Semi-Private Surf Lessons Maui: 2-Hour Classes with Coaches

Two hours: 30 minutes learning to pop up on the beach, 90 minutes riding waves

Semi-private surf lessons on Maui for groups of 2–6 people, ages 11 and up, taught by experienced male and female instructors over two hours. The lesson splits between a 30-minute land session covering ocean awareness, surf etiquette and pop-up practice, then 90 minutes in the water with a maximum 3-to-1 student-to-instructor ratio. Booties, rash guard shirt and boards (longboards, soft tops or hard tops) are included. You must know how to swim.

The experience

Two hours is longer than most surf schools offer on Maui, and the split between land and water is built to make the time count. The first 30 minutes stays on the beach, where you learn ocean awareness and surf etiquette before practicing the pop-up. The motion that gets you standing on the board. An instructor watches your form and corrects it while you're still on dry sand, so the moment you paddle out, you're not learning the basics in the water where everything moves.

The 90 minutes in the water is where the coaching happens. With no more than three students per instructor, you get feedback on each wave you catch. The school provides booties and a rash guard shirt, so you're not figuring out what to wear, and you choose between longboards, soft tops or hard tops depending on your level and what feels right. Maui Surfer Girls has been running these lessons for over 20 years and is female-owned and female-run, with both male and female instructors on staff.

Everyone in your group needs to know how to swim and be at least 11 years old. The instructors speak English and hold licenses. You'll be in the water with people you came with, not mixed into a larger group, which means the lesson moves at your party's pace.

What’s included

• Two-hour lesson split between 30 minutes of land instruction and 90 minutes in the water.
• booties and rash guard shirt.
• choice of longboards, soft tops or hard tops.
• experienced English-speaking instructors with a maximum 3-to-1 student-to-instructor ratio for groups of 2–6 people.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDepartures at 08:00 and 10:30

AgesAdult (11 to 75 years) · Under 11: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Physically demandingPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Maui Surfer Girls

Is this one for you?The two-hour format and 90 minutes of water time suit anyone who wants real coaching on waves rather than a quick introduction: the longer session and smaller group ratio mean your instructors have time to watch your pop-up and adjust your positioning on each wave you catch.

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Top questions

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.

What do I learn in the 30-minute land session before getting in the water?

The land lesson covers ocean awareness, surf etiquette and pop-up practice. You'll practice the motion of standing up on the board on the beach so you can focus on catching waves once you're in the water.

How many instructors will be in the water with my group?

Semi-private lessons run at a maximum 3-to-1 ratio of students to instructors, so a group of three people gets one instructor, and a group of six gets two.

What boards and gear do I get to use?

Booties, a rash guard shirt, and your choice of longboards, soft tops or hard tops are all included. The instructors help you pick the right board for your level.

Do I need to know how to swim before I book?

Yes, everyone in your group must know how to swim. The minimum age is 11 years old.

How long is the lesson and how much of it is actually in the water?

The full lesson is two hours. The first 30 minutes is on the beach learning technique, and the remaining 90 minutes is in the water with your instructor coaching you on waves.