Kilohana Surf School

(437 reviews)

1.7 km

This place had last minute booking options which was so convenient for us as we have a little girl…read moreand didn't think of lessons until the day before. They have easy online booking options and they sent you an email right away to sign a waiver. It's a little hard to find as it's between the Denny's and a parking lot, so just be vigilant while walking. They have a little shop with a receptionist and the instructors. There's a QR code for tipping your instructors which was convenient considering you're so tired after the lesson. I felt comfortable leaving all my stuff in the office (even shoes) as we walked across the street to the beach. My instructor, James, first practiced my footing, head placement, and movement. Then we paddled out, and he held my board the entire time. I got to enjoy the view prop my head on my board and give Ms. America waves even though no one was looking. That alone is worth all the money. James gave me tips and tricks each wave he pushed me in. Telling me to balance more on the right foot, etc. I felt like I had also paid to hang out with someone really cool. The vibes on the break were so chill. Everyone knew each other and were respectful with waves of hello and aloha. This is a must do in Waikiki. The waves were so soft on my beginner board and they have a 99.9% rate of success. James said he was able to help a 84 year old catch and stand up in a wave. Remarkable!!! I caught six waves and it felt incredible. I'm wiped out and exhausted, but so satisfied and excited for my next lesson. What a treat! I highly recommend Ty Gurney- ask for James!!

We had a surf lesson and video package with Ryan and Marco and had THE best time. They made us feel…read moreincredibly comfortable and confident and were genuinely just really fun to talk to. 10/10 recommend

Paddling out

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Ohana Surf Project

(279 reviews)

0.6 km

It was our first time surfing and we were comfortable and had so much fun…read more Coach and the entire team was amazing. I was the oldest in the group (including my kids) and Coach and Ryan were super attentive and ensured that I didn't get hurt and enjoyed myself. The team promoted connection that made the entire group of first time surfers and total strangers comfortable and supporting each other. From the time we checked in until the check out, every staff member was friendly and professional.

Excellent communication, rate quoting and responsiveness. Helped me with available times, getting…read morethe lesson booked and getting the payment paid, all in a time-sensitive way since I arrived in Oahu on Monday, was staying the week, but hadn't made advance bookings. Emily made sure all my questions were answered, advising what to wear (I asked), and what to bring to the beach, versus leave up at the shop. Amazing!! Some downsides: it's a BIG group! Even though we got semi-private lesson (1 instructor for the 2 of us), you're still taking the lesson amidst the rest of the "school"(...which for us, was 2 school buses filled with students. Maybe 25 people?) You're then all having your lesson in the same area of water, so imagine 30 beginners all on surf boards confined to a limited area on the water. I didn't love this part. You're assigned an instructor (and each of course has his/her own personality). The instructors were all great: coaching you through the positions, picking the waves for you, pushing you off into them to gather speed, and calling out when to "paddle" then "up". But each instructor inherently comes with a personality and if you get a less aggressive one, you might end up waiting for all the other students to get their turn before you get to go. Then (this part was unexpected)...you have to win all the way across, to get out of the "surf lane" of all 25 beginner surfers, before you can win back out to get in line for your next try. It was a lot of swimming for not a lot of surf trials which really tires you out. By 5 runs, I'd had enough. I have had one lesson before (which I absolutely LOVED!!) but it wasn't as part of a big school, it was just me, and one other student, and the instructor. And there was no 25-50 ft "surf lane" that you had to swim across after each attempt to get out of the way of the other students. this extra swimming ate into a lot of surfing time I think. Anyway, good experience, but I wouldn't do it again in this way. Actually, I'm not even sure I'd do it again at all. I ended up buying the photo footage because I'm so sure I'm off surfing now...so might as well buy the photos, as I'll probably never do it again. That's not how I felt after my 1st experience a few years ago in a different format.

Surfing in Waikiki

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Mickeys Surf School

(278 reviews)

1.3 km

Our experience with Mickey made our trip. He introduced my 4-year old to surfing in such a gentile…read moreand thoughtful way, ensuring a safe and positive experience. We scouted out all the options for instructors and Mickey is by far the best and highest quality. In our case, he also went out of his way to share his time early in the morning to allow for best possible conditions. My son came out of the experience with a new friend, asking when he gets to surf with Mickey again. He also had a creative Go Pro set up that documented the whole experience. Mickey is special and has a natural way with kids (and people). We are so thankful we met him, let alone surfed with him.

When our surf instructor became unavailable, we asked for recommendations and were referred to…read moreMickey's, which came highly recommended. We reached out via text, and Mickey responded promptly the same day. Although he was not available for our session, we had the opportunity to observe him teaching two children, likely around 8-9 years old, and were very impressed. Both kids were confidently riding their own surfboards, and Mickey filmed their entire session--creating what appeared to be incredible footage while still delivering an engaging and supportive lesson. Based on what we observed, he clearly provides a memorable and high-quality experience. We look forward to having our own children take lessons with him in the future.

Sunset sessions available @Mickey surf school

Supporting while filming and coaching side-by-side always the theme @Mickey surf school

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Little ones have the most fun with Mickey

Moniz Family Surf

(79 reviews)

0.9 km

Our family took 3 amazing surf lessons at Moniz Family Surf. The staff was so helpful…read more The instruction was perfect! My daughter, wife and I had not been on surf board in over 4 years. Our instructors, Micah, Josh & Sam, had us up on the board riding in waves in the first 20 mins. We had such a great time we came back the next day to Moniz Family Surf to rent boards and head back out. Amazing experience on Waikīkī Beach! 5 Stars.

My son & nephew had an amazing lesson with Micah. He was very patient & encouraging. After a few…read morepractice rounds, they were off & actually catching waves! The pictures & videos were also great - clear & professional grade. The boys had such a great experience, we came back the next day to rent boards & surf again. Thanks Micah and the Moniz staff for taking care of my boys!

Josh winning the Volcom contest at Pipe. And his siblings just as happy.

Papa Tony and our grandson, Honouliwai at Baby Queens.

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Moku Hawaii

No more dragging boards on planes, car rentals and parking worries! Moku is right at Waikiki,…read moregreat board selection, price and OPEN past sunset so no panicking to hurry back! Good merch too!

Did my surf lesson today! It was my second time but my first wasn't at moku. I can say that moku…read more(my second surf lesson) was way better than the first. I had Cam (Cameron) answering my questions and he was patient to tell me where I needed progress! It was a great experience! Will be back there again for more lessons and maybe one day just to rent their surfboard! Mahalo

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Sparky's Surf School

(110 reviews)

0.9 km

Our family had such an amazing experience! We booked a family surf lesson with our three kids (ages…read more4, 7, and 9), and they paired us with four instructors. I honestly can't say enough good things about the entire team. My two youngest stayed on their instructors' boards the entire lesson, which was perfect for their ages. Their instructors were incredibly patient, kind, encouraging, and so amazing with young children. My oldest had his own instructor who really took the time to teach him and build his confidence. My husband and I were with Sparky, who was absolutely fantastic. By the end of the lesson, every single one of us had stood up and ridden a wave more than once! The instructors made everyone feel safe, supported, and successful, no matter their age or experience. It also gave us peace of mind knowing everyone is lifeguard certified. We had so much fun that before we even got back to the car, my kids were already asking to book another lesson before we leave! If you're thinking about surfing, especially as a family with young kids, I can't recommend Sparky and his team enough.

I (9 year old) took an amazing surf lesson!…read more Sparky is the perfect guy for me, he was so patient! And he was always lifting my spirit with amazing positivity whenever I wiped out on a wave. I loved him so much I took another surf lesson the next day! Since I am a kid it is not too easy but with Sparky on my side the word hard never came my way! Surfing with Sparky is amazing and if you are looking for a successful surf lesson you should definitely go to Sparky's! Love Olivia to Sparky!!!!!

Abe teaching them before they got in the ocean.

Everybody's leaning how...

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Surfs up!

Gone Surfing Hawaii

(167 reviews)

1.8 km

I signed up my 8 year old for his first surf lesson with Gone Surfing and the experience was…read moreamazing. I will totally recommened this company, they are very professional. They also got us some amazing photos and videos of him surfing. He had lot of fun and cant wait to go back again surfing with them.

Great instructors. Tommy and Dev were friendly, professional and so patient! It was great having a…read morephotographer there to catch my two daughters getting up during our first surfing lesson ever! We highly recommend this company!

Girls Surf Day Waikiki Beach Outrigger Reef on the Beach Hotel. Rent at Gone Surfing Hawaii:)

Headed out with Owen! We both got up on our first try!

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The surf stand

Hawaii Surf Guru

(144 reviews)

3.8 km

My 10 year old daughter had a lesson with Talia last week during our Hawaii vacation. The…read moreinstructor was so friendly, patient, and very knowledgeable! My daughter said that her surfing lesson was one of the highlights of our trip! Great communication, and I would recommend to anyone with kids to try in the future! Thank you!

Free parking lot for 6 hours and if you follow the lagoon, it'll lead straight to the Grand…read moreWaikikian Hotel. By 8/9 pm, the entire lagoon clears out and it's empty. Private beach to yourself with beautiful weather.

Lessons on the beach to learn the basics.

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Hans Hedemann Surf School-Waikiki

4.6

(174 reviews)

0.3 km

5 I can't say enough about the gang at Hans Hedemann Surf School Waikiki! Our family of 6 ( kids…read moreages 11,13,15, and 17) from the Midwest had never been surfing before. These guys were so good at providing instructions, keeping everyone safe, and most importantly making it fun! The kids had an absolutely blast. This was after two weren't overly confident going into it! We opted to have them take photos during our session and man did they not disappoint! I can't say enough good things about Peter, Willie, and Kiva. Would recommend these guys and the surf school to anyone who is considering it! - Matt

Best day learning how to surf. Ask for Hans, Keaton, Tiara, or Nicki'. They made my families…read morefirst time surfing very special.

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Surfer Girl Academy Surf School

(33 reviews)

2.7 km

I called the day before to ask for a lesson and they told me I could show up to the 10 AM lesson…read moreand said to pay onsite. The surf lesson was both amazing and scary. We were given a 2-minute safety and tips speech before both of us in the lesson were shown how to get up on the board. We each had one attempt to get up while the instructor held the board steady near the beach. Then we paddled out to the waves. We had to paddle far and it wasn't my hands/arms that were tired but my shoulders and neck because you have to keep your chin up to stay out of the surf on your way out. I was able to stand up on almost every wave except the one that was too small and the one I tried to do myself. I can imagine it being unsafe and not fun to try to just surf yourself without any prior experience because the one time I tried to judge when to get up myself, I immediately fell hard into the water and swallowed salt water. Highly recommend it if you are at all athletically inclined. Surfer Girl Academy was very laid back and I liked the instructor John.

Really enjoyed myself. So much in fact that I returned a couple of days later to surf again. The…read morestaff, Yuko, Shuji, Inne & Jake took good care of everyone in the group. They were very friendly, helpful & service orientated. You will get your money's worth in the couple of hours you are in the water, and believe me, if an old, fat guy like me can get up on a surfboard, most anyone can. Yuko also took great photos & video that will provide some fantastic memories of this trip to Oahu. You'll need to look for the white van in the parking lot by the water. There is a small "SGA" on it.

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Ewa Plains Enrichment Program

(26 reviews)

23.9 km

I have no words to describe what this school has meant for our little ohana. Our child attended…read morefor two years and was provided with exceptional care and compassion, patience, and everything you could ask for in a preschool. Every teacher there felt like they were born to be a pre-school teacher! We feel incredibly grateful to have found Ewa Plains Enrichment in Ewa Beach for our son. From the very beginning, it felt personal. We were not just enrolling in a school but becoming part of a warm, loving community that felt like family. Miss Jessica and the entire team of teachers are everything you would hope for in a preschool. They are warm, kind, intelligent, and fully engaged with the children. Their sincerity and care were evident every single day. It was almost tangible how much they truly loved each child, including ours. The mission of Ewa Plains Enrichment feels centered in love. Every lesson, classroom moment, and interaction reflects that. Our son not only learned how to read here, but something lit up inside him. It was as if a light switched on, and now he reads his own bedtime stories with joy and confidence. This milestone was nurtured by the school's incredible literacy program and the encouragement of his teachers. The school's focus on literacy is truly outstanding. The dedication and joy the teachers bring to reading is something our family will never forget. We also deeply appreciated the school's commitment to Hawaiian culture. Field trips to the lo'i, the pumpkin patch, and the library helped connect learning to the land and the community. Through songs, stories, and hands-on experiences, the children developed a strong sense of place and respect. As a Buddhist family, we always felt completely welcomed and respected at this Christian school. The values of kindness, compassion, gratitude, and responsibility were shared in a loving and inclusive way that felt deeply aligned with our home life. Our son also had the opportunity to share his own heritage during Culture Week and to learn about the cultures of his classmates. Seeing his identity honored and celebrated was incredibly meaningful and helped him feel proud and connected. The school created beautiful memories throughout the year, from Christmas and Easter performances to a heartfelt Mother's Day celebration. Preschool graduation was one of the best graduation events I have ever attended. It was thoughtful, joyful, and full of love. You could see how much the staff cared about each and every child. During a year when our family needed to take extended international trips, the school was flexible, understanding, and supportive. They even prepared homework packets for our son to bring with him, so he could stay connected and continue learning while we traveled. That level of care and thoughtfulness meant so much to us. Ewa Plains Enrichment has been around for many years, and that experience shows in the most beautiful ways. The staff have worked with so many different types of children and family situations, and their understanding, flexibility, and wisdom come through in how they support each student. You can tell they have truly seen it all and are prepared to meet each child where they are, with love and confidence. Ewa Plains Enrichment consistently goes above and beyond what is expected. They are always thinking about the children and their future. This is not just a school. It is a place where children are truly seen, nurtured, and loved. We will be forever grateful to this school, which is a true gift to the community and island!

Our family is so fortunate and blessed to have found this school! We desired a school that was not…read morejust a "daycare" but one that would challenge our son and continue to foster his growth intellectually as well as be faith based. Our child has excelled and fluorished not only in academics but also socially and spiritually. His growth here has been astounding. The staff here are amazing and were able to create a lesson plan and curriculum based on his needs. They address all aspects of a child's development and offer different activities and experiences for them. He went through three different neighboring preschools before we found this one and we wished we had found it sooner.

Amazing language teachers Hawaiian, Tagalog, Philippines, Bisaya, Ilocano and Vietnamese languages used in class. This is not Seagulls .

A gift for an amazing school year, thank you.

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Graduation ceremony has been done for 20 years.

Keiki O Ka 'aina Family Learning Centers

(16 reviews)

10.5 km

I love seeing the family ho'ike form each community ! The Kumu work so creatively and lovingly with…read morethe keiki, makua and community partners !! Mahalo Keiki O Ka Aina!

Amazing group of nice people!! I was introduced to this nonprofit through a Telon on TV in Hawaii…read more They seem to be very sincere in their drive, and I decided to join in. Although getting to this place was quite an adventure it is very high up on a hill, but nevertheless, it was worth being introduced to such nice people!would definitely donate to their cause again this time being total support of rebuilding and helping out the children in Maui and their families!

Keiki O Ka Aina Graduation ~ Mahalo Kumu Jessica

Keiki O Ka Aina Field Trip Fun Day at Discovery Center

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Keiki O Ka Aina Field Trip Fun Day at Discovery Center

Kiddie Academy of Honolulu

(10 reviews)

6.2 km

Our daughter started at KA at 10 weeks old, very shortly after KA first opened, and (a blink…read morelater!) is now soon to graduate and head to preschool. KA has been spectacular through and through. The school is loving, nurturing, supportive, clean and full of fun activities. My daughter has thrived, with so many great friends and teachers, and so many fun things each day. She loves the play nook, book corner and circle time. Meals are all coordinated from a neighboring restaurant, so the kids eat well and with a healthy variety. They have a "book library" you can borrow from. AND They have parent-accessible cameras so you can check in on your kiddo through the day! We feel so lucky to have been a part of the KA 'Ohana and are so thankful. When I was dropping off my baby so I could head to work, I always knew that she would be loved, well fed, clean and cared for. After over 2.5yrs, they have done and been so much more. In addition to the amazing teachers, the management at KA are incredible. They are hands-on, friendly and accommodating, and truly care about the daycare and the children. When a child is hurt or sick or having a tough day, they will often be found on the laps of Ronna (the owner) or Keesha (the manager), so they can get some extra attention to help ease whatever the issue. We cannot recommend KA enough for your little one! Ps. Tell Keesha I say hi!!

We loved Kiddie Academy and sent both of our children there. The teachers and management are…read morecaring, professional, and helpful. They were all amazing and we especially loved Ms Kimmie and Ms Caitlyn, as well as Ms Keesha and the owner Ronna. My son was quite young when he began and I like that they kept the tiniest babies in their own room which (I think) helped reduce the number of times he got sick! We also had some behavioral challenges and greatly appreciated the level of communication, empathy, and willingness to try various approaches and solutions.

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Rainbow Learning Academy

(5 reviews)

30.9 km

Highly recommend!! I fully trust the staff with my daughter. She has gone here for almost 2 years…read moreand she loves it. The staff is friendly, gentle, caring, and so supportive. They communicate well and also throw cute events for family to partake in. My daughter gets disappointed when I come in to pick her up - she tells me she doesn't wanna go home yet. I think that's a great sign she's having fun and loving her time there!

We enrolled our son at 6 months old and have been really happy with his care. The infant teachers…read moreare all wonderful and caring. You can see how much they love the kids. As he's gotten older he's continued to love going to RLA. He's always happy to see his teachers and is all smiles when we drop him off. I really appreciate that they provide meals (breakfast and lunch / snacks). The lunches are impressive (IMO) and expose my son to a lot of foods we don't have at home. On another note, we liked RLA so much that we enrolled my daughter for the summer before she started kindergarten. The class size was small (which has both plusses and minuses, depending on what is important to you). Mainly we liked the curriculum and the amount of hands on activities they were able to do with a small class size. The teacher incorporated some pre-k activities since I wanted to make sure my daughter was prepared for Kindergarten.

Our infant/toddler classroom. Lots of space to explore and play!

Our preschool classroom. Fun centers to explore!

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Recent review

The Growing Patch 24-Hour Children Academy

4.3

(12 reviews)

17.0 km

We love the Growing Patch!…read more So we initially found the Growing Patch on Patch Hawaii where they list all certified childcare providers on the island. I only used 2 months of maternity leave so I needed to find a daycare that would take my baby as young as she was. We were lucky to find the Growing Patch since they take babies as young as 3 weeks old. We also learned that the owner was prior military and we were proud to go with them since we are military ourselves. We live on the west side and work closer to town so they were right in the middle and convenient for dropping off and picking up baby. Their location is a bit hidden in the back parking lot of Aiea Square area, near Queen Street Cafe but it's easy to get to since it's at the cutoff for Aiea if you're coming from either direction. This makes getting back on the freeway just as easy if you're heading town side. If you're going west, you'll either have to back track to Halawa or drive further down towards Pearl City. To start off, although this facility is a bit hidden, the front doors art covered in bright red posters showing that it's a daycare that provides 24-hour service. Yes! They will watch your child overnight if you need it. We visited the place for the first time during family tour day which was scheduled in advanced for those interested in learning about the facility, their staff and how they do things at the Growing Patch. We were the 1st ones to sign up after the orientation was completed and they offered an "observation day" before my baby officially started daycare with them. This was where they watched her for a few hours to see how she does around the care givers, being in a new place and around other children. She did great her 1st time there and the longer she went, the more she would learn to love being there. They provide you a list with the items they'll need to take care of your baby and anything else you would recommend to keep them comfortable when they're away from you. Each child has a storage cubby for their belongings. At the front door, you have to ring the doorbell to be let in and you check in on the tablet at the front desk. The facility itself is organized and separated into areas for different age groups since they take infants and up to pre-k age. My baby was enrolled into the infants area and they have a lot of things to keep the children busy from walkers, toys, beds and more! They do art work too like a regular school would and send it home with the parents. I love my baby's footprint art! The place smells clean every time I walk in and they sanitize everything at the end of each day. They have a calendar at the front that you can view to see what your child is scheduled to do that day. You can ask the front desk assistants for a curriculum to take home with you too. They even have scheduled field trips for the kids and notify parents via email and the app for permission. Their last field trip was to the Pumpkin Patch back in October 2024. They use an app called Child Pilot to help you keep track of what you're child is doing during the day and to contact you if needed. If you don't bring lunch for your child, they provide meals specially made by the Queen Street Cafe but this is for the toddler ages. The staff here if so friendly and they love the kids very because it shows. When I drop my baby off in the morning, she already knows where she is and loves to smile at all the caregivers. She's even excited to see all the other children and does not cry when I leave. After only a couple months here, my baby is the most friendliest and social child and I love how her smile can brighten up anyone's day when they see her. They hold parent teacher conference to talk about your child's progress here at the Growing Patch. They even ask about the milestones you expect your baby to reach and they'll help them work on that. These meetings are nice and as a first time parent, it's funny to see things from this aspect because I remember my parent teacher conferences with my parents and most of them weren't good since I was naughty lol. I love the relationships they build here otherwise and I haven't had any bad experiences with the Growing Patch so far. We recommend their services to all parents with toddlers or younger and we hope they open more facilities on island in the future. I also wanted to mention that they have a Facebook and Instagram page to see updates and events on your social media. Please see the photos I posted for more info. Thank you to the Growing Patch Ohana and their owner, Mrs. Dominica for all you do!

This rating is based on the customer service received before care was given…read more Domonica, founder of this establishment, called my family to offer us a spot. Over the phone, she specified when the soonest date available is and we gladly accepted. From then, we took the next steps and made an appointment to tour the day care. After touring, Domonica proceeds to tell us that the soonest available date is now 2 months later than the original date she offered and confirmed with us. We were very upset as we already confirmed that we wanted this spot over the phone. She apologized and said she talks to many families and assumed that we were going to back out. She offered the same spot that we accepted to MANY families even after we confirmed. This alone is very unprofessional, especially coming from the founder of this operation. She then offered a hug to cure all of her mistakes. The extreme lack of professionalism and customer service that came directly from the founder is just unacceptable. I do not feel comfortable and would not recommend bringing your family to a place that does not truly care for your family as they only seek to secure the money bag. Please take your child to a place where you know they will be valued.

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Calvary Child Care Center

4.2

(5 reviews)

13.0 km

I wouldn't recommend this child care the place is very unsanitary the carpets are dirty, and…read moreeveryone brings their dirty shoes inside. Every time we picked up my son he was sweaty, messy, and not happy, and the same when we dropped him off in the morning he was not excited he cried instead. I think they just let him cry also because when we picked him his eyes were swollen all the time. We felt racism from this childcare. I'm blessed that we found better childcare for our son now, and we can compare lots of differences he is now excited and happy all the time whenever he goes to school.

My Daughter was sent to here when she was 2 with dippers and did not understand English. We were so…read moreworried at that time. Now she is confident and happy, and she has many friends. The Teachers are so caring and I decided to write a review here. Thanks to all the Teachers!

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Kadijat A.

7 years ago

Happened upon Kilohana surf school by accident but it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Booked a surf lesson on Groupon for another company and when I called to set up my appointment I learned that they were out of town the week I would be in Hawaii. The message directed me to call Kilohana Surf School. I called and spoke to Chris who was super nice and booked my appointment. On the day of my surf lesson I met Chris at Waikiki Beach in front of Dukes statue. First of all he's really nice to look at and a local so he knows everything there is to know about the beach. He was super patient and made sure I knew all the basics before taking me out into the ocean. For those who've never surfed, it's super hard but so much fun. You have to respect the ocean and I came to learn that surfing is a lifestyle. It's about connection and respect for the ocean. Chris didn't give up on me until I caught a wave. If you want to have a great time and really learn how to surf then Chris is your guy. Much respect and next time I'm in Oahu the Kilohana Surf School is the only place I'm booking a lesson through! Mahalo Chris! read more

Alisa S.

4 years ago

Apologies to Chris and Molly for the late review. I had seen good reviews of this surf school on Groupon so I reached out to Chris to ask if he could teach kids to surf (not teens). He took my 9 and 11 yr olds out on his board (he padded them out, they got to ride in). They had an awesome time. Molly taught me and my teen son to surf and we had a great time, too. Chris is terrific with everyone, kids to adults. He has a brief but thorough on sand teaching with the board that is really helpful. And he knows how to trouble shoot quickly so that if you have trouble in the water, you know what to fix right away so you can catch waves and not be frustrated the whole time. If you are considering it, just do it. And go directly thru his site if possible. His team gets back to you quickly and he responds to you himself. I recommmend this surf school 100%. Our only regret is that we didn't get a photo with Chris and the kids. read more

Chris R.

7 years ago

We had booked a surf lesson with the KILOHANA surf school basically for my wife as I am a bit timid of the ocean, I normally don't want to write a bad review and just let it go, but my wife insisted I do so due to the terrible experience, the instructor Chris showed up 20 minutes late, and he had nothing to say why which cut into our 60 minute lesson, we went through instructions on the beach and then into the water, a heads up paddling is a challenge, and he ridiculed my wife over and over again because she could not paddle the surfing board, it seemed like we paddled the entire lesson we only caught a few waves and then back to the shore the lesson time in the water was cut short and started late, I understand people have bad days but we went a lot of $ and time to get here and were let down with the experience, we tried Faith surf school and the folks were 100% ALOHA, don't use this company would be our recommendation. read more

Ashley C.

8 years ago

Don't look any further for surf lessons! Chris is the best! Every time I have friends visiting who want to give surfing a try in the beautiful waters of Waikiki, we call up Chris. His flexibility is always awesome, making time for you or as close as possible to what you need. He makes it so easy for new surfers with a comprehensive land demo before getting out there and he also knows how to make it more personalized for those who have tried it before. He's super experienced and knowledgeable and is great at handling multiple people at the same time. His paddling skills never cease to amaze me - sometimes paddling while holding on to two of us on our boards. It really shows how skilled he is in the water. My favorite thing is that he never lets me end on a bad wave. He'll give me another shot to ride the last one in to end on a high note which keeps me wanting to come back for more surf again and again. Mahalo Chris!! read more

Sunny K.

12 years ago

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! The highlight of my vacation! ...I'm in shape. Round is a shape. Sometimes I randomly fall backwards for no reason, that's how good my balance is. Chris was able to get me to stand up on the board and I still can't believe it, so glad I have the pictures to prove it. The lesson was a lot of fun and felt really laid back, no crazy pressure or anything. Was like a friend's showing you how to surf. He's also very good at keeping track of your surroundings to make sure you are safe, which is important when you don't really know what you're doing. I have seen him surf and I feel like he could teach all different levels and his attitude is exceptional. If you're looking for a lesson Kilohana surf school is your best bet, hands down! P.S. get the gopro videos and pictures if you can. Worth every penny, the pictures in the water are probably some of the best I got on my vacation. read more

Madalene M.

12 years ago

This is the 2nd time that I've had Chris as an instructor and even though it was 9 months since we last saw one another, it was easy breezy! I came into town on Christmas Day and he was able to squeeze in a lesson the day after on short notice. Knowing that I had flown 10 hours the day before, Chris would check in on me to see how I was feeling throughout the session. It's totally relaxed but he also gives good feedback so that you know you're improving. He's super patient. In between waves, we would chat and just check out the scene. He knows everyone in the water, the other instructors as well as the surfers and paddle boarders who are enjoying their experience so you know that you got yourself a good local! Plus he bakes cookies :) I'm coming back in October so I hope to catch him again for another lesson! \m/ read more

Rebecca G.

225

4 years ago

My children (10 years old and 8 years old), husband, and I purchased lessons for today. I called Chris the afternoon before and he got back to me quickly and personally set up our appointment. (I called a few schools before I found Chris's school and everyone wanted me to only communicate with them on their websites.) My kids were so intimidated by all the surfers they saw out this morning but the lesson was awesome and exactly what we needed. Chris and Molly made sure we knew how to be safe and watched us practice over and over before we got in the water. They were sooooo attentive and they stayed by us in the water. My kids had such a blast, they can't wait to tell the kids at school that they not only got surf lessons but they actually stood up and rode the wave! read more

Isabelle G.

7 years ago

Chris was an excellent teacher for first time surfers. We learned safety and basic form on land and then we went out to the waves. It was very easy to pick up and even with minimal instructions I never felt scared or over my head. This was probably my favorite thing I did on Oahu (and I was there for 5 weeks!) Just be aware that as of right now Chris is the owner and only instructor so he may book up fast. We met him at the Duke statue at Hiro beach and signed waivers before going in. Cash only, this was an excellent deal for a group of 4 people! We were out there surfing for almost 2 hours and I feel confident to rent my own board one day and go out again. Mahalo Chris! read more

Wesley W.

9 years ago

Chris was awesome! We did a private lesson with my wife and I and couldn't be happier. Both stood up the first time! Chris took the time to walk us through everything on land and then we were off to the water. Chris spent time coaching both my wife and I and giving us constructive guidance. After reviews of other places talking about instructors not being patient we were a little concerned but had nothing to worry about. This was without a doubt the best and most memorable part of our entire trip. read more

Asulema C.

5 years ago

Omg!!! Don't look any further!! Hes the best around.. Really good instruction easy he makes you confortable & he takes the time & makes sure you ride the waves!!! If you want to really surf ‍ on your first try, then this is the right place!! Hes got better deals then any other place!!! By my third attempt I rode a wave a long time... p.s. I'm a bit heavy set... & I was able to do it my first time!! Big girl can surf too!!! Book it i promise you won't regret it!! Mahalo read more

Alexandra G.

12 years ago

GREAT! Went to Hawaii last summer and again in october and had the pleasure to learn how to surf with Chris. After a short land session we grabbed our boards and went into the water. I was successful from the beginning till the end and had a great time. I have a great impression of Chris. He is very patient, professional, easy, funny... Just perfect as a teacher. If you want to learn successfully how to surf and all this with no pressure, go out and learn it with Chris. read more

Alex R.

7 years ago

Booked with Chris and Kilohana Surf School for a family of four over the phone before we left on our vacation. Chris was laid back and took extra time and was patient with the kids. We all felt welcome. Chris made us feel confident even though it was our first time. Everyone agrees that if we go back we definitely will us Chris and Kilohana Surf School again. I recommend them to anyone wanting to go to Oahu, HI and looking at learning to surf. You can't go wrong with them! read more

Phoebe D.

7 years ago

Chris was amazing it was my first time surfing and my first time in Hawaii, on nearly every single wave i stood up because had an amazing teacher to tell me when to go and what to do. When walking to the beach at first i was a bit nervous about going out there and not really having a real idea of what i was about to do, as soon as i got there Chris was talking me through everything and that really helped. now thanks to Chris i have found my new love of surfing. -Phoebe read more

Tae M.

318

7 years ago

Review for 60 minute private surf lesson for 2 people: Chris was a phenomenal instructor! It was our first time surfing and he gave us a thorough step-by-step breakdown on foundational techniques. We started on land practicing the moves first (for about 15 minutes) and took to the waters to begin surfing (for 45 minutes). During the session, Chris continued to provide helpful tips so that we can make corrective adjustments. A++ Highly recommended!! read more

Angie M.

4 years ago

My son and I book a private lesson with Kilohana Surf School. Chris and Molly were excellent instructors. They were knowledgeable, patient, and provided great assistance to conserve our energy for getting up on the board. They were able to adjust their position relative to the waves and beach to maximize wave size to meet our beginner needs. We were both able to get up multiple times and ride the waves in with their excellent teaching skills. read more

Danielle K.

8 years ago

Chris is AMAZING!!! I was very nervous while out in the waves. Chris made me feel way more comfortable and that I can do it and not to be afraid you just got to stand up. That next wave I stood up! It was an amazing experience and I'm so glad we had Chris to show us the ropes. I will definitely take another lesson with him, and will recommend him to anyone wanting to learn how to surf. Mahalo Chris!! read more

Jennah J.

12 years ago

Great energy and great lesson! This was my second surf lesson with instructor Chris Matteson and I would do it a hundred times over! Chris has a way of teaching that makes surfing easy, fun and safe for anyone! I was able to stand up and ride the majority of waves but couldn't have done it without all of the great coaching! I definitely recommend Kilohana Surf School to everyone, 5 stars for sure!! read more

Irene L.

5 years ago

I would definitely recommend Chris to other surfers who want to learn. Chris is such an awesome coach! He gave my son a pretty good demo of how to surf. Even though this was just his first time, by the second day, he could catch waves and had learned the basics of surfing (turning, standing up, paddling, etc). My son enjoyed learning how to surf with Chris and had lots of fun! read more

Mitchell P.

7 years ago

Chris is a great instructor. He knows what you need, can read the waves and is excellent at surfing. He provides the necessary form to get up and use your surf board and gets you right out there in the water. His transitioning in helping me and my wife is smooth helping take the right waves in. I'll be taking lessons again from Chris and only Chris next time I'm out here. read more

Alejandra D.

5 years ago

Support local!!!! We had so much fun with Chris, learning to surf or just having fun on the waves! We booked a lesson through our hotel, our experience with Chris was 10x better!!!! Don't even look anywhere else book with Kilohana and you'll have so much fun! I guarantee it. PLUS only school that has drone shots + video!! Had a blast! Have fun and throw up a Shaka! read more

Kilohana Surf School - surfschools - Updated August 2026

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