SURF LESSONS

The World’s 15 Best Surf Lessons

394 tours  ·  from $10 a head

Every coast that teaches surfing claims to be good at it. These 15 are the sessions people come off the beach raving about, from a $16 soft board in Bali to a private hour on the Maui south shore, each with what it costs, how long you are actually in the water and who it suits.

Tenerife: Surfing Lesson for All Levels, Photos included - Meeting Shaka Surf Tenerife near the waves
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Tenerife: Surfing Lesson for All Levels, Photos included

1.Surfing Lesson for All Levels, Photos included

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,314 reviews · 2 hours · from $50Our pick

Meet Shaka Surf Tenerife 15 minutes early for a two-hour lesson at Playa de las Américas. You’ll get a board, wetsuit, water shoes, lycra, theory, warm-up, and coached water practice in a group of no more than six. Instructors including Rodri, Gabriele, Juan, Marco, Kaia, and Calvin teach several languages, with photos and a post-surf shower included.

“The guides were incredibly kind and first explained everything to us step by step. Later, once we were in the water, you could chat with them again, and if you have a basic level of fitness, you’ll definitely be able to stand on the board at some point. We were perfectly looked after from start to finish, and they would occasionally take you aside to give tips on how to improve. All in all, it was a wonderful experience, and I would book it again in a heartbeat!”

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Group Surfing Lesson at Playa de las Américas, Tenerife - The first lesson happens on dry land
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Group Surfing Lesson at Playa de las Américas, Tenerife

2.Group Surfing Lesson at Playa de las Américas, Tenerife

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,072 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $43Top rated

Meet Tenerife Surf Point in Playa de las Américas for a 2.5-hour beginner lesson. Your instructor covers theory, practices the standing position on land, then coaches you in the water. Boards and gear are included, with photos and a useful technique review afterward. English, Spanish, Russian, and Latvian may be available by arrangement.

“Great lesson thanks everyone! Kids had a lovely time teachers were great and area was well looked after”

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Canggu: 2-Hour Surf Course - The first 30 minutes: learning on the sand
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Canggu: 2-Hour Surf Course

3.2-Hour Surf Course

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,053 reviews · 2 hours · from $23

Meet Spicy Surfschool at Black and White surf cafe beside Batu Bolong Beach in Canggu. Beginners get 30 minutes of land instruction, then about 90 minutes in the water with a coach. More experienced surfers go straight to wave practice. English and Indonesian lessons are available, with private and small-group options.

“Loved it ! Was my second ever lesson and was so fun. I had Oge’z as an instructor and he was brilliant!! We had a good laugh and he helped me paddle out when my arms were tired :) Will be going back for another lesson with him this week !”

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Legian Beach, Bali: Beginner or Intermediate Surf Lessons - The short land lesson that makes the water safer
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Legian Beach, Bali: Beginner or Intermediate Surf Lessons

4.Legian Beach, Bali: Beginner or Intermediate Surf Lessons

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,019 reviews · 1 day · from $16

Meet near Pullman Bali Legian Beach for a beginner or intermediate surf lesson with Pulau Biru Surf. You’ll get a softboard, rash guard, water, safety coaching, and beach photos. Instructors including Uncle Bob, Jones, Momo, and John work closely with small groups, helping you read waves, stand up, or improve your technique.

“We have spent an amazing session with Momo who was very patient and very helpful. We definitely recommend this activity, we enjoyed every minute of it.”

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Playa de las Américas: Private or Small-Group Surf Lesson - What happens during the 20-minute beach lesson
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Playa de las Américas: Private or Small-Group Surf Lesson

5.Private or Small-Group Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 980 reviews · 2 hours · from $41

Meet at Kontraola Surf School in Playa de las Américas for a 2-hour lesson with a certified instructor such as Victoria, Sebastián, José, or Filippo. You’ll get 20 minutes of beach theory, then practice in the sea with a board, wetsuit, reef boots, and close guidance. Private lessons suit nervous beginners and children under 13.

“We had an incredible surfing class The experience was fun, well-organized, and truly unforgettable. Victoria was wonderful one of the best professionals we’ve learned from. Her guidance and positive energy made all the difference. 100% recommended! 🌊”

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Maui: Two Hour Beginner Group Surf Lesson in Kihei - The beginner beach and wave setup
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Maui: Two Hour Beginner Group Surf Lesson in Kihei

6.Two Hour Beginner Group Surf Lesson in Kihei

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 950 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $98

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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Bondi Beach: 2-Hour Surf Lesson Experience for Any Level - The First 20 Minutes: Safety Before Surfing
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Bondi Beach: 2-Hour Surf Lesson Experience for Any Level

7.2-Hour Surf Lesson Experience for Any Level

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 935 reviews · 2 hours · from $70

Spend two hours learning to surf at Bondi Beach with a maximum of five students per instructor group. You will cover beach safety, board technique, and wave basics before practicing in the water with a soft board and wetsuit. Instructors such as Jessie, Dan, Matt, Luke, and Brontë are praised for patient, personal coaching.

“Fantastic team and friendly instructors. E we had a great time catching and riding the waves! Highly recommended!”

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Matosinhos: Surfing Lesson with Equipment - From the surf school to the sand
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Matosinhos: Surfing Lesson with Equipment

8.Surfing Lesson with Equipment

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 926 reviews · 1h 30m · from $35

Meet Fish Surf School in Matosinhos for a 90-minute beginner lesson led in English or Spanish. Your coach covers safety, paddling, standing, and falling on the sand before helping you in the water. Groups are limited to eight, with wetsuit, board, insurance, and storage included. Coaches such as Ivan, Ricardo, Nuno, Rafa, and Diogo are praised for patient, clear teaching.

“To be honest, this is the best surfing lesson I’ve ever had. I’ve tried others before, but Fish Surf School did their best to make me catch all the waves. Totally recommend it!”

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Lisbon Surf Experience - Costa da Caparica and its fossil cliffs
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Lisbon Surf Experience

9.Lisbon Surf Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 876 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $35

Meet a local surf team or choose pickup from Lisbon and Costa da Caparica. After a land lesson, spend two hours in the Atlantic using boards matched to your level. Instructors such as Filipe, Bruno, David, and Miguel help beginners catch waves, while the coast, fossil cliffs, and optional video add interest.

“I can definitely recommend this surf lesson. The teacher was very helpful in the water and explained the technics in a good way. Very good value for the money!”

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Uluwatu: Beginner & Intermediate Surf Lesson with Equipment - The beach can change, and that is a good thing
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Uluwatu: Beginner & Intermediate Surf Lesson with Equipment

10.Beginner & Intermediate Surf Lesson with Equipment

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 832 reviews · 2 hours · from $36

Join a small surf class at Balangan, Jimbaran, or Dreamland Beach, depending on the day’s waves. Instructors such as Luis, Irawan, Repho, and Aldin teach paddling, standing, safety, and wave timing in English or Indonesian. You get equipment, locker storage, water, a shower, and photos and videos when at least two people book together.

“I had a really great experience for my first time and loved it so much I will definitely make it a new hobby, Our teacher Repho was an amazing guy made the instructions very clear and easy to understand and made the experience such fun. I would defo recommend”

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Albufeira: Surf Lesson - From the kiosk to the sand
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Albufeira: Surf Lesson

11.Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 699 reviews · 2 hours · from $36

Meet SUPA at its wooden kiosk near Praia da Galé’s car park. After a warm-up and safety lesson, you’ll practise paddling, reaching the break, and standing on the board. Certified Portuguese and English-speaking instructors, including coaches such as Antonio, Mariana, and Matheus, work with beginners and early intermediate surfers.

“All the coaches are amazing! The experience is marvelous!”

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Byron Bay: 2-Hour Small Group Surf Lesson - A safety lesson before the fun begins
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Byron Bay: 2-Hour Small Group Surf Lesson

12.2-Hour Small Group Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 657 reviews · 2 hours · from $60

Meet Lets Go Surfing on Fletcher Street for a beginner lesson built around beach safety, paddling, catching waves, and standing. You spend two hours on the beach and in the water, with no more than six surfers per instructor. Guides such as Tim, Luke, Guido, and Ava are praised for patient coaching and good humor.

“Luke gave us a brilliant surfing lesson and I felt really safe in the water considering I was so nervous to begin with. It was such a fun activity, the feeling when you catch a wave is unreal!! Thanks for a great lesson we loved it”

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Noosa Heads: 2 Hour Surf Experience on the Sunshine Coast - The first 15 minutes: arrival and preparation
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Noosa Heads: 2 Hour Surf Experience on the Sunshine Coast

13.2 Hour Surf Experience on the Sunshine Coast

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 644 reviews · 2 - 6 hours · from $59

Spend two hours learning to surf at Noosa Heads Beach with a Level 1 instructor. You’ll begin with beach safety and board technique, then practice in waist-deep water before riding small waves. Soft boards, rash shirts or wetsuits, sunscreen, showers, and secure storage are provided. Instructors may include George, Reece, Felipe, or Valentino.

“We loved our surf lessons! Instructors were informative and fun - nothing to improve on!”

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Porto: Small Group Surf Lesson with Transportation - Meeting the van near Aliados
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Porto: Small Group Surf Lesson with Transportation

14.Small Group Surf Lesson with Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 594 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $58

Meet your van near Aliados and let the guide choose the beach with the best conditions that day. You’ll get a wetsuit, board, safety and technique coaching, then practise in the water with a group capped at seven. Instructors including Igor, Bernardo, and Katerina teach in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

“Very exciting!! We spend a nice morning surfing with excellent instructors. If you come to Portugal, you must try it.”

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Open Group Surfing Lesson in Waikiki, Hawaii - What happens at 150 Kapahulu Ave
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Open Group Surfing Lesson in Waikiki, Hawaii

15.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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