Mahalo and thank you for an incredible time in the water. We had an amazing experience with Keep It…read moreSimple Maui! The online booking process through their website was quick and easy, making everything stress-free from the start. Our instructors, Lucho and John, were outstanding professional, patient, encouraging, and incredibly kind. They made my kids feel comfortable and confident in the water right away. There are multiple keep it simple instructors in the water and they all work together to keep everyone safe. What impressed us most was how successful they made the lesson. Our 19-year-old, 10-year-old, and 8-year-old were all standing up on their surfboards within the first 30 minutes and each caught multiple waves throughout the lesson! Thank you, Lucho and John, for creating such an unforgettable experience! Mahalo and thank you for an incredible time in the water. We had an amazing experience with Keep It Simple Maui! The online booking process through their website was quick and easy, making everything stress-free from the start. Our instructors, Lucho and John, were outstanding professional, patient, encouraging, and incredibly kind. They made my kids feel comfortable and confident in the water right away. There are multiple keep it simple instructors in the water and they all work together to keep everyone safe. What impressed us most was how successful they made the lesson. Our 19-year-old, 10-year-old, and 8-year-old were all standing up on their surfboards within the first 30 minutes and each caught multiple waves throughout the lesson! Thank you, Lucho and John, for creating such an unforgettable experience!

My daughter and I took a semi-private lesson with Mario. It was our first time surfing and we had…read morethe best time. Mario had amazing energy and was incredibly patient with me (a 40+ something gal who lacks strength and coordination) and my daughter (a bit of a scaredy cat). We both got up on our boards a few times and caught some waves! We're already looking forward to the next time we can try surfing.

TLDR; Nick, my instructor was great! Whole surfing experience I would do again. Do not recommend…read morethe photo package (poor communication, no photos and no refund). ---- I was solo and I had never surfed before! I booked a private lesson and I had a great time surfing with Nick, my instructor! Would absolutely recommend a private lesson for more attention and coaching. Surf conditions are a variable. We had some pretty big swells for beginner waves, according to Nick, but I think I did alright! A little longer and I think I could have gotten to standing. I would try this again for sure and refine my technique a little! The length of the lesson is great (1.5-2h). As much as I would have loved more time out there, you do get pretty gassed out by the end, so it's the right amount of time. Booking was easy online. I called to ask some questions and Kevin (Owner) was very informative. Meeting point was pretty easy to find. I received a picture of where to meet but given the recent washout rain, the landscape looks a little different. You can still match some of the trees though. It's across from where folks are parked all the time to go surfing. It's a pretty popular spot. I took a Lyft out to Mile Marker 19 which is pinned on the map, thankfully. The local drivers also just know where to go. There is not a nearby bus stop, but Lahaina Cannery Mall is probably the closest one and just over an hour's walk away. Nick easily found me waiting on the sand in the morning. He had everything I needed (12' board, shoes - both in great condition). They also provide rash guards but the suit I was wearing was already long sleeved. We started on land going through theory. When you book, there are videos in the confirmation email which are very helpful to review. Nick explained things very well, and helped make me aware of some beginner traps. Throughout the lesson he made sure I was safe as well as the surfers around me. There's a traffic flow to follow and knowing he was there supporting me with his experience allowed me to focus on learning to surf. I also appreciated his expert technique in paddling out and assisting me by towing a couple times, haha! I would have given 5 stars but there was issue with the photography package I purchased. Would not recommend, based on my experience. It's done through Aloha Maui Photography and you pay on site if you like the photos (you get a little preview on the tablet). The usual way seemed to be to Airdrop the photos, but I don't have an iPhone. Alyssa said she would email me a link later that day or the next day, but I didn't receive anything. After a few days, I went to the online webpage and submitted a form on the "Contact" page, asking to follow up. After a couple more days, I emailed directly. I got a response to my email after 2 days. It seemed that Alyssa thought that I was a different surfer (with a family and that my photos were already AirDropped to my mother) and that she no longer has the photos because they're cleared as she's constantly shooting. I explained that I was mixed up with who she thought I was since I was solo, and if the photos were indeed already cleared, if I could get a refund. It's now been two weeks, with another follow up, and still unresolved. I am disappointed because I was really hoping for some photos from my first surfing experience, which is why I splurged on the photo package. Just one more note - additional recommendation as a beginner, if you can do rash guard shorts, my inner thighs above the knee took a bit of a beating from straddling the board!

I would highly recommend Local Pros Maui for those looking to learn to surf while in Maui. Nick…read moreand his staff were knowledgable, patient, and skilled to instruct while keeping our group of 9 safe as we enjoyed our lesson. A rash guard shirt and surf shoes do come with the lesson. The lesson time of 11/2-2 hours is adequate as surfing does take a lot of energy. The meeting point parking is along a road which at first I was confused about, but found it easily. We paid for an added instructor as we had a large group. I think it was needed. We had an elder and 2 children in the group that took extra oversight. I would use Local Pros Maui again. Aloha!

Had an absolutely amazing private beginner lesson with Lopaka and Dillon with my 10-year-old…read moredaughter. Not only were we able to get several waves, we also learned a bunch about surfing, the area, and a lot more. What stood out most is that these guys clearly care about the people they're teaching. They showed up with great surfboards, rash guards, and even a hat my daughter loved, and they made sure we were taken care of every step of the way. The whole experience felt safe, easy, and well-organized -- they knew exactly where to go, how to meet up, and how to make the logistics simple. I'm extremely uncoordinated -- I can barely roller skate -- and somehow I was able to get up almost immediately and catch several waves. My daughter also felt cared for and encouraged the whole time. There was always someone close by, so we never felt like we were just out there on our own not knowing what to do. They also had water afterward to help us rinse off and were just helpful, friendly, and fun to talk to about surfing and the area. For the value, it honestly felt like an incredible deal: basically two instructors for two hours, with top-notch service, at a very reasonable price. Even at twice the price, I would have felt like it was worth it. Highly recommend, especially for beginners or families. It was one of the best experiences of our trip.

Amazing local surf school . Best instructors you could ask for . Local knowledge with true aloha…read morespirit. Lopaka and his crew are amazing ! You have to check out Got Um Surfing lessons on Maui , he is great with kids too!

Isaac is a phenomenal surfing instructor. He is very patient, experienced, easy to talk to, and…read moregreat at teaching the fundamentals of surfing. Isaac is also very professional when it comes to communicating availability and scheduling. I had a ton of fun! I would 100% recommend Stant Surfing to anyone interested in learning how to surf!

Isaac is an awesome instructor. Taught me the basics and then enough so that I think I could now…read morerent a board and practice on my own. I got up the first try since he taught me how to pop up well on the beach first. He taught me what to look for in a wave to catch and how to catch it. He also had the best price for private lesson and squeezed me in. Great work Isaac

Bully's surf school is the best in Maui! I have booked with Bully 3 times and will continue to do…read moreso whenever I visit. My dad and I met Bully in 2012 and he was our first instructor. He was so knowledgeable and helped my dad and I have fun on the water. He taught me how to paddle out smarter and the mentality to charge waves. My wife and I booked with Bully in 2025 and had an amazing time with his two professional staff instructors, 1:1. We just wrapped up our third lesson with Bully today--my wife and I rode so many waves it was a blast, and Bully made sure my mother-in-law crushed it during her first time surfing as well. Unlike chaotic group lessons, Bully brings a 1:1 approach where I feel safe and empowered out on the water. If you're traveling to Lahaina or Kaanapali booking a lesson with Bully Surf School is a must!

Surfing with Bully's surf school today was a truly magical experience. Bully's was highly…read morerecommended as the best surf school in Maui by a family friend who lives on the island. I would not hesitate to say Bully's is the best surf school in the world, not just Maui. Bully is an incredible teacher who shares his passion for surfing and respect for the ocean. Bully and his team of coaches made us all feel confident and safe in the water. Our entire family caught waves, including not just the kids, but the out of shape older ones too! Bully and his entire team of coaches (shout-out to Theo, James, and Ashley) were positive throughout the entire lesson. The energy was infectious. It was easy to try when we knew every attempt would be met with joy. It was incredibly helpful that even with a group lesson, we each had our own surf coach; we could each learn at our own paces and our coaches were able to give us personalized instruction. The equipment was top-of-the-line and really helped novice surfers like ourselves. The boards were light and forgiving and much better than typical foam boards. We can't wait to come back to Maui to take more lessons with Bully and his team. We made memories today that will last a lifetime and learned lessons that will remain in our hearts and guide us through life's challenges. Just breathe.... The world needs more people like Bully; an expert in his field who teaches with humility, kindness, positivity, and generosity. Lahaina Strong, Bully's Surf School!

If I could give more than five stars for our surf lesson with Ryan from Maui Surf, I absolutely…read morewould! Hands down, Ryan is the BEST instructor I have ever had, and I've had previous beginner lessons. This experience was on another level--one of those rare, unforgettable moments that stay with you forever. I've surfed a bit before, so I went in thinking this would just be a refresher for me. My husband (age 64) had never surfed and was a bit apprehensive. But Ryan's skill, patience, and unparalleled ability to connect with his students completely transformed the experience for both of us. He took the time to understand our individual needs and tailored the lesson perfectly, blending just the right amount of technical guidance with encouragement and humor. Before we even touched the water, Ryan gave us the most thorough and engaging on-land lesson I've ever experienced. He didn't just teach us how to pop up on the board--he explained the mechanics of surfing, wave dynamics, and safety tips in a way that was clear, detailed, and easy to absorb. By the time we hit the waves, Mark (and I!) felt more confident than ever. But Ryan didn't stop there. He wove the spirit of Aloha into every moment of the lesson, teaching us about the Hawaiian language, culture, and the deep connection Hawaiians have with their land and ocean. His stories about the islands, the meanings of Hawaiian place names, care for the ocean, and his insights into the natural beauty around us elevated the experience to something truly profound. It wasn't just a surf lesson; it was a cultural and ecological immersion. And then came the magic. Not only did Mark manage to get up on the board (on his first try, no less!), but we were treated to the most breathtaking sights while surfing. Whales were breaching in the distance, and turtles swam gracefully by as if they were cheering us on. Ryan's excitement and genuine joy made it all the more special--he celebrated every moment with us, making us feel like pros out there! Ryan also had mounted GoPros on our boards (included in the price) and captured the most incredible action shots of us riding the waves! These weren't your typical blurry or off-center photos--they were absolutely magazine-worthy. Ryan has an amazing eye for timing and composition, selecting those exhilarating moments when we were standing tall on the board, surrounded by the sparkling ocean. The photos were so vibrant and professional-looking that they'll forever be a cherished keepsake of this unforgettable day. He truly went above and beyond to make sure every detail of our experience was exceptional! Ryan's energy and passion are infectious, and his dedication to his craft is unmatched. Whether you're a complete beginner like Mark or someone who's surfed before, like me, he has a way of making you feel like you can conquer anything. I've had good instructors in the past, but Ryan blew them all out of the water (pun intended!). If you're on Maui and even thinking about trying surfing, do yourself a favor and book a lesson with Ryan at Maui Surf. You'll walk away not only with new skills but also with a heart full of Aloha and memories that will last a lifetime. Mahalo, Ryan--you've truly set the bar sky-high! ‍

We booked with Maui Surf Lessons for the 7:30 am couples private surf lesson and couldn't have been…read morehappier with our experience. Our coach/guide/ instructor or whatever you want to call it was a native of Lahaina and knew his stuff! His strength was impressive as he had to "toe" us into some choppy waters to get to where we could get into the waves. I'm not a small guy and he hauled me around with ease! I've gone out a few times before but never with formal lessons and this experience beat them all! They guaranteed us we would get up on a wave and my wife and I both did on multiple waves! It was an amazing feeling! We were the only ones on the water when we started and it was so serene and peaceful! Ryan was a great instructor and really showed care for us. We loved our time and hope many others will choose his company for their surfing experience in Maui! Mahalo Ryan!

I'm sad to write this especially because I love surfing and want to support Maui's businesses, but…read morefeel responsible to warn others. This company is unreliable and dishonest. They canceled our surf lesson 30 minutes before while we were on our way. We were understanding that things happen and tried to reschedule, but it never worked out. However, the issue is what followed. They assured me that I would receive a refund, but despite that promise, no refund was ever issued. After waiting and receiving no communication, I had no choice but to dispute the charge with my credit card company. To make matters worse, the surf company responded to the bank claiming that I did receive the lesson--which is completely untrue. I have since reached out to try to resolve what I initially hoped was just a misunderstanding, but I have received zero response. The lack of honesty and accountability is a terrible representation of Maui. I hope this doesn't happen to anyone else, but judging from other reviews, it looks like it already has. What a shame.

Could not have asked for a better instructor for my first time on a board…read more I booked a private lesson to really "try surfing" and see if it's even for me. Zack has great attitude, knows surfing AND new surfers, and got me the best results for my time. He guided us to the best spots to catch waves, gets you going into the wave, and sends you off cheering. When you inevitably fall, his feedback is on point. He's chill, friendly with everyone, and is dialed-in on surfing. Zack is a professional - period. I'll be bringing him to Zack when it's my son's turn to surf. Website is super easy to use too.

Most knowledgeable and professional staff on island. Jon is truly a Jedi Kite Master. He will have…read moreyou up and riding ASAP. Their focus on safety systems and details insures you will be a truly independent kite boarder. They also use brand new top of the line Ozone kite equipment setting you up for success before you even begin.

When looking for an instructor, I ended up going with John and Kite HI because he responded both…read morequickly and in a way that let me know he actually was listening to my goals for the trip. Once here, John was a fantastic. Laidback, patient and providing the right level of coaching/feedback so I could improve. I spent three morning sessions with John and came out at the level I wanted, and purchased my equipment from John because I trusted his judgement and knew that he wasn't just pushing gear to make a sale. Would highly recommend John and KiteHI.