Surf Lessons Manuel Antonio Beach

Recommended by 99% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Quepos, Costa Rica

Great choice

10+ bookings last month.

3 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

5.0

· Andrew_T ·

Mar 2026

Part of the family did the surf lessons and we also booked their beach day experience for the whole family. Was great! Friendly and attentive service. Complete beach day setup. Fresh pineapple and cold water. They made the whole day a success. Nearby restaurant brought our lunch order out to the beach.

· Emma_W ·

Jan 2026

Instructors were extremely patient and quick to match the pace of the group. They picked a great spot on the beach which wasn’t crowded. Very few of us had surfed before but we were all standing up by the end of the lessons! They also let us stay in the chairs for as long as we wanted and provided delicious pineapple and water. Would definitely go again.

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Overview

Learn to surf in Costa Rica with a lesson on Manuel Antonio Beach. Whether it's your first time on a board or you want to improve your skills, you’ll be confidently paddling and standing up in no time. When you need a rest from the waves, relax with provided beach chairs and umbrellas while snacking on fresh fruit and coconut water. Handy hotel transfers are provided, too.

Learn essentials of surfing safety, technique, and etiquette
Snacks, drinks, and shaded beach chairs help you rest between sessions
Includes hotel transfers from Quepos
Souvenir photos will be available to purchase

What's Included

Tropical fruit, water or coconut water
bilingual (English and Spanish) surfing instructor
Driver/guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Transport by air-conditioned minivan
equipment

Gratuities
Souvenir photos (available to purchase)

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

You must contact at least 12 hours before your product date to confirm if you will need any special requirements or meeting place (hotel, house, hostel etc) for the pick up and pick up time ..Use the contact details on your confirmation/voucher

Arranged start time

Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.

11/01/2021 - 04/17/2027
Monday - Sunday : 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM

What To Expect

Dante's Water Sports & Tours

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Infant seats available
Most travelers can participate
Please you must contact as soon as you can after you book this product to arrange the pickup time. Please bring your own towel and refillable water bottle. We provide rash guards.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers

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

5.0

based on 483 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Great 1 on 1 lesson with experienced instructors… DO IT!

Ro_P, Mar 2026

Best experience ever for newbie surfer. We took lessons in Hawaii but this lesson was the best…1 instructor per person. All of us were new to surfing and this was the highlight for all of us. I highly recommend this activity.

We’re first time surfers...

Shelby_R, Mar 2026

We’re first time surfers and had a blast surfing. The instructors were very helpful and friendly. The pineapple at the end of the surf lesson was delicious, as well!

5 stars

Andrew_T, Mar 2026

Great experience! There...

Allison_C, Jan 2026

Great experience! There was one instructor for each surfer, so lots of one on one guidance. The beach was beautiful. We were picked up exactly on time.

Well-run surf lesson at Manuel Antonio Beach

Shaun_L, Jan 2026

We did a private surf lesson at Manuel Antonio Beach (two of us, about 1.5 hours). Overall, it was what was promised, felt safe, and was well-run. Communication was straightforward, the pickup/drop-off happened as arranged, and the lesson ran on time. The coaching was good, and we got a lot out of it — we were up and standing fairly quickly, and the session ended right around the point we were genuinely tired, which felt like the right length. One small note: I ended up with significant elbow abrasions afterwards. They did provide a rash guard, and it could just be down to my own technique. Still, it didn’t happen to my friend, and it didn’t happen to me when I took another lesson with a different company a few days later. Worth keeping in mind (and maybe asking for tips on avoiding elbow friction) if you’re prone to that.

Instructors were...

Emma_W, Jan 2026

Response from Host, Jan 2026

We are delighted to hear you had such a blast! Learning to surf can be intimidating, but we believe the right instructor makes all the difference. I will make sure to pass your compliments on to the team, they love knowing they helped create new surfers! Thanks for surfing with Dante Water Sports

Excellent instruction

Sridhar_N, Jan 2026

The instructor was very patient and taught well. My beginner surfer son was able to surf some waves at the end of the class. The tour offered punctual pickup and drop off to our hotel and were very accommodating to our change of plans. The tour offered plenty of fresh fruits and water which was refreshing on a hot day. We rented beach chairs and tents and spent a very relaxing time on the beautiful beach.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you so much for your kind words. It was a pleasure having you with us!

Bucket List Activity - Check

Steph_M, Jan 2026

This was a bucket list "to-do" for my stay in Costa Rica and I'm so glad I booked with Dante's Water Sports. The shuttle driver picked me up from Manuel Antonio National Park and was patient and responsive as I made my way out of the park. Marco was my surf instructor and was really helpful and patient throughout the lesson, making easy conversation in English and Spanish in between waves. The whole team was very kind prepared fruit for after the lesson. I spent the rest of the day relaxing on the beach (bar/restaurant and bathroom VERY close by) and stayed to enjoy the sunset. I couldn't be happier with my experience!

Response from Host, Jan 2026

We are thrilled to know you had a great time, thank you for letting us know about your experience!

We loved our surf lesson!...

Harriet_C, Jun 2025

We loved our surf lesson! All six of us (age 14 to 52) up on our feet, some with more regularity than others. Especially impressed to have one instructor each. Instructors were patient and clear and carefully picked the right waves to show us off at our best. Beach, pineapple and freshly picked (we watched him climb the tree) coconuts were a bonus too. NB for any other peely wally Scots, you'll need more suncream than you think....

Exceeded expectations! Great learning experience with great guides!

Adam_S, Jun 2025

My wife and I were new to surfing (never tried), and both had a great experience. Our guides taught us how to get up on the boards on land first, the we immediately went out to the waves and went right into surfing. After about 10 minutes we were both able to stand on the boards, and within an hour we were both riding the waves thanks in large part to our guides’ helpful tips about how to place our feet, where to lean, when to stand up on the boards, how to paddle, and spotting the best waves to go for. They truly made it easy to learn the basics of surfing within the allotted time frame. Midway through the 3 hour lesson we were given a generous serving of pineapple as a snack. Throughout the lesson, Daunte himself was taking photos of us out on the waves. We purchase these after the lesson for $15 per person, which was the discounted rate for paying cash, would have been $36 via credit card. We were provided all necessary equipment, including a rash guard shirt and the board itself. The board was slightly used and showed wear around the ends of the board, but had plenty of padding where we stand on the board and worked well for us as beginners. Overall, this was an incredible experience, don’t have anything negative to say, it was great. Highly recommended!

Amazing day at the beach!

marc_G, Mar 2025

Dante and his crew were amazing! The kids were all surfing like “pros” in no time and wanted to come back the next day! The instructors were amazing and took extra time to make sure everyone had a great time! Pura Vida!

HIGHLY recommend!!! Book Dantes!!!

Sandra_D, Feb 2025

We had the best day! None of us had surfed before, and I cannot speak highly enough of Dante’s, especially our instructors: Cristofer, Sebastian, and William. They were fantastic in every way! After a brief introduction on land, we all managed to get up on our boards and ride the waves. Dante was also incredibly accommodating. There was a mix-up with our booking, and we needed to reschedule on very short notice, but Dante made it happen effortlessly. The beach location was perfect—not crowded, with ideal waves. We were able to stay for as long as we wanted. They provided beach chairs, an umbrella, and boogie boards for us to use after the lesson. Additionally, they brought fresh pineapple and water for everyone. Cristofer also pointed out local wildlife, including monkeys and even a sloth! I highly recommend booking with Dante’s; you will not be disappointed!

Soo good!!!

Charlette_A, Dec 2024

Everyone who worked there was soo kind and sebastian the surf instructor I had was a very good instructor and very encouraging!

One of the best options in Manuel Antonio

Diego_N, Nov 2024

The instructors are great and the beach is fantastic. After the class ,.they give you chairs, umbrellas and body boards to hang out in the beach. Very recommended

The best surf lesson ever!

Summer_C, Sep 2024

Surfing was an absolute blast! The lesson was very informative and the instructors were amazing. We all had a great time and were able to ride a few waves. I would have signed up for another lesson if I had the time and would definitely recommend this surf lesson to anyone visiting Manuel Antonio.

An amazing day

Ariana_K, Aug 2024

We had a fantastic time! None of us had ever surfed before and we were a bit nervous. By the end, my 13 year-old was loving it and didn’t want to stop and I was proud to have even gotten upright on the board. My 11 year-old didn’t manage to get up on the board but the experience got him way more comfortable in the waves, rendering it a huge step forward. We each got our own one-on-one instructor. The lesson initially lasted an hour. Then during a fruit and water break, when we were asked how we liked it, I said it was wonderful but short. They offered to continue! Once we finished the lesson portion, we were given access to use their surfboards and boogie boards on our own. They were friendly and accommodating and kept an eye on our belongings to keep them safe while we were in the water. All this on a gorgeous, quiet beach. I found it well worth the price.

I have older teens and...

Lori_M, Jul 2024

I have older teens and they loved the experience and I did as well at 50 years old. The instructors will hand hold if needed but my oldest daughter loved that they didn't baby her and told her to get back on the board if a ride didn't work out. It was great fun!

Much shorter surfing lesson than offered

Sophie_K, Apr 2024

We had deliberately chosen the more expensive 3-hour offer from Dante over a cheaper 2-hour offer because we wanted to surf longer. There was a short briefing on site where I had to demonstrate the movement only once. That was it. In the water, the teachers were very nice and there was 1-on-1 supervision and it was fun. At some point we were told that this was the last wave and we went back to the beach. There we were given pineapples and that was it. No further information about whether it was over or what was going to happen next. At this point 1.20 hours had passed from the pick-up to the return to the beach. We therefore asked if it would continue because we had paid for 3 hours. However, we were only told that it would only be 1 hour, but that they would ask the boss. A short time later, Dante himself appeared and asked us about our experience. We told him that we had expected to spend more time in the water. We know that the trainers can't be in the water with us for 3 hours, but we could have taken a 1 hour break and then continued again. Dante then offered us the chance to come back the next day and get a free surfing lesson. We accepted the offer and showed up on time at the stated time. Due to our further plans, we drove to the beach ourselves. When we got there, nobody knew anything. Since the situation was already strange and we felt stupid, we went back and wrote to Dante. We didn't get a reply. In total, everyone paid $70 for less than an hour of surfing and a stupid feeling. Later on our vacation, we had another surfing course in Jaco, which only cost $40 per person and was much better and we spend nearly 2 hours in the Water with a trainer who really teached us, so we could even try to catch a wave on our own.

Friendly instructor

William_F, Apr 2024

Wonderful lesson. The instructor was very patient and helpful the whole time being encouraging while trying to figure it all out. Very friendly.

Surf’s up!!

Catherine_F, Apr 2024

My boys (12 &14) have surfed before but my husband and I have not. Great instruction, demo and practice prior to getting in the water. Instructors were so kind, helpful with feedback and patient. Happy to report we all caught some waves! Thanks for a fun morning!

Wonderful Experience Learning Surfing

sathish_a, Mar 2024

Great experience for the kids. The kids learned to surf in a short period of time. My youngest daughter liked it so much that we returned the next day to surf again. Very friendly staff that made it fun for all of us. Also the camera guy did a wonderful job taking pictures with his SLR and drone..Would highly recommend this

Loved everything about this!

Hanna_H, Mar 2024

Loved everything about this! Great instructor (Raul), learned a ton and had the best time! Pickup and dropoff transportation was on time, very accommodating.

I do recommend but perhaps don't stay and this beach after the surf lesson and find others more peaceful.

Lynne_G, Mar 2024

My family had a great time surfing. It was nice plus you can rent chairs for the day when done and hang around however the negative is this beach you get hounded by people trying to sell you something every 5 minutes. A BIG turn-off to me as it was our last day and we just wanted some peace. The surf lessons were a success and I like that someone took photos (I am a photographer and always happy to have someone else take photos so I can sit back and enjoy). I gladly purchased all of them at the end. I did not surf but wanted to spend the day with my family so for a small fee they included me in the pick-up to watch and relax in the sun. The only thing promised but not delivered was the fresh fruit they offered so don't count on that. The driver was a bit terrifying (burst accelerations and sudden stops). Costa Rica is a hectic place on the road with no shoulder, pedestrians on the street, motorcycles, mopeds, bikes you name it and it can be nerve-wracking depending on the driver you get.

Great time

MATTHEW_Z, Feb 2024

Great time had by all. Great surf instructors! Stayed the rest of the day on the beach as we rented chairs from them too. Very nice waves and had lots of fun.

Great experience!

Leah_S, Feb 2024

We had a great experience from start to finish. I messaged some questions prior to our lesson and received prompt and thorough responses. They picked us up exactly on time from our Airbnb and provided surf shirts for us to protect our upper body. Our instructors were kind, patient, knowledgeable, and gave us individualized 1 on 1 help in the water. They were with us in the water the whole time helping us to navigate waves, time the waves, and stay safe. After our lesson they gave us fresh water, pineapple, and let us stay on the lounge chairs nearby as long as we wanted to continue to enjoy the beach. Overall a really wonderful experience.

Sebastian and Antonio...

paul_h, Aug 2023

Sebastian and Antonio were great Instructors. Would highly recommend!! We were able to stand up several times. 5 out of 5

Surf your heart out

Clarissa_L, Aug 2023

We were pleasantly surprised when we found out we were having a private lesson with Sebastian and Christopher. As the only two people taking surf lessons that morning, we had the best experience. They were attentive, helped us catch many waves, and made us feel so comfortable in the ocean. The four of us enjoyed some good laughs and conversation. They provided fresh pineapple and water, which was so lovely! We probably spent close to 2.5 hours out on the water, which is way more than we expected for an experience that was advertised as 3 hours long. To make sure we had a good experience, they were so accommodating and adjusted the time of the lesson as the waves were felt to be too strong earlier in the morning. This experience certainly exceeded our expectations and we cannot recommend it highly enough!

Great experience

Jorn_B, Jul 2023

It was a great surflesson with very friendly instructors. We had never been surfing before but we are able to surf a wave om the third attempt. The tour operator was very friendly and got us some beach seats for the person of our group who did not surf. After the surf lessons we got some fruits also for the rest of our group which did not participate.

I loved it!

Tiffany_S, May 2023

I had a great time taking surf lessons! Sebastian was kind, patient, and helpful. I was able to stand up on the board 3 times! Not bad for my first attempt. A must do if you’re interested!