USA SURF LESSONS

The 15 Best Surf Lessons in the United States

95 tours  ·  from $52 a head

Hawaii teaches on slow reef rollers, California and Florida on beach breaks that ask more of you. These 15 American sessions are compared on wave type, group size and price, with the Waikiki morning slots flagged for how early they go.

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

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

2.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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Outrageous Surf ScHool Lesson on Lahaina Side - Why the small group matters
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Outrageous Surf ScHool Lesson on Lahaina Side

3.Outrageous Surf ScHool Lesson on Lahaina Side

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

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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Los Angeles: Surfing Lesson in Venice Beach - Meeting at 20 Bicknell Ave
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Los Angeles: Surfing Lesson in Venice Beach

4.Surfing Lesson in Venice Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 442 reviews · 2 hours · from $69Best value

Meet your English-speaking instructor at 20 Bicknell Ave, suit up, and learn surfing on Venice Beach. You will spend 30 to 40 minutes practicing on sand, then receive hands-on coaching in the water before practicing on your own. Instructors including Dan, Kat, Nico, Ethan, Melanie, and Axel have helped first-timers stand up on their first lesson.

“Teacher Mico did great, magnificent experience and we all slept well that night!”

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Oahu: Beginner-Friendly Waikiki Beach Surfing Lesson - Your first 20 to 30 minutes on the beach
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Oahu: Beginner-Friendly Waikiki Beach Surfing Lesson

5.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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Po'ipu Surf Lesson - Equipment That Makes a Difference
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Po’ipu Surf Lesson

6.Po’ipu Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 361 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89

Meet Hoku Water Sports at Koʻa Kea Resort on Poipu Beach for a 90-minute beginner lesson. Instructors such as Kele and David teach paddling, the pop-up, and ocean safety on land before helping you catch waves. Boards, booties, and rash guards are provided. The group is capped at eight.

“Our teenagers who are beginner surfers loved this experience and did it for a few days. The instructors were kind, fun and professional. If you are looking for a great experience for your kids, or even for adults looking to learn surfing in a safe and supportive environment, look no further- this is it!”

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Private Hanalei Sandy Bottom Surf Lesson on Kauai - Meeting at Hawaiian Surfing Adventures in Hanalei
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Private Hanalei Sandy Bottom Surf Lesson on Kauai

7.Private Hanalei Sandy Bottom Surf Lesson on Kauai

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 339 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $118

Meet Hawaiian Surfing Adventures in Hanalei for a private 90-minute beginner-friendly lesson. Your instructor, such as Nick, Luca, Patrick, Jack, or Tapu, teaches board position, wave timing, standing, and ocean safety. Boards, leashes, and rash vests are included, with lessons adjusted for children, older adults, and returning surfers.

“This was literally the best for my family. We had Kohl, who is great with teens. My family insisted on doing it twice because they loved it so much! There are several surfing lessons available but this is the best in my opinion.”

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Surfing Lessons On Waikiki Beach - Why Waikiki works for first-time surfers
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Surfing Lessons On Waikiki Beach

8.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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Waikiki Private Group Surf Lesson - Why private instruction helps beginners
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Waikiki Private Group Surf Lesson

9.Waikiki Private Group Surf Lesson

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

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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Surf Lessons on the North Shore of Oahu - What makes the instruction useful
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Surf Lessons on the North Shore of Oahu

10.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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Group Surf Lesson at Kalama Beach in Kihei - Meeting the Surf Club Maui van at 1900 South Kihei Road
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Group Surf Lesson at Kalama Beach in Kihei

11.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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Maui Lahaina Group Surf Lesson - Checking in at 505 Front Street
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Maui Lahaina Group Surf Lesson

12.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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Pismo Beach, California, Surf Lessons - Starting at Pismo Pier on Park Avenue
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Pismo Beach, California, Surf Lessons

13.Pismo Beach, California, Surf Lessons

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 224 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $99

Meet Sandbar Surf Company at Pismo Pier for a 90-minute beginner lesson. Instructors such as Tyler, Derek, Josh, and Jonny cover safety, stretching, board form, and wave practice. Wetsuits and boards are provided, and the small-group format helps children, families, and first-time surfers gain confidence.

“My kids (ages 15 & 10) loved the surf lessons, they had a great time. The instructors were all great. Highly recommend.”

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Surf Lessons in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina - Ocean safety before the first wave
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Surf Lessons in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

14.Surf Lessons in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 223 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Meet Jack’s Surf Lessons on South Ocean Boulevard for a beginner-friendly session covering paddling, balance, popping up, and ocean safety. Instructors such as Kevin, Genny, Brook, and Aaron work with all ages and skill levels. You’ll use a surfboard and leash, then practice in the waves with a 3:1 student-to-instructor ratio.

“The entire staff is amazing and exceptionally helpful! Our instructor was -by far - the best instructor we had on any/all of our MB experiences!!💯recommend!”

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Family, Private & Group Surfing Lessons, Waikiki Courtesy Shuttle - Getting ready with a board and safety briefing
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Family, Private & Group Surfing Lessons, Waikiki Courtesy Shuttle

15.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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