📍 Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
Your guide to the best surf lessons, surfing instructors, and surf schools on Oahu. From beginner-friendly Waikiki breaks to the legendary North Shore — find the right lesson for your level.
🤞 Stand-Up Guarantee · Certified Instructors · All Equipment Provided · Beginner to Advanced
SurflessonHonolulu.com is the definitive guide to surf lessons and surfing instruction in Honolulu, Hawaii. Whether you’re searching for beginner surfing lessons in Waikiki, a private surfing instructor on Oahu, or advanced coaching on the North Shore, this site connects visitors with the island’s top-rated surf schools and instructors. Group sessions, private 1-on-1 lessons, and multi-day surf camps are all available. Our featured partner, Big Wave Dave Surf & Coffee, is voted the best surf school in Waikiki and offers a stand-up guarantee on every first lesson. After your session, check out RestaurantHonolulu.com for the best dining on the island.
I’m going to be completely straightforward: I had never surfed before in my life. Not once. Surfing had always been a lifelong dream — one of those things you put on the list and hope you get around to. Then I walked into Big Wave Dave Surf & Coffee at Waikiki Beach Walk, and everything changed.
Dave and Crystal, the husband-and-wife team who own this place, are genuinely some of the nicest people you will ever meet in the surf world. They’ve created something remarkable at 226 Lewers #154 — right at the Embassy Suites entrance on Waikiki Beach Walk. It’s not just a surf school. It’s a complete beach experience. Coffee, food, surf lessons, board rentals, souvenirs, beach gear — everything you could possibly need before, during, or after a day on the water. The energy walking in is warm, welcoming, and infectious. These people love what they do, and it shows in every single interaction.
The 90-minute group surf lesson began inside the shop — something I didn’t expect and genuinely appreciated. Our surfing instructor, Jake, walked us through the fundamentals before we ever got near the water. How to paddle correctly. How to fall safely. How to read the wave building behind you and time your pop-up. Jake was exceptional — patient, enthusiastic, technically precise, and genuinely stoked for every small win we had. He explained everything in a way that made perfect sense even to someone who had never been on a board.
There were only two of us in the class that session, which meant it played out almost exactly like a private surfing lesson. That personal attention made a massive difference. Jake was right there with us on every wave, guiding, adjusting, and cheering. The staff at Big Wave Dave’s are incredibly helpful — every single person we interacted with, from the moment we walked in to the moment we walked out salty and grinning, went above and beyond. That’s not an accident. That’s the culture Dave and Crystal have built.
Once we hit the ocean, Jake swam right alongside us and guided our boards into position. We paddled out a short distance — far enough to catch real push from the waves, close enough to feel completely safe. And then it happened. A few attempts in, I balanced on my knees first, then — in what felt like a full second of suspended disbelief — I stood up on a surfboard being pushed by an actual Hawaiian wave. I am not exaggerating when I say it was one of the most exhilarating moments of my life. A lifelong dream, realized. Right there on the water in Waikiki, Hawaii.
I walked out of that session with a brand new love for a sport I’d never tried — and a hunger for more. I’m already craving bigger waves. I’m already thinking about the next trip, the next break, what it would feel like to really ride. That’s what a great surfing instructor does. Jake didn’t just teach me the mechanics of surfing. He handed me a new passion. And Big Wave Dave’s is the place that made it possible.
The shop itself deserves its own paragraph. Big Wave Dave’s isn’t just a surf lesson check-in counter. They stock board rentals, rash guards, beach gear, and surfing accessories. Grab an incredible cup of coffee, some genuinely good food, souvenirs — it’s a full-service beach headquarters. Whether you’re renting a board for the afternoon, picking up a rash guard before your lesson, grabbing something to eat, or just getting a great coffee after coming out of the ocean, they’ve got you completely covered.
For anyone visiting Honolulu — whether you’ve surfed a hundred times or you’re thinking about trying it for the first time — Big Wave Dave Surf & Coffee is the first call you should make. Voted Best Surfing Lessons in Waikiki. Located at 226 Lewers #154, Honolulu, HI 96815 — enter through Embassy Suites at Waikiki Beach Walk. Open daily, book by appointment. Call (808) 386-4872 or visit bigwavedave.com.
📍 226 Lewers #154, Honolulu, HI 96815 — Enter through Embassy Suites · Waikiki Beach Walk
📞 (808) 386-4872 ·
🌎 bigwavedave.com ·
Open Daily · Book by Appointment
This editorial reflects a genuine first-hand experience. Big Wave Dave Surf & Coffee is a featured advertising partner on SurflessonHonolulu.com. For the best restaurants in Honolulu after your lesson, visit RestaurantHonolulu.com. For Hawaii SEO and digital marketing services, visit BigIslandSEO.com — Hawaii’s leading SEO and digital marketing agency.
Types of Surf Instruction
Whether you’ve never touched a surfboard or you’re chasing your first barrel, Honolulu’s top surfing instructors meet you exactly where you are. All sessions include soft-top boards, rash guards, and wax — just show up ready to shred.
🌊 Most Popular
Perfect for first-timers visiting Honolulu. Group surf lessons cover ocean safety, paddling technique, and how to pop up and ride your first real wave. Small groups of 4–6 students max — so every student gets real attention from a certified surfing instructor.
Find a surfing instructor →
🏆 Best Results
Maximum attention from a dedicated Honolulu surfing instructor. Ideal for faster progression, nervous beginners, or intermediate surfers working on specific techniques. The fastest path to real surfing confidence — and the most popular upgrade on Oahu.
Find a private instructor →
🔥 Level Up
Already riding green waves? Hawaii’s advanced surfing coaches take your game to the next level — turns, trimming, reading breaks, and ultimately getting barreled on Oahu’s world-class reef breaks. Real coaching for real surfers.
Find advanced coaching →The Experience
Why This Guide
Not all surf schools on Oahu are created equal. Here’s what separates a forgettable splash-around from the kind of surfing lesson that changes your life.
The best surfing instructors in Honolulu are ISA and ARC certified with years of experience teaching on Oahu’s waves. Certification isn’t just a credential — it means your instructor has been trained in ocean safety and proven teaching methodology.
The best surf schools in Honolulu back their teaching with a guarantee: if you don’t stand up and ride a wave during your first lesson, you come back for free. No fine print. That confidence separates serious schools from tourist traps.
Waikiki is ideal for beginner surfing lessons — gentle, consistent reform waves and a sandy bottom. Intermediate students benefit from spots like Ala Moana. Advanced surfers should be pushed toward the North Shore breaks. The right spot makes all the difference.
Top-rated Honolulu surf schools include everything — soft-top longboards, rash guards, and wax. You shouldn’t have to bring anything except a swimsuit and sunscreen. If a school is charging extra for boards, look elsewhere.
From solo travelers to families and corporate groups — Honolulu’s surf schools welcome everyone. The best schools work with kids as young as 5. Family and group packages are widely available across Oahu.
The moment you ride your first wave in Hawaii deserves to be captured. Many Honolulu surfing instructors offer photo and video add-on packages. It’s the best Hawaii souvenir you’ll ever bring home.
Where to Learn
From the iconic mellow waves of Waikiki to the legendary breaks of the North Shore, surfing lessons on Oahu are available at spots matched to every skill level and experience.
Featured Partner — Big Wave Dave Surf & Coffee · Voted Best Surfing Lessons in Waikiki · (808) 386-4872
Explore Honolulu & Hawaii
After your surf lesson, there’s a whole island waiting. Here are the best guides to food, travel, and experiences across Oahu and the Big Island.
Reach Hawaii’s Visitors
Thousands of Oahu-bound travelers land on this site every month searching for surf lessons, surfing instructors, activities, restaurants, and experiences. Your business could be the first thing they see.
What Visitors Say
“I was terrified of the ocean and had zero athletic ability. By the end of the 2-hour surf lesson I was riding waves by myself. The surfing instructor was patient, encouraging, and genuinely stoked for every little victory. Best thing I did in Hawaii.”
“Booked a private surfing lesson for my family of four — two adults, two kids (8 and 11). Every single one of us stood up and surfed on our own. Incredible instructors who made it fun and safe. We’ve already booked again for our next trip.”
“I’ve tried surfing lessons at three different schools on Oahu. Big Wave Dave’s is the best — hands down. The instructor actually watches your technique, gives real feedback, and pushes you to try waves you never would have attempted alone.”
Common Questions