Where to Book: the 10 Best Beginner Surf Lessons in Australia

1.Learn to Surf at Noosa on the Sunshine Coast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 277 reviews · from $60Our pick

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”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.2 Hour Ultimate Learn to Surf Adventure

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

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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.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”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Learn to Surf at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 118 reviews · from $60

Meet Go Ride A Wave beside Kurrawa Surf Club for a two-hour lesson at 10am or 2pm. You get a soft beginner board, rash shirt or wetsuit, sand instruction, and guided practice in a group capped at seven. Instructors such as Remy help first-timers work toward standing up at Broadbeach.

“First time surfing and the instructors were patient, kind and most importantly explained and demonstrated the steps well. There was plenty of time to practice in the water. Overall a very good taster.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Learn to Surf at Torquay on the Great Ocean Road

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 110 reviews · from $60

Meet at Go Ride A Wave in Torquay for a two-hour beginner lesson. Coaches provide a wetsuit, soft board, beach safety briefing, and hands-on help in waist-deep water. You will practise standing and catching waves in a group of no more than eight, then return to shower and change.

“We had a great time. Tim is a legend - he explained everything in simple, easy to understand terms, and provided good feedback in the water. Recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Learn to Surf at Anglesea on the Great Ocean Road

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 107 reviews · from $60

Meet Go Ride A Wave at 143B Great Ocean Road for a 2-hour beginner surf class at Anglesea Beach. You’ll learn safety, paddle in waist-deep water, practice standing, and surf with help from a qualified instructor. Soft boards, wetsuits, showers, and changing facilities are included.

“Really fun and easy to book and all was very smooth flowing. Loved all of it and no complications whatsoever.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Learn to Surf at Coolangatta on the Gold Coast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · from $60

Meet Go Ride A Wave near Greenmount Surf Club for a two-hour beginner lesson at Coolangatta Beach. You’ll get a rash shirt or wetsuit, a soft board, beach safety instruction, and hands-on help catching small waves and standing up. Instructors such as Jack, Blake, and Johnny are praised for calm, friendly coaching.

“It was a really fun experience and the instructor (blake) was probably the best part of it. he was calm and friendly with us. we had so much fun speaking to him outside the surfing. and he somehow managed to teach us how to surf in just one lesson!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Learn to Surf at Middleton Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · from $46

Meet Surf & Sun Middleton at Middleton Beach for a two-hour morning or afternoon lesson. Your instructor covers surf safety, rips, wave timing, and standing up, then helps you practise in gentle water. Boards, wetsuits, rash tops, sunscreen, and coaching are included.

“The best experience of my life. I highly recommend doing this and using this company. They supplied the equipment needed, explained safety concerns and helped you in the water. If you are on the fence about trying this, don’t you will remember it forever.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Learn to Surf Day Trip – Sydney

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 56 reviews · from $125

Meet in central Sydney at 9:00 am for a full day with Waves Surf School. You’ll travel about 45 minutes south, ride a 4WD over sand, and take two two-hour lessons with accredited coaches such as Deano or Nathan. Surfboards, wetsuits, lunch, and refreshments are included. Minimum age is 8.

“this looked promising but once we were picked up the driver had to get fuel, a prescription for his sinuses and food. Once at the beach (about 1-1 1/2 hr drive from sydney and not a comfy ride) i thought the waves were to small for beginnRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review