Best Surf lessons in Maui

You'll never know how much fun it can be to take surf lessons in Maui until you try it for the first time. If you're one of those travelers who not only likes to see the place but also experience it like the locals do, a surf lesson can't be missing from your list of experiences.

Considered one of the best things to see and do on Maui during your vacation, here is a refined list of alternatives. You can choose instructors based on their location, teaching style and approach. Explore the alternatives and return home with a new and improved skill.

Outrageous Surf School has positioned itself as one of the best alternative surf lessons in Mauiwith a high focus on beginner tourists who want to experience Maui in a different way.

The school was established in 1998 and in addition to having a privileged location in Lahaina Breakwall, the instructors accept participants of all levels, as long as the participant meets the minimum age requirement of 10 years old and has the ability to swim in the waters.

Surf lessons last 1 hour and 30 minutes and are given in small groups. You must arrive punctually at the assigned time. The school provides all the necessary equipment including surfboards.

Useful Info

• Hours: Open to the public Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm; Saturdays from 8am to 12pm and closed on Sundays.
• Price: Around 60€ per class and per participant. It is one of the most economical quality alternatives in Maui.
• Location: Located at 640 Front Street of the Lahina Banyan Court in Lahaina.

Maui Waveriders is an excellent alternative if you are looking for one of the most reputable surf lessons in Maui. It is a family business dedicated to providing surf lessons and paddleboarding experiences in the Kihei area.

Classes are offered in different formats in order to ensure the integration and understanding of each student.

You can opt for semi-private lessons in groups of 2 to 12 students (varies depending on demand) or fully private lessons with individual attention for you and a chaperone.If you are going on your honeymoon to Maui, consider the latter or a similar alternative.

Maui Waveriders was established in 1997 by Tommy Castleton, an experienced surfer who has been participating in the surfing world for more than 30 years in a row.

Useful info

• Hours: Open to the public from Monday to Sunday from 07h to 15h.
• Price: The price of semi-private lessons in small groups ranges between 95 € and 150 € per person.
• Phone: (808) 875-4761
• Location: To take the classes you must go to 2021 S of Kihei Ride.

Royal Hawaiian is a surf school established in Lahaina that offers travelers different classes presented in different formats.

It stands out for its group classes, ideal for travelers with a little experience, and its private lessons perfect for those without any previous experience who want to lose the fear of surfboard.

In addition to the traditional surf lessons, the academy stands out for its paddleboard lessons, considered one of the best in the area.

Additionally, the academy offers lessons for children but for safety reasons any participant under 9 years old must take private lessons.

This makes it an excellent alternative if you are going to Maui with children for vacation and are looking for fun activities to do with the family.

Royal Hawaiian Surf Academy began operations in 1998 so it is among the oldest surf schools in Maui.

Surf lessons with Goofy Foot Surf Academy in Lahaina

• Hours: Open to the public Monday through Sunday from 07h to 16h. The first morning lessons start around 7:30 am.
• Price: Group lesson options are available starting at 75€ per traveler.
• Phone: (808) 276-7873
• Location: At 505 Front St Ste 127 in Lahaina.

Goofy Foot Surf School is a great place to consider for lessons on Maui or to rent specialized equipment if you are an experienced surfer.

Among the services that the company offers to the public are surf lessons for different levels, Stand Up Paddle lessons and surf camps lasting several hours and aimed at improving skills.

This alternative is excellent if your stay in Maui contemplates 7 days or more, since you can dedicate a whole day to improve your skills on the waves by the hand of a certified instructor.

Goofy Foot was established by its owners in 1944, so it has an excellent reputation among visitors looking to visit Maui and locals alike.

Surfing lessons with Maui Beach Boys in Kihei

• Hours: Open to the public Monday through Saturday from 07h to 16h in the afternoon.
• Price: Surf lessons are available from 85 € per participant. Groups of up to 5 people pay 425€ for lessons.
• Phone: (808) 244-9283
• Location: You'll find them at 505 Front Street in Lahaina.

The Maui Beach Boys School, located in Kihei, is an excellent alternative if your accommodation is in this part of Maui.

This is one of the oldest schools on the island and offers surf lessons in the purest Hawaiian style, in the format of private lessons and in uncrowded beaches to promote concentration.

Besides being one of the most beautiful areas of Maui, Kihei is located just 15 minutes drive from the port of Maalaea Bay, the place from which most excursions depart to Molokini Crater, considered among the best adventures to do in Maui during the vacations.

Useful surfing info

• Hours: Open to the public Monday through Saturday from 7:30 am to 1:00 pm.
• Price: Group lessons are available starting at 80€ and a minimum of 4 people is required to qualify the group.
• Phone: (808) 283-7114
• Location: 95 Halekuai Street in Kihei.

The Maui Surfer Girls school in the city of Lahaina is an initiative of some local women that began operating in 2001. All their instructors are female surfers with extraordinary skills.

Like other schools in the area, Maui Surfer Girls offers a diverse range of activities including surf lessons (private and group), Stand-up Paddle lessons and full-day camps focused on two particular groups: teenagers and women.

Its strategic location is another important point in its favor, since the city of Lahaina is the best place to carry out various extreme fun activities, such as swimming with sharks in Maui and others.

Useful info

• Hours: Open to the public from Monday to Sunday from 08h to 15h in the afternoon.
• Price: Group lessons are available from 100€ per traveler.
• Phone: (808) 214-0606
• Location: You will need to go to 800 Olowalu Village Ride in Lahaina and look for Ukumehame Park beach.

In the southern part of the island of Maui you will also find alternatives of high quality surf lessons, including Swell Maui Surf School, which offers private and semi-private lessons focused on both novice and experienced users looking to improve their skills.

In addition, special classes are also offered for children from 8 years old, something that can come in handy if you have traveled with children.

Lessons are held near Ukumehame Beach, located just a 10-minute drive from Turtle Town. I advise you to take advantage of your stay in the area, as it is considered one of the most impressive dive sites on the island and the best place to swim and see turtles in Maui.

If you are looking for a way to combine activities and make the most of your day you can book a surf lesson followed by a diving experience among the Honu turtles of Hawaii.

Surfing lessons in Maui

• Hours: Open to the public Monday to Sunday from 07h to 17h.
• Price: Semi-private lessons are available from 120€ per participant.
• Phone: (808) 500-2805
• Location: At 31 Omaka in Kihei.

Maui Surf Clinics is another school with a great reputation that is located in the beautiful and historic town of Lahaina. Considered one of the best according to the opinions of hundreds of users.

The catalog of options Maui Surf Clinics includes surf lessons divided by levels (beginner and intermediate); surf lessons for children 4 years and older; Paddle Boarding classes and eco cultural tours.

Apart from these modalities, this surf school in Maui offers visitors an intensive clinic of several days, consisting of specialized classes that occupy between 2 and 5 hours and between 3 to 7 days depending on the plan you choose.

These classes are designed for travelers with a strong interest in surfing and promise a noticeable improvement in skills, no matter what level you are.

Despite being a very striking option I do not recommend it for those whose stay on the island is of short duration such as 5 full days in Maui in less.

Useful info

• Schedule: Open to the public from 09h to 16:30h.
• Price: Group classes are available from 85€ per traveler.
• Phone: (808) 244-7873
• Location: Located at 505 Front Street in Lahaina.

If you decide to take surf lessons with the school 808 Boards, you will find teachers with proven experience. Rated among the best schools in the area, it offers travelers mainly surfing and paddle boarding lessons.

The 808 Boards academy has a strong focus on personalized lessons, which is why its classes are conducted in small groups of 3, 4 or 5 participants.

Other alternatives are private lessons for two people or 1-on-1 courses with the instructor. The user has the possibility to choose the format of his preference according to his requirements.

Another interesting alternative is the opportunity to combine this class with other activities in the area. For example, the coast of Lahaina is considered one of the best places to dive in Maui, so you can take advantage of both activities.

Useful info

• Hours: Open to the public from Monday to Friday from 08h to 17h.
• Price: Varies depending on the number of people, individual lessons cost 220€; while a group of 3 participants pay 360€ approximately.
• Phone: (808) 667-0808
• Location: Located at 3350 Lower Honoapiilani Ride in Lahaina.

Located in the historic town of Lahaina, the Hang Loose Surf Club is one of the youngest schools in the area. However, despite being younger, its reputation is excellent.

The academy specializes in offering visitors to Maui two of the most popular activities of the place: surf lessons and Stand-up Paddle lessons. Both disciplines are offered in different group sizes including private, semi-private and small group lessons.

Both Hang Loose's surf lessons and Stand-up Paddle lessons take less than 2 hours to complete, so you can make the most of the day by booking one of the many kayaking tours and activities organized in the Lahaina area.

Useful information about surfing in Maui

• Hours: Open to the public from Monday to Sunday from 09h to 18h in the afternoon.
• Price: Group surf lessons are available from 80 € per traveler.
• Phone: (808) 633-5166
• Location: Located at 626 Front Street in Lahaina.

If this is the first time in your life that you are going to take surf lessons you are going to find that a whole new world opens up before you. Let's see what to expect in those first few hours and how you can make the most of them.

• Your first lessons are out of the water. Basic board moves are practiced on land, so expect to spend at least 30 minutes on land perfecting your maneuvers under the expert eye of the instructor.
• Weara long-sleeved wetsuit: when you pedal your skin rubs against the edges of the boards. This can cause small injuries from rubbing, which is why I recommend wearing a full body suit.
• At the end of the day your arms will hurt a lot, as will other muscles that you may not use very often. Try to schedule activities for the evening after your classes that are relaxing, such as attending one of Maui' s Luau shows.
• Bewareof sunburn: Even if your body is protected by clothing, remember to take care of your face and other exposed areas. Purchase a sunscreen for water activities and apply it as often as necessary.

If you decide to do this experience, you will realize that learning to surf in Hawaii is without a doubt one of the best adventures. Before booking your lesson I recommend you to take into account the following important aspects.

• How long are the lessons: Surf lessons in Maui have a minimum duration of 1 hour 30 minutes; however you can find special schools and lessons that exceed 2 hours as well as intensive workshops of one day or several days duration. The duration of the lessons is a factor that influences the price to pay.
• Location: Since many surf lessons in Maui have a similar price range, you can choose the school based on how close it is to your accommodation or how close it is to other activities and tours in Maui that you want to do that day.
• Your experience on the board: Surf lessons in Maui are designed for all levels, including beginners who have never touched a surfboard. However, your confidence level may determine the lesson format you choose. If you have zero experience, you can benefit from 1-on-1 private lessons with the instructor and get the most out of it.
• Knowing how to swim is a must: Of course you must learn to crawl before you can walk. If you are not confident swimming in open water, this is not an activity you should consider.