Beginner Group Surf Lessons at Kāʻanapali Beach, Maui

Groups are capped at 4 students per instructor, so even in a group setting, you'll still get regular individual feedback and coaching.

Yes — because coaching is split across several students at once, participants need to be able to swim and feel comfortable in open water on their own.

Yes, as long as you're a comfortable swimmer. No prior surfing experience is needed — your guide covers the fundamentals in the land briefing before anyone paddles out.

Group surf lessons combine professional instruction with a fun, encouraging atmosphere that makes learning easier and more enjoyable. Instead of trying to figure everything out yourself, you'll learn alongside other beginners who are experiencing the same challenges and celebrating the same successes. There's something motivating about seeing someone else catch their first wave—it builds confidence and keeps the energy high throughout the lesson.

Your instructor follows a structured progression, teaching the fundamentals in an order that's easy to understand. You'll learn ocean safety, wave selection, paddling technique, proper positioning, and how to pop up on the board before putting everything into practice in the water. Throughout the lesson, you'll receive personalized coaching and feedback to help improve your technique while learning from the experiences of others around you.

Group lessons are also a great way to meet fellow travelers and share the excitement of surfing together. Between rides, everyone is cheering each other on, laughing through wipeouts, and celebrating those first successful waves. For many guests, the supportive atmosphere becomes just as memorable as the surfing itself.

Many first-time surfers are able to stand up and ride a wave during their very first lesson. Beginner boards are wide, stable, and designed to make learning easier, while your instructor helps position you on the best waves and provides guidance throughout the session.

Everyone learns at a different pace, so standing up isn't guaranteed, but the lesson is specifically designed to give you the best possible chance of success. Even if you don't stand on your very first attempt, you'll leave with a solid understanding of paddling, wave timing, ocean safety, and the techniques needed to continue improving. For most guests, catching that first wave becomes the moment they're hooked on surfing.

We recommend using a reef-safe, mineral-based sunscreen that contains non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients. These formulas provide excellent sun protection while helping reduce the amount of potentially harmful chemicals entering the ocean.

Many traditional sunscreens contain ingredients that can contribute to coral reef stress and impact marine ecosystems when washed off into the water. Because you'll be spending time in Maui's ocean, choosing a reef-safe sunscreen is a simple way to help protect the reefs, fish, sea turtles, and other wildlife that make Hawaii's waters so special.

For the best protection, apply sunscreen 20–30 minutes before your lesson, and consider wearing the provided rash guard for additional sun protection while you're in the water.