most of the year and schools that have been teaching on the same sand for decades. These 15 lessons cover Bondi, Byron Bay and the Sunshine Coast, priced by session length and group size.

Bondi Beach: 2-Hour Surf Lesson Experience for Any Level - The First 20 Minutes: Safety Before Surfing
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Bondi Beach: 2-Hour Surf Lesson Experience for Any Level

1.2-Hour Surf Lesson Experience for Any Level

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

Spend two hours learning to surf at Bondi Beach with a maximum of five students per instructor group. You will cover beach safety, board technique, and wave basics before practicing in the water with a soft board and wetsuit. Instructors such as Jessie, Dan, Matt, Luke, and Brontë are praised for patient, personal coaching.

“Fantastic team and friendly instructors. E we had a great time catching and riding the waves! Highly recommended!”

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Byron Bay: 2-Hour Small Group Surf Lesson - A safety lesson before the fun begins
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Byron Bay: 2-Hour Small Group Surf Lesson

2.2-Hour Small Group Surf Lesson

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

Meet Lets Go Surfing on Fletcher Street for a beginner lesson built around beach safety, paddling, catching waves, and standing. You spend two hours on the beach and in the water, with no more than six surfers per instructor. Guides such as Tim, Luke, Guido, and Ava are praised for patient coaching and good humor.

“Luke gave us a brilliant surfing lesson and I felt really safe in the water considering I was so nervous to begin with. It was such a fun activity, the feeling when you catch a wave is unreal!! Thanks for a great lesson we loved it”

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Noosa Heads: 2 Hour Surf Experience on the Sunshine Coast - The first 15 minutes: arrival and preparation
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Noosa Heads: 2 Hour Surf Experience on the Sunshine Coast

3.2 Hour Surf Experience on the Sunshine Coast

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 644 reviews · 2 - 6 hours · from $59

Spend two hours learning to surf at Noosa Heads Beach with a Level 1 instructor. You’ll begin with beach safety and board technique, then practice in waist-deep water before riding small waves. Soft boards, rash shirts or wetsuits, sunscreen, showers, and secure storage are provided. Instructors may include George, Reece, Felipe, or Valentino.

“We loved our surf lessons! Instructors were informative and fun - nothing to improve on!”

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Learn to Surf at Noosa on the Sunshine Coast - Waist-deep water keeps the first attempts manageable
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Learn to Surf at Noosa on the Sunshine Coast

4.Learn to Surf at Noosa on the Sunshine Coast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 277 reviews · from $60Top rated

Meet Go Ride A Wave at Beach Access No 11 in Noosa Heads for a two-hour lesson with a professional instructor. You’ll get a rash shirt or winter wetsuit, a soft beginner board, beach safety training, and guided practice in waist-deep water. Instructors such as Sisi, Rose, Cece, Marit, Hannah, and Scott are praised for clear, patient coaching.

“Good instructions and instructors. Good group of fellow beginners. Can location directions could be better”

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Surfing Lessons on Sydney's Bondi Beach - Stop one: Lets Go Surfing at 128 Ramsgate Avenue
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Surfing Lessons on Sydney’s Bondi Beach

5.Surfing Lessons on Sydney’s Bondi Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 267 reviews · from $71

Meet Lets Go Surfing at North Bondi for a two-hour beginner lesson capped at five surfers per instructor. You will learn beach safety, rip currents, paddling, and the pop-up before practicing in the water. Boards, wetsuits, rash vests, sunscreen, and lockers are included, but bring a towel and arrange your own transport.

“My husband and 14-year-old son signed up for these lessons. They enjoyed themselves and learned a lot! The instructors were very patient and stayed with them to help every step of the way. I would recommend this excursion for anyone wanting to try surfing for the first time!”

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2 Hour Ultimate Learn to Surf Adventure - Moving from practice to real waves
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2 Hour Ultimate Learn to Surf Adventure

6.2 Hour Ultimate Learn to Surf Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 235 reviews · from $46

Meet Australian Surfing Adventures at Palm Beach for a two-hour beginner lesson with no more than five students per instructor. You’ll learn surf safety, wave timing, and board technique in shallow water, with equipment and wetsuit hire included. Instructors such as Alex, Luke, Jody, and Jay are praised for clear coaching and encouragement.

“Pretty good experience! The couches were really nice!!! Gave very patient instructions so that would enjoy it!”

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Half Day Surf Lesson - Mojosurf and the beach transfer
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Half Day Surf Lesson

7.Half Day Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 234 reviews · from $56

You’ll meet Mojosurf for a three-hour lesson near Byron Bay, with pickup from selected local locations, return beach transport, a board, and instruction included. Your instructor chooses the beach from Byron Bay to Ballina based on surf conditions. Departure is usually at 8:30am or 9:30am, confirmed the day before.

“The session was short but ended up being the perfect amount of time as it was difficult and tiring so everyone on the tour seemed happy it was only half a day! I’d love to come back and learn more as the teachers were great and really funny too and literally picked me right up from my hostel!”

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Broadbeach: 2 Hour Surf Experience on the Gold Coast - The first 20 minutes: safety before surfing
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Broadbeach: 2 Hour Surf Experience on the Gold Coast

8.Broadbeach: 2 Hour Surf Experience on the Gold Coast

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 225 reviews · 2 - 6 hours · from $59

Learn to surf at Broadbeach with Go Ride A Wave during a two-hour beginner lesson. You’ll meet at the Kurrawa Surf Club car park, collect a soft board and rash shirt or wetsuit, then practice safety, positioning, paddling, and standing in waist-deep water. Instructors including Kal, Blake, Damien, and Tahu are known for patient, hands-on coaching.

“Incredible and friendly instructor, amazing instructions for a complete beginner like myself. Very informative but also plenty of time in the water! Could not recommend more and will definitely be back”

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Merrick's Noosa Learn to Surf: 2 Hour group surfing lesson - Moving into the water for the two-hour session
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Merrick’s Noosa Learn to Surf: 2 Hour group surfing lesson

9.Merrick’s Noosa Learn to Surf: 2 Hour group surfing lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 222 reviews · from $60

Meet coaches such as Robby, Dylan, Oaki, Josh, Louis, or Anthony at Claude Batten Drive, collect your board and rash vest, then walk to the beach for a two-hour lesson. Merrick’s 1-2-3 method is built for first-timers, with winter wetsuits supplied and morning or afternoon sessions available.

“I booked a lesson for my 2 nieces, 2 daughters and I to do together during our stay in Noosa. None of us have ever surfed before and within 2-3 attempts we were all surfing and hooked! They all want surfboards for Christmas now!”

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Group Surfing Lessons Kool Katz 1 day - Terry’s Aussie teaching style is part of the experience
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Group Surfing Lessons Kool Katz 1 day

10.Group Surfing Lessons Kool Katz 1 day

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 207 reviews · from $35Best value

Spend about four hours learning to surf with Kool Katz Surf School in Byron Bay. Terry, Tez, Shane, and Jeremy teach beginners in small working groups, shifting to a calmer beach when needed. Boards, wetsuits, rash vests, sunscreen, water, and transport to the day’s best beginner break are included. Bring a towel.

“So much fun!! As a total beginner, Tez was able to get me to stand up multiple times on my own in just a few hours! Would recommend this to anyone who wants an authentic aussie surfing experience!”

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Sydney: Maroubra Surf Lesson - The value of patient instruction
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Sydney: Maroubra Surf Lesson

11.Maroubra Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 188 reviews · 2 hours · from $60

Spend two hours learning to surf at Sydney’s Maroubra Beach with a qualified English, Spanish, or Dutch-speaking instructor. Your group has no more than six students, and the lesson covers beach safety, basic technique, and first-wave practice. Soft boards, wetsuits, rash vests, sunscreen, zinc, storage, and showers are included.

“It was our first surf lesson, and we were really nervous, but our instructor, Seb, was super friendly and patient. It was amazing. We loved the experience and can’t wait to do it again!”

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From Byron Bay: Learn to Surf Half-Day Tour - Meeting at Fletcher Street and setting out
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From Byron Bay: Learn to Surf Half-Day Tour

12.Learn to Surf Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 187 reviews · 4 hours · from $63

Spend four hours learning beach safety, paddling, and standing on a soft board with English-speaking instructors from Let’s Go Surfing. You’ll get about two hours in the sand and water, plus stops at places such as Lennox Head and a tea-tree lake. Small groups, warm wetsuits, transfers, and patient coaching make this a strong first lesson.

“Fantastic surf less, the instructor was brilliant. They took us to a nice quiet spot which was great for beginners”

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Half Day Guided Surf Lesson in Byron Bay - Learning the Basics Before the First Wave
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Half Day Guided Surf Lesson in Byron Bay

13.Half Day Guided Surf Lesson in Byron Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 160 reviews · from $60

Meet Soul Surf School in Byron Bay for a four-hour beginner lesson with boards, wetsuits, coaching, and transport options included. Coaches such as Harry and Ben teach ocean safety and easy wave skills in waist-deep water. Conditions may take you to Byron Bay, Lennox, or Ballina, so the beach is chosen for safe, rideable waves.

“Very nice but we were a big group so less time for each of us to practice However the teachers were very nice and compétant”

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Noosa Heads - 2-Hour Surf Lesson with Expert Instructors - Meeting the coaches at Beach Access 14
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Noosa Heads – 2-Hour Surf Lesson with Expert Instructors

14.2-Hour Surf Lesson with Expert Instructors

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 151 reviews · 2 hours · from $57

Meet at Merrick’s red surf trailer at Beach Access 14 for a two-hour lesson at Noosa Main Beach. You’ll get a soft board, rash shirt or wetsuit, safety briefing, beach instruction, and close coaching in waist-deep water. Coaches such as James, Oa, Anthony, Mike, and Finn focus on safe technique and helping you catch your first wave.

“We had such an amazing 2-hour lesson with James yesterday ,it was actually a surprise date organised by me for my partner as part of a fun game we’re playing called alphabet dates (we ticked off the letter S!), and James absolutely made the experience unforgettable. From the moment we arrived, James was welcoming, relaxed, and incredibly knowledgeable. He explained everything clearly, created such a comfortable atmosphere, and made the whole session feel fun rather than intimidating. His energy, patience, and encouragement really stood out , you can tell he genuinely loves what he does. It was the perfect mix of learning, laughter, and trying something new together, and we…”

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Miami: Group Surf Lesson - Meeting at Tallebudgera Surf Club
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Miami: Group Surf Lesson

15.Group Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 146 reviews · 2h 30m · from $46

Meet the Australian Surfing Adventures van outside Tallebudgera Surf Club for a 150-minute beginner lesson. You’ll get equipment, sunscreen, coaching in English, Spanish, or French, and free surfing photos. The beach changes with conditions, and instructors including Luke, Gabriel, Alex, Ted, and Jack have earned praise for patient, practical teaching.

“Awesome experience. A must for anyone wanting to surf for the first time.”

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New in Australia Surf Lessons

★ 5.0Surf, Stay and Yoga in Byron Bay 2 day 2 nightFrom $29410 reviews
★ 4.82-Hour Private Surf Lesson with Photo PackageFrom $9931 reviews
★ 4.5Learn to Surf Day Trip – SydneyFrom $12556 reviews
★ 5.0Learn to Surf at Middleton BeachFrom $4657 reviews
★ 4.9Coolangatta: 2 Hour Surf Experience on the Gold CoastFrom $5958 reviews
★ 5.0Style Surfing Byron BayFrom $6866 reviews
★ 5.02-Night Byron Bay Surf CampFrom $24768 reviews
★ 5.02-Hour Private Surfing Lesson in TorquayFrom $13272 reviews
★ 4.5Private Surf Lessons Kool Katz 1 DayFrom $5770 reviews
★ 5.0Learn to Surf at Coolangatta on the Gold CoastFrom $6074 reviews
★ 5.02 Hour Surf Lesson At The Spit, Main Beach (Ages 14+)From $5383 reviews
★ 5.0Surf Lesson on the Gold Coasts locals Favourite beach (Ages 14+)From $5399 reviews
★ 5.0Margaret River Private Surf LessonFrom $57108 reviews
★ 5.0Learn to Surf at Anglesea on the Great Ocean RoadFrom $60107 reviews

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