Maui 3-Day Private Surf Camp in Kīhei

This program is ideal for beginners who want to genuinely learn to surf rather than just try it once, and for intermediate surfers looking to break through a specific technical barrier. It's also popular with families and groups who want a shared multi-day activity during their Maui vacation.

Not necessarily. Your instructor will progress your equipment as your skills improve, moving you toward a smaller, more responsive board as you develop confidence and technique.

The Private option is strictly 1-on-1 with your instructor. The Semi-Private option accommodates a minimum of 2 and allows up to 5 surfers per instructor, making it great for couples, friends, or families.

Your three days of coaching take place at Kalama Park, two hours per day, at either a 7:30 a.m. or 9:30 a.m. start time based on availability. The three sessions don't need to be back-to-back — you're welcome to space them out across your trip however works best for you.

The private option pairs you one-on-one with your guide for all three days, while the semi-private option is shared with a small group. Both formats focus on daily progression and skill-building across the three days.

Each session builds on the last, with coaching tailored to how you're progressing. Day one focuses on ocean safety and the basics, like paddling and popping up. From there, your coach will help you work on catching waves on your own, riding longer, and steering your board. Many surfers find themselves riding more confidently on a smaller board by day three.

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 first 2-hour lesson.

Not at all! Maui's 3-day private surf camp at Kalama Beach Park is suitable for complete beginners and surfers looking to improve their skills. If you've never surfed before, your instructor will start with the basics, including ocean safety, paddling, popping up, and catching your first waves. Over three 2-hour sessions, you'll have time to practice what you've learned, build confidence, and work toward riding waves more independently. If you already have surfing experience, your private instructor can tailor the camp to your skill level, focusing on techniques like wave selection, turning, and riding longer waves. With personalized coaching and flexible scheduling, the camp is designed to help you progress at your own pace.

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.'