Private Surf Lessons Santa Teresa Beach: All Levels Welcome

Learn to Ride Waves at Your Own Pace

Private surf lessons in Santa Teresa Beach run 90 minutes with a local guide teaching beginners the fundamentals, intermediate surfers how to catch green waves, and advanced riders advanced technique—all levels in one-on-one sessions with board and transportation included.

The Experience

You've got a free afternoon or a few hours between plans, and the Pacific is right there. Private surf lessons in Santa Teresa put you in the water with someone who has been teaching this for 15 years and knows the local breaks. The instructor picks you up, brings a board, and spends 90 minutes with you alone—no group rotation, no waiting for your turn. Beginners learn how to stand, balance and control the board in the shallows. Intermediate surfers work on paddling out to the lineup and catching green waves. Advanced riders drill bottom turns, cutbacks and roundhouses. The lesson moves at your speed.

Transportation is part of the booking, so you don't arrange a separate ride to the beach. The instructor speaks English or Spanish and can adjust the session to what you want to work on that day. Lessons run in Santa Teresa or nearby Hermosa Beach depending on conditions and what suits your level. The water and the board are the only things you need to show up with—everything else is handled.

What’s included

• Private transportation to and from the beach.
• surfboard.
• one-on-one instruction in English or Spanish.
• 90-minute session tailored to your level.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Santa Teresa Extreme Center

Is this one for you?The 90-minute session is hands-on in the water the whole time, so come ready to paddle and practice—this is not a spectator experience or a short demo. If you're comfortable getting wet and want real instruction rather than a quick introduction, this works for any fitness level.

Traveler reviews

4.84★★★★★★★★★★

49 verified traveler reviews

5 ★47

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What's the difference between the beginner, intermediate and advanced lessons?

Beginner lessons cover the basics: how to stand up on the board, balance and control it in smaller water. Intermediate surfers learn to paddle out to the lineup and catch green waves. Advanced riders work on technique like bottom turns, cutbacks and roundhouses—the maneuvers that link one move to the next.

Do I need to bring my own surfboard?

No. The surf board is included in the lesson, so you show up without gear and the instructor provides everything you need to get in the water.

How does pickup work?

Private transportation is included—the instructor picks you up from your location and brings you to Santa Teresa or Hermosa Beach for the lesson, then returns you afterward.

Can I take a lesson if I've never surfed before?

Yes. All levels are welcome, and beginner lessons are designed for people who have never stood on a board. The instructor teaches the fundamentals in a way that builds confidence in the water.

What language does the instructor speak?

The guide speaks English and Spanish, so you can choose whichever works best for you.

How long is the actual lesson in the water?

The lesson is 90 minutes total, which includes time in the water and any instruction or setup on the beach.