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Kihei Surfing Lessons
Kihei Surfing Lessons - What to Know
Kihei surf lessons follow a simple, proven format. You'll meet your instructor at Kalama Beach Park, get fitted for a soft-top longboard, and spend about 15–20 minutes on the sand learning how to paddle, pop up, stay safe, and follow surf etiquette. Then you head into the water, where your instructor helps you choose waves, times your takeoffs, and often gives you a push so you can focus on standing up. Most lessons last about 2 hours, run in the calm morning hours, and include your board, a rash guard, and reef shoes.
There's a lesson style for nearly every traveler. Group lessons are the most affordable and suit solo travelers or anyone happy learning alongside other beginners. Semi-private lessons keep things to just your family or friends with one instructor. Private lessons give one surfer an instructor's full attention, which is ideal for kids, nervous first-timers, or anyone working on specific skills.
Multi-day courses help you move from your first wave to reading the lineup and linking longer rides, and some outfitters even offer tandem sessions for toddlers and lessons for large groups. No experience is needed – just comfort in the ocean.
Why Choose Kihei Surfing Lessons
Maui's North Shore is famous for big winter waves, but Kihei's south shore is where beginners learn. The waves at the Cove and Kalama Beach Park are usually small, slow, and forgiving, and the water is shallow enough that many students can stand between rides. Mornings are often glassy before the trade winds pick up, and the water is warm enough to surf in a swimsuit all year.
Kalama Beach Park also has parking, restrooms, and wide lawns where friends and family can watch and take photos. With experienced local instructors who know every section of the break, Kihei surfing lessons are one of the most approachable ways to try surfing in Hawaii.
Where to Go: Kihei Surfing Lessons
Most Kihei surfing lessons take place at Kalama Beach Park, one of the few Maui beach parks with county-permitted surf instruction. Instructors choose the best section of the break each day based on swell, tide, and wind. Here's where lessons and next-level sessions happen:
- Kalama Beach Park – The home base for Kihei surf lessons, with check-in near the parking area and land lessons on the sand or lawn. It has restrooms, showers, and plenty of room for spectators.
- Cove Park (Kalama Cove) – The small, sheltered cove at the south end of Kalama Park, where most beginner lessons paddle out. Gentle, rolling waves over a mix of sand and reef make it ideal for soft-tops.
- Kalama Reef Breaks – Slightly bigger waves just off the park that work on south swells. They're a good next step for students ready to paddle farther out and catch unbroken waves.
- Other South Shore Breaks – Some outfitters offer sessions for intermediate and advanced surfers that head to other south shore breaks based on the day's swell and crowds. Prior surfing experience is required.
Types of Kihei Surfing Lessons
- Group Surf Lessons – Small classes of beginners with about one instructor per six students. The most budget-friendly way to learn, great for solo travelers and couples.
- Semi-Private Surf Lessons – One instructor for your own group of about 2–6 people, with no outside guests. A popular choice for families and friends who want to learn together at their own pace.
- Private Surf Lessons – One-on-one coaching tailored to you, recommended for children under 10, nervous beginners, and surfers working on technique.
- Multi-Day Surf Courses & Kids' Camps – 3–5 days of 2-hour sessions for real progress, with adult courses and camps for kids around ages 10–15.
- Toddler Tandem Sessions – Some outfitters offer short 1-hour sessions for children as young as 2, who ride with an instructor holding them the whole time in very shallow water.
- Large Group & Corporate Lessons – Private lessons for parties of about 16 or more, such as reunions, weddings, and team outings, split into smaller classes on the water.
Benefits of Kihei Surf Lessons
Surfing is much easier to learn with a coach. Instructors pick the right section of the break, match your board to your size, and teach paddling and pop-ups properly from the start so you don't form bad habits. In the water, they choose your waves and time your takeoffs – the hardest part for beginners – and keep an eye on safety the whole time. They also know Kihei's reef, tides, and currents, and they'll teach you the etiquette that lets you share the lineup with confidence. That's why most students ride at least one wave to their feet during their first lesson.
Top Tips for Kihei Surfing Lessons
- Book a morning lesson. Kihei is usually calmest and glassiest early in the day, before trade winds pick up by late morning. Many lessons start between about 7:30 and 9:30 am.
- Arrive 15 minutes early. Give yourself time to park, check in, sign waivers, and get fitted for your board and rash guard before the land lesson.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen. Hawaii bans sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate. A mineral sunscreen and the rash guard provided with most lessons will protect you on the water.
- Hydrate before you paddle out. Paddling in the sun is more tiring than it looks. Drink water before your lesson and bring a bottle for afterward.
- Tell your instructor about any concerns. If you're nervous, not a strong swimmer, or have an injury, say so before you start. Instructors can adjust the pace and keep you in shallower water.
- Be patient with yourself. Many people stand on their first wave, but some need a few tries. Focus on progress – most students improve noticeably within one lesson.
- Learn the basics of etiquette. Don't drop in on someone already riding, give priority to the surfer closest to the peak, and stay aware of other surfers around you.
To learn more before your lesson, explore these TripOutside stories:
- Ultimate Guide to Surfing in Hawaii – Top surf spots across the islands, including Kihei, plus tips on local etiquette and reef-safe sunscreen.
- The 10 Best Surfing Beaches in the US – Discover top surf beaches across the country, including Maui favorites, with details on wave conditions, skill levels, and what makes each spot worth paddling out for.
Other Maui Adventures
After your lesson, Kihei's calm mornings and south shore reefs make it easy to keep exploring on the water and on land:
- Surfboard Rentals – Keep practicing on your own with Kihei surfboard rentals, including soft-tops and delivery options.
- Paddleboarding – Try a calmer ride with Kihei paddleboarding lessons or paddleboard rentals.
- Snorkeling & Scuba Diving – See turtles and reefs at Molokini Crater and along the south shore with Maui snorkeling and scuba diving.
- Kayaking – Paddle the coast and look for humpback whales in winter with Maui kayaking.
- Windsurfing, Kiteboarding, & Wing Foiling – Head to the North Shore for Kahului windsurfing lessons, kiteboarding, or wing foiling lessons.
- Biking & Hiking – Ride down Haleakalā with Haleakala road bike rentals, or explore summit trails and waterfall valleys with Maui hiking.
Trusted Local Expertise, Verified by TripOutside
All information on this page has been carefully verified and curated by the TripOutside content team in collaboration with our vetted local outfitters, guides, and service providers. Our partners run these tours, lessons and rentals every day and provide firsthand details about the routes, terrain, conditions, safety practices, and what to expect on your adventure.
Before featuring any provider, TripOutside reviews customer feedback, ratings, certifications, and local expertise to ensure accuracy and quality. This means every recommendation reflects genuine, on-the-ground experience and up-to-date information from trusted local experts. If you spot anything that needs an update or correction, please reach out to our team at stoke@tripoutside.com - we're always improving our guides with help from our community of adventurers.
Our goal is to help you explore confidently, knowing every adventure is backed by real local knowledge, verified data, and a commitment to sustainable, human-powered travel. Adventure Better – TripOutside.
Which Kihei surf lesson is best for me?
For the most affordable way to learn, choose a group lesson.
For a family or friends who want their own instructor, book a semi-private lesson.
Private lessons are best for young kids, nervous beginners, or anyone focused on technique.
If you want to leave Maui actually able to surf, a multi-day course gives you the most progress.
Do I need experience for Kihei surfing lessons?
No. Beginner lessons are designed for people who have never surfed. You'll learn paddling, pop-ups, and ocean safety on land first, then practice in small waves on a wide, stable soft-top board.
Will I stand up during my first Kihei surf lesson?
Most beginners ride at least one wave to their feet in their first lesson. Your instructor will choose good waves and help time your takeoff. If it takes a few tries, that's normal – most people improve a lot within a single session.
What are waves like for surfing lessons in Kihei?
The waves at the Cove and Kalama Beach Park are usually small, slow, and rolling, breaking over a mix of sand and reef in fairly shallow water. Conditions are best in the morning, and instructors choose the safest section of the break each day.
How long are Kihei surfing lessons?
Most lessons are about 2 hours, with 15–20 minutes of land instruction and the rest in the water. Some kids' lessons run about 1.5 hours, multi-day courses usually include 2 hours per day, and toddler tandem sessions last about an hour.
What age can kids take surf lessons in Kihei?
Most group and semi-private lessons accept kids about 10 and up. Younger children usually need a private lesson, and some outfitters offer tandem sessions for kids as young as 2, where an instructor holds them on the board. Check each listing for specific age rules.
What's the best time of year for Kihei surf lessons?
You can take lessons year-round. Kihei's surf comes mainly from south swells, which are most common from about April through September, when waves can be bigger and more consistent. Winter usually brings smaller, gentler waves on the south shore, which many beginners love. Morning lessons are best in any season.
What should I wear for Kihei surfing lessons?
Wear a swimsuit or boardshorts. Most outfitters provide a rash guard and reef shoes. Skip cotton clothing and jewelry, and put on reef-safe sunscreen before you arrive.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer for Kihei surf lessons?
You should be comfortable in the ocean, but you don't need to be a strong swimmer. Lessons happen in fairly shallow water where many people can stand, and your instructor stays close. Let them know if you're nervous so they can keep you in shallower water.
Is surfing hard during a Kihei surf lesson?
Surfing takes some effort – mostly paddling and popping up – but you don't need to be an athlete. Big soft-top boards make catching waves easier, and instructors keep the pace manageable. Expect to feel it in your arms and shoulders afterward.
Should I book one Kihei surfing lesson or a multi-day course?
A single lesson is a great way to try surfing. If you want to keep surfing on your own, a 3–5 day course builds muscle memory, paddle strength, and wave-reading skills much faster, and many students have a breakthrough by day three.
Can family watch Kihei surf lessons from the beach?
Yes. Kalama Beach Park has a sandy beach, grassy lawns, and clear views of the surf zone, so friends and family can relax, watch, and take photos. Some outfitters also offer photo packages.
Is surfing equipment included in Kihei surfing lessons?
Yes. Lessons include a soft-top surfboard sized to you, and most include a rash guard and reef shoes. Just bring a swimsuit, towel, water, and reef-safe sunscreen.
Are there Kihei surfing lessons for intermediate surfers?
Yes. Private lessons can focus on skills like turning, reading waves, and paddling into unbroken waves, and some outfitters take experienced surfers to other south shore breaks depending on conditions. Mention your experience when you book.