Private Surf Lesson at Waikiki Beach
Recommended by 94% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Oahu, USA
- 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Take to the waves at the famous Waikiki Beach during this private 1.5-hour surfing lesson that offers personalized instruction. Learn how to paddle and pop up from your longboard, first on the sand, and then test your newfound skills in the Pacific. Already know the basics? No problem, you receive tailored instruction based on your skill level. Want to introduce your little one to the sport? This surfing lesson is great for kids, too.
- This compact tour is idea for time-pressed travelers
- Learn how to surf against the stunning backdrop of Waikiki Beach
- Receive customized instruction depending on your ability
- Choose from multiple start times to suit you
What's Included
- Local guide
- Gratuities
- Rash Guard rental $5
- Lock rental $5
- Photography - with advance reservations
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Big Wave Dave Surf & Coffee226 Lewers St #154, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA
Big Wave Dave Surf & Coffee CHECK IN - 20 minutes prior to lesson start time.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
1
Waikiki Beach
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- 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
Reviews
4.8
based on 107 reviews
Brooke_S, Jan 2026
Booked each of my 3 boys a private surf lesson. They had great instructors who were fun and great with them. My boys loved surfing and well worth it
O_G, Jun 2025
Nicely situated in Waikik this is a great time learning to surf. The instructor teaches you how to position, paddle, and stand on the board. More importantly sets you with the best waves for your initial trials. I was able to stand quickly and on my third trial rode the wave all the way to the beach.
Basic surfing mechanics is easy but nuanced. Having the instructor right there personally correcting your form is very helpful.
Highly recommended. Prefer over the group class. There was one right next to us. They didn’t have half the fun I had.
Saw several turtles right by my board too. Awesome day!
Alexia_M, Jun 2025
Horrible experience. Booked a private lesson which cost more than group. My husband is not a novice surfer, he just wanted to get 1:1 time with a surfer in Hawaii to help increase his surfing skills. Unfortunately somehow a lady got added to his lesson, so it was not private at all, and the instructor only focused on that lady. After about 30 minutes of my husband waiting to get lesson time, he got fed up and just went and surfed on his own. The instructor didn’t help him at all. My husband even walked back by himself. Also the board they gave him was horrible, it was really slippery. So the one thing the instructor did do was switch boards with him. Other than that, he got absolutely no instruction time. The instructor was just focused on the lady in the leopard bikini. Not a good experience at all. My husband had been looking forward to this all week. We saved it for last and unfortunately it was very disappointing. When I called the owner (since I booked it and paid for it as a gift to my husband) he acted like he didn’t believe me, said my husband should complain, which he did onsite and they said we had to call the owner. All the owner did was offer to book again, but it’s our last day so we can’t. Do not recommend at all. There are other companies you can book from and hopefully have a much better experience.
Phil_K, Jan 2024
Paulie was awesome! I never surfed before and Paulie made sure I was able to stand up and enjoy it. He made the experience super comfortable and fun! Would highly recommend this company and use again.
Julie_D, Dec 2023
Madison was my instructor. She was very informative, fun and helpful. I learned and had a great time. Brendan from Purdue
Andrew_H, Nov 2023
Top notch lessons… my 15 year old son and I had our own guides and they stayed with us the entire time. We were total beginners but felt safe and caught our first wave on the first try… the experience of standing up on your first wave is incredible… and the waves were so long and easy. Mahalo!
Jordan_H, Nov 2023
Our surf guides took great care of our 3 kids. They were trained in land and given easy tips to ride the waves once they headed out. Awesome experience!
Jennifer_F, Oct 2023
Lee was amazingly patient knowledgeable, and positive. Definitely a great time! Will pursue surfing as a result of his instruction.
Peter_O, Sep 2023
I had Leo for a private session and he was awesome! 5 stars!! He was patient for me and my level and was able to teach me the dos and don'ts to make a immediate progress.
Debbie_K, Sep 2023
My instructor, Lee, at Big Wave Dave Surf & Coffee, made a surfer out of me at 58 yo! He was patient and encouraging, while giving instructions. I had a great time and can’t wait to surf again!
Dana_J, Aug 2023
Great personalized instruction from Paul and Aiden, tailored to our different levels of experience. I learned some great tips even though I have been surfing for years, and my beginner daughter was thrilled
Mary_L, Jul 2023
This was such a fun experience. We successfully surfed! Paul and Nate were the BEST instructors. They cheered us on non-stop.
Lisa_L, Jun 2023
Our surf instructor Josh was awesome. Definitely highly qualified and very clear in his on-land training. The whole experience was very easy. Highly recommend!
Michelle_A, Jun 2023
Outstanding! Our instructors, Pauli and Lee, were the best! Book this if you have ever wanted to try out surfing.
Melinda_T, Jun 2023
Lee & Pete we’re amazing! Lee was very patient with my daughter and they made learning to surf easy.
Jennifer_T, May 2023
From the moment we arrived everyone was so kind and helpful(Crystal and Faith). Pauly and Josh were our instructors and we couldn’t have asked for better instructors. We were able to surf most of the waves due to their great instructions.
Jami_P, Mar 2023
Awesome day, great and fun instructor. Loved the location and calm area we surfed - not crowded and got tons of waves
JoAnn_F, Dec 2022
Rude instructor that blamed my daughter for his watch falling off in the ocean. Then he lost his sunglasses and stated that this lesson cost him $400. Not very professional.
David_S, Oct 2022
It was awesome. Me and my son had a great time and the instructors were very nice and friendly. My son surf for the first time and caught a few waves and stood up and and caught a wave.
Qi_L, Aug 2022
It was GREAT! I'm an introverted person, but my instructor is super patient and encouraging and never over-talkative, which made me feel very comfortable. He was also excellent in teaching me how to surf-I managed to stand up in one try, and we caught at least six or seven good waves during the session. His surfing and swimming skills were also astonishing (said he started surfing at the age of 6). It's the best part of my vacation! Would definitely recommend it to every friend visiting Hawaii.
Elizabeth_L, Aug 2022
They are not helpful at all in terms of cancellations especially I just booked it a few hours ago! They’re saying that they are strict in 48 hrs cancellation. How can a 48 hrs exist when I just booked it at 9:00 am and cancelling it at 1:00pm! Explain please!
Elaine_C, Aug 2022
We had Paulie as our instructor and we LOVED him! We live hours from the beach at home and now my son has asked for his own surfboard (don’t know how that’s going to work!). Anyway, thoroughly enjoyable few hours. Paulie was very patient, looked out for everyone and made sure we all had a great time. Thoroughly recommended.
Osamudia_J, Aug 2022
Our surf instructors at Big Wave Dave were AMAZING. Knowledgeable, friendly, safe, and patient, they created the perfect learning conditions for the 4 of us (2 adults and 2 kids) to learn to surf. It was an incredible experience for us out at Waikiki Beach that we’ll never forget!
Jennifer_M, Aug 2022
Great instructors! They made it so fun! My kids were up on their boards after the first wave. They’ve only been surfing one other time. So the instructors are really great with beginners. A great way to end our trip! Mahalo
Mathew_C, Aug 2022
Perfect for beginners! My instructor, Paul, was amazing. He was helpful, patient, supportive, and he loves his job. Highly recommend!
David_N, Jul 2022
Every one there was just phenomenal people. They were so kind and welcoming. Didn't me feel like I didn't belong because I didn't know how to surf. I had Paul as my instructor and he was so excited when I actually did catch a wave. Definitely would recommend this place to get lessons to anyone.
David_T, May 2022
Underestimated the strength it took to accomplish We had a great instructor who got my daughter up a few times and confident in surfing more. Fr a business aspect if you used jetskis to get ppl out to the area it would have been the perfect time.
Colette_K, May 2022
Such a fun activity and must try when in Hawaii! I couldn't help but not get on those waves, and finding Lee my private surf instructor was the right way to go! He was a pro, was helpful, calm and had me up on my first wave! COWABUNGA!
Diane_T, Apr 2022
We had a blast learning how to surf. Chris is a really good teacher, everything was super relaxed! We’ll be coming back in a few days just to rent some boards!
Tricia_D, Apr 2022
You have to leave everything in lockers, including your shoes and then walk along the hot sidewalk and street to get to the surfing spot. We don’t have any pictures. Instructor was knowledgeable but not engaging.
From $179.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Private Surf Lesson at Waikiki Beach
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