Maui Baby & Toddler Private Surf Experience

The Baby Surf Experience at Kalama Beach Park in Kīhei is designed for little ones ages 1–6. Unlike traditional surf lessons, children ride tandem with an experienced surf guide who handles the board and helps them enjoy their first Maui waves. For children older than the eligible age range, a private surf lesson may be a better next step.

Your child shares a surfboard with their own dedicated guide, who handles the paddling, chooses appropriate waves, and supports your little one throughout the ride. Depending on their age and comfort level, your child may sit or lie on the front of the board, or even try standing with the guide's help. The goal isn't to teach toddlers to surf independently, but to give them a fun introduction to riding waves with experienced support.

Every child is provided with a toddler-sized wetsuit and life vest to wear throughout the experience. The wetsuit helps keep little surfers comfortable in the water, while the life vest provides additional flotation. Your child will also ride tandem with a dedicated surf guide trained in toddler CPR, rather than surfing independently.

The Baby Surf Experience lasts up to one hour, including time with your child's guide. The shorter session is intentional, giving little ones a chance to enjoy the ocean without spending too long in the water. Your guide can adjust the pace based on your child's comfort, energy, and the day's conditions.

Yes! Lesson photos are available for purchase, making it easy to capture your little one's first Maui surfing adventure. Whether they're sitting on the board with their guide or trying to stand up, photos are a fun way to remember the experience. Ask about the available photo package when booking.

The Baby Surf Experience is specifically designed for young children, with several safety measures in place. Your child rides tandem with a dedicated surf guide trained in toddler CPR and wears a wetsuit and life vest throughout the session. Lessons take place at Kalama Beach Park, a popular beginner surfing location, with the guide choosing waves appropriate for your child's age and comfort level. However, surfing takes place in the ocean, where waves, currents, and conditions can change. No ocean activity is completely risk-free, so it's important to discuss any concerns with the instructor and make sure your child is comfortable before participating.

The Baby Surf Experience is designed around your child riding with a dedicated surf guide, rather than with a parent. Parents can be nearby to encourage their little surfers and watch the experience unfold. If you'd prefer to accompany your child into the water, or your toddler is nervous about being separated from you, please check with Waves Hawaii Surf School beforehand to confirm what arrangements are possible.

While traditional surf lessons typically last two hours, the Baby Surf Experience is limited to one hour because it's designed specifically for toddlers and young children. Little ones can get tired, cold, or overwhelmed more quickly than older surfers, so a shorter session helps keep the experience enjoyable. Rather than focusing on mastering surfing techniques, the goal is to introduce your child to the ocean, experience riding a few waves, and create happy memories at their own pace.

Your child will have the opportunity to experience riding real Maui waves with their surf guide! During tandem surfing, younger toddlers typically sit or lie on the front of the board while the guide paddles and rides the wave with them. Older or more confident children may even try standing with the guide's support. Every child is different, so the experience is adjusted to their age, comfort, and the day's ocean conditions. Standing up isn't required, and catching a wave isn't guaranteed, but even riding along with the guide can be an exciting first surfing experience.

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.'