Private Surf Lesson on Maui South Shore

Catching your first wave at Kalama Park is the heart of this Maui lesson. You meet the Surf Club Maui van in Kihei, get fitted with the supplied gear, make a plan with your instructor, and head into the water for coaching shaped around your ability.

I like two things right away: the private format, which keeps the lesson focused on your group, and the patient, safety-minded instruction associated with coaches such as David and Ebes. The lesson also works for children and adults, with surf breaks suited to different skill levels.

The main drawback is the price: $299 per person is a serious spend for two hours, especially since you must arrange your own transportation to the meeting point. It makes the most sense if personal coaching matters more to you than finding the cheapest group class.

Key points to know before booking

• Private coaching at Kalama Park: Your group gets the instructor’s full attention rather than sharing the lesson with strangers.
• Gear is supplied: The board, surf shoes, and lycra shirt are included in the two-hour session.
• Good for mixed abilities: Different surf breaks let the instructor adjust the lesson for beginners and more capable surfers.
• Safety comes first: Everyone must be able to swim and have the fitness and mobility needed for ocean activity.
• Meet in Kihei: Start and finish at Surf Club Maui, 1900 S Kihei Road, with no attraction transportation included.
• Patient teaching is a strong point: David and Ebes are names connected with clear coaching, calm support, and close attention in the water.

Starting at Surf Club Maui in Kihei

Your lesson begins at the Surf Club Maui van at 1900 S Kihei Road. This is a meet-your-instructor arrangement, so you need to get yourself there. Transportation to or from attractions is not included, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

That setup keeps things simple. You are not spending part of a short lesson riding in a shuttle or collecting other groups. Once you arrive, the instructor can focus on your equipment, your comfort level, and the plan for the session.

The meeting point also sits near public transportation, which may help if you are not driving. Still, the tour details do not promise transport from your hotel, so check your route before booking. A late arrival could cut into a lesson that lasts only about two hours.

You receive confirmation when you book, and the experience is offered in English. Since the activity is private, only your group takes part. That matters for families, couples, or friends who want the lesson to fit their own pace.

Making a surf plan before entering the water

The first part of the lesson is not just a quick handoff of a board. You get geared up and work with your instructor to make a plan for the water. That plan is based on your ability, which is useful if one person in your group is nervous and another already has some experience.

The supplied equipment includes a surfboard, surf shoes, and a lycra shirt. Having these items provided saves you from renting them separately and means you can arrive ready to learn rather than trying to assemble a kit on your own.

The lesson is built around catching waves, but the exact pace depends on your group. A beginner needs time to understand the basics and feel steady. A more capable surfer can use the same private setting to work on better timing and more advanced skills.

This is where a private lesson earns its higher price. In a large class, an instructor has to divide attention among several people. Here, your questions and mistakes can shape the next part of the lesson. If you are learning with a child, that close attention can make the session feel less rushed.

What the Kalama Park water session is like

Kalama Park is the only listed stop, and the actual lesson takes place on the water near the park. Your instructor guides you toward the best waves for your group and helps you put the plan into practice.

The wording best waves should not be read as a promise of perfect surf. Ocean conditions change, and the experience details do not state a guaranteed wave size or weather pattern. The useful promise is that your instructor will choose conditions and breaks that fit your level as closely as possible.

Different level surf breaks make the lesson more flexible. A first-timer should not be pushed into water meant for a stronger surfer, while someone with prior skills may need more than a very gentle introduction. The private format gives the instructor room to make that call.

You should expect active participation. This is not a sightseeing cruise with a short surfing demonstration. You will be in the water, handling a board, listening to instructions, and trying to catch waves. All participants must be able to swim, and you should have a moderate level of physical fitness.

The lesson also requires appropriate health, mobility, and fitness for the activity. That note is worth taking seriously. Surfing can be tiring even during a short session, and the equipment and ocean setting call for basic comfort in the water.

The teaching style matters more than the board

A board and a beach can get you started, but the instructor determines how useful the lesson feels. David has been singled out for giving pointers to people at different ability levels while keeping the service friendly and safe. That is exactly the kind of attention you want when your group is not equally experienced.

Ebes is another instructor associated with a calm, patient teaching style. One beginner felt nervous at first, and Ebes answered questions in detail, stayed attentive in the water, and made safety a clear priority. That kind of patience can change the whole lesson for someone who is unsure about standing up on a board.

Names are not a guarantee that you will be assigned to one particular instructor. Still, they give you a sense of the teaching approach connected with the operation: clear pointers, patience, and support for people who need time.

Suzie is associated with the booking and customer side of the experience. Lalani has also helped take pictures from the ocean during a lesson. Photography is not listed as an included feature, so you should not book this expecting a guaranteed photo package, but it is a nice possibility if that crew member is present.

Why the private format can be worth $299

At $299 per person, this is not a budget surf introduction. The value comes from what the price combines: two hours of instruction, a private group, the board, surf shoes, and lycra shirt.

For one person, the cost may feel steep. For a small group that wants its own instructor, the comparison changes. You are paying for focused coaching rather than a general class where the instructor must rotate between several participants.

I would especially consider the price worthwhile in three cases. First, if you are nervous and want patient help close by. Second, if your family members have different skill levels. Third, if you have already tried surfing and want direct feedback rather than a broad beginner talk.

The value is weaker if you simply want to try standing on a board once at the lowest possible cost. In that case, a group lesson or independent rental may suit your budget better, though those options would not provide the same private guidance.

The two-hour length is also important. It is long enough to give you a real lesson rather than a brief orientation, but short enough that the activity does not take over your entire day. You still need to allow time to reach Kihei and return to your own plans.

What you need to bring in practical terms

The operator provides the main surf equipment and clothing listed for the lesson. You do not need to arrange your own surfboard, surf shoes, or lycra shirt through this activity.

You do need to handle your own transportation to the meeting point. Since the start and end are both at Surf Club Maui, plan around that location rather than assuming a hotel pickup.

You also need to meet the swimming and fitness requirements. This is not suitable for anyone who cannot swim or who lacks the health, mobility, or physical ability for an active ocean lesson.

The experience is offered in English, so you should be comfortable receiving safety instructions and surf coaching in English. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

A good choice for families and nervous beginners

The private structure makes this a strong option for families with children and adults who do not all learn at the same speed. The instructor can adjust the surf break and the teaching pace instead of asking the whole group to follow one fixed plan.

It is also a sensible choice for a first lesson if you feel uneasy in the ocean. Ebes has been praised for staying patient when a participant felt nervous, and the close instruction meant safety questions could be answered right away.

Still, you should not confuse a private lesson with a risk-free activity. You must be able to swim, and you remain responsible for choosing an activity that fits your health and mobility. The instructor guides you, but the ocean is still an active setting.

A more experienced surfer may also find value here, provided the goal is coaching rather than a long independent session. The instructor can give pointers suited to your current ability and guide you toward a more appropriate break.

Booking timing and cancellation rules

This activity is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 83 days. If surfing is important to your Maui plans, reserve early rather than treating it as a last-minute add-on.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Inside that 24-hour window, you receive no refund, and changes are not accepted. That rule gives you flexibility while your plans are still taking shape, but you should watch the local cutoff closely.

Because the lesson depends on your own arrival at the meeting point, leave enough time for transportation. The provider does not include rides to or from attractions.

Should you book this Maui surf lesson?

Book it if you want a private, hands-on introduction with equipment supplied and an instructor who can adjust the lesson to your group. It is particularly well suited to families, nervous beginners, and mixed-ability groups that would benefit from calm, personal coaching.

I would hesitate if your main goal is the lowest price or a long stretch of independent surfing. At $299 per person, the cost is high, and the activity lasts about two hours.

For the right group, though, the private format is the point. You get a focused session at Kalama Park, a board and protective clothing provided, and coaching shaped around your ability. If patient instruction and safety support matter more than saving money, this is a practical way to give surfing on Maui a proper try.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson start?

The lesson starts at the Surf Club Maui van at 1900 S Kihei Road, Kihei, Hawaii 96753.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Surf Club Maui.

How long is the lesson?

The surf lesson lasts approximately two hours.

What equipment is included?

A surfboard, surf shoes, and a lycra shirt are provided.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation to and from attractions is not included.

Is the lesson private?

Yes. Only your group participates in this private activity.

Must I know how to swim?

Yes. All participants must be able to swim.

Is the lesson suitable for children?

Yes. The experience is described as suitable for both kids and adults, with different surf breaks for different ability levels.

What language is the lesson offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and no refund is provided.