Maui Surf Lessons
Learn Surf Culture, Surf Etiquette, and Surfing 101 from Local Surfing Pros
The Best Maui Surfing Lessons
Surf like a local with private lessons on Maui
No trip to Hawaii is complete without a morning spent surfing. However, if you’ve never practiced the ancient Hawaiian sport, you might not know where to start. That’s where we come in! As one of the top-rated surf companies in Maui, we’re here to help you do more than just ride that very first wave. We’ll introduce to the etiquette and culture behind Hawaii’s biggest sport.
Experience and Learn Surf Culture, Surf Etiquette, and Surfing 101 with Local Surfing Experts that live and surf on Maui everyday
Private Maui Surf Lessons
MORNINGS
PRIVATE LESSON
ALL
YEAR
LOW
DIFFICULTY
- Private 1 Person $289
- Private 2-4 People $149 Per Person
- For 5+ people, book two lessons back to back or text us for assistance
- Free Digital Photography with All Lessons
A lot of people visit Maui and never learn how to surf… even after taking a Surf Lesson!
Unfortunately, some Maui surf schools are designed like cattle farms, get ’em in and get ’em out. They figure if you can get them standing on board long enough for a photographer to snap a photo, available for purchase later, then you’ve done your job. They offer little to no real instruction on how to actually catch a wave, which waves to catch or what to do once you’re up.
At Hawaiian Paddle Sports, we have made it our goal to change that.
Our passionate surf instructors are accomplished surfers who have the patience and attention to detail required to “stoke you out” on your first wave. Standing up on a board and riding a wave is the easy and fun part of surfing, but there is a lot of information that you’ll need to know first. Important things, like:
- surf etiquette
- wave selection
- where to be positioned on your board
- paddling for the wave
- how to jump up
- what to do once you’re up
In a private surf lesson on Maui you don’t have to worry about other guests’ abilities, or lack thereof. You’ll have your surf guide’s undivided attention on your party, so you’ll get the attention you need to improve so you can have your most memorable day of surfing. There simply isn’t anything better for surfing skill development than private surf lessons in Maui. If you’ve already taken a surf lesson and you’re looking to improve your surfing ability or style, we can help with that too.
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Cancelation Policy
- Because our lessons and tours are small and spots are limited, we have a strict 72-hour cancellation policy. If you cancel or change your confirmed reservation within 72 hours of scheduled check in time, we will charge your credit card the full price of the tour.
- Due to weather or ocean conditions, your tour or lesson location might be changed to an alternative location. In this case, we will try to send a new confirmation email with details and driving directions the day before your tour or lesson. However, sometimes, the instructor needs to change locations the morning of the lesson/tour. We do not offer refunds or reschedule to another date in these instances.
FREE Digital Photos
of your tour
of your tour
Safety-oriented and informative guides
educational
“Best surf company on Maui”
We had an awesome experience with surfing with Tim and Nani! They were fantastic instructors — knowledgeable, encouraging, patient, and fun to be around. From the moment we got to the beach, they made us feel comfortable and confident in the water.
They gave us helpful tips on timing, positioning, paddling, and reading the waves that actually made a huge difference. You could tell they genuinely cared about helping everyone improve and have a great time, no matter your skill level. Their energy was positive, laid back, and exactly what you hope for in a Maui surf experience.
We left feeling more confident and caught way more waves than we expected thanks to their guidance. Could not recommend them more — truly one of the highlights of our trip!
They gave us helpful tips on timing, positioning, paddling, and reading the waves that actually made a huge difference. You could tell they genuinely cared about helping everyone improve and have a great time, no matter your skill level. Their energy was positive, laid back, and exactly what you hope for in a Maui surf experience.
We left feeling more confident and caught way more waves than we expected thanks to their guidance. Could not recommend them more — truly one of the highlights of our trip!
“On our recent visit to Maui we decided to sign the kids (11 & 13) up for private surf lessons. The morning of the scheduled lessons we received a text changing the location due to higher winds at the originally planned local (much appreciated as the kids needed calm conditions!). We drove to the spot and found our instructor Billy easily. He was super friendly and put us all at ease. After reviewing both how to care for the reef and basic surfinstructions he took the kids out into the water. He had them catch waves one by one and was very careful to keep an eye on them both out in the water. They caught some good waves and came back in after almost 2 hours with huge smiles. The rest of the day we heard about how much fun Billy was. And to top it all off we were sent photos from the go-pro he mounted on their boards at no extra cost. It was great to see their smiles close up as they caught some waves! Thanks Billy you were amazing!!!
Surfing lessons with Greg in July 2022. Greg is the BEST! Easy going, fun, clear instructions, helpful. He felt more like a good buddy than an instructor. But instruct he did! Got all 4 of us on surfing in no time. He even got two of us on a party wave!
Our surfing tours feature
Safety-oriented and informative guides
educational
FREE Digital Photos
of your tour
of your tour
Guaranteed to surf
If you don’t get up and surf in one easy surf lesson, your next surfing lesson is FREE! That’s how confident we are in the instruction of our Maui surf lessons, and for good reason. At Hawaiian Paddle Sports, your surfing instruction will come from an accomplished surfer, for whom surfing isn’t just a sport, but a way of life. Our private Maui surf lessons get you away from the large “surf schools” in Kihei and Lahaina so that we can take time required to teach you to SURF…not to simply stand up on a board.* Book your private, guaranteed to surf, surfing lessons today! *Location will be chosen by Hawaiian Paddle Sports based on weather/surf conditions. Lessons recommended for ages 8 and older.
Why private surfing lessons?
A private surf lesson allows our guides to cater their instruction to your ability, so you have a memorable, authentic surfing experience. Although surfing is something almost everyone can do, we realize people come from different backgrounds and comfort levels in the ocean. Since our surf instructors do not have to manage the fitness levels and expectations of multiple groups, they are able to provide a lesson catered to just one party’s needs. During our private surfing lessons, our instructors give you their full attention, and show you how to surf (not just stand up), where waves come from, what causes waves to break and how, surfing etiquette, wave selection, and proper technique.
Maui Surf Lesson FAQs
Do I need to know how to swim?
Yes. All students need to know how to swim and be comfortable in the ocean.
Do I need any surfing experience?
No. Most of our students have never surfed before. Your instructor starts on the beach with the basics, then works with you in the water until you’re catching waves. If you’ve surfed before, we’ll tailor the lesson to help you improve your skills and style.
Are lessons private?
Yes. Every lesson is private for the number of people you book for, just your party and your instructor. Lessons are $289 for one person or $149 per person for 2 to 4 people. For groups of 5 or more, book two lessons back to back or text us and we’ll help.
How long is a surf lesson?
Lessons are 1.5 hours and take place in the morning, when conditions are usually best. You will see that some group surf lessons are 2 hours, this is because there are up to 6 people in a group lesson and the instructor needs to go at the weakest surfers pace. You will catch PLENTY of waves in our private lessons and most people are ready to go the beach before the time is up 🙂
Where do surf lessons take place?
We usually surf at Ukumehame on Maui’s Southwest shore between Kihei and Lahaina. It’s away from the crowded breaks in Kihei where many large group surf schools teach. If wind or surf conditions call for it, we may choose a different spot and will let you know ahead of time, sometimes the morning of your lesson.
How far is Ukumehame from Kihei and Lahaina?
What is the minimum age for surf lessons?
We recommend lessons for ages 8 and older. Younger students may be consider for private one on one lessons if they know how to swim.
What’s included?
Your surfboard, a rash guard to wear during the lesson, private instruction from an experienced local surfer, and free digital photos of your lesson.
What should I bring?
A swimsuit, towel, water, cash for gratuity, a change of clothes and reef-safe sunscreen only. We also have reef safe sunscreen available for purchase before your lesson.
What will I learn?
Surf etiquette, how waves form and how to choose one, where to position yourself on the board, how to paddle for a wave, how to pop up, and what to do once you’re riding.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations or changes within 72 hours of your lesson are charged in full. If ocean conditions require it, we may move your lesson to another location, sometimes the morning of. We don’t offer refunds or rescheduling in those cases. If the conditions won’t allow for us to go out from either location we will try to reschedule you or provide a full refund.
P.O. Box 340, Kihei, HI 96753
