1.5-Hour Private Surfing Lesson in Honolulu

Recommended by 95% of travelers

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Oahu, USA

1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
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Overview

Experience Oahu’s tropical waters on a private surfing lesson. Designed for beginners or seasoned surfers who want to hone their skills, the lessons can be customized to suit your skill level. Learn the basics on sand and then get in the water and catch some waves. Your certified instructor will share knowledge about Hawaiian surf etiquette and reading waves, and souvenir photos and T-shirts are available for purchase. Ideal for visitors looking for a quintessentially Hawaiian experience.

Learn to surf or hone your skills with a private surfing lesson
Start with safety training on the sand and then catch some waves
Learn to read the waves, and get local tips on Hawaiian surfing etiquette
Instructors are certified and trained for first-aid and lifeguard CPR

What's Included

All activities
Local instructor
Professional instructor
Private lessons
Small-group lessons

Gratuities
Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Souvenir t-shirts (available to purchase)
Souvenir rash guards (available to purchase)

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

2169 Kālia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA
Meet on the beach directly behind the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, and look for a stack of BLUE chair and a board rack. Behind Monkey Pod. Please arrive 5 minutes before your lesson time.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Waikiki Beach

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Minimum age is 5 years

All participants MUST know how to swim
Help us keep your children safe and please book anyone under 13 years old on a Private Lesson (required). Choose the same date/time and your group will still be able to surf together.
All guests MUST know how to swim
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.8

based on 57 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Kids surfing lesson

Annie_J, Aug 2025

Our surfing lessons were nothing short of amazing. Trevor was great with my 7-year old and they even got to catch some waves. As a parent, he made me feel extremely comfortable and safe. So far, the height of our trip has been this lesson.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Mahalo for your kind words. We’re so happy to hear your lesson with Trevor was a highlight of your trip and that you felt comfortable and safe. We’ll be sure to share your praise with Trevor — he’ll be thrilled! 🌊🤙

Tommy was a great...

Melanie_D, Jun 2025

Tommy was a great instructor for my 10yo son’s private surfing lesson! This was his second time surfing in Hawai’i (first time he was 7yo) and Tommy was a patient and supportive, giving my son encouragement and tips to catch the waves. He also listened to his needs - when my son got too cold he brought him in and was able to provide some bandages as my son got a few scrapes on his foot from the reef (you may want to wear reef walkers while surfing to avoid cuts). Gone Surfing was also fantastic- we had initially booked a Saturday 2pm lesson but due to high tide, there were no waves to ride so they rebooked us to the next day at 10am to ensure a good experience. They also had a photographer out on the waves and took some great shots (available for separate purchase), which I appreciated as I was unable to take pictures from the beach given how far out they were. The picture process was also easy - I received an email the evening of the lesson, was able to preview some images, and once the payment processed, I received a link and downloaded the images with a few clicks. I appreciate how easy the process was!

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Aloha! Thank you so much for the detailed and kind review! We’re thrilled to hear your son had a great experience surfing with Tommy—he’s a fantastic instructor and always goes the extra mile to support and encourage our young surfers. We’re glad he was able to respond quickly and take care of your son when he needed a break and some first aid. Safety and comfort are always top priorities for us! We also appreciate your understanding regarding the reschedule. We always aim to provide the best possible experience, and sometimes that means adjusting for conditions—mahalo for your flexibility! We're so happy you enjoyed the photo service too! It’s great to hear the process was smooth and the images helped you capture those special moments out on the waves. We hope to see you and your son back in the water with us again soon. Until then—warmest aloha and happy surfing! 🌊🌴🏄‍♂️

it was not a good...

Nora_B, Feb 2025

it was not a good experience, i had made the reservation through the hotline, and there were altogether 2 person who had answered my phone, and finally made the reservation for me ,and i had emphasized that i need a surfing lesson with phones and videos, and had made it for at least 5 times, and they all confirmed that it was a lesson with videos and photos. but at last, there was no photographer in my class at all, and the tutor said the photographer had already come, and told me that there were photos uploading, and let me wait for the e-mail. but finally, after i waited for 4 hours and didn't get the e-mail and phoned the viator again, the viator emailed me back and told me that i didn't mentain the photos at all ? for the whole thing , i need a feedback

Our experience

Glenda_M, May 2024

Aria, the instructor was very friendly and gave very helpful tips on surfing! My daughter had a great time and felt like she picked it up very easily. We ordered pictures as well and were able to access the photos very easily and quickly. Great service!

Response from Host, May 2025

Mahalo for the wonderful review! 🌺 We’re so glad Aria was able to make your daughter’s experience enjoyable and help her pick up surfing quickly! 🤙 It’s great to hear you loved the photos and found the service easy and quick. We can’t wait to see you both back out in the water! 🌊📸

Beautiful morning out in the water

Erika_L, Apr 2024

Owen was very personable and knowledgeable. I’m a real beginner but with his instruction I felt comfortable and calm in the water.

Response from Host, May 2025

We’re so glad Owen made you feel comfortable and calm in the water — that’s exactly what we aim for! 🤙

Trevor and Maya were...

Maria_T, Sep 2023

Trevor and Maya were excellent! I felt like they were my friends and I’ve known them forever. They made our experience comfortable and fun. This was a highlight of our honeymoon!

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Mahalo for surfing with us and we hope to see you in the water again !

Surfing made easy

James_C, Dec 2022

Great way to start…or end your Hawaiian vacation. Surfing made easy! Jarret makes it very easy to learn. Enjoy the surf! Mahalo!

Response from Host, May 2025

Mahalo for the awesome review! 🤙 We're stoked to hear you had a great time catching waves with us — whether it’s the beginning or end of your Hawaiian adventure, there's no better way to soak in the Aloha spirit. 🌺

moderate

Effy_F, Oct 2022

A bit disappointed actually, i booked a private class hope to get more from 1.5 hr, instead of there's a lower price for 2 hr, now i think private or not private is not a issue, instructor you come across with is critical. The communication between me and the instructor is a little bit weak. I feel like the instructor was tired that day, that i have to initiate some details technique communication, like the breakdown of your movement. The instructor is experienced in surfing himself, but might need to emphasized more in teaching skills. Also, They taking your photos (which i got to know only when i started to surf) and have not show me my photo yet, hopefully they dont use it anywhere else.

Fun time out surfing

Jenny_C, Jun 2022

We had a fantastic time learning to surf - attentive and fun surfing instruction. We would definitely recommend.

Response from Host, May 2025

Mahalo for the review and recommendation!

Beautiful day on the waves !

Brian_K, Jan 2022

My daughter (10) and I had a great time out surfing ! The waves were great and our instructors were very knowledgeable. My daughter had never been out before and she rode tandem. The instructor did great keeping her calm and making sure she got some great rides!

Response from Host, Mar 2022

Aloha Brian, THANKS SO MUCH for choosing and trusting us with your daughter's first experience! And how awesome is she holding her own on her first time out! Hope to see you guys in the water again 🤙! Mahalo, The Crew

Great instructor

Sanpreet_S, Oct 2021

Trevor was my instructor and he was such a great teacher. I just wish he had modified the lesson to match my skills, as I was not really a beginner and got the hang of it right away. He was very encouraging though and a top bloke.

Response from Host, Oct 2021

Aloha Sanpreet, THANK YOU for your review, and we agree, Trevor is pretty great! We are very fortunate to have him as part of our team. We'll be sure to incorporate your feedback for future lessons. Mahalo!

Awesome time

Vicky_W, Jun 2021

James and Jill were so inviting and great teachers. It was very fun and the water was beautiful. Great mix of a workout and a good time. There was a photographer surfing in front of you taking photos which was pretty cool too and the photos were a good price and came out great! 10/10 recommend.

Response from Host, Nov 2021

MAHALO Vicky for the review and for choosing to surf with us! How awesome... the day sounded like it was absolutely perfect, AND it was captured on camera 🤙!