A surf lesson in Hawaii is a 90-minute to two-hour session where an instructor teaches you to paddle, pop up and ride white water on a big, stable board, usually at a sandy, beginner-friendly break such as Waikiki, Kihei or Poipu. We took the lowest listed price for all 82 surf lessons, camps and surf experiences we sell on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island, so you can see what a lesson costs before you book. Prices checked October 24, 2026.
Quick Answer: A surf lesson in Hawaii costs $85 to $189.95 per person for a group lesson in 2026, with a typical price of $100. Semi-private lessons for two or three people run $110 to $205 per person, and a private one-to-one lesson costs $140 to $265. Four things set the price: group size, island, lesson length and whether the school quotes per person, per pair or per group. Kauai and Maui have the cheapest group lessons, from $85, and most lessons last 90 minutes to two hours with the board included.
Fun Fact
- Cheapest group lesson: Poipu on Kauai, or Kihei and Lahaina on Maui, $85
- Typical group lesson: $100 per person for 90 minutes to two hours
- Cheapest private lesson: $140 on Oahu, 90 minutes one to one
- Youngest age: the Baby Surf Experience on Maui, ages one to six, $225
- Cheapest way to ride a wave: outrigger canoe surfing in Waikiki, $48
- Most expensive: the North Shore surf camp on Oahu, from $2,148
How We Got These Prices
We sell all 82 of these lessons, and each one is booked through its surf school’s FareHarbor calendar on our site. On October 24, 2026 we took the lowest price listed on every lesson’s booking page, along with its length and how the price is quoted. Then we sorted them by format (group, semi-private, private, kids, camps and other surf experiences) so you compare like with like.
Most prices are per person, but not all. A few schools quote a price for the first surfer, for two people or for the whole group. The last column of each island table tells you which, and we left per-group prices out of the ranges below.
Hawaii Surf Lesson Prices by Format and Island
This is the table to start with. It shows the range of prices per person for each type of lesson on each island.
| Format | Oahu | Maui | Kauai | Big Island |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group lesson | $90 to $189.95 | $85 to $130 | $85 to $99 | $124 to $169 |
| Semi-private (2 to 3 people) | $110 to $175 | $119 to $205 | $150 | $147.50 |
| Private (one to one) | $140 to $250 | $160 to $265 | $150 to $240 | $195 |
| Kids tandem | $200 | $225 | None listed | None listed |
| Camp, safari or surf tour | $350 to $2,148 | $475 to $500 | None listed | None listed |
| Other surf experiences | $48 to $200 | $225 | None listed | None listed |
A group lesson is the usual first lesson: four to ten students share an instructor in waist-deep white water. A semi-private lesson cuts that to two or three surfers, and a private lesson gives you the instructor and the pick of the waves. If you are unsure which to book, our guide to private vs group surf lessons explains the trade-off, and what to expect at your first surf lesson covers the session itself.
Oahu Surf Lesson Prices
Oahu has 33 surf lessons and experiences, split between Waikiki’s gentle south shore breaks and the North Shore, plus the Wai Kai wave pool in Ewa Beach. Group lessons run $90 to $189.95 per person. Our guide to Waikiki vs the North Shore helps you pick a side.
| Lesson | Format | From | Length | Price is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outrigger Canoe Surfing in Waikiki, Oahu | Other surf experience | $48 | 0.5 hours | per person |
| Wai Kai Wave Pool Surf Session Oahu’s Longest Rideable Wave | Other surf experience | $75 | Varies | per person |
| Private Group Surf Lesson in Waikiki, Oahu South Shore | Group | $90 | 2 hours | per person |
| Haleiwa Surf Lessons with Surf N Sea Two Hours on the North Shore | Group | $90 | 2 hours | per person |
| Private Group Surf Lesson in North Shore, Oahu Bring Your Crew | Group | $95 | 2 hours | per person |
| Early Bird Morning Surf Lesson on Oahu Beginner Group, 7am or 9am | Group | $100 | Varies | per person |
| Open Group Surf Lesson in Oahu Six to Ten Surfers with Po’okela | Group | $100 | Varies | per person |
| Surf Lesson in Waikiki, Oahu Learn with Hans Hedemann Surf School | Group | $100 | 2 hours | per person |
| Surf Lesson in Oahu All Levels Welcome, All Gear Included | Group | $100 | Varies | per person |
| Ty Gurney Surf School Semi-Private Surf Lesson in Waikiki, One or Two Hours | Semi-private | $110 | 1 hour | per person |
| Private Group Surf Lesson, North Shore Oahu Three to Five | Group | $115 | 2 hours | per person |
| Beginner Surf Lessons on the North Shore Open Group at Chun’s Reef | Group | $120 | 1.5 hours | per person |
| Advanced Surf Lesson in Waikiki, Oahu | Group | $120 | 2 hours | per person |
| Semi-Private Surf Lesson in North Shore, Oahu Small Group, Big Waves | Semi-private | $120 | 2 hours | per person |
| Private Group Surf Lesson, North Shore Oahu Six to Eight | Group | $120 | 2 hours | per person |
| Private Group Surf Lesson in Oahu Four to Five Surfers with Po’okela | Group | $125 | Varies | per person |
| Private Surf Lesson in Oahu One-on-One Coaching with Island Fiel | Private | $140 | 90 minutes | per person |
| Bodyboarding Lesson in Waikiki, Oahu Catch Waves the Easy Way | Other surf experience | $145 | 2 hours | per person |
| Wave Pool Surfing on Oahu Wai Kai Beginner Session | Other surf experience | $149 | 45 minutes | per person |
| Private One-on-One Surf Lesson in Waikiki, Oahu One Instructor | Private | $150 | 1.25 hours | per person |
| Private Surf Lesson for Two in North Shore, Oahu | Semi-private | $150 | 2 hours | per person |
| North Shore Dog Surfing on Oahu Ride with Rescue Dogs | Other surf experience | $150 | 90 minutes | per person |
| Wai Kai Surf & Paddle Bundle Surf, Paddle and Play on Oahu | Other surf experience | $164 | 30 minutes | per person |
| Semi-Private Surf Lesson in Oahu Two or Three Surfers with Po’okela | Semi-private | $175 | Varies | per person |
| Group Surf Lesson in North Shore, Oahu with North Shore Surf Girls | Group | $189.95 | 3 hours | per person |
| Dog Surfing in Waikiki, Oahu Surf with Trained Rescue Dogs | Other surf experience | $200 | 90 minutes | per person |
| Kids Surf Lessons on the North Shore Keiki Tandem Lesson, Oahu | Kids tandem | $200 | 1.5 hours | per person |
| Private 1 1 Surf Lesson, North Shore Oahu – Chun’s Reef | Private | $225 | 2 hours | per person |
| Private Surf Lessons near Haleiwa One-to-One with Go Nuts Hawaii | Private | $239 | 2 hours | per person |
| Private Intermediate and Advanced Surf Lesson in Oahu with Po’okela | Private | $250 | Varies | per person |
| Private Beginner Surf Lesson in Oahu One-to-One on the Fundamentals | Private | $250 | Varies | per person |
| North Shore Surf Tour on Oahu | Camp or safari | $350 | 3 hours | per person |
| North Shore Surf Camp on Oahu Three or Seven Days of Coaching | Camp or safari | $2,148 | Varies | per person |
Maui Surf Lesson Prices
Maui has 36 options, most at Kalama Park in Kihei and around Lahaina and Ukumehame on the west side. Group lessons run $85 to $130 per person, Maui has the widest choice of private lessons, and it is the only island with lessons from age one. See learning to surf on Maui.
| Lesson | Format | From | Length | Price is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Surf Lesson on Maui Kihei Surf Lessons on Maui. Two Hours with Maui Beach Boys | Group | $85 | 2 hours | per person |
| Group Surf Lesson in Lahaina, Maui Lahaina Surf Lessons on Maui. Groups of Four or More | Group | $85 | 2 hours | per person |
| Beginner Surf Lessons on Maui Two-Hour Class, Ages 11 and Up | Group | $95 | 2 hours | per person |
| Surf Maui 101 Beginner Surf Lessons on Maui from Age Five | Group | $99 | 2 hours | per person |
| Group Surf Lesson at Kalama Park, Maui Waves Hawaii Surf School | Group | $99 | 2 hours | per person |
| Group Surf Lesson at Whalers Village, Maui Whalers Village Surf Lessons on Maui. Four Max | Group | $105 | 1.5 hours | per person |
| Group Surf Lesson on Maui Five Students per Instructor | Group | $115 | 2 hours | per person |
| Semi-Private Surf Lesson on Maui Kihei Surf Lessons on Maui. Two Hours, Small Ratio | Semi-private | $119 | 2 hours | per person |
| Family Surf Lesson on Maui Three to Five People, One Coach | Group | $120 | 90 minutes | per person |
| Group Surf Lesson at Kalama Beach Park, Maui Small Groups | Group | $120 | 2 hours | per person |
| Open Group Surf Lesson at Ukumehame, Maui Ukumehame Surf Lessons on Maui. Three to Six | Group | $120 | 2 hours | per person |
| Family Surf Lessons on Maui Private Ohana Lesson | Group | $125 | 2 hours | per person |
| Private Group Surf Lesson at Ukumehame, Maui Ukumehame Surf Lessons on Maui. Your Party | Group | $130 | 2 hours | per person |
| Semi-Private Surf Lesson for Two on Maui | Semi-private | $140 | 90 minutes | per person |
| Private and Semi-Private Surf Lesson in Lahaina, Maui Royal Hawaiian | Semi-private | $150 | 2 hours | per person |
| Private & Semi-Private Surf Lesson in Kihei, Maui From Age Four | Semi-private | $150 | 2 hours | per person |
| Private Surf Lesson in Lahaina, Maui Lahaina Surf Lessons on Maui. All Ages, Two Hours | Private | $160 | 2 hours | per person |
| Semi-Private Surf Lessons in Kihei Your Group Only at Kalama Park | Semi-private | $165 | 2 hours | per person |
| Private Surf Lessons on Maui with Photos 90 Minutes at Ukumehame | Private | $185 | 1.5 hours | first surfer; extra people pay less |
| Private Surf Lesson on Maui Go Tum Surfing. One-to-One, from Age Three | Private | $200 | 2 hours | per lesson |
| Private & Semi-Private Surf Lesson at Whalers Village, Maui Whalers Village Surf Lessons on Maui | Semi-private | $205 | 1.5 hours | per person |
| Private Surf Lesson on Maui One-on-One Coaching Away from the Crowds | Private | $220 | 90 minutes | per person |
| Surf Lesson on Maui with Local Pros Private, Duo or Group | Private | $220 | 1.5 hours | per person |
| Semi-Private Surf Lesson in Lahaina, Maui Lahaina Surf Lessons on Maui. Two or Three | Semi-private | $220 | 2 hours | per group |
| Windsurfing Lessons on Maui Two-Hour Beginner Class at Kanaha, Ages 6+ | Other surf experience | $225 | 2 hours | per person |
| Baby Surf Experience on Maui Tandem Surfing for Ages One to Six | Kids tandem | $225 | 1 hour | per child |
| Private Surf Lesson at Kalama Park, Maui One Surfer | Private | $225 | 2 hours | per person |
| Private Surf Lesson at Lahaina Breakwall, Maui One to One | Private | $250 | 2 hours | per lesson |
| Private Surf Lesson at Kalama Beach Park, Maui Hawaiian Ocean Sports | Private | $250 | 2 hours | first surfer; extra people pay less |
| Private Surf Lesson at Ukumehame, West Maui Quiet Water | Private | $250 | 2 hours | first surfer; extra people pay less |
| Private Surf Lesson at Ukumehame, West Maui Ukumehame Surf Lessons on Maui. Quiet Water | Private | $250 | 2 hours | first surfer; extra people pay less |
| Private Surf Lessons Maui Kihei Surf Lessons on Maui. 2-Hour 1-on-1 Instruction | Private | $265 | 2 hours | per person |
| Royal Hawaiian Surf Academy Surfari on Maui Private 4 to 8-Hour Surf Trip | Camp or safari | $475 | 4 to 8 hours | first surfer; extra people pay less |
| Three-Day Surf Camp at Kalama Park, Maui | Camp or safari | $480 | 3 days, 2 hours per day | per person |
| Private Surf Safari on Maui Four Hours with a Local Instructor, Lunch Included | Camp or safari | $500 | 4 hours | first surfer; extra people pay less |
| Group Surf Lesson on Maui Go Tum Surfing. One Flat Rate for the Party | Group | $500 | 2 hours | per group |
Kauai Surf Lesson Prices
Kauai has 8, mostly at Poipu on the south shore and Kalapaki Bay near Lihue, with one coaching session at Hanalei Bay. It has the lowest group prices in Hawaii, $85 to $99 per person, and Blue Seas Surfing School includes hotel pickup. Read learning to surf on Kauai.
| Lesson | Format | From | Length | Price is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poipu Surf Lessons Group Lesson at Po’ipu Beach, Kauai | Group | $85 | 1.5 hours | per person, ages 8+ |
| Blue Seas Surfing School Group Surf Lesson on Kauai Hotel Pickup Included | Group | $90 | about 2 hours | per person |
| Kauai Surf School Group Surf Lesson in Poipu, Kauai Four Students Max | Group | $90 | 1.5 hours | per person |
| Hawaiian Style Surfing Group Surf Lesson in Koloa, Kauai Hawaiian Style Surfing. Four Daily Start Times | Group | $95 | 1.5 hours | per person |
| Kauai Beach Boys Surf Lessons at Kalapaki Beach, Kauai | Group | $99 | 1.5 hours | per person |
| Private Surf Lesson on Kauai One-on-One at the Day’s Best Break | Private | $150 | 1.5 hours | per adult |
| Hawaiian Style Surfing Semi-Private Surf Lesson on Kauai Hawaiian Style Surfing. Two Students per Instructor | Semi-private | $150 | 1.5 hours | per person |
| 60-Minute Elite Surf Lesson at Hanalei Bay Coaching, Not a Demo | Private | $240 | 1.25 hours | per person |
Big Island Surf Lesson Prices
The Big Island has 5, all in Kailua-Kona and mostly at Kahalu’u Beach Park. With few beginner breaks on the island, prices run higher: group lessons cost $124 to $169 per person. Our Big Island surfing guide covers the breaks.
| Lesson | Format | From | Length | Price is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Surf Lesson at Kahalu’u Beach Park, Kona Four Students Max | Group | $124 | 1.5 hours | per person |
| VIP Private Surf Group in Kailua-Kona Hawaii Lifeguard Surf Instructors. Three or Four Surfers | Group | $125 | 2 hours | per person |
| Ohana Surf Lesson in Kona Kona Mike’s, Six Daily Start Times | Group | $169 | about 1.75 hours | per adult, 2 adults minimum |
| 1 Hawaii Lifeguard Surf Instructors. 1 Private Surf Lesson in Kailua-Kona – Lifeguard Coach | Private | $195 | 2 hours | per person |
| 2-Person Surf Duo in Kailua-Kona Hawaii Lifeguard Surf Instructors. Private Lifeguard Coach | Semi-private | $295 | 2 hours | for two people |
What Your Money Buys at Each Price Level
- Under $100: a group lesson of 90 minutes to two hours, four to ten students per instructor, with a soft-top board. Kauai and Maui have the most lessons at this price.
- $100 to $150: smaller groups or a semi-private lesson, so more waves each. Most Oahu group lessons sit here, including Hans Hedemann Surf School in Waikiki at $100.
- $150 to $265: a private lesson, one instructor for one surfer at the break that suits your level. The typical private lesson costs $225.
- $350 and up: surf safaris, tours and camps. The Maui surf safari is $500 for four hours with lunch, the three-day camp at Kalama Park is $480, and the North Shore surf camp starts at $2,148. See surf camps and coaching.
Costs the Lesson Price Doesn’t Show
- Group and first-surfer pricing: Go Tum Surfing on Maui charges one flat $500 for your party, and the Lahaina semi-private lesson is $220 for two or three surfers, which can work out cheaper per person than a group lesson. Several Maui private lessons quote $250 for the first surfer, with lower rates for extra people.
- Two-person minimums: Kona Mike’s Ohana lesson on the Big Island is $169 per adult with two adults required, and the Kona surf duo is $295 for two people.
- Getting there: most schools meet you at the beach, so allow for parking. Blue Seas Surfing School on Kauai includes hotel pickup in its $90 price.
- Photos: not every lesson includes them. The 90-minute private lesson at Ukumehame on Maui does, at $185 for the first surfer.
- Keeping a board afterwards: rental boards start at $8 on the North Shore and $10 in Waikiki. See our surfboard rental guide.
Kids Surf Lesson Prices and Minimum Ages
Children can surf younger than most parents expect, but the minimum age depends on the school and the format. Here is what each school publishes:
- Baby Surf Experience, Maui: ages 1 to 6, tandem with an instructor, $225 for one hour.
- Keiki tandem lesson, Oahu North Shore: ages 2 to 12, $200 for 90 minutes.
- Go Tum Surfing private lesson, Maui: from age 3, $200 per lesson.
- Private and semi-private lesson in Kihei, Maui: from age 4, from $150.
- Surf Maui 101 group lesson: from age 5, $99.
- Poipu group lesson, Kauai: ages 8 and up, $85.
- Kahalu’u group lesson, Kona: ages 10 and up, $124.
- Hans Hedemann group lesson, Waikiki: ages 14 and up, $100.
- Open group lesson at Chun’s Reef, North Shore: ages 16 and up, $120.
Families of three to five can share one coach: the family surf lesson on Maui is $120 per person and the private Ohana lesson is $125. Our guide to minimum ages for surf lessons has every option.
Our Take
How to Pick in 30 Seconds
- Lowest price: a group lesson at Poipu on Kauai or with Maui Beach Boys in Kihei, $85.
- First lesson in Waikiki: Hans Hedemann Surf School, $100 for two hours (ages 14 and up).
- Fastest progress: a private lesson, from $140 on Oahu.
- Toddlers: the Baby Surf Experience on Maui, from age one, $225.
- Not ready for a board: outrigger canoe surfing in Waikiki, $48 for 30 minutes. Our guide to Waikiki surf experiences compares the alternatives.
- Waves on demand: the Wai Kai wave pool in Ewa Beach, from $75.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a surf lesson in Hawaii?
Group surf lessons cost $85 to $189.95 per person in 2026, typically $100, across the 82 lessons we compared. Semi-private lessons run $110 to $205 per person and private lessons $140 to $265, with a typical private price of $225.
What is the cheapest surf lesson in Hawaii?
Group lessons at Poipu on Kauai and with the Kihei and Lahaina schools on Maui start at $85 per person. On Oahu the cheapest group lessons are $90, and outrigger canoe surfing in Waikiki is $48 if you only want to ride a wave.
How much is a private surf lesson in Hawaii?
Private one-to-one lessons cost $140 to $265. The cheapest starts at $140 on Oahu, from $150 on Kauai, from $160 on Maui and $195 in Kona. Some Maui schools quote the price for the first surfer and charge less for each extra person.
How much are surf lessons in Waikiki?
A private group lesson on Waikiki’s south shore starts at $90 per person, and Hans Hedemann Surf School’s two-hour group lesson is $100 (ages 14 and up). A semi-private lesson with Ty Gurney Surf School is $110, and a private one-to-one lesson is $150 for 75 minutes.
How much are surf lessons on Maui?
Maui group lessons cost $85 to $130 per person, typically $110, and private lessons cost $160 to $265. Most lessons are at Kalama Park in Kihei and around Lahaina and Ukumehame. Surf safaris of four hours or more run $475 to $500.
How much are surf lessons on Kauai?
Kauai group lessons cost $85 to $99 per person, the lowest in Hawaii, at Poipu and Kalapaki Bay. Private lessons cost $150 to $240, and the top of that range is the elite coaching session at Hanalei Bay.
How much are surf lessons on the Big Island or in Kona?
All five Big Island lessons we sell are in Kailua-Kona. Group lessons cost $124 to $169 per person, a private lesson with a lifeguard instructor is $195, and two people can share a private coach for $295.
How much are kids surf lessons in Hawaii?
A tandem lesson for young children costs $200 on Oahu’s North Shore (ages 2 to 12) and $225 for the Baby Surf Experience on Maui (ages 1 to 6). Older children usually join group lessons from $85, with minimum ages from about 5 to 16 depending on the school.
Is a private surf lesson worth the extra cost?
If you want to progress fast, are a nervous swimmer or are teaching a child, yes. A typical private lesson costs $225 against $100 for a group lesson, a little more than double, and every wave the instructor picks is yours instead of shared with four to ten others.
How long is a surf lesson in Hawaii?
Most lessons last 90 minutes to two hours. Shorter options are the 30-minute outrigger canoe ride and the 45-minute Wai Kai wave pool session. Surf safaris last four to eight hours, and camps run over three days or more.
Using this data?
Bloggers, journalists and travel planners are welcome to quote these prices or reproduce the tables. Please credit Hawaiian Activities and link to this page: https://hawaiian-activities.com/hawaii-surf-lesson-prices-2026/. We recheck the prices regularly and update the date at the top.
Found your lesson?
See live times and book online, or call and we’ll match you to the right school.
All Hawaii Surf Lessons · Oahu · Maui · Kauai · Big Island · (808) 207-9427
Pricing disclaimer: prices are the lowest rates listed on each lesson’s booking page on October 24, 2026. Surf lesson prices change with the season and can change without notice. Final prices, availability and inclusions are confirmed at checkout with the surf school.
