15 Surf Lessons in Oahu Worth Booking

1.Open Group Surfing Lesson in Waikiki, Hawaii

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 582 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $112Our pick

Meet Hans Hedemann Surf at 150 Kapahulu Ave for a two-hour Waikiki lesson with a certified instructor. You’ll watch a safety video, practice on land, then paddle out with a board, rash guard, reef shoes, and locker included. Instructors such as Niko, Luis, Charlie, and Tyson are praised for patient coaching, and you may spot a sea turtle from the water.

“We had a great time and all of us were actually surfing by the end of the 2 hour lesson. Our teachers were Niko and Gavin and they were both fantastic. They gave us tips to help us improve and were super encouraging and patient. It was a great activity for our family (2 teenage boys + mom and dad).”

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2.Beginner-Friendly Waikiki Beach Surfing Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 425 reviews · 2 hours · from $125

Spend two hours learning to surf at Waikiki Beach with Surfer Girl Academy. You get 20 to 30 minutes of beach instruction, then about 70 minutes in the water with a small group and a maximum four-to-one student-to-instructor ratio. Instructors such as Noah, Yuko, John, and Shuji have been praised for patient coaching. Boards, reef shoes, rash guards, and leashes are included.

“Excellent teachers and the pictures came out awesome! Highly recommended.”

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3.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 beginner lesson. You’ll learn safety, paddling, and board control on land, then practice with an instructor in Waikiki’s shallow, sandy water. Boards, leashes, and a locker are included. Guides have included Derek, Josh, Joshua, Alex, Cody, Tanner, and Mouse.

“Awesome experience! My 18, 15, and 10 all took a lesson at the same time and all of them loved it! Everything was seamless. Highly recommend bringing your own or renting the rash guards which are not included- $5 to rent though!”

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4.Waikiki Private Group Surf Lesson

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

Meet Stoke Drift at Ocean Patio B for a 90-minute Waikiki surf lesson. You’ll spend 15 to 30 minutes learning safety and technique on land, then about an hour catching waves with your private group. Instructors such as Justice, Keith, Joey, and Cole are praised for patient beginner coaching. Swimming ability is required.

“This place was fantastic. Dane & Leah were spot-on I can safely say that they made the best highlight of my 9 days in O'ahu! Mahalo”

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5.Surf Lessons on the North Shore of Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 267 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $95Best value

Meet Sunset Suzy’s Surf School in Hauula for a 90-minute beginner lesson with instructors such as Suzy, Andy, John, Matthew, or Kaiser. You’ll spend about 15 minutes on the beach learning safety and technique, then practice in the ocean with a board, rash guard, leash, and local guidance included. Turtle spotting is also offered.

“My daughter and I enjoyed learning how to surf with Andy! We each caught several waves and had a wonderful time. This was a great experience for beginners. Highly recommend!!”

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6.Waikiki 2-Hour Beginner Group Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 191 reviews · 2 hours · from $103

Spend two hours learning to surf about a mile outside Waikiki with current pro surfers such as Turner, Kai, Noah, and Noa. You get a 20-minute beach lesson, surfboard, leash, rashguard, and reef booties, then head into beginner-friendly water. Groups cap at six, and children under 11 need a private lesson.

“Turner was an excellent teacher and we could not have been happier. Everyone in our group got up multiple times and we had a great time doing it.”

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7.Kayak, Snorkel, and Surf with Turtles in Honolulu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 95 reviews · from $200

Join local guides Shane and Neil for a three-hour Waikiki water outing capped at five people. You will kayak or stand-up paddle over coral, snorkel at Turtle Canyon and a shipwreck, then get beginner-friendly surf instruction. Hotel pickup, gear, water, snacks, and private transportation are included.

“Great experience! Must do! Captain Neil and Shain were great! Knew all the best spots to kayak, swim with turtles, snorkeling for fish! Also never thought I could but with their help I was able to surf! So much fun and highly recommended for everyone!”

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8.Private Surf Lessons in Honolulu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $199

Meet Hans Hedemann Surf School at 150 Kapahulu Ave for about two hours at Waikiki Beach. You get a surfboard, waterproof gear, and personal coaching suited to your level. Instructors such as Niko, Charles, Charlie, and Kalani have helped first-timers and young surfers catch their first waves.

“My son had an amazing time with his instructor Chris. The whole crew made sure that we had the best time out there on the waves. They had patience and compassion for a first timer and it showed. Highly recommend. Worth every penny.”

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9.Kids Surfing Lesson in Waikiki Beach (up to 12)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 59 reviews · 2 hours · from $204

Give your child a two-hour introduction to surfing at Waikiki’s Surfer Girl Academy. Kids ages 4 to 12 receive one-to-one coaching, beach safety practice, and more than an hour in the ocean. Instructors can switch to a tandem ride if a child feels nervous. English and Japanese instruction is available.

“I cannot say enough good things about Surfer Girl Academy! This was an amazing experience for my daughter. She’d never surfed before and isn’t the most coordinated or athletic. I wasn’t sure what to expect. She got up all on her own almost right away! Her instructor was so quick to get to her after she went down each and every time. We felt totally comfortable after watching him and how fast he could maneuver over to her. We also got amazing pictures of the experience as well. This will be an experience that we will remember forever.”

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10.Waikiki Beginner Private Surf Lesson- Female Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 40 reviews · 1 hour · from $135

Meet Ali at Duke Kahanamoku’s statue for a private one-hour surf lesson at Waikiki Beach. You’ll learn board safety, paddling, wave reading, and the pop-up during 20 to 30 minutes of shore instruction, then practice in the water with a surfboard and leash provided. You must know how to swim.

“Super fun! The surf instructor, Ali, was sooo nice and great at explaining. I felt comfortable and safe in the water! I booked this as a female solo traveler who had only gone surfing once before, and this was a perfect excursion for that. Ali also was very encouraging and respectful! When I said I was done, she was like alright let's get out of the water, which I appreciated! Plus, I stood up on the board which I have never done before! Definitely worth it for a beginner surfer :)!”

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11.Surfing Lessons for 2 People

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 37 reviews · 2 hours · from $162

You and one other person learn to surf on Oahu’s south shore in a two-hour private lesson. Expect 20 to 30 minutes of land instruction, ocean-safety guidance, quality Hurley gear, and more than 70 minutes in the water. English and Japanese instruction is available, with photos and video offered for an extra fee.

“The team was very friendly and kind. They helped to make this experience fun and possible.”

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12.Private Surfing Lesson in Waikiki Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 13 reviews · 2 hours · from $219

Meet the Surfer Girl Academy team in Waikiki for a private two-hour lesson led in English or Japanese. Instructors such as Ezra, Yuki, and Shuji have helped first-timers stand up and ride waves. Your board, leash, rash guard, reef shoes, and optional wetsuit are included. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, water, and cash for optional photos or video.

“Amazing experience learning with Ezra and Yuki. They captured nice photos and videos which I purchased to share the amazing memories with my friends/family :)”

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13.Private Surfing Lesson with Local Big Wave Surfer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $110

Meet your English-speaking instructor at Haleiwa’s beach for a private 1.5-hour lesson in Waialua Bay. You’ll learn surf safety, etiquette, board control, and how to stand up, then practice with personal coaching. Jason and Jacob have earned praise for their patience and clear advice. Boards, leashes, and lycra tops are included.

“Our instructor Jason was nice, knowledgeable and patient. We had great experience and will recommend these services to anyone.”

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14.Waikiki 2-Hour Semi-Private Surfing Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 5 reviews · 2 hours · from $156

Spend two hours learning to surf at a secluded beach near Waikiki with an English-speaking instructor and a private group. You begin with a 20-minute beach lesson on waves, currents, tides, safety, and standing technique, then choose your equipment and practice paddling, turning, and riding waves. Boards, rash guards, reef gear, and booties are included.

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15.1-on-1 Surfing Lesson in Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 1h 15m · from $178

Meet Jake or another English-speaking instructor at a small triangular beach in Waikiki for a private 75-minute surf lesson. You’ll get a board, rash guard, and water shoes, then practice safety, paddling, pop-ups, and catching waves. The lesson suits beginners and stronger surfers, with a guaranteed wave and optional same-day photos and videos.

“Sure, here’s a concise and positive review you could use: ⸻ I had two amazing surfing lessons with Jake and really enjoyed the experience! The first day had bigger waves and better weather, which made it extra fun, but both sessions were great. Jake was super attentive and made sure I felt comfortable and had a great time throughout. Highly recommend taking lessons with him if you’re looking for a supportive and fun surf instructor.”

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