Where to Book: the 11 Best Beginner Surf Lessons in Oahu

1.Beginner-Friendly Waikiki Beach Surfing Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 425 reviews · 2 hours · from $125Our pick

Spend two hours at Waikiki Beach with Surfer Girl Academy, learning surf basics from English or Japanese-speaking instructors. You get a 20 to 30 minute beach lesson, about 70 minutes in the water, a board, reef shoes, rash guard, leash, and close support. Small groups, often just three or four per instructor, help beginners stand up fast.

“Amazing, very patient and encouraging. Impressed I even got up and rode some waves. The crew are so kind. Couldn't recommend more.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.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 breaks. A 20-minute beach lesson covers equipment, safety, etiquette, paddling, and stance, followed by water time with a CPR and lifeguard-certified instructor. Groups cap at six, and instructors such as Turner, Kai, and Noah are praised for patient coaching.

“It was an amazing day!!! Our instructor was a very chill guy and good in explaining everything. We had the opportunity to hit a lot of waves thanks to him and it was a great feeling. Me and me wife would love to do It again. Aloha!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.North Shore Beginner Surf Lesson, Hawaii

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

Spend about two hours learning to surf near Waialua Bay and Haleiwa. Your lesson starts on land with safety, falling, etiquette, and standing technique, then moves into the water. Surf N Sea provides the board and equipment. Instructors such as Henry, Eric, Travis, Tanner, and Mark have helped first-timers catch their first waves.

“I had never been surfing before, and Travis was a great surf instructor! He was really helpful with giving me an overview before getting into the water and on the board. And once we were in the water, he helped me paddle out and spotted waves that I could surf. Was able to get on the board every time. Would highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Surf lessons for beginners in Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 40 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $100Best value

Meet your instructor by the Duke Kahanamoku Statue for a private Waikiki surf lesson of about two hours. Preston, Jameson, Scotty, and other instructors teach ocean safety, board basics, wave timing, and the four-step pop-up. Boards and instruction are included, with English-speaking guides and flexible start times.

“I was able to book this a day before the event, though the day the event I was contacted to move my booked slot because they booked two people at the same time. I had the flexibility to delay the booking. At arrival I waited for my instructor Jameson who gave me a very quick intro to surfing and mentioned he was asked to cover this shift for this contractor as a favor. I was told by the contractor I was going to get a place to leave my stuff but it turned out there wasn’t, but the instructor asked some friends of his to look over my stuff (which…”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Group Surf Lesson: Two Hours Of Beginners Instruction

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) Top rated

Meet at Kaimana Beach Hotel for a two-hour beginner lesson with Pro Surf School Hawaii. You’ll learn surf safety, paddling, balance, and standing on land before heading into the water. Groups are capped at six, with morning and afternoon times. Instructors such as Noah, Janelle, Max, Kai, and Josh have helped first-timers catch waves.

“The instructor was great. Mist of us were able to catch our first wave on our first try! He makes sure to set you up and give you a push. He also gave pointers and tips and let us try without the push. I didn't think we'd be able to get around 6 waves each!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Beginner Surf Lesson in North Shore, Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $130

Meet at Puaʻena Point Beach Park for a beginner surf lesson with North Shore Banzai Surf School. You’ll receive a board, leash, fins, rash guard, life jacket, and hands-on instruction. Group lessons last about two hours, while private lessons last one hour. Mitch is one of the named instructors.

“Three of us went to North shore Banzai for a private beginners lesson. My two teenagers -13 and experienced, 16 some experience and me (old, no experience). I received a friendly message with a dropped pin for meet location and he was there and meeting up worked seamlessly. Friendly and helpful throughout the lesson he made it fun and effort free for all of us despite our differing fitness and skill levels. Towing us out, pushing us off and with helpful feedback each time we ‘caught a wave’. What an experience surfing together on the North shore!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Beginner Surf Lesson at North Shore Haleiwa, Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $150

Meet instructor Kekai or another local surf professional at Puaʻena Point Beach Park in Haleiwa. After a 15 to 20 minute safety and land lesson, you will spend up to two hours catching beginner-friendly waves with a board, leash, rash guard, and water provided. Green sea turtle sightings are promised year-round.

“My family was so nervous to be out in the ocean but Kekai and Koa were amazing and made us quickly feel comfortable. All of us got up and our 8 and 10 year olds did quite well surfing! All thanks to the great tips we got from Kekai and Kia. We definitely recommend them and would take lessons from them again!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Group Surf Lessons for beginners on the North Shore of Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $150

Meet Catch’a Wave at Kahalewai Place for a two-hour North Shore surf lesson built for beginners. Your instructor covers safety, surf etiquette, paddling, wave choice, and the pop-up on land before helping you ride small waves. Boards, leashes, and rash guards are provided, and private group lessons offer focused coaching.

“Connor was great! It was my first time surfing and I already managed to easily catch my first waves!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Private Surfing Lesson: Two Hours of Beginner Instruction

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 17 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Meet your instructor at Kaimana Beach Hotel in Honolulu for a private two-hour surf lesson. You’ll learn board position, paddling, wave handling, standing, balance, and safety. Noah has earned special praise for helping first-time surfers, while Red Cross CPR and lifeguard certification adds peace of mind.

“My daughter had a great time her first time surfing! Noah was a great instructor, super helpful and effective, now she wants her own surfboard! Definitely recommend for anyone interested in surfing”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Beginner Surfing Lessons In Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $110

Meet your private instructor at the Duke Kahanamoku Statue for a one-hour Waikiki lesson. You’ll learn ocean safety, practice basic surf technique, and work toward standing on your first wave. Coaches including Preston and Scotty have earned strong praise for patient, encouraging instruction.

“It was great, I was with a party of four and they all had a few successes in riding the wave even though it was the first time for most of us!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Learn to surf with a local big wave rider on the North Shore of Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 10 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Meet Chance King at Kahalewai Place in Haleiwa for a 90-minute beginner surf lesson on Oahu’s North Shore. You’ll get 15 to 20 minutes of beach instruction, safety guidance, board practice, and time in the water with Chance, Caleb, or Charlotte. The private session is in English, with boards and wave time focused on helping you stand and ride.

“Made it super easy and fun! Totally recommend doing this. I had a blast and if I have time before I go home I will be definitely doing it again!”

Check availability →Read our full review