Kīhei Private Surf Lessons at Kalama Beach Park

Private lessons are one-on-one, so it's just you and your instructor for the whole session. If you'd like to surf alongside a partner, friend, or family member, take a look at our semi-private lesson.

Yes. If you have small kids, we highly recommend a private or semi-private lesson. In a private lesson, your child gets their instructor's full attention and support in the water, which helps them feel safe and confident.

When you arrive, you'll check in at our van, get fitted with a rash guard and reef shoes, and meet your instructor. Next, your instructor will give you a detailed ocean safety briefing and teach you the basics on land, including how to paddle, pop up, and stand on the board. Then you'll head out to Kalama Park's beginner wave and spend the rest of your 2 hours catching waves, with your instructor coaching you every step of the way.

Private surf lessons at Kalama Beach Park are a great choice for anyone who wants personalized instruction and the full attention of their own surf instructor. They're especially helpful for first-time surfers who want extra guidance, children who learn best with one-on-one coaching, or anyone who feels a little nervous about getting into the ocean. They're also ideal for returning surfers looking to improve specific skills, such as paddling, wave selection, or popping up. With a dedicated instructor, the entire 2-hour lesson is tailored to your experience, comfort level, and goals, allowing you to learn and progress at your own pace.

Kalama Beach Park is home to The Cove, one of South Maui's most popular beginner surfing spots. The waves here are often small, gentle, and slow-breaking, giving new surfers time to practice standing up and riding toward shore. However, conditions vary with the swell, wind, and tides, and larger waves can occasionally make the area more challenging. The surf break also has a shallow, rocky reef bottom rather than a completely sandy one, so it's important to follow your instructor's guidance and avoid standing on the reef. Your instructor will assess the day's conditions to help keep your lesson safe and enjoyable.

Many first-time surfers manage to stand up and catch a wave during their first lesson! Your instructor will start with the basics on land, teaching you how to paddle, pop up, and find your balance before heading into the water. Once you're out in the waves, they'll help you choose the right waves, time your takeoff, and even give your board a push when needed. Everyone learns at their own pace, so standing up isn't guaranteed, but you'll have plenty of opportunities to try during your 2-hour lesson.

Not at all! Private surf lessons at Kalama Beach Park are perfect for complete beginners, and no previous surfing experience is required. Your dedicated instructor will start with an ocean safety briefing and a land lesson covering paddling, popping up, and proper surfing stance before heading into the water. With one-on-one instruction, you'll receive personalized guidance on every wave, allowing you to build confidence and learn at your own pace. Private lessons are also great for surfers with some experience who want to improve their technique, catch more waves, or work on specific skills.

Please plan to check in at our van at least 5 minutes before your lesson start time. This gives you time to meet your instructor, sign in, and get fitted with your rash guard and reef shoes so we can start on time. If you've booked our Corporate & Large Group Experience, please arrive 15 minutes early instead, since it takes a little longer to check in and suit up a bigger group.

We don't offer hotel pickup or drop-off, so you'll need to make your own way to Kalama Park. The park is centrally located in Kihei and easy to reach by car, rideshare, or on foot if you're staying nearby.

Since there are no lockers at Kalama Park, we recommend bringing only what you need for your lesson. Valuables are best left at your accommodation or locked out of sight in your car.

We provide all the gear you need to surf. That includes a surfboard, a rash guard to protect your skin from the sun and from rubbing against the board, and reef shoes to protect your feet. For our Baby Surf Experience, we also provide a toddler wetsuit and a life vest.

Mornings are best! Our prime lesson times are 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., when the ocean around Kalama Park is usually at its calmest. The wind tends to pick up around midday, which makes the water choppier and harder to learn on, so 12:00 p.m. lessons are often too windy.

Not at all. Our lessons at Kalama Park are designed with first-timers in mind. The surf break there is a gentle, shallow beginner wave, which makes it a great place to ride your very first wave. Before you paddle out, your instructor will walk you through ocean safety and the basics on land, so you'll know exactly what to do once you're in the water. If you're already an intermediate or advanced surfer and want to explore other surf spots around Maui, ask us about our private surf coaching.

We hand-pick every one of our instructors. They're trained in surf instruction, ocean safety, CPR, and First Aid, and they focus on keeping every lesson safe, fun, and family-friendly. Every lesson starts with a detailed ocean safety briefing before anyone gets in the water.

We're a small, family-run surf school and have been teaching surf lessons at Kalama Park in Kihei for 25 years. We specialize in small, private lessons, so you'll get plenty of personal attention from your instructor.

Yes! Photos of your lesson are available to purchase, so you can focus on catching waves while we capture your best rides. Our guests often tell us the photos end up being one of their favorite souvenirs from their trip.

Common sunscreens contain chemicals that can harm coral reefs, as the particles are small enough to be absorbed by corals, causing toxicity and coral bleaching. Reef-friendly sunscreens are formulated without these harmful chemicals. Reef-SAFE sunscreens go a step further by using non-nano particles, which are too large for corals to ingest, helping to preserve marine ecosystems. Please avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone, octinoxate, and parabens. Consider wearing sun-protective clothing, like long-sleeve rash guards, as an alternative to sunscreen. If you choose a mineral-based sunscreen, ensure it is labeled 'non-nano.'