The 15 Best Surf Lessons on Oahu

1.Open Group Surfing Lesson in Waikiki, Hawaii

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

Meet the Hans Hedemann Surf team at 150 Kapahulu Ave for a two-hour Waikiki lesson. You’ll learn safety, etiquette, paddling, turning, and standing up, then practice in the ocean with a small instructor group. Boards, rash shirts, reef shoes, and lockers are included.

“I highly recommend this Surfing school! I had very low expectations of my abilities to surf, however Nico and Lewis are great coaches, whose guidance and advices helped me to stand up on board and surf.”

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2.Beginner-Friendly Waikiki Beach Surfing Lesson

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

Meet Surfer Girl Academy for a two-hour Waikiki lesson with English or Japanese instruction, one guide for up to four students, and a 20 to 30-minute beach briefing. Guides such as Yuko, Mito, Noah, John, and Shuji have earned praise for patient coaching and helping first-timers stand up.

“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 near Waikiki Beach Walk for a 90-minute beginner lesson with a surfboard, leash, locker, and professional instruction. You will spend about 20 minutes learning beach safety and board skills before practicing in Waikiki’s shallow, sandy water. Instructors such as Josh, Derek, and Tanner have earned strong praise.

“Ten out of ten !! The guys were very informative and very helpful.. definitely recommend!! Easier than i thought”

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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, then about an hour catching waves with an instructor such as Justice, Keith, Joey, or Cole. Swimming ability is required.

“It was an incredible experience being on the water. My husband and I have injury’s from old age and Cole was awesome and accommodated us. He was so cool and understanding! Will definitely be back! 😊”

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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, or Matthew. You’ll spend 15 minutes learning beach basics, then practice on gentle North Shore waves with a board, rash guard, leash, and local guidance included.

“Suzy was the best! She was very helpful, patient and enthusiastic. I would love to take another lesson with her! The whole group was beginners and they picked a spot that was fun and not too hard. Would 10/10 recommend.”

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6.Family, Private & Group Surfing Lessons, Waikiki Courtesy Shuttle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 216 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $107

Meet at Ohana Surf Project near the Waikiki Beach Marriott, gear up, and ride to the beach for a roughly two-hour lesson. Your instructor adjusts the coaching to your level, helps you catch waves, and keeps safety in view. Luke, Jayden, Jake, Tyler, Cole, and Marcus are among the instructors praised for patient teaching.

“Super chill, great experience. Shoutout to Marcus for being super chill and helping me catch some waves!”

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7.Waikiki 2-Hour Beginner Group Surf Lesson

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

Spend two hours learning to surf about one mile outside Waikiki, where current professional surfers such as Turner, Kai, and Noah teach small groups of up to six. After a 20-minute beach lesson, you will practice surf stance, wave safety, etiquette, and board control in the water.

“Amazing experience!! Must do in Hawaii. The thrill you get from surfing is addicting.”

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8.Private Surfing Lessons in Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 176 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $96

Meet at Moku Hawaii on Koa Avenue for a 90-minute private Waikiki lesson. You’ll cover safety, balance, paddling, and board position on land, then walk to the beach with your instructor. Max is often praised for calm, clear coaching, while Wil also teaches select lessons.

“Max was an amazing surf instructor! He's super friendly, warm and full of positive energy - exactly what you need when you're taking your first surf lesson and feeling a bit nervous. I was a little scared at first, but with his help i learned quickly and has so much fun!!”

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9.Surf Lesson Without the Crowds Including GoPRO Videos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 167 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $125

Meet instructors such as Michael, Mike, Rio, or John at Ala Moana Beach Park for a 90-minute beginner surf lesson. You’ll cover safety and etiquette, practice on the beach, catch waves in the water, and receive edited GoPro photos and video by email.

“Our surf instructor was really nice and super helpful with his tips. We were scared to go but ended up feeling really safe and having a lot of fun!”

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10.North Shore Beginner Surf Lesson, Hawaii

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 114 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $104

Meet Surf N Sea in Haleiwa for a two-hour North Shore surf lesson capped at four people. Your instructor covers ocean etiquette, safe falling, standing technique, wave timing, and board choice before taking you to Waialua Bay or another beginner-friendly spot. You must swim and provide your own transport.

“Mark was a really good instructor. Felt safe, had lots of fun, and even sighted a whale! Would definitely recommend it for beginner surfers as I’d only been surfing once and caught a few waves!”

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11.Oahu Private Surfing Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 113 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $226

Meet at Kahalewai Place for a private, two-hour North Shore surf lesson. Your instructor teaches beach and water skills, from paddling through the break to choosing waves and handling the board. Lessons welcome students age four and up, with a surfboard and rash guard provided.

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12.Group Surf Lesson in the Heart of Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 107 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $119

Meet at the Jamie O’Brien Surf shop on Kalākaua Avenue, collect your board, booties, and rashguard, then head to Waikiki Beach for a 90-minute English-language lesson. Instructors such as Mo, Happy, and Kikki focus on safety, confidence, and helping beginners catch waves.

“Great lessons fun and knowledgeable staff! We had 2 13 year olds and they learned so much and were carry over the skills taught and surf unaided independently during our stay.”

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13.Private Surf Lesson at Waikiki Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 107 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $179

Meet at Big Wave Dave Surf & Coffee, where a certified instructor prepares you on land before walking with you across Lewers Street to Waikiki Beach. You will receive 90 minutes of tailored coaching, with instructors such as Paulie, Lee, Madison, and Josh teaching beginners and more experienced surfers.

“Lee was amazingly patient knowledgeable, and positive. Definitely a great time! Will pursue surfing as a result of his instruction.”

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14.Private 1-on-1 Surf Lesson with Videos and Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 107 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $160

Meet Jake or another Manifesting Aloha Surf School instructor near Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon for a private, one-hour Oahu surf lesson. You’ll learn safety, paddling, and pop-ups, then practice in the water with board support, wave pushes, and photos and videos sent the same day.

“Jake is super patient and an excellent teacher. We went to the wrong location originally and he had no problem guiding us and waiting for us to go to the correct location. He took a ton of great videos and photos for us. He also made sure we all caught waves. Highly recommended if you’re a beginner looking to have a great time and catch a wave or two.”

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15.Private Surfing Lessons on the North Shore of Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 87 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $150

Meet your private Catch'a Wave instructor at Puaʻena Point Beach Park for a two-hour lesson shaped around your skill and goals. Conor has helped first-timers manage busy waves with calm, patient coaching. Gear, rash guards, and personal instruction are included.

“Incredible tlexperience learning how to surf on the NORTH SHORE! Connor was great at showing us, first timers, what to do. He personally navigated us around the busy waves, and got us onto a few fun waves. Connor was very patient and a good instructor for the two of us. He started us out on land, and then we transitioned to the water. We will definitely.be back!”

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