808 Surf School's Mike Cao = 5 out of 5 stars! Background: I am from NJ & have surfed a few times on the east coast. However, I am a beginner & admit I am bad at it. My family vacationed in Hawaii & had considered lessons through one of the bigger touristy surf lesson companies but we passed. However, friends said "you can't go to Oahu's North Shore & NOT surf!" So I added it to my bucket list. How we found Mike: we were in a store in the North Shore talking with an employee who coincidentally was also from NJ and he recommended Mike for lessons (small world!). Mike was professional, patient, & considered safety while also making sure we had fun & rode as many waves as possible. It is one thing to be a great surfer... but it's another thing entirely to have the patience & skill to teach new surfers. You will not be disappointed with his instruction / expertise. We were very lucky to get a lesson with 1-day notice. He was great with communication. He knows his stuff & watches the surf reports to match environmental conditions to your skill level. He does not simply take you to a tourist location with 100's of paddle boarders/surfers. He is passionate about surfing & loves teaching others to surf. Could you do it? I am 43 years old, 240 lbs, and have had my share of medical issues in the past... but I did it! He helped me catch well over a dozen waves! While the lesson was only for me, Mike offered to teach my 2 kids & my wife... my wife gave it a try... she is in great shape/athletic but never surfed before... she caught several waves too! I am a firm believer that you can do anything if you put your mind to it... and if you can't, at least you try. Recommendations: 1) Call Mike in advance to set up your lessons. 2) Be honest with your level of surfing skills 3) Listen to him. He is experienced & an excellent teacher. 4) Have fun! Sincerely, Jason read more

Unforgettable experience with incredible and knowledgeable instructors! We had such a great experience that I booked an advanced second lesson for my son. For the first lesson, Andy helped me and my son from not knowing anything about surfing to be able to learn how to stand in the board to surfing for two full hours. We were in the water within the first 20 minutes so it is well worth it. Also, the location that he used was perfect for beginners, it helped us learn how to surf without being intimidated. As the time passed by and we kept surfing, we got bigger waves which made it super fun since we were more comfortable using the board. For the advanced lesson, my son had Mike as the instructor. He had so much fun and was able to shred many waves! The location that Mike used had bigger waves and the beach wasn't crowded which worked perfect! Mike was always there instructing and encouraging him. Both Mike and Andy are great people and you will 100% have a safe and fun time. I trusted them and as a result, we are bringing back lifetime memories with us. If you want to learn how to surf or want to have a fun experience with your family, please book the lesson with them. You will create unforgettable memories! Also, they communicate very well. Give them a call and they will suggest the best time/date to go. Highly recommended! read more

Our kids just finished their first surfing lesson with Andy, and he was absolutely amazing! ‍‍ He gave clear instructions, kept a close eye on each of the kids, and encouraged them every step of the way, making them feel confident and safe in the water. We initially thought the water would be deep, but it was surprisingly shallow. One of the dads was even able to stand comfortably in the water while filming the kids, which really showed how beginner-friendly the area was. If you're visiting Oahu, we highly recommend booking directly with 808 Surf School. It's much more affordable than booking through a third-party tour company, and the experience was fantastic from start to finish. Mahalo, Andy, for giving our kids such a fun and unforgettable memory of their time here in the islands! read more

Unforgettable Family Surf Lesson with an Incredible Instructor! We had an incredible experience with 808 Surf School! Our family of four (ages 11 to 52) took a lesson with Mike as our instructor, and we couldn't be more pleased. We asked for a bit of a challenge, and Mike delivered--pushing us just enough to grow our skills while always keeping us safe and confident. His communication was clear and encouraging, and he worked tirelessly to make sure we got exactly the experience we were hoping for. The balance of fun, challenge, and safety made it a perfect session for both the kids and adults. Mike's professionalism and positive energy truly made this one of the highlights of our trip. Highly, highly, highly recommend 808 Surf School. You won't be disappointed! read more

I'd easily give 5 stars for Mike and Tristan as our surfing instructors. I had read several reviews on other surfing schools and this 808 Surf School definitely took the cake. I'm so glad we went with them! Mike was easy to work and schedule with and was a blast to spend time with in the water. He was thorough in giving instructions and made sure that we had the experience that we wanted in the water. He was a great cheerleader and would always give feedback after each wave. Our group of 6 people had varying levels of size and physical activity level-- I was impressed that Mike could work with our variety and that we all got up on several waves throughout our lesson. Would 100% recommend and definitely would love to schedule again for a continuing lesson. read more

My family loved our surf lessons on the North Shore with Andy from 808 Surf School. Booking was super easy--808 was quick to respond and really helpful with all our questions. Andy was friendly, patient, safety‑focused, and just a fantastic instructor overall. The spot he took us to was perfect for learning: uncrowded, shallow, and easy to get to. We were able to park right on the side of the road and walk straight out to the water. After the lesson, we grabbed food nearby, which was ideal. We had so much fun, and it honestly ended up being the highlight of our Hawai'i vacation. We all felt comfortable and actually caught waves. I highly recommend 808 Surf School for a family‑friendly surf experience on Oahu. read more

I found Mike just my coincidence at a Local Beach by the Air BnB I was staying at. I had used other companies in the North Shore before, but Mike was by far the best surf coach I have had. His lessons are much more personalized and we went to a local spot with little to no people and amazing surf conditions. I arranged multiple lessons throughout 2 weeks and I learned so much to the point I feel like a confident beginner surfer now. Him and his surf company are amazing and if you're looking for a company to book with, I'd highly recommend 808 Surf School. Next time I'm back in the North Shore I would only book with Mike again because of how great my experience was. read more

Today we had the pleasure of working with the 808 Surf Shop in Halewia Oahu. My husband had a bucket list desire to learn how to surf. After 53 years of marriage we finally were able to take a trip to Oahu. I reached out to Mike at 808 Surf Shop to ask if he would teach my 77-year-old, not particularly athletic husband, to realize his dream to surf. He said "Absolutely "! We met with Andy today and he was absolutely fabulous! Patient, encouraging, knowledgeable and KIND! Will Fran be surfing the Bonzai Pipeline? Probably not LOL. But, he was able to check off a lifelong dream today. Thanks 808 Surf Shop for helping him do that! read more

I can't say nice enough things about Mike and Andy! I signed up for lessons for myself, my wife and our two daughters (8 and 6 years old). Mike and Andy were fantastic! From the first moment they made our daughters feel at ease about the idea of surfing in the ocean. Mike and Andy exude a ton of professional confidence, you can't help but feel comfortable with them in the water. They are absolute pros! If you are coming to O'ahu, get a lesson from 808 Surf School and let Mike and his team show you the coolest beaches, incredible techniques so simple and effective children can master it, as well as local knowledge that is peerless! read more

Mike was a pleasure! My family of 6 had a lot going on throughout our 9 days on Oahu. We found ourselves with an afternoon at the north shore with an open agenda. My oldest son convinced us all that surf lessons would be awesome to do in Hawaii/north shore. I called around, not with confidence we would get a session given the short notice. To my surprise....with in 45 minutes after my initial phone conversation with Mike, I was watching my boys (18,16 and 14) SURFING!! Mike provided A+ service and lessons. Mike has great knowledge of the water, surfing and how to teach children from all types of skill levels. Thanks, Mike!!! read more

Mike was an excellent surfing instructor! My wife and I booked him for a lesson. His communication was great beforehand and he gave us a specific meeting point based on the best conditions for a lesson. He was very thorough in teaching us the fundamentals of proper surfing technique, as my wife and I had never surfed. He was easy to talk to during the lesson, being very personable and kind and patient with us. He gave great feedback on our technique as we tried to catch the waves. I highly recommend 808 Surf School over the more touristy spots in that you get a much more personal lesson and you support a local small business. read more

I had never even thought about surfing until taking a trip to Hawaii. After watching so many (skilled) surfers find freedom in their waves, I thought I had to try it. Called Mike and he took me out the next morning. It was a 10 day and a 10 experience. He knew where to take me so that I could get comfortable on my board before exposing me to bigger surf. Once we hit the bigger waves, I was ready, and really thankful for his guidance in the water. After only two lessons, I feel confident that I know enough to make safe choices in the water and can build upon my foundation next time I'm able to surf. read more

I had the pleasure of working with Mike for several days in a row for Private Advanced Lessons, and it was exceptional. Mike is incredibly experienced and makes the learning process enjoyable. He provided specific, actionable feedback that helped me improve without feeling overwhelmed. Thanks to Mike, I've never felt more confident both on and off the board. He is truly the best surf instructor you can find. If you want to progress from Intermediate to Advanced or need a guide to find the best waves in Oahu, Mike is your go-to person. I'll definitely be returning! read more

I can't overstate what an excellent experience I had with Mike during my very first surf lesson. I've wanted to surf since I was a kid and was a bit nervous, but Mike immediately put me at ease and had me cruising waves in no time. This was absolutely the highlight of my trip to Oahu, and I can't recommend it enough. I would encourage anyone who is even slightly interested to give them a call - you will have a blast! Mahalo to Mike and his squad for making it such a wonderful, euphoric experience - best wishes to you all, and looking forward to next time. read more

HIGHLY RECOMMEND 808 surf school !!! My brother and I had the greatest lessons surfing with Hugo ! We tried a more established school before 808, but decided to take a lesson every day with Hugo at 808 instead because the experience was sooooo much better!! He did an amazing job at catering to our varying skill sets. We felt super safe, learned a lot, caught waves, and most importantly had a blast with a genuine + nice instructor - this is your sign to choose 808 Shoutout to Mike too for making the coordinating/scheduling process smooth & enjoyable! read more

My brother, boyfriend and I had the best private lesson with Mike! He was super communicative prior to our lesson and all throughout our time together. Very relaxed, kind, and laid back. None of us had ever surfed in our lives and we all were able to stand up on the board and surf with Mike's help! The instructions were quick and concise so we could get as much time in the water as possible, and he was supportive and patient throughout the whole lesson. Would definitely recommend 808 Surf School and hope to go back soon!! read more

Incredible experience for my 6 kids, ages 11-20! Mike and Andy were fantastic with all ages. We chose the two-hr session which was perfect for giving the kids time to learn and improve. The beach Mike chose that morning for lessons was perfect for learning and catching some great waves. Efficient instruction and both instructors were right beside my kids the whole time in the ocean. All 6 were successful in "riding the waves" and have found a new sport. This was by far their favorite Hawaiian experience! read more

Had a lesson scheduled for our son with another company, artived on time in the spot designated no luck. Come to find out it was booked through a 3rd party and they never got it. Called and spoke with Mike explained the situation and he worked him in, couldn't of been more pleased as he could've easily said sorry can't do it. He worked with our son and to his word he had him up on the board riding waves. This could of been a total failure but Mike made it happen and for that I'm truly grateful. read more

Mike and his instructor Will did a phenomenal job teaching me to surf. They got me up on the board riding 100yd long waves. My ability to surf improved dramatically because of Mike's experience as a surfer and an instructor. While other surfers were struggling and getting tossed around, Mike put me in the perfect spot to catch waves and have a great experience. These guys know the local spots and they know how to read the waves and get you the best surfing experience possible. read more