Playa Grande Surf Lessons: 2-Hour Classes for Beginners
Catch your own waves in a 2-hour lesson on a beach without the crowds.
Playa Grande surf lessons run 2 hours with a land safety briefing, 45 minutes to an hour in the water with your instructor, and a break with fresh pineapple and ice water before a final hour of practice. Maximum 4 students per instructor. Children from age 5 are welcome. The beach is a sand walk-out with no rocks, and you'll leave with 150–250 professional photos of your session included.
What’s included
- A 2-hour lesson with a maximum of 4 students per instructor.
- surf board and rash guard.
- 10-minute land briefing and safety talk.
- 45 minutes to an hour in the water with your instructor.
- a 10-minute break with fresh pineapple and ice water.
- 150–250 professional photos of your session.
- hotel pickup from Tamarindo.
Times
- Every day No fixed time
Before you book
Operated by Mojo Surf Adventures
Prices and times updated 6 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The lesson starts on the sand with a 10-minute land briefing where you learn the basics and practice the pop-up motion before entering the water. Your instructor stays with you for the next 45 minutes to an hour, positioning you on the board and guiding you into waves until you're catching them on your own. The water time is timed around high tide, when Playa Grande's waves work best for beginners and intermediate surfers. After that first stretch, you get a 10-minute break on the beach with fresh pineapple and ice water.
The final hour takes you back out for more practice, and by then most people are already riding waves without help. Playa Grande itself is the real advantage here. It's a sand beach with no rocks, and because it's secluded, you won't be jostling for space or waves the way you would in the crowded lineup at Tamarindo, which sits directly across the water. The instructors are trained to work with everyone from 4-year-olds to people in their seventies, and class sizes max out at 4 students per instructor, so the attention stays focused. Boards and rash guards are provided, and you'll get 150 to 250 professional photos and video of your session: the only surf company in Costa Rica that offers that as standard.
Pickup is included from your hotel in Tamarindo. If you're staying in Brasilito, Flamingo, Potrero, or the Coco/Hermosa area, transportation can be arranged (ask for pricing when you book). The lesson works for all fitness levels, and semi-private and private options are available if you want fewer people in the water.
Is this one for you?The 2-hour length gives you a full morning or afternoon without eating your whole day, and the high-tide timing means the waves are best for learning. If you're staying in Tamarindo and want to avoid the crowded beach breaks, Playa Grande's secluded sand beach across the water is where the smaller class sizes and calmer conditions make the difference.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 18 years); Child (5 to 10 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
How long is a Playa Grande surf lesson and what happens during it?
The lesson runs 2 hours total. You start with a 10-minute land briefing on the sand, then spend 45 minutes to an hour in the water with your instructor learning to catch waves. After a 10-minute break with fresh pineapple and ice water, you go back out for a final hour of practice.
What's the difference between Playa Grande and the surf spots in Tamarindo?
Playa Grande is a secluded sand beach with no rocks, so it's safer and easier for beginners to walk in and out. Tamarindo, directly across the water, gets crowded with many other surfers and has rocky areas. At Playa Grande, you'll be the only group in the water.
How many students are in each class?
Classes max out at 4 students per instructor, so you get consistent attention in the water. Semi-private and private lessons are also available if you want fewer people.
What do I get to take home from the lesson?
You'll receive 150 to 250 professional photos of your session included with the lesson. Video is also available as an add-on. Playa Grande is the only surf company in Costa Rica offering professional photos as standard.
Is hotel pickup included?
Pickup from Tamarindo hotels is included. If you're staying in Brasilito, Flamingo, Potrero, or the Coco/Hermosa area, transportation can be arranged. Ask for pricing when you book.
Playa Grande Surf Lessons: 2-Hour Classes for Beginners
2h 15m · EN · ES
from US$ 70 per person
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