Surf Lessons in Oahu

Sun, white sandy beaches, sunset hammocks and crystal clear waters. If you're looking for a paradisiacal holiday destination, the island of Oahu is the top choice. Come and discover this island and try your hand at taming some of the best waves in the world with all the surf lessons on offer.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

10 min read

Surf Lessons in Oahu

Surfing in Oahu | ©Pete Markham

Oahu is one of the main islands of the entire Hawaiian archipelago and, with beaches like Waikiki, it has become one of the international surfing reference points. Having the opportunity to take to the water with your board and glide is a luxury not to be missed.

The island of Oahu is full of attractions and activities suitable for all tastes, but if you want to learn how to surf from the best, in this article I'm going to tell you everything you need to know about the best surf lessons on the island.

1. Private group lessons in Waikiki

Surfing in Waikiki| ©Alight
Surfing in Waikiki| ©Alight

Coming on holiday to Oahu gives you the opportunity to not only get to know the island and its inland villages, but also to take a lesson in one of the many water sports available on the island's beaches.

If you're coming to spend a few dreamy days with friends or an organised group and you're curious about surfing, I can't think of a better idea than to book a private lesson.

In the famous Waikiki neighbourhood is one of the most famous beaches in all of Hawaii and this is where most of the lessons for beginners and advanced surfers take place.

They usually last around 2 hours and, if you book the private option, you'll have an exclusive instructor for you and your group, who will give you the basics on the sand and then you'll be ready to try and have fun on the sea.

If after this type of class you have taken a liking to the water and want to continue doing adventure activities on this idyllic island, I recommend that you consider taking a diving class with sharks. An experience that, without a doubt, together with surfing, will put the finishing touch to your holiday.

Family surf lessons in Waikiki

Coming on holiday to Hawaii with the family is one of the best plans you can make and without a doubt an experience you will remember for the rest of your life. What's more, if you all share a love of water and water activities, you should know that the beaches of Waikiki offer surfing lessons for families of all ages.

This way, you'll be able to do an activity together as a group, regardless of whether there are small children or teenagers. These classes are designed so that all of you can have a great time and learn, according to your previous knowledge, how to surf Hawaiian waves.

The instructors will give you some basic instructions on the sand and will make sure to give the appropriate guidelines to each member of the family so that it is a safe activity.

Afterwards, and if you've got the hang of being in the water, another popular activity for families is snorkelling and swimming among turtles and sea beds. The children will have a great time and you will have a unique experience on the crystal clear beaches.

Details of interest

  • Price: between €80 and €100 per head.
  • Duration: Lessons usually last two hours, including a brief introduction on land.
  • Location: Most offers are located on Waikiki Beach.
  • Benefits: It's a fun way to hang out with friends or family and learn to surf.

Book your surf lesson on Oahu

2. Private individual lessons in Waikiki

Surf lessons in Waikiki| ©Alight
Surf lessons in Waikiki| ©Alight

If you're coming to Hawaii on your own, or if your group of friends or family aren't too excited about getting out on the water to find some good waves, don't worry. There are all kinds of surfing lesson options on Oahu and one of the most popular is the private one-to-one lessons, where you can have a surf instructor all to yourself.

This way, for at least two hours, you'll follow the direct instructions of a professional who will help you learn how to keep your balance on the board, calculate the direction of the wind and know how to glide over the water. No matter what level you are, the class will be adapted to you.

This way, while you learn to master this fun sport on one of the best beaches in the world, the rest of your companions can enjoy, for example, some other adventure sport in Hawaii such as paragliding flights that can be done on the beach or in the inland area. Everyone wins!

Details of interest

  • Price: Individual lessons usually cost around €125.
  • Duration: can be from two to three hours.
  • Location: this type of class takes place on Waikiki beach.
  • Advantages of this option: you will have personalised attention and a monitor to ask any questions you may have.

Dive with sharks in Oahu

3. Surf lesson for beginners in Waikiki

Ready for Surfing| ©Alight
Ready for Surfing| ©Alight

Have you always wanted to learn how to surf? Well, if you're on holiday in Oahu I can't think of a better place to start learning. The whole island is full of beaches where the waves are dreamy, but Waikiki beach is where you'll find the most lessons.

If you've never had any experience in water sports or surfing, you don't have to worry, as you'll find classes for all levels. Thanks to the instructors that are scattered all over the beach, you'll be able to find the best instructor for you.

Don't think he'll just throw you into the water. Before getting down to work, he or she will show you on the sand how to stand up on the board and control your balance.

I can't think of a better place to take your first steps in surfing than on one of the islands with the greatest surfing champions in the world. And if you get the hang of it, you can always sign up for a more advanced class. It all depends on you and your talent for surfing the waves. If not, you can always give up surfing and take one of the boat trips along the coast.

Details of interest

  • Price: these classes usually cost around 90€.
  • Duration: usually two hours plus a brief introduction on land.
  • Location: the best beach to start is Waikiki.
  • Advantages of this option: it's perfect if it's your first time surfing as the instructor adapts to your level and needs.

Book your boat trip on Oahu

4. Advanced surfing lessons with professional surfers in Waikiki

Surfing in Waikiki| ©James Brennan
Surfing in Waikiki| ©James Brennan

If you've come to Hawaii and you're a water sports enthusiast, you probably know that you're on one of the most important surfing islands in the world.

Here you'll find the best surfers in the world, and if you've come to practice this fun sport on its beaches, you're in luck because you'll be able to take a master class from one of them.

If you already have some experience and want to skip the basic lessons you've already mastered, in Oahu you can book a 2 to 3 hour lesson, where a professional surfer will teach you his best tricks and you'll be able to ride with him on the crest of the best waves in the world.

Hawaii has an enviable climate and is considered an island paradise, but if you come to surf and enjoy the water to the fullest, I recommend you go to Oahu in February and December, two months in which the weather conditions and winds are very favourable for this sport.

Interesting details

  • Price: these classes usually cost around €130 per person.
  • Duration: Classes last between two to three hours, depending on the level.
  • Location: most of the offer is in Waikiki, although you can also find classes on the North Shore.
  • Advantages of this option: it's a great way to perfect your surfing technique and receive a master class from professionals.

5. Kids surf lessons in Waikiki

Surf| ©Shelby L. Bell
Surf| ©Shelby L. Bell

If you come with children to Oahu I can assure you that they will have a great time the moment they set foot on the island.

This fantastic place is designed so that both children and adults can enjoy activities and live unique experiences both inland with its spectacular jungle and on the beach, with all kinds of sports and activities at your disposal.

If you want the youngest members of the family to have fun and learn how to get on a surfboard and ride the waves, you should know that at Waikiki Beach there are dozens of classes available for groups of children up to 12 years old. They also have classes for children aged 12 and up.

For several hours, they can learn to get on a board and surf in the company of a group of children their own age.

In them, one or two qualified instructors (depending on the number of the group) will teach the children and teenagers the basic principles of surfing and, with all the equipment and safety guarantees, will jump into the water with them to make them spend some time enjoying the waves.

This way, while you are sunbathing and enjoying the beach or one of the tours in the nature and surroundings of Oahu, they will be safe and entertained with people their own age.

Details of interest

  • Price: The price ranges from €80 to €160.
  • Duration: Lessons are usually around 2 hours with an introduction beforehand.
  • Location: the quietest and most popular beach for surfing with children is Waikiki.
  • Advantages of this option: it is an exceptional opportunity for children of all ages to learn a sport as fun as surfing in one of its international capitals.

Book your surf lesson on Oahu

6. Surf lessons for couples in Waikiki

Couple| ©Kelly Vial
Couple| ©Kelly Vial

Without a doubt, Hawaii is one of the favourite destinations for couples, whether as a couple or on honeymoon. This paradisiacal archipelago is full of landscapes and romantic panoramas that are ideal to share with your love.

If you've come to experience the island of Oahu and you both love water sports, one of the most fun plans is to take a surfing lesson.

On Waikiki Beach there are various types of classes for all levels, but one of the most convenient if you come as a couple is to hire a private class for two, in which an instructor will teach you for about two hours the basics of how to get into the water and surf.

I can't think of a better plan to do during the day on the beaches of Oahu to enjoy with your partner. Then, after a long day of sport and sea, I'm sure you'll want to relax in the evening in Oahu and end a perfect evening.

Details of interest

  • Price: the price is around €110 per head.
  • Duration: usually two-hour classes.
  • Location: the biggest offer is on Waikiki beach, where most of the island's hotels are located.
  • Advantages of this option: it is a very entertaining plan to do as a couple if you come to the island for a romantic getaway.

7. Group lessons in Ala Moana

Ala Moana, Oahu| ©Alicia0928
Ala Moana, Oahu| ©Alicia0928

Waikiki Beach is arguably one of the most famous and popular beaches, and where you can find the most surfing lessons. However, as you can imagine, it tends to get pretty crowded during the holiday season. That's why some people choose to move away from the centre and go to nearby places to practice this sport.

If you want to get your first taste of surfing and join a group for a lesson, let me tell you that just a few minutes' drive from Waikiki you'll find one of the best beaches on Oahu; Ala Moana Beach.

On this much less crowded beach, group surfing lessons are given and for a few hours you can get into the crystal clear waters to practice and try to surf some of the waves without having to bump into other surfers. It's an opportunity to consider on your holiday.

Details of interest

  • Price: classes usually cost around €140 including transfer to the island.
  • Duration: Typically about two hours plus the return trip.
  • Location: Ala Moana beach, just 4 kilometres from Waikiki.
  • Advantages of this option: it is a much less crowded beach where you will be able to teach the class more comfortably.

8. Group lessons on the North Shore

North Shore of Oahu| ©Eduardo Batista
North Shore of Oahu| ©Eduardo Batista

It is true that most of the activities and accommodation on the island of Oahu is in the southern part of the island, in Waikiki, close to the capital. However, there is plenty to do on the North Shore and it's certainly a great place to take a surfing lesson.

The entire North Shore of Oahu boasts ideal winds for surfing the Pacific waves and, what's more, it's not too crowded with tourists. If you've come with a group of friends, it's the perfect way to get to know more of the island and have a private moment of fun in the water with an instructor.

If you come alone or with a small group, no problem, you also have the option to book a lesson with a group of 10-15 people to test yourself and see if balancing on the surfboard is your thing.

Details of interest

  • Price: around €130.
  • Duration: usually about two hours of lessons.
  • Location: on the North Coast, there are usually several beaches in this area but the main one is Haleiwa.
  • Advantages of this option: as well as having a lesson away from the hustle and bustle of tourists, you'll also get to see other parts of the island.

Oahu is full of activities and sights waiting for you to come. Its incredible ecosystem and culture seem designed to give anyone who comes to the island a great time. Don't miss the opportunity and if you decide to spend your holiday in Hawaii have fun surfing on some of the most reputable beaches in the world.

Book a tour of Oahu's North Shore