15 Group Surf Lessons in the USA Worth Booking

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.Open Group Surfing Lesson in Waikiki, Hawaii

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 582 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $112

Meet Hans Hedemann Surf at 150 Kapahulu Ave for a two-hour Waikiki lesson led by instructors such as Niko, Sergio, Ella, or Tyson. After safety instruction and dry-land practice, you will paddle, stand, and ride beginner-friendly waves with a board, rash guard, reef shoes, and locker included.

“Great staff here. Very patient and they made sure everyone had fun and was successful. You should do this if you get a chance.”

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3.Waikiki Private Group Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 298 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $123

Meet Stoke Drift at Waikiki’s Ocean Patio for a 90-minute private surf lesson. You’ll spend 15 to 30 minutes learning safety and technique on land, then about an hour catching waves with an instructor such as Justice, Keith, Joey, or Cole. Everyone must be able to swim, and the lesson is for ages 13 and up.

“Our surf instructor Erin was wonderful! My son, hubby and I had a blast! Caught so many waves and Erin was so fun and personable. Definitely will be back!”

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4.Group Surf Lesson at Kalama Beach in Kihei

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 264 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $108

At Kalama Beach in Kihei, Surf Club Maui outfits you with reef shoes and a rash guard, teaches safety and technique on land, then coaches you through gentle waves in waist-to-chest-deep water. Instructors such as Bryan, Sarge, Epps, Pablo, and Brendon have helped beginners stand up on their first lesson. The class is for ages 11 and up.

“Friendly instructors that will be sure you catch some waves!! Highly recommend for any beginner or intermediate surfer!”

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5.Maui Lahaina Group Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 235 reviews · 2 hours · from $125

Spend two hours learning to surf near Lahaina with a CPR-certified instructor and no more than four other surfers. Royal Hawaiian Surf Academy supplies the board, rash guard, and water shoes, then takes you through a short beach lesson and repeated practice in the water. Guides such as Lee, Steve, Inaldo, and Connor are known for patient coaching, while a photographer captures optional action shots.

“Thank you so much for the lesson. Great expérience for our first time for my friend and me. The professor is awesome and have a lot of patience! We recommend this activity, if we have the possibility to do that again we will do. Sarah & Solène”

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6.Family, Private & Group Surfing Lessons, Waikiki Courtesy Shuttle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 216 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $107

Meet the Ohana Surf Project at the Waikiki Beach Marriott, gear up, learn safety and board skills, then ride gentle Waikiki waves with an instructor. Family, private, and group formats are available, with coaching from staff such as Luke, Jayden, Jake, and Tyler. Equipment, rash guard, reef shoes, and Waikiki shuttle service are included.

“Everyone had a great time. All the instructors were fantastic. Very well organized. Definable would recommend to others.”

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7.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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8.2 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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9.Shared 2 Hour Small Group Surf Lesson in Santa Monica

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 144 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $85Best value

Meet Fun Surf LA at 20 Bicknell Avenue for a two-hour beginner to intermediate lesson near Santa Monica and Venice Beach. You’ll practice surf technique on the sand, then work with an instructor in the water using an 8 or 9-foot foam board and wetsuit. Groups are capped at four students, with a minimum age of 12.

“We had a great experience with our instructors. It was a perfect lesson for beginners and they were helpful, supportive and so much fun!”

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10.Group Surf Lessons from Kaanapali Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 143 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $120

At Kaanapali Beach, Sea Maui Surf gives swimmers age 13 and older a 90-minute beginner lesson in groups capped at four students per instructor. You receive a surfboard, rash guard, and booties, plus an ocean safety briefing. Instructors such as Devin, Danny, TJ, and Steve have helped first-timers stand on their first wave.

“Great instructor, good lessons, nice equipment - worth going here, my son was finally able to ride a wave”

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11.2 Hour Private Group Surf Lesson in Lahaina Maui

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 129 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $125

Spend two hours learning to surf in Lahaina with a private instructor team from Keep It Simple Hawaii Surf School. You receive a 20 to 25 minute beach lesson, then hands-on coaching in the water. Groups of up to 12 stay together, with about one instructor for every three students. Surfboards, water shoes, and rashguards are provided.

“Very good experience and staff was very knowledgeable. Equipment was good and site perfect for the evperience”

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12.Kauai’s Ultimate Group Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 110 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $121

At Poipu Beach, Hawaiian Style Surfing gives beginners a 90-minute lesson with a board, rash guard, and water shoes. You start on land with surfing basics and ocean safety, then practice in the water with no more than five students per instructor. Adam, Austin, Tom, Kai, Hudson, and other instructors have helped families and first-time surfers stand up and ride.

“Kai was helpful for our first time surfing! He was so encouraging, even urging me out one more time after I had wiped out a few times. Thank you for making me feel like I could do it!”

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13.Group Surf Lesson in the Heart of Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 107 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $119

Meet the Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience team near Twin Fin Waikiki, collect your board, booties, and rashguard, then head to Waikiki Beach for about 90 minutes of instruction. Coaches such as Mo, Happy, and Kikki teach beginners in a supportive setting, with photo packages and surf merchandise available afterward.

“What a great experience, Happy and Kikki are excellent teachers and kept the whole family safe for which we are grateful. Highly recommended...”

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14.2 Hour Group Surf Lesson in Miami Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 90 reviews · 2 hours · from $85

Meet your certified instructor at 3 Washington Ave and head to South Pointe Beach for two hours of beginner-friendly surf instruction. You’ll learn ocean safety, paddling, board position, and wave riding in a group of up to six. Instructors such as Bryant, Esteban, and Stephen are praised for patient, personal coaching. Boards are included.

“Very fun, thank you to Jett!!! He did a great job!”

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15.Group Surf Lesson at Ka’anapali Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 82 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Spend a beginner-friendly session learning to surf at Ka'anapali Beach with an English-speaking instructor such as Nick, Reef, Matt, or Koa. You’ll receive a beach safety lesson, rash guard, water shoes, and board, then practice catching waves with close coaching. Check-in is 30 minutes early at Kaanapali Alii Resort.

“Awesome small group instruction for newbies, old and young alike! Everyone caught some waves - mahalo Reef and Nick!”

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