Oahu: Standup Paddle & Surf Lessons with Waikiki Pickup

Learn to Paddle in Waikiki with a Shuttle That Picks You Up

You get picked up from your Waikiki hotel, taken to the beach, fitted with a paddleboard and rashguard, and taught by a certified instructor who adjusts the lesson to your level. After an hour on the water, you return to the center to review photos and videos, then ride the shuttle back to your hotel. The entire day (transport, equipment, instruction, and return) is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Standup paddle lesson in Waikiki

• Take complimentary Waikiki shuttle
• Check in at Ohana Surf Center
• Gear up and attend safety briefing
• Meet instructor and discuss experience
• Shuttle to the beach
• Enjoy standup paddle lesson
• Return to Surf Center
• View photos, videos, and shop merch
• Shuttle back to drop-off location

The experience

The yellow bus arrives at your hotel in the morning. You climb in, air-conditioned and clean, and head straight to the Ohana Surf Center at the Waikiki Beach Marriott. No figuring out where to go, no parking stress. The shuttle handles it. Once you're there, the staff runs through a quick safety briefing, hands you a rashguard and reef shoes, and gets you fitted to a paddleboard that matches your size and skill level. Everything is included: the board, the paddle, the gear. Then your instructor walks you through what to expect before you both head into the water.

The lesson itself is built around your comfort level. Your instructor asks about your experience first, whether you've been on a board before, how confident you feel in the ocean, what you want to work on. If you're a complete beginner, you start in shallow water, learning the paddle stroke and how to balance. If you've done this before, you push further out and work on technique or speed. The whole thing stays focused on safety: all the instructors are trained in CPR, lifeguard certification, and first aid. They've been teaching standup paddle and surf in Oahu for years, so they read the water and adjust the lesson on the fly.

After an hour or so on the water, you paddle back to shore and return to the Surf Center. There's time to grab a towel, check out photos and videos from the lesson, and browse the shop if you want a souvenir. Then the shuttle takes you back to your hotel or wherever you need to be in Waikiki. The whole experience (pickup, lesson, gear, drop-off) is one package. You don't book a separate ride, rent equipment elsewhere, or hunt for the beach entrance. It's all arranged.

What’s included

• Round-trip shuttle pickup and drop-off from your Waikiki hotel, professional instructor trained in CPR and first aid, paddleboard and paddle, rashguard and reef shoes, a safety briefing, and access to photos and videos of your lesson at the Surf Center afterward.
• All taxes and fees are included.
• A secure place to store your belongings is provided during the lesson.

Options for this experience

8 options

Family Lesson (1hr)Up to 8 people · Guide in English, Japanese or Korean · 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00A 1-hour lesson requiring at least one child aged 12 or younger and one parent. Everyone must be able to swim and paddle their own board. Pickup is included.

Exclusive Group (1hr)Up to 8 people · Guide in English, Japanese or Korean · 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00A 1-hour exclusive group lesson for participants aged 13 and over who can swim. The private group must have at least 3 people. Pickup is included.

Semi-Private (1hr)Up to 4 people · Guide in English, Japanese or Korean · 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00A 1-hour lesson for participants aged 13 and over who can swim, with two students per instructor. Pickup is included.

See 5 more options

Family Lesson (2hr)Up to 8 people · Guide in 4 languages · 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00A 2-hour lesson requiring at least one child aged 12 or younger and one parent. Everyone must be able to swim and paddle their own board. Pickup is included.

One-on-one Private (1hr)Guide in English, Japanese or Korean · 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00A 1-hour lesson open to all ages and abilities, recommended for children aged 6 and younger, non-swimmers, and students with experience. Pickup is included.

Exclusive Group (2hr)Up to 8 people · Guide in English, Japanese or Korean · 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00A 2-hour exclusive group lesson for participants aged 13 and over who can swim. The private group must have at least 3 people. Pickup is included.

Semi-Private (2hr)Up to 4 people · Guide in English, Japanese or Korean · 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00A 2-hour lesson for participants aged 13 and over who can swim, with two students per instructor. Pickup is included.

One-on-one Private (2hr)Guide in English, Japanese or Korean · 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00A 2-hour lesson open to all ages and abilities, recommended for children aged 6 and younger, non-swimmers, and students with experience. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 2h, runs every day at 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00, from US$ 116.18 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish, Japanese and Korean, in groups of up to 8 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 83 private ›

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, Japanese and Korean

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 to 90 years) · Child (2 to 12 years)

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ohana Surf Project

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to learn standup paddle or surf without arranging your own transport, renting gear separately, or figuring out where to go. The shuttle and equipment are built in, so you just show up at your hotel ready to paddle.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, Korean and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 12 years).

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.

Do I need to know how to swim?

It's not required, but if you can't swim, let the staff know when you book. They may recommend a private lesson instead of a group session.

What's included in the lesson?

The paddleboard, paddle, rashguard, reef shoes, professional instruction, all equipment, and round-trip shuttle transport from your Waikiki hotel.

Can I bring my family if they don't want to take the lesson?

Yes. Ohana Surf Project welcomes family members who want to come along and watch or support you.

What if I'm pregnant or have a spinal injury?

Standup paddle is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries. Discuss your medical history with the staff before booking.

What should I bring?

Wear your bathing suit, bring a towel, and apply sunscreen before the lesson. If you're prone to seasickness, consider taking a remedy beforehand.