Private Surf Lessons: The World’s 15 Best One-to-One Sessions

1.Private Surf Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 200 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $199Our pick

Meet Kona Town Surf Adventures near Kahaluʻu Beach Park for a 90-minute lesson with a private instructor. You’ll receive a surfboard, reef shoes, and surf shirt, then practice on the water with coaching tailored to your level. Instructors including Arie, Joe, Milo, Hanz, and others are praised for patient work with children and first-time surfers.

“I had an amazing time! Hanz and the rest of the surf instructors were very helpful and knowledgeable and I would definitely recommend others to take a surf lesson from them!”

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2.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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3.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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4.Private Surfing Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 173 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $138

Spend two hours at Fistral Beach with a private instructor who adjusts the lesson to your level, from first-time basics to sharper manoeuvres. Boards, wetsuits, changing rooms, and hot showers are included. Children aged five and up can join, and you may keep the equipment for the rest of the day.

“Brilliant week of surfing lessons. Super instructors, great atmosphere and progress in surfing really clear. Thank you so much!”

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5.Private Surfing Lesson at Playa de las Américas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 167 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $133

Meet your private instructor at Tenerife Surf Point in Playa de las Américas for a beginner-friendly lesson with theory, practical coaching, and photo analysis afterward. George is one instructor praised for clear, friendly teaching. English, Spanish, Russian, and Latvian lessons are available, with board, wetsuit, and reef booties supplied.

“The instructor was very fun and very funny he was a very good teacher and i learned quickly and had a great time”

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6.2 Hour Semi-Private Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 161 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Meet at Jack’s Surf Lessons and Board Rentals on South Ocean Boulevard for a 2-hour surf lesson with a board and instructor included. The group may include up to 15 people, though one session had seven students and two instructors. Kevin is especially recommended for first-time and advanced surfers.

“My 13 yo son went with a friend. He loved the whole experience. The two girls giving the lessons where amazing.”

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7.Macao Beach Private Surf Lessons

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 139 reviews · from $114

Spend about two hours learning to surf at Macao Beach near Punta Cana. After a short beach briefing, you practice with your own instructor in the water, using provided boards and a long-sleeve rashguard. Morning and afternoon starts, hotel transport, and small groups make this a practical first lesson.

“I've always wanted to learn how to surf and a friend recommended this excursion. The people were amazing! They had the whole family up on the first run. For two hours we hit baby wave after baby wave. By the end we were itching for a bigger challenge. This is the place to learn!”

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8.Private Surf Lesson Experience at Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $94

Learn to surf with a private instructor from Xiutla Riders, then choose between more beach time or a visit to Sayulita. Morning departure, round-trip pickup from central Puerto Vallarta, and coaching for beginners through experienced surfers are included. Guides such as Edson, JC, Fernando, and Agustina have earned especially warm praise for patient instruction.

“Jean Carlo was a fantastic guide! We had great conversations on the two, 45-minute drives and great opportunities to practice our Spanish. Once we were at the beach, we were able to catch multiple waves and JC was a good coach and kept encouraging us to keep trying. We were totally exhausted by the end! One of the best days of our trip.”

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9.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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10.Bali : Private Surf Lesson With Surf photos & Videos

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 112 reviews · 2 hours · from $15Best value

You get a two-hour, one-to-one surf lesson at Kuta Beach with an English or Indonesian-speaking coach such as Alex, Pos, Boia, or Man. The session covers safety, beach practice, wave riding, a short break, and photo feedback. Boards, rashguards, zinc, showers, pickup, professional photos, and one video are included.

“The surf lesson exceeded my expectations! I’ve had not so good experience lately, but with this perfectly arranged lesson I managed to stand up on board a lot of times! Thank you :)”

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11.Margaret River Private Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 108 reviews · from $57

Meet your private surf coach at Redgate Road for a two-hour lesson built around your level. Learn wave safety, paddling, board handling, and standing up with a surfboard, wetsuit, rash shirt, sunscreen, and personal coaching included. Children need an accompanying adult, and Amy is one coach praised for making first-timers feel at ease.

“My first ever surfing lesson eith Amy was amazing. She made me feel comfy and explained everything so well. If I ever tried it again, I would repeat with them without any doubt.”

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12.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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13.2 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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14.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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15.Private Surf Lesson with Instructor, Board, & Wetsuit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 96 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $85

Drive 25 to 30 minutes south of Santa Barbara for a private surf lesson with your own instructor, longboard, and wetsuit. You’ll meet at the Cal Coast Adventures van on Carpinteria Street, learn safety and technique on the sand, then head into gentle waves. Lessons are capped at two people and offered year-round.

“Madison was a delightful instructor for my two kids. She was knowledgeable, supportive and friendly. The kids had a blast and had many wonderful things to say about Madison. Thank you!”

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