15 Surf Lessons in Waikiki to Build a Day Around

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.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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6.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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7.Private Surfing Lessons in Waikiki

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

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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8.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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9.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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10.Private Surf Lesson in Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $159

Meet Shane or Captain Neil near Rainbow Tower for a private Waikiki surf lesson lasting about 1 hour 45 minutes. You’ll receive a board, reef shoes, rash guard, locker, and one-on-one coaching, with pickup available if arranged. The lesson suits first-timers and returning surfers.

“Perfect experience! It was our first time surfing, and finally we worked it out! Appreciate Shane and Neil’s patient coaching🤙🏻”

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11.Waikiki Beach: Surf Lessons

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 73 reviews · 2 hours · from $112

Meet Hans Hedemann Surf School inside the Queen Kapiolani Hotel for a two-hour Waikiki lesson. Certified instructors teach paddling, standing, and wave riding in English, Korean, or Japanese, with boards, rash guards, reef shoes, leashes, and lockers included.

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

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

Bring a child ages 4 to 12 to Surfer Girl Academy for a private two-hour Waikiki lesson. A patient instructor teaches beach safety and board skills, then offers one-to-one ocean coaching and tandem rides for nervous beginners. Surfboards, rash guards, reef shoes, and an original sticker are included.

“Yuko was fantastic with my 9 year old! He had a fabulous experience and declared he wants to move to Hawaii and be a surfer!”

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13.Private & Semi-Private Surf Lessons in Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $102

Meet Ty Gurney Surf School on Lewers Street, gear up with a board and rash guard, then learn safety and basic technique on the sand before heading into Grays Beach. Private coaching from instructors such as Elliott, Kevin, or Harry helps beginners catch waves during a two-hour lesson.

“We had an absolutely amazing experience. We have been dreaming of surfing at Waikiki for many years and the experience with the help of our instructors. Kevin and Harry was better than we could’ve imagined. We had two beginner surfers as well and both of them had an absolute blast and caught a whole bunch of waves. We’ve been talking about it constantly for the last 24 hours. Thank you so very much for making this experience so wonderful.”

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14.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 Waikiki surf lesson built around your pace. You’ll learn to read waves, paddle, pop up, and surf safely after 20 to 30 minutes of shore instruction. The one-hour session includes a board and leash, with optional drone footage available.

“Great instructor. Thorough and thoughtful about ability, skills, and limitations. Super positive and upbeat. Recommended for anyone”

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15.Surf lessons for beginners in Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 40 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $100

Meet at the Duke Kahanamoku Statue for a private Waikiki lesson with an instructor such as Preston, Jameson, or Scotty. You’ll cover ocean safety and basic technique on the sand, then practice catching waves with your own coach. Boards are provided, and most beginners stand up during the session.

“Preston was an amazing instructor for my 12-year-old. Our first one hour session went so well, that we ended up booking a second session the next morning. My son is now confident enough to surf on his own. The one on one instruction was amazing, especially compared to what I could see of the other commercialized surf schools on the beach. We even had another family on the beach approach us and ask how to book with Preston after seeing my son and his class. Overall, it was an amazing experience, 10 out of 10. Thank you so much Preston!”

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