The 15 Best Private Surf Lessons in Oahu

1.Private Surfing Lessons in Waikiki

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

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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2.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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3.Private Surf Lesson at Waikiki Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 107 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $179

Meet at Big Wave Dave Surf & Coffee on Lewers Street, get fitted for the ocean, then walk across to Waikiki Beach for a 90-minute lesson. Instructors such as Paulie, Lee, Madison, and Josh teach paddling, board position, and standing based on your level. The session is private, though one booking reported an unexpected extra participant.

“Lee was amazingly patient knowledgeable, and positive. Definitely a great time! Will pursue surfing as a result of his instruction.”

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4.Private Surfing Lessons on the North Shore of Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 87 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $150

Meet your private instructor at Puaʻena Point Beach Park for a two-hour North Shore surf lesson. Catch’a Wave provides the board, leash, fins, and rash guard, then teaches you pop-ups, wave choice, balance, and basic turns at a pace suited to your ability. Lessons run rain or shine when conditions are safe.

“Incredible tlexperience learning how to surf on the NORTH SHORE! Connor was great at showing us, first timers, what to do. He personally navigated us around the busy waves, and got us onto a few fun waves. Connor was very patient and a good instructor for the two of us. He started us out on land, and then we transitioned to the water. We will definitely.be back!”

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5.Private Surf Lesson in Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $159

Meet Shane or Captain Neil at Waikiki Beach for a private 1-hour-45-minute surf lesson built around your skill level. You will use a surfboard, reef shoes, and rashguard, with a locker provided. The instructors work closely with beginners, children, and returning surfers, and pickup may be arranged if needed.

“Nice experience and easy guide to follow. We all successfully stand and enjoy the surfing! Would recommend!”

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6.1.5-Hour Semi Private Surfing Lesson in Honolulu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Meet Gone Surfing Hawaii on Kālia Road for a 90-minute private Waikīkī lesson. Your licensed instructor covers safety and technique on the sand, then helps you read waves, paddle, and work toward your first stand-up ride. Groups of up to five can surf together, with boards and rash guards included.

“We had a great time taking our first surfing lesson with Austin! He was patient, encouraging, and really showed us how to surf correctly. We also appreciated that he paddled us out to the ocean so we could save energy for the actual surfing! 10/10 would recommend! Chelsea”

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7.Oahu Semi Private Surfing Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 73 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $166

Spend about two hours learning surf basics in a protected North Shore cove with an instructor close by. You’ll get a surfboard and rash guard, practice beach technique, then work on waves, paddling, standing, and surf etiquette. Instructor Marjorie has helped first-timers build confidence, though instructor assignment may vary.

“It was our first time to Hawaii and this was the best way to spend our trip! We got away from Waikiki and came to a calm beach and the best instructor! We learned quickly how to surf and we will be back again soon!”

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8.1.5-Hour Private Surfing Lesson in Honolulu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Meet your instructor at 2169 Kālia Road for a private 90-minute Waikīkī surf lesson. You’ll begin on the sand with ocean safety and wave-reading advice, then practice takeoffs in the water. Instructors such as Trevor, Tommy, Aria, Owen, and Kaz have worked with beginners and children, with photography available for an extra fee.

“Tommy was a great instructor for my 10yo son’s private surfing lesson! This was his second time surfing in Hawai’i (first time he was 7yo) and Tommy was a patient and supportive, giving my son encouragement and tips to catch the waves. He also listened to his needs - when my son got too cold he brought him in and was able to provide some bandages as my son got a few scrapes on his foot from the reef (you may want to wear reef walkers while surfing to avoid cuts). Gone Surfing was also fantastic- we had initially booked a Saturday 2pm lesson but due to high tide, there…”

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9.Private & Semi-Private Surf Lessons in Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $102

Meet Ty Gurney Surf School at 205 Lewers Street for a two-hour private or semi-private lesson at Grays Beach. You’ll review safety and basic skills on land, then work with instructors such as Kevin, Harry, Elliott, Ty, Dakota, or James in the water. Boards, rash guards, storage, and beginner coaching are included. Photos and videos cost extra.

“The boat captain ( Jamie) was knowledgeable & funny, as well as a good boat driver willing to go where other boats spotted whales. The whole crew was very attentive to the needs of the guests. We saw 2 pods of whales - it was amazing!”

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10.Private Surf Lessons in North Shore Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $135

Meet your professional Hawaiian surf instructor in Haleiwa for a two-hour private lesson covering ocean safety, etiquette, paddling, and standing up on a wave. Micah and James are among the instructors named by past guests. Your board and rash guard are included, and the lesson ends back at the meeting point.

“This was an amazing surf lesson — highly recommend! It was me and my two kids and the instructor was great with all of us. Helping us paddle out and making sure we got some great waves. My kids LOVED it and are now aspiring surfers. Highly highly recommend!”

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11.Semi-Private Surf Lesson for 2 or 3 people on Waikiki Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 30 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $139

Meet Big Wave Dave Surf & Coffee on Lewers Street, then walk to Waikiki Beach for a 90-minute lesson. Your instructor covers board handling, ocean safety, paddling, and wave-catching before helping you try it yourself. Groups cap at four, with instructors such as Derek, Pauly, Cody, Rae, Paul, and Sione named in past sessions.

“Great experience! Pauly was our instructor for my 2 boys (age 10 and 13) - he was amazing! Thank you to everyone there! Mahalo!”

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12.Private Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $225

Meet your instructor near Hauula, then head to the beach selected for the day’s ocean conditions. Your two-hour private lesson includes a 10 to 15-minute land briefing, all equipment, ocean safety coaching, and plenty of water time. Instructors such as Mike, Andy, and Jon work with beginners, children, and improving surfers.

“This moment is kept sentimentally on my birthday #30! I had such a great time, and I enjoyed getting to know this beautiful sport so much. I couldn't stop trying it and my mood never broke, all those waves brought me a big smile and so much joy! I want to thank your team and especially Andy! He is so good that he used his experience so that we know what it feels like to get on the board”

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13.Semi-Private Surfing Lesson in Waikiki, Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $320

Meet at 150 Kapahulu Ave in Waikiki 30 minutes early for waivers, changing, and a safety briefing. A certified surf coach then covers water etiquette, paddling, board position, and beginner techniques before moving to beach and water practice. Boards, rash guards, reef shoes, lockers, fees, and taxes are included.

“The instructor was awesome and loved teaching the boys. Had a blast and the pictures and video package was great.”

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14.Surf HNL: Small-Group or Private Surfing Lesson (Ko’olina)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $169

Surf HNL teaches beginner surfing near Ko Olina with boards, rash guards, reef shoes, and leashes included. Expect basic paddling and pop-up instruction, then time in the water with a qualified, CPR-certified instructor. Private and small-group options suit families, first-timers, and anyone needing extra attention.

“All of the experience was great, however, the pictures taken only provided a few of my granddaughter, photographer focused mainly on the other couple surfing with her.”

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15.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”

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