Where to Book: the 12 Best Beginner Surf Lessons in the USA

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 limited to six students. Instructors such as Mike, Ivan, Sofia, and Francisco teach safety, etiquette, paddling, and wave riding, then help you catch small waves. Boards, rash guards, and water booties are included, with optional photos available separately.

“The area is a little crowded but works fine for first timers. There are family friendly beaches a short walk away for people waiting on those taking the lesson. There are also some shops and food truck area just across the street to keep people occupied or for something to do afterwards. The lesson was mellow with a quick tutorial and standing up on a wave. Our group was 5 people and we all had multiple chances to try and ride small waves. Everyone in our group was able to stand up and catch a wave. They have a photographer in the water that will capture some of the attempts…”

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2.Beginner-Friendly Waikiki Beach Surfing Lesson

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

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.”

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3.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!”

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4.2 Hour Beginner Group Surf Lessons

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 154 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Meet Goofy Foot Surf School near Lahaina for a two-hour beginner lesson with no more than five students. You will receive a land briefing, rash guard, surfboard, reef shoes, and hands-on coaching from instructors such as Mario, Austin, Curran, or Phillipe. Ages 9 and up may join group lessons.

“Super fun! There was 3 in our group and we all learned to surf! We all stood up and caught waves by the end! It was awesome!”

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5.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!”

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6.Surf Class for Beginners in Venice

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Meet Golden Wave Surf School at 10 Washington Blvd for a two-hour Venice surf lesson designed for adults ages 18 to 60. You get a board, wetsuit, safety briefing, and hands-on coaching in the water. Instructors such as Alex, Alexi, Felipe, Martin, and Diego focus on helping beginners catch a first wave.

“I was one of two surfers (both beginner) and got plenty of personal lessons from the instructor. The instructor was an experienced surfer from Russia and would get in the water to help us catch the right wave to surf. Highly recommend to anyone in the Venice area looking to try the sport.”

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7.Learn to Surf in La Jolla

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $119

Meet Everyday California at 2261 Avenida De La Playa for a 90-minute La Jolla Shores surf lesson. You will learn ocean safety and board basics on land, then practice in the water with no more than five people. Instructors such as Kelly, Nate, Riley, Chris, and Trevor have led past sessions. Wetsuits, rash guards, and boards are included, plus one extra hour of board use.

“The instructor was very sweet and helped my kids with the basics and made them feel very comfortable for their first time ever surfing”

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8.Waikiki Beginner Private Surf Lesson- Female Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 40 reviews · 1 hour · from $135

Meet Ali at the Duke Kahanamoku statue for a private one-hour Waikiki surf lesson. You’ll spend 20 to 30 minutes learning board skills, wave safety, and the pop-up on shore, then paddle out with your instructor. The lesson includes a board and leash, and optional drone footage may be available.

“I had an amazing time learning to surf with Ali!! It was my first time ever and it was such a great experience I immediately booked another lesson with her later in the week and convinced my friend to book one with her as well. She was incredibly kind, very easy to get along with, knowledgeable, patient and supportive!”

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9.Surf lessons for beginners in Waikiki

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

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…”

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10.Paddle, Snorkel and Learn to Surf: All in a Day on Maui

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 26 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $216

Start with a two-hour beginner surf lesson, then paddle about two miles at Makena Landing Park and snorkel for roughly 45 minutes among reefs, fish, and turtles. Groups stay small, with boards, rash guards, kayaks, snorkel gear, safety instruction, and light refreshments provided. You drive between locations.

“Aloha! We had a great time watching a large pod of spinning dolphins and a couple of monk seals! Snorkling with the turtles was such fun as was the paddling and inflatable slide. The crew was awesome! Mahalo for the memories!”

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11.Santa Barbara: 1.5-Hour Private Beginner’s Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 23 reviews · from $95Best value

Meet your instructor at the Santa Barbara Surf School van at Mondos Beach, about 20 minutes south of Santa Barbara. After a wetsuit fitting and beach lesson, you will practice paddling, wave timing, standing up, and surf etiquette on a longboard. Private coaching keeps the lesson focused, with instructors such as Justin and Joshua praised for friendly help.

“C était top…le moniteur Joshua a été super avec nos ados…l un de leur plus beaux souvenirs de ce magnifique voyage!!”

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12.Group Surf Lesson for Beginners in Kihei at Kalama Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $103

Meet instructors Eddie, Sasha, or Sam at Kalama Park for a two-hour beginner surf lesson in Kihei. You’ll get a board, reef shoes, and rash guard, then practice in a gentle, semi-shallow break suited to first-timers. Morning lessons run Monday through Saturday, with optional professional photos available for purchase.

“Fantastic 2 hours with Eddie and his colleague Sam. We went with our three kids (11, 11, 14). They had all the gear including rash-guards and had us up on boards on the water in no time. A photographer was in the water taking pictures (I think she is separate from the the surf school) but pairs up with them to get the pics you want for an extra cost (but again very relaxed, no pressure to purchase). Overall, fun, easy and very relaxed way of an introduction into the intimating sport of Surfing. Would highly recommend. Eddie seemed to work well with young kids as well. I believe he…”

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