Surf Lessons on Waikiki Beach: Everything You Need to Know

Must Knows Before Surfing on Waikiki Beach

If you’re gearing up for a surfing adventure in the iconic waters of Waikiki, there are a few key things to know to make the most of your time!

Respect the Locals

First, please respect the locals and abide by the local surf etiquette. If this is your first time surfing on Waikiki Beach, this is why I highly recommend going with a guide! 

Your guide will help you understand the local conditions and any safety protocols you need to know. 

In general, Waikiki Beach is very beginner-friendly, but there are also plenty of more-advanced locals there too.

Best Times for Surfing on Waikiki Beach

The best time to take surf lessons on Waikiki Beach as a beginner is typically during the summer months, from May to September. 

The ocean tends to be calmer, and the waves are more consistent, making it ideal for first-time surfers. Beginners might find the smaller waves in the morning more welcoming too.

However, this doesn’t mean that beginners can’t surf in the winter!

I personally took my surf lesson on Waikiki Beach in December, and the waves were still relatively small and beginner-friendly, even though winter is when big swells hit the island.

Even the water was warm(ish) – I didn’t need a wetsuit!

Waikiki Beach is well-protected by the reef, which makes it beginner-friendly all year long! 

This is very different from other areas of Oahu in the winter. Most famously, the North Shore of Oahu is where the massive waves are in the winter and where the pro-surfing competitions are held!

P.S. You can check out my full list of Things to Do on the North Shore here!

Cost and Types of Lessons

As you’ve probably seen by researching, there are tons of different types of lessons and surf schools to choose from in the Waikiki Area.

In general, there are 3 types of surf lessons to choose from: private, semi-private, or group lessons. 

A private lesson means it’s just you (or your group). These can cost anywhere from $125 – $200 per person, which usually includes an hour of time in the water. 

In general, a semi-private lesson means there will be 1 instructor for every 1-2 students, so it’s a little more hands-on than a group lesson. 

However, you may still be with other people and other instructors. These normally cost between $120-$170 per person.

Lastly, a group lesson means you will be in a group with other people, and the instructor-to-student ratio will be higher, so you may not get as much 1:1 feedback (depending on how many people there are). 

Group lessons typically cost between $75-$100 per person. 

Overall, taking a surf lesson on Waikiki Beach is definitely not a cheap activity on Oahu. However, if you want to save money and have surfed before, you can rent a surfboard for as low as $7 per hour!

My Top 3 Recommended Surf Lessons on Waikiki Beach

Waikiki is one of the best places in the world to learn to surf. The waves are gentle and rolling, and there’s a surf school every few steps down the beach. 

With that said, it can be overwhelming to choose a surf lesson with all of the options out there. Here are my top three recommended surf schools, including the one I personally went with! 

Surf School	Best For	Starting Price	Lesson Length
Star Beachboys	Best value, last-minute bookings	$75 (group)	1 hour
Stoke Drift Surf School	Couples, families, and small groups	$123 per person (2+ people)	1.5 hours
Ohana Surf Project	Longer lessons with free pickup, children under 13	$126 (group)	2 hours

1. Star Beachboys

Best for: budget travelers and anyone who wants flexible timing
Lessons offered: private, semi-private, group, SUP, and surfboard/SUP rentals
Rating: 4.8 stars on Google ⭐

The last time I visited Oahu, I knew I had to take a surfing lesson since I was literally staying on Waikiki Beach and had missed surfing so much! 

So, instead of Googling surf schools near me, I literally just walked outside my hotel and stumbled upon Star Beachboys. 

This tiny shop was one block off the beach on Koa Ave and right across from my hotel. I walked in, asked for a private lesson, and that was that! I loved their flexibility.

All of their lessons can be booked every half hour from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, so it’s easy to fit one around the rest of your day! I was doing this after work, so it was nice to schedule a lesson at 4:30 pm on a Wednesday, hah!

Plus, Star Beachboys’ prices are almost impossible to beat in Waikiki. 

A private lesson with a full hour of surf time is just $125, which is a great deal for one-on-one instruction!! 

Or, if you’ve surfed before and just want to get out on the water, their surfboard rentals are only $10 for 2 hours. So cheap! 

I almost did this but decided I’d rather have an instructor with me since I hadn’t surfed in a while, and never in Waikiki! 

They also offer semi-private and group lessons. Here’s their full pricing list:

• Private lesson: $125 for 1 hour of surf time
• Semi-private lesson (2+ people): $100 per person
• Group lesson: $75 per person for 1 hour
• Surfboard rental: $10 for 2 hours (other options too)
• How to book: Walk-in or book directly online

2. Stoke Drift Surf School

Best for: couples, families, and friend groups of 2 or more
Lessons offered: private lessons only
Rating: 5 stars on Google ⭐

If you’re traveling with a small group who want to take a surf lesson together, Stoke Drift Surf School is a great option. 

They are located on the northwest end of Waikiki Beach, right in front of the Waikiki Shore Condominiums. See location here! 

It’s also the highest-rated surf school on Waikiki Beach with 5 stars on Google!! That’s pretty rare to see.

Stoke doesn’t do open group lessons. Instead, every lesson is private for your group!!

For a 1-person private lesson, they charge $195. However, for groups of 2 or more, that price drops down to $123, which is a great deal! 

They also guarantee you’ll stand up or you get your money back!!

Each lesson starts with 15-30 minutes on land covering safety, ocean conditions, and technique. Then you spend about an hour in the water catching waves with your instructor.

• Price: $195 for 1 person or $123 per person for groups of 2 or more
• Lesson times: 8:00am, 10:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm
• How to book: Book on Viator here!

3. Ohana Surf Project

Best for: longer lessons and travelers who want hotel pickup
Lessons offered: open group, semi-private, and exclusive group
Rating: 4.9 stars on Google ⭐

Last but not least, Ohana Surf Project is another top-rated surf school on Waikiki Beach with 4.9 stars on Google!! 

This is one of the only surf schools I’ve found that offers a free shuttle to their surf shop from several pickup points around Waikiki, so you don’t need to worry about finding the meeting spot or paying for expensive parking near the beach (which can be crazy pants). 

However, they are conveniently located on the southeastern side of Waikiki Beach, right behind the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort, so you can probably walk here!

All of their lessons are 2 hours, which is longer than most in Waikiki too! 

They have many different lesson options to choose from, including open group, semi-private, or private surf lessons, depending on what you are interested in!

Every lesson runs at 9:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 3:00 pm daily. Surfers must be 13 or older to join. However, if you have kids younger than 13, they also offer family-specific lessons!

Here’s the price breakdown for the different lesson types:

• Open group lesson: $126 per person
• Semi-private lesson (2 people per instructor): $168 per person
• Exclusive group lesson (3-person minimum): $158 per person
• How to book: Book on Viator here!!