The 15 Best Surf Lessons on Maui

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.Outrageous Surf ScHool Lesson on Lahaina Side

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 547 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75Best value

Meet Outrageous Adventures Surf School for a 90-minute beginner lesson on Maui’s Lahaina side. Instructors such as Scott, Tyler, and Patrick keep the beach briefing short, then get you into the water to practice paddling, timing, and standing. The group is limited to five, and boards, booties, and rash guards are included.

“What an absolute incredible experience. They are top notch from start to finish! Will def book again. !”

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3.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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4.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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5.Private Surf Lesson for Two Near Lahaina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 189 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $145

Meet Rivers to the Sea near Lahaina for a 90-minute semi-private surf lesson built for two people. You’ll get a soft-top board, reef shoes, SPF-50 rash guard, and one-on-one coaching from instructors such as Sharky, Tanner, Eric, Kane, or Jess. It suits first-timers, children age seven and up, and cautious swimmers who want patient guidance.

“Great experience! Can't get an experience like that in Ohio! Our teacher was very kind and patient!!!”

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6.2 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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7.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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8.2 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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9.Waves Hawaii Surf School in Kihei Maui

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 118 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $103

Meet your instructor at Kalama Park in Kihei for a two-hour beginner-friendly surf lesson. You’ll receive a rash guard, reef shoes, and board, then practice on land before heading into the water. Instructors such as Sophie, Jessica, Sasha, Lucas, and Funchie adjust coaching to your level. Private lessons are available.

“Sophie and Jessica were fabulous. They were friendly and encouraging and made learning to surf easy. My 11 year old had a permanent smile on his face. They taught us how to get up on land and then took us out in the water. They maneuvered the boards into place for us and told us when to paddle and to get up so we could focus on technique rather than timing at first. As we improved they let us figure out the timing a bit more independently while still helping my 11 year old to paddle back out rather than exhausting himself with paddling. It was a great way to…”

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10.2 Hour Private Surf Lesson For Two In Lahaina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 102 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $145

Share a two-hour Lahaina surf lesson with one friend, partner, sibling, or child. Your instructor begins with a 20 to 25 minute land lesson, then helps you paddle, catch waves, and stand up. Surfboards, water shoes, and rashguards are included. Instructors include Mario, Austin, Luke, Ramon, and Mack.

“The whole surfing experience was awesome. I didn’t expect to get the hang of it in one session but it’s easier than you think. The key to surfing is literally to go with the flow and not over think. That was something our surf teacher Mario explained he was really great, patient and helpful. We got some really cool pictures of the session by the photographer Fisher. 10/10 would definitely recommend. Mahalo”

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11.Semi-Private Surf Lesson at Kalama Park in Kihei

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 102 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Meet Maui Waveriders at Kalama Park in Kihei for a two-hour semi-private surf lesson. You’ll learn ocean safety and board basics on land, then spend most of the session in the water with an instructor such as Keppa, Jade, Ben, or Wave Daddy. Surf shoes and shirts are included, with wetsuits available when offered.

“First time surfing and our instructor Noah was great! Would highly recommend and definitely would do it again.”

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12.Private Surf Lesson for Group of 3-5 Near Lahaina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 93 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $123

Meet Rivers To The Sea near Lahaina for a private 90-minute surf lesson with your own instructor and party of up to five. Beginners and intermediate surfers receive soft-top boards, reef shoes, SPF-50 rash guards, and safety coaching. Instructors such as Kain, Eric, Kody, and Sharky are praised for patient help with children and first-timers.

“Wonderful teachers, caught soo many waves. Couldn’t have asked for better conditions. Everything was provided!”

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13.2 Hour Private Surf Lesson in Lahaina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $205

Spend two focused hours learning to surf in Lahaina with a private instructor from Keep It Simple Hawaii. You’ll cover safety, paddling, and the pop-up on land, then practice in the water with hands-on help. Instructors such as Mack, Mario, Austin, and Ramon are praised for patient coaching, and equipment and a rash guard are provided.

“Best instructors for surfing in Maui! Austin is one of the instructors and he provides the best information and tips about surfing that makes you catch waves at your first try on your own. They also provide photos of you surfing which is great to keep for your memories. Highly recommended.”

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14.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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15.Semi-Private Surf Lesson at Ka’anapali Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 76 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Meet at the Kaanapali Alii Resort for a beginner-friendly surf lesson with a 30-minute land and safety briefing, followed by board time in the water. Instructors such as Nick, Carlos, Christian, Andy, and Peter have helped families of different ages catch waves. Rash guards, water shoes, boards, and parking validation are included.

“The beach was had a lot more coral and was very shallow compared to the Kihei beaches which meant more coral injuries from falling off the board. It was also hard to paddle back over the waves. Both my kids were frustrated that there wasn’t more instruction out there. We did the semi private lesson. Their instructor was late on timing to tell them to paddle and then he would just yell for them to fight for the wave. There was no tips on technique or what they could do better. This was very expensive for an hour and a half while most places do 2 hours. Wouldn’t recommend.”

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