Best Surf lessons in Maui

You'll never know how much fun it can be to take surf lessons in Maui until you try it for the first time. If you're one of those travellers who not only likes to see the place but also experience it like the locals do, a surf lesson is a must on your list of experiences.

Considered one of the best things to see and do on Maui during your holiday, here's a curated list of alternatives. You can choose instructors based on location, teaching style and approach. Explore the alternatives and return home with a new and improved skill set.

Outrageous Surf School has positioned itself as one of the best surf school alternatives in Mauiwith a high focus on beginner surferswho want to experience Maui in a different way.

The school was established in 1998 and in addition to having a prime location on the Lahaina Breakwall, the instructors accept participants of all levels, as long as the participant meets the minimum age requirement of 10 years old and has the ability to swim in the water.

Surf lessons last 1 hour 30 minutes and are taught in small groups. You must arrive punctually at the assigned time. The school provides all the necessary equipment including surfboards.

Useful surfing info

• Opening hours: Open to the public Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm; Saturdays from 8am to 12pm and closed on Sundays.
• Price: Around 60€ per class and per participant. One of the cheapest quality alternatives on Maui.
• Location: Located at 640 Front Street in the Lahina Banyan Court in Lahaina.

Maui Waveriders is an excellent alternative if you are looking for one of the most reputable surf lessons on Maui. It's a family-run business dedicated to providing surf lessons and paddleboarding experiences in the Kihei area.

Lessons are offered in a variety of formats to ensure the integration and understanding of each student.

You can opt for semi-private lessons in groups of 2 to 12 students (varies depending on demand) or fully private lessons with individual attention for you and a chaperone.If you are honeymooning in Maui, consider the latter or a similar alternative.

Maui Waveriders was established in 1997 by Tommy Castleton, an experienced surfer who has been involved in the surfing world for over 30 years.

Useful info

• Opening hours: Open to the public Monday to Sunday from 07h to 15h.
• Price: The price for semi-private lessons in small groups ranges from 95€ to 150€ per person.
• Phone: (808) 875-4761
• Location: To take lessons you will need to go to 2021 S of Kihei Ride.

Royal Hawaiian is an established surf school in Lahaina that offers travellers a variety of lessons presented in different formats.

It stands out for its group lessons, ideal for travellers with a bit of experience, and for its private lessons perfect for those without any previous experience who wish to lose their fear of surfing.

In addition to the traditional surf lessons, the academy stands out for its paddleboard lessons, considered one of the best in the area.

Additionally, the academy offers lessons for children but for safety reasons any participant under the age of 9 must take private lessons.

This makes it an excellent alternative if you're heading to Maui with kids for a holiday and are looking for fun family activities.

Royal Hawaiian Surf Academy began operations in 1998 making it one of the oldest surf schools on Maui.

Surf lessons with Goofy Foot Surf Academy in Lahaina

• Hours: Open to the public Monday to Sunday from 07h to 16h. First morning lessons start around 07:30h.
• Price: Group lesson options are available from €75 per traveller.
• Phone: (808) 276-7873
• Location: At 505 Front St Ste 127 in Lahaina.

Goofy Foot Surf School is a great place to consider for lessons on Maui or to rent specialized equipment if you're an experienced surfer.

Among the services the company offers to the public are surf lessons for different levels, Stand Up Paddle lessons and surf camps lasting several hours and geared towards improving skills.

This is an excellent alternative if your stay in Maui is for 7 days or more, as you can dedicate a whole day to improving your skills on the waves with a certified instructor.

Goofy Foot was established by its owners in 1944, so it has an excellent reputation with visitors to Maui and locals alike.

Surfing lessons in Kihei

• Hours: Open to the public Monday to Saturday from 07h to 16h in the afternoon.
• Price: Surf lessons are available from €85 per participant. Groups of up to 5 people pay 425€ for lessons.
• Phone: (808) 244-9283
• Location: You'll find them at 505 Front Street in Lahaina.

The Maui Beach Boys School, located in Kihei, is an excellent alternative if your accommodation is in this part of Maui.

It's one of the oldest schools on the island and offers Hawaiian-style surfing lessons in the form of private lessons on uncrowded beaches to encourage concentration.

As well as being one of the most beautiful areas of Maui, Kihei is only a 15 minute drive from the harbour of Maalaea Bay, the departure point for most of the Molokini Crater tours, considered to be one of the best Maui holiday adventures.

Useful surfing info

• Hours: Open to the public Monday to Saturday from 07:30hrs to 13:00hrs in the afternoon.
• Price: Group lessons are available from €80 and require a minimum of 4 people to qualify.
• Phone: (808) 283-7114
• Location: 95 Halekuai Street in Kihei.

The Maui Surfer Girls school in Lahaina is a local women's initiative that started in 2001. All their instructors are female surfers with extraordinary skills.

Like other schools in the area, Maui Surfer Girls offers a diverse range of activities including surf lessons (private and group), stand-up paddle lessons and full day camps focused on two particular groups: teenagers and women.

Its strategic location is another important plus, as the city of Lahaina is the best place for a variety of extreme fun activities, such as swimming with sharks in Maui and more.

Useful surfing info

• Opening hours: Open to the public Monday to Sunday from 08h to 15h in the afternoon.
• Price: Group lessons are available from €100 per traveller.
• Phone: (808) 214-0606
• Location: Go to 800 Olowalu Village Ride in Lahaina and look for Ukumehame Park Beach.

On the south side of the island of Maui you'll also find some great surfing lesson options, including Swell Maui Surf School, which offers private and semi-private lessons geared towards both novice and experienced surfers looking to improve their skills.

In addition, special lessons are also offered for children from 8 years of age, something that might come in handy if you've travelled with kids.

Lessons are held near Ukumehame Beach, which is only a 10-minute drive from Turtle Town. I recommend you make the most of your stay in the area, as it's considered one of the most impressive dive sites on the island and the best place to swim and see turtles on Maui.

If you're looking for a way to combine activities and make the most of your day, you can book a surf lesson followed by a diving experience among the Honu turtles of Hawaii.

Useful surfing information

• Hours: Open to the public Monday to Sunday from 07h to 17h.
• Price: Semi-private lessons are available from 120€ per participant.
• Phone: (808) 500-2805
• Location: At 31 Omaka in Kihei.

Maui Surf Clinics is another reputable school located in the beautiful and historic town of Lahaina. Considered one of the best by hundreds of surfers.

Maui Surf Clinics ' catalogue of options includes surf lessons divided by levels (beginners and intermediate); surf lessons for children from 4 years old and up; Paddle Boarding lessons and eco cultural tours.

In addition to these, this surf school in Maui offers visitors a multi-day intensive clinic, which consists of specialised lessons that take between 2 to 5 hours and 3 to 7 days depending on the plan you choose.

These classes are designed for travellers with a keen interest in surfing and promise a marked improvement in skills, no matter what level you are.

Although this is a very appealing option, I do not recommend it for those whose stay on the island is of short duration such as 5 full days on Maui in less than 5 days.

Surfing Lessons in Lahaina

• Opening hours: Open to the public from 09h to 16:30h.
• Price: Group classes are available from €85 per traveller.
• Phone: (808) 244-7873
• Location: Located at 505 Front Street in Lahaina.

If you decide to take surf lessons with 808 Boards, you'll find experienced instructors. Rated among the best schools in the area, it offers travellers mainly surfing and paddle boarding lessons.

808 Boards has a strong focus on personalised lessons, which is why its classes are held in small groups of 3, 4 or 5 participants.

Other alternatives are private lessons for two people or 1 to 1 courses with the instructor. The user has the possibility to choose the format he/she prefers according to his/her requirements.

Another interesting alternative is the opportunity to combine this class with other activities in the area. For example, the coast of Lahaina is considered one of the best places to dive in Maui, so you can take advantage of both activities.

Useful info about surfing in Maui

• Hours: Open to the public Monday to Friday from 08h00 to 17h00.
• Price: Varies depending on the number of people, individual lessons cost 220€; while a group of 3 participants pays 360€ approximately.
• Phone: (808) 667-0808
• Location: Located at 3350 Lower Honoapiilani Ride in Lahaina.

Located in the historic town of Lahaina, the Hang Loose Surf Club is one of the youngest surf schools in the area. However, despite its younger age, its reputation is excellent.

The academy specialises in offering visitors to Maui two of the most sought-after activities in the area: surf lessons and stand-up paddle lessons. Both disciplines are offered in a variety of group sizes including private, semi-private and small group lessons.

Both surf lessons and stand-up paddle lessons at Hang Loose take less than 2 hours to complete, so you can make a day of it by booking one of the many kayaking tours and activities available in the Lahaina area.

Useful info about Maui Surfing

• Opening hours: Open to the public Monday to Sunday from 09h to 18h in the evening.
• Price: Group surf lessons are available from €80 per traveller.
• Phone: (808) 633-5166
• Location: Located at 626 Front Street in Lahaina.

If this is the first time in your life that you're going to take surf lessons you're going to find that a whole new world opens up before you. Let's see what you can expect in those first few hours and how you can make the most of them.

• Your first lessons are out of the water. Basic board moves are practiced on land, so expect to spend at least 30 minutes on land perfecting your maneuvers under the expert eye of the instructor.
• Wear a long-sleeved wetsuit: when you pedal your skin rubs against the edges of the boards. This can cause small injuries from rubbing, which is why I recommend wearing a full body suit.
• At the end of the day your arms will be very sore, as will other muscles that you may not use very often. Try to schedule some quiet activities for the evening after class, such as attending one of Maui' s Luau shows.
• Watch out for sunburn: Even if your body is protected by clothing, remember to take care of your face and other exposed areas. Purchase a sunscreen for water activities and apply it as often as necessary.

If you decide to do this experience, you will realise that learning to surf in Hawaii is without a doubt one of the best adventures you can have. Before you book your lesson I recommend you to consider the following important aspects.

• How long the lessons last: Surf lessons in Maui have a minimum duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes; however you can find special schools and lessons that last longer than 2 hours as well as one-day or multi-day intensive workshops. The length of the lessons is a factor in the price you pay.
• Location: Since many surf lessons in Maui have a similar price range, you can choose the school based on how close it is to your accommodation or how close it is to other activities and tours in Maui that you want to do that day.
• Your surfing experience: Surf lessons in Maui are designed for all levels, including beginners who have never touched a surfboard. However, your level of confidence may determine the lesson format you choose. If you have zero experience you can benefit from 1-on-1 private lessons with the instructor and get the most out of it.
• Knowing how to swim is a must: Of course you must learn to crawl before you can walk. If you are not confident swimming in open water, this is not an activity you should consider.