Private Surf Lesson on Maui: One-on-One Instruction

Your instructor stays in the water with you, watching for the right waves and building on what you learn with each one.

A private 1.5-hour surf lesson on Maui taught by a live guide in English or Spanish, with surfboard and rash guard included. The instructor begins with a land lesson to warm you up and teach the fundamentals, then stays with you in the water to help you catch waves and progress as your confidence grows. Yoga can be added before or after the lesson if you want to extend the session.

The Experience

The lesson starts on the beach with a land session where you get comfortable with the board and learn the mechanics of surfing before paddling out. Your instructor walks you through the fundamentals and gets you warmed up so the water feels like the next step, not the first one. Once you're ready, you move into the water together.

The instructor stays with you the whole time, positioned to spot good waves and call you into position. As the session goes on and you catch more waves, he keeps teaching—building on what worked, challenging you to try something new on the next one. The 1.5-hour window gives you enough time to move past the initial awkwardness and actually feel what surfing is like when it clicks. Because the lesson is private, the attention doesn't get split between you and a dozen other people trying to learn at the same time.

The school also rents surfboards on-site, so if you want to come back the next day and try it on your own, you can rent and see what you've learned without an instructor in the water. The guides stay alert and keep watch, so you're not navigating the ocean alone.

What’s included

• Surfboard and rash guard for the 1.5-hour session.
• live instructor in English or Spanish.
• on-site board rentals available for practice after your lesson.
• yoga add-on option before or after the surf class.

Good to know

Demanding physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomeNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Maui Surf Lessons and Soul

Is this one for you?Book this one if you want an instructor who stays in the water with you the whole time instead of splitting attention across a group—the private format is what makes it possible to catch waves and actually progress in a single session instead of spending it paddling and waiting.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What's included in the 1.5-hour surf lesson?

The lesson includes a surfboard and rash guard. Your instructor teaches you on land first, then in the water, and stays with you the entire time to help you catch waves and build your skills as the session progresses.

Can I add yoga to my surf lesson?

Yes, yoga can be added at the beginning or end of the surf lesson if you want to extend your time and combine the two practices in one session.

Is this lesson good for someone who's never surfed before?

The private lesson is designed specifically for first-timers. The instructor teaches fundamentals on land, then stays with you in the water to make sure you catch waves and progress at your own pace without the pressure of a group lesson.

What language do the instructors speak?

Instructors teach in English or Spanish, so you can book the lesson in whichever language you're comfortable with.

Can I rent a board after my lesson to practice on my own?

Yes, the school rents surfboards on-site, so you can come back the next day and try surfing by yourself to practice what you learned during your lesson.