You’ll never forget the thrill of standing up and riding your very first wave, and the entire experience is made even better when shared with family or friends. With the small-group surf lesson on the Big Island of Hawaii, allow an expert, local instructor to teach you the basics of surfing, from the proper method of paddling out to how to stand up on the wave. Here in the waters of Kahalu’u Bay, your instructor will be there right by your side with tips and helpful suggestions — and may even assist with a little push to get you up and riding.

2-hour Big Island surfing lesson in Kona
Learn how to surf Hawaii’s famous waves safely with a knowledgeable instructor
Enjoy personalized attention tailored to your skill level in a group limited to either two or three people
Practice the basics like popping up on dry land, then enter the water to put your new skills to use
Surfboard, reef booties and rash guard provided

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

Lessons feature either a 2-to-1 or 3-to-1 student-to-instructor ratio, offering a personalized experience that can be tailored to your skill level.

What's Included

Use of all necessary equipment

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities
Food and drink

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

78-6685 Ali‘i Dr
78-6685 Ali‘i Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Kahalu’u Bay Surf & Sea 78-6685 Ali’i Dr. Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Public parking and restrooms are located just 50 yards South of our surf shop at Kahaluu Beach Park. Guest should then walk over to our surf shop for check-in.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Your Kona surf lesson begins near Kahalu’u Bay, where you’ll meet your expert, local instructor at a surf shop across the street. Here you’ll begin by selecting a board and getting fitted for booties and a rash guard, which help protect your feet from the rocks and your skin from the tropical sun.

Once you’re set up with all your gear, head towards the waters of Kahalu’u Bay where you’ll learn some techniques on the sand, which include paddling, positioning, safety, etiquette and ways to select the best waves. You’ll even learn the proper way of what to do if you fall.

Next, strap on your leash and grab your board for the water part of your adventure, where you’ll slowly paddle out towards the waves with your instructor right by your side. Because this surf lesson is for small groups of only two or three people, you’re ensured the instruction is highly personalized and you’ll maximize your time in the water.

If you’ve surfed before, but still need some additional instruction on riding the face of the wave, the instructor can tailor the lesson around your specific set of skills. Beginners will stick with the smaller waves on the inside section of reef, whereas experienced surfers might venture farther out to the larger, more powerful waves.

Either way, whatever your skill set or experience with surfing, this 2-hour Kona surfing lesson is one of the best activities on the Big Island, where the sun, salt and splash of the waves combine to create an outdoor adventure that travelers of all ages can enjoy.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Available for ages 11 and up
Wheelchair accessible
Participant MUST know how to swim without the aid of a lifejacket
Stroller accessible

Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

191 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 191 reviews

SO FUN AND GREAT FOR BEGINNERS!!!

Dave_S, Sep 2023

i loved the lesson i took through here ! the instructors were very honest about the weather and the waves and even let us reschedule for a better day! santi was a great instructor and he was super cool!

Great instructors!

karen_g, Sep 2023

Surf lesson was great! Danny's land demonstration really prepped my friend and I before actually surfing. Once we were out in the water we continued to get tips to finally catch our first wave. Lots of encouragement and praise from both Danny and Mar. Would highly recommend these instructors!

Midwest kids learns to surf!

Subby_A, Aug 2023

The instructor was very good at explaining the art of surfing and teaching us different methods of standing on the board before getting out on the water. We spent a good amount of time on the water and did catch a number of waves. I was able to get up on my board a number of times. Well worth it.

Must Do in the Big Island

Luz_R, Aug 2023

Fantastic time learning to surf. Feels like private lessons…great staff. a great way for newbies to learn how to surf

😎👍

thomas_Z, Aug 2023

great surfing for beginners - thanks! 😎👍 great surfing for beginners - thanks! 😎👍 great surfing for beginners - thanks! 😎👍

A great lesson!

DeAnna_D, Aug 2023

our two twenty something daughters along with our 13 year old daughter did this surf lesson this week. All three absolutely loved it. As the mom, I felt they were completely safe and cared for, with the little one receiving a bit more attention. There was one instructor for every two students which felt like a great ratio. All three of our girls popped right up and had more success than any of them thought they would. All in all, a great day and all three are asking to do it again!

Steve was a great...

kristen_d, Jul 2023

Steve was a great instructor and very knowledgeable. Lots of instructors on hand to help with the kids catching their first waves. Terrain is completely rocky; no sand at all so it was a little intimidating surfing in shallow water.

Good for beginners

Anu_P, Jul 2023

Good 2-hour course for beginners. Short instruction on the land and then the group headed to water. There were 8 people in the group and 4 instructors in the water.

Catch a wave!

Jessica_F, Jun 2023

My 15 and 11 year old attempted surfing once in Texas in a private group and wanted to give a try in Hawaii. I was afraid of the big waves and if my kids would get the same help in a bigger group. The instructors, Carl and Steve were amazing. They started on land with some instructions and gave the group time to practice, giving feedback along the way. Once out on the water, they guided a couple at a time to catch a wave, also giving feedback on how to improve the next time. They were out in the water an hour and a half and my kids enjoyed every minute. Thanks for such a memorable experience!

Spears 23

Grace_S, Jun 2023

Cole was amazing. My son and his girlfriend had an amazing time and said the lessons were tailored to their level!

The coaches were very...

Hannah_V, Jun 2023

The coaches were very friendly, helpful and have a lot of expertise. I would totally do it again. I felt really good cared for.

Surfin’ Minnesota style

Vicki_D, Jun 2023

Max and Ben were awesome! They made the experience fun and worth it! There weren’t a ton of waves, but since we’re from Minnesota maybe that was for the best.😆Mahalo

Would definitely do again

Susan_C, Jun 2023

We put our 15 year old boy/girl twins in the surf lessons and they loved it. They got instruction in a small group of five and then went out to the ocean with their own personal instructor who took great care of just the two of them and helped them get up and surf several times.

Amazing experience! Half...

LORENZO_C, Jun 2023

Amazing experience! Half an hour of briefing and basic surfing movements and then in the sea riding some nice waves. Highly recommended!

Great for beginners

Hylie_T, Jun 2023

Instructors were good, BUT the waves are quite small. This is definitely an experience for beginners only. If you’ve surfed more than a couple times, you likely won’t be very challenged or fulfilled here.

Great fun.

Gary_C, May 2023

Pre instruction alone w assisting in water. Fun experience for all the participants. Wear a sun shirt. If you want big waves check tidal charts before booking.

Learned lots! Instructors...

Alexander_R, May 2023

Learned lots! Instructors Steve, Eli, and Santi were super engaging and fun to talk too through our lesson. Great experience.

The instructeurs...

Joline_D, May 2023

The instructeurs explained really well and they were really nice! An amazing experience ! We had lots of fun!

Surf adventure with Steve

Carol_S, May 2023

Our surf experience with Steve was one for the books. Incredible guide through the adventure and each of us were able to ride some waves with his guidance. Mahalo, Steve.

Excellent experience!

John_Z, Apr 2023

Max and Rory were great instructors! Very positive, fun and encouraging 🏄🏼‍♂️ I would recommend them to anyone even an older gal like me!

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