Private Kids Surfing Lessons

The best feature here is one-on-one coaching in Waikiki’s warm water, where Shane and his team can adjust the lesson to your child instead of pushing every youngster through the same routine. A child who feels unsure can ride with an instructor on a tandem board, then try a separate board once confidence grows.

I like the practical family setup: surfing gear, bottled water, and snacks are included, and you can request a life jacket or snorkel equipment at no extra cost. I also like that this is a private activity, so your group gets the instructors’ attention rather than sharing the lesson with strangers.

The main thing to consider is the price: at $175 per person for about 1 hour and 45 minutes, this is not a casual beach rental. You are paying for private instruction and extra support, so it makes the most sense for families who want coaching, not simply a board and a quick splash.

Key points to know before booking

• Private instruction for your group: Only your family or party takes part in the activity.
• Tandem surfing for nervous beginners: A child can share a two-person board with the instructor before trying to surf alone.
• Local guidance from Shane: Shane was born and raised on Oahu and leads the lesson with help from his surf team.
• Waikiki views and reef time: You surf at Waikiki Beach, with chances to swim and request snorkel gear for looking for turtles and fish.
• Useful extras at no added cost: Life jackets, masks, snorkels, and an additional solo board are available upon request.
• Flexible cancellation: You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.

Why private coaching matters for young surfers

A first surf lesson can go two ways. A child may pop up quickly and want to try again and again, or may need time to get used to the board, the water, and the feeling of a wave moving underneath. A private lesson gives the instructor room to handle either reaction.

That matters most with children of different ages or abilities. Shane and his team worked with children ages 9 and 13, getting both onto waves quickly while giving each one guidance suited to their level. A family of five also used the lesson for a first surfing experience, with everyone getting the chance to ride.

You should not expect a formal classroom session on the sand followed by a fixed number of turns. The focus is active time in the water. The instructor helps your child understand how to position the body, catch a wave, and stay calm while learning. The exact pace depends on confidence and conditions, but private coaching gives your child a better chance to ask for help and try again.

The tandem-board option is especially useful. If your child is not ready to manage a board alone, he or she can ride with the instructor. Once that feels comfortable, an extra board can be provided for solo surfing. This is a sensible progression, and it avoids making a nervous child feel as if falling or hesitating means failure.

Starting at Rainbow Tower

The meeting point is Rainbow Tower at 2005 Kālia Road in Honolulu. The activity begins and ends at this meeting point, so you have a clear place to return to after the water portion.

The location is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in Waikiki without a rental car. You will want to allow enough time to reach the meeting point, get organized, and be ready for the lesson. Your confirmation arrives at booking, so keep the meeting details handy on your phone.

This is a mobile-ticket activity, offered in English. Since it is private, you are not joining a large bus group or trying to identify your child among a crowd of learners. That simple arrangement can make the start less stressful, especially when children are excited and parents are juggling towels, phones, and water bottles.

Waikiki Beach, the main event

The lesson takes place at Waikiki Beach, one of Oahu’s best-known stretches of sand and water. The setting gives you more than a basic instructional backdrop. While your child works on the board, you can enjoy the famous Waikiki shoreline and views toward Diamond Head.

The beach also gives the lesson a second activity beyond surfing. The water portion includes swimming, and snorkeling equipment can be requested if you want to look around the reef for turtles and fish. This makes the outing more useful for a child who is curious about the ocean but does not spend every minute standing on a surfboard.

Still, the main purpose is surfing. Snorkeling is an added option, not a separate guided reef tour with a detailed marine program. If your family wants a full snorkeling excursion, you should book a dedicated snorkeling trip instead. Here, the reef time gives you another way to enjoy the water during the lesson.

Your instructor can also provide a life jacket upon request. That can be a good choice for a child who is still building water confidence, though it is best to ask for one when booking rather than waiting until arrival.

A lesson built around confidence

The strongest part of this experience is the way it can meet a child at the right level. Some children want to paddle out and stand immediately. Others need to watch, hold onto the instructor, or ride tandem before they are ready to work alone.

Shane’s role is not simply to hand over a board. He is a local surfer born and raised on Oahu, and the lesson is designed around his understanding of the area and the needs of kids and families. Captain Neil and other team members may also assist, which is useful when several people in one family are learning at once.

One family of five had both Shane and Captain Neil helping during the lesson. Another parent was able to float nearby and watch a child learn while Neil explained what was happening. That kind of support can be valuable for parents who want to stay close without taking over the teaching.

You may also have help from Chris, who took photos during one family’s outing. The provided information does not promise a photography package, so you should not book this solely for professional pictures. Still, the team may be able to capture moments that are hard to photograph when you are busy helping your child.

What the 1 hour and 45 minutes feels like

The advertised length is about 1 hour and 45 minutes. That is long enough to give a beginner repeated chances, rather than treating the lesson as a quick introductory turn.

At the start, the instructors can help decide whether your child should begin on a solo board or with an instructor on the tandem board. The tandem option gives a child a secure first step. Once the child shows enough comfort, the instructor can make an additional board available for independent attempts.

The middle portion is where the real learning happens. Your child gets repeated guidance and time in the water, with the instructor close enough to correct technique and offer encouragement. A child who catches an early wave may spend the rest of the lesson trying to repeat that success. Another child may need more time before getting a clean ride.

Near the end, you can continue swimming or use requested snorkel equipment to look for fish and turtles. Snacks and bottled water are provided, which is helpful after a physical activity in the sun. The session then returns to the meeting point.

Because this is a private activity, the schedule can feel less rushed than a large group class. Even so, 1 hour and 45 minutes goes quickly when several people are sharing the water time. If your group includes many participants, remember that each person may not receive the same number of individual turns.

What is included, and what you still need to plan

The $175 price includes surfing gear, bottled water, and snacks. Life jackets and snorkel gear are available upon request at no extra charge. A tandem board for a child and instructor is also available, and a separate board can be supplied once the child is ready to surf alone.

That package makes the price easier to understand. You are not paying just for equipment. You are paying for a private instructor-led activity, the chance to adapt the lesson to a child’s ability, and the convenience of having basic refreshments supplied.

The value is strongest when your child is a beginner or lacks confidence in the water. A family with several first-time surfers may also find the private format worthwhile because instructors can work with different people at different speeds.

The value is weaker if your child already surfs well and only wants to rent a board. In that case, the individual coaching may be more than you need. The same is true if your family wants a relaxed swim with minimal instruction.

Alcoholic beverages are not included. You should also plan your own beach clothing and personal items, since the supplied information only confirms surfing gear, water, and snacks.

Who will get the most from this Waikiki lesson

I would choose this for families with children who are new to surfing, unsure about waves, or likely to benefit from close coaching. It is also a good fit when parents want to participate in the setting without having to teach the basics themselves.

The private format helps families with mixed ability levels. One child may be ready to surf alone while another stays with the instructor on the tandem board. Parents can stay involved, watch from nearby, and enjoy the beach rather than managing every technical detail.

This is less suited to someone looking for a quiet beach morning. Surfing is active, and the time in the water requires attention and effort. The outing also has a fixed meeting point, so it is not a drop-in lesson you can fit casually between other plans.

The experience is offered in English. Most participants can take part, and the activity is near public transportation. The supplied information does not give a minimum age, so families should confirm that point before booking if it is important for your child.

Booking ahead and protecting your plans

This activity is typically booked about 23 days in advance. That suggests you should reserve ahead if your Waikiki schedule is tight or if you want a particular day during a busy holiday.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours ahead, you do not receive a refund, and changes inside that same window are not accepted. The cut-off uses local Oahu time, so check the time zone before making a last-minute change.

The early booking pattern also fits the private format. There are fewer spaces than in a large group class, and a private lesson requires instructors to reserve time for your party. If your child’s confidence is a priority, I would book this earlier in the trip rather than leaving it for the final morning.

Is $175 per person a fair price?

The cost is high compared with a simple surfboard rental, but that is not the right comparison. You are buying a private lesson with local instructors, equipment, water, snacks, and options for a child who may need a slower introduction.

For a family of five, the total price becomes a serious part of the holiday budget. The advantage is that everyone can take part in the same private outing, with instructors available to help more than one person. One family was able to ride waves while looking toward Diamond Head, which shows the appeal of sharing a first surfing day rather than sending only one child into the water.

I would call the price fair for families who value personal attention and want a carefully supported first lesson. I would call it expensive for confident surfers who need little help. The key question is not simply how long the activity lasts. It is how much your child will benefit from having an instructor close by, especially during the first attempts.

My recommendation for families

Book this if your child wants to surf but may need reassurance, or if you want a private family activity with room for different ability levels. The tandem-board option, life jacket availability, and added chance to snorkel make it more flexible than a bare-bones lesson.

I would also choose it for a family’s first shared surf outing. Shane, Captain Neil, and the rest of the team can give children direct coaching while parents stay part of the moment. The Diamond Head views and Waikiki setting add a memorable sense of place without taking attention away from the lesson.

Skip it if you only want cheap equipment rental, a short swim, or a full snorkeling tour. At $175 per person, the experience earns its price through private guidance. For a child who gains confidence, catches a first wave, and ends the session eager to try again, that can be money well spent.

FAQ

Where does the private kids surf lesson begin?

The activity begins at Rainbow Tower, 2005 Kālia Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Rainbow Tower.

How long does the experience last?

The surf experience lasts approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.

How much does the lesson cost?

The listed price is $175 per person.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group takes part in the private tour or activity.

Who leads the surf lesson?

Shane leads the experience. He was born and raised on Oahu, and other team members, including Captain Neil, may assist.

Can a child share a board with the instructor?

Yes. A child who is not confident surfing alone can use a tandem board with the instructor at no extra charge.

Can my child use a life jacket or snorkel equipment?

Yes. Life jackets, snorkels, and masks are available upon request at no extra charge. You can use the equipment to look for turtles and fish.

What is included in the price?

Surfing gear, bottled water, and snacks are included. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.