The 15 Best Surf Lessons on Oahu

1.Open Group Surfing Lesson in Waikiki, Hawaii

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

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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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.Surfing Lessons On Waikiki Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 317 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $129

Meet at Big Wave Dave Surf & Coffee near Waikiki Beach Walk for a 90-minute English-language lesson. You’ll get a board, leash, locker, and beach instruction before practicing in shallow, sandy water. The advertised maximum is five people, though you should confirm the group size and instructor before booking.

“Great lesson with great instructors! It was very fun! The boards were really nice and the staff was super encouraging!”

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4.Waikiki Private Group Surf Lesson

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

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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5.Surf Lessons on the North Shore of Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 267 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $95

Meet Sunset Suzy’s Surf School in Hauula for a 90-minute beginner lesson with instructors such as Suzy, Andy, Jon, Matthew, or Kaiser. You’ll spend about 15 minutes learning beach basics, then practice on gentle North Shore waves with a board, rash guard, leash, and local guidance included. A turtle tour is also part of the experience.

“Andy was an awesome instructor. It was pouring rain so we cruised through the beach lessons and got into the water. He was patient, provided great pointers and each of us were able to get up on our boards. This was an amazing experience. It took me 52 years but I was able to finally catch a wave. Thank you so much Suzy and Andy. If you want to learn to surf in Hawaii, this is the group to go with.”

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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.Private Surfing Lessons in Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 176 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $96

Meet Max, Wil, or another Moku Surf instructor at Moku Hawaii for a 90-minute Waikiki lesson. You will cover safety and board skills on land, then walk to the beach with a provided board. The private format lets your instructor adjust the lesson to your pace, with beginner-friendly coaching and optional photo and video services available separately.

“Max was a great teacher for me and my partner, who are completely brand new to surfing. He was patient in going over the fundamentals in detail and kept us safe out there in the Ocean. I would recommend Max as he is an excellent instructor.”

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9.Surf Lesson Without the Crowds Including GoPRO Videos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 167 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $125

Meet Michael McChrystal’s team at Ala Moana Park for a 90-minute beginner surf lesson. You’ll learn wave basics, beach safety, and surf etiquette before practicing in the water. Small groups, instructors such as Mike and Rio, and edited GoPro photos and videos make this a friendly, memorable first lesson.

“Awesome surfing experience. Met instructor on the beach, spent a few minutes going over basics, then got in the water. Instructor helped catch the waves and tell you when to stand up. Location was perfect, nice waves spaced apart so you could ride them for about 20-30 seconds. I had prior stand up paddle board, kayaking, and skiing experience, so was able to stand up on the board right away. The balance and control felt similar to other activities. Other classmates I was with struggled at the beginning, but the instructor worked with them constantly until they could and up on the board by the end of the lesson. It…”

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10.Family, Private & Group Standup Paddle Lessons in Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 143 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $118

Ride the Ohana Surf Project shuttle from Waikiki to a two-hour beach lesson built around your ability. You will receive a rashguard, reef shoes, board, paddle, safety briefing, and hands-on coaching. Instructors such as Mark, Kai, Kevin, and Marcus are praised for calm, encouraging instruction. Photos and videos cost extra.

“I had an amazing time. My instructor was extremely nice and patient with me. I would definitely recommend this activity with this company. They are the best.”

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11.Outrigger Canoe Surfing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 122 reviews · 20 minutes (approx.) · from $51Best value

Meet Waikiki Beach Services at the Royal Hawaiian, then paddle a six-seat outrigger canoe into Waikiki’s waters with a licensed captain. You’ll learn how this canoe connects to Hawaiian royalty and catch at least two waves. Children from age 5 and nonswimmers can ride, though only four seats are for paddlers.

“Awesome experience. Lots of fun. Can’t wait to do it again!! Great company to use - friendly Easy to find”

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12.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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13.Oahu Private Surfing Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 113 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $226

Meet your English-speaking surf instructor at Kahalewai Place in Haleiwa for a private lesson on Oahu’s North Shore. You’ll work one-on-one on beach technique and water safety, then practice paddling, board control, wave selection, and catching waves. Boards and rash guards are included, and the lesson suits ages four and up.

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14.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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15.Private 1-on-1 Surf Lesson with Videos and Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 107 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $160

Meet Manifesting Aloha Surf School at Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon for a private one-hour lesson with an instructor such as Jake. You’ll learn safety, paddling, and pop-ups, then practice in gentle water with hands-on help. A board, leash, rash guard, water shoes, and same-day photos and videos are included.

“Jake was great! Great tips and instruction which allowed me to pick up the form quickly. Had a great time and caught some gnarly waves. 10/10 would recommend. Can’t wait to see the photos/videos.”

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