Poipu Beach Surf School

(172 reviews)

1.3 km

My wife and I went with our two oldest and told them beforehand that Mom was the most likely to…read moreactually catch a wave, and the rest of us should just have fun. Enter Esiah, our awesome instructor. He went through all the basics for us very green beginners, and emphasized the importance of looking straight ahead (and hula hands, which are now a family staple as we describe to people how to surf). The four of us went out in the water with Esiah, and we ALL FOUR caught waves, even me (who was definitely least likely). Esiah was awesome: complimentary, enthusiastic, and giving us feedback as my wife and I kept coming back to fall off again. Thanks to his awesome teaching, timing, and patience we had a blast, and my wife and I ended the day taking waves all the way to shore where we promptly had our boards run into our shins. Awesome memory, and we look forward to going out again.

Renters beware! We rented a beach umbrella for $10 a day. Seemed like a great deal! Well .. the…read morenext day our umbrella blew out and was unusable. When we took it back we were told that we " should have known " the correct way to face the umbrella to avoid the blow out! No one briefed us on this but we were charged $35 because we broke the umbrella and should have known how to face it. Multiple people on the beach had the same issue! Seems like a shady business practice. I opted to take the "broken" umbrella since I already paid for it... on top of the $10 rental fee. Nowhere on the contract did it say I was responsible for incorrect placement of the umbrella. Honestly I'd rather leave it for the owner of our condo because the base is better than the one supplied by the condo. Seemed like a money grab from tourists. So be wary.

Surfs up!

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Carving

Hawaiian Style Surfing

(48 reviews)

1.0 km

We had a fantastic experience with our surfing lessons. I did the lesson with my 11-year-old son,…read moreand he loved it so much that he asked to book another session for the very next day, which we ended up doing. We had lessons with Adam and Austin, and both were excellent instructors. They watched what we were doing closely and gave really helpful, specific tips after each attempt to point out what we were doing wrong and how to fix it. Their feedback made a big difference and helped us improve quickly. They were also very thoughtful with my son. On both days, the instructors carried his surfboard down to the beach for him, which made things much easier and showed how attentive they were. Another thing that stood out was that they provided both rash guards and booties. From what I saw when looking at other companies, many seemed to provide rash guards but not booties, so that was a nice extra that made the experience more comfortable in the water. Overall, it was a great experience and I'd highly recommend them to anyone looking for surfing lessons.

Had the best time surfing with Adam! He was super friendly and a great instructor. We caught so…read moremany waves! Highly recommend

Riding the waves in Poipu

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Kauai's Best Surfing Spot

Kelley's Surf School

4.9

(42 reviews)

1.5 km

Awesome time is how to begin our experience with Kelley as a surf instructor and great person…read moreoverall. He took my girls under his wing when he saw them paddle out then turn around out of intimidation since they weren't with a instructor yet (they have some previous experience but were new to the Kauai surf). He immediately gave them the tips they needed to feel confident in the water. After this he became their instructor for the rest of our time on the south shore. Kelley got them out to the real surf, taught them what they needed to do to enhance their ability. The girls rode so many waves and were stoked!!! While on the water, Kelley connected with them. He made them feel like friends instantly. The girls said that not only did they have a blast surfing but loved getting back in the surf to laugh their heads off in conversations together. After just one day, we were hooked. His lessons are an experience. Unlike a regular school where the ratio and the distance to shore is short, Kelley gets you on the surf for great rides time after time. It was so great that our 9 year had a lesson after seeing his sisters out there and had the time of his life. On this note, Kelley knew he wasn't as experienced and took him to a different area that would work best for him. Kelley knows the surf and makes sure you are in the right spot based on your ability and what he feels works for you. On top of all this, there is nothing better than meeting someone like Kelley, a native to the island who shares his knowledge and friends on the island to ensure when you do something you are in the right hands. If you want the best surfing experience in Poipu, you must give Kelly a call or show up at the public entrance to the beach next to the Marriott Vacation Resort. It will be the best decision you can make for yourself or family members that want to surf on the south shore.

Met Kelley swimming in the water! Best decision of the day. I see all the other reviews that he…read moredoesn't spend a lot of time on land teaching you how to stand up. I didn't pay to stand on land I paid to be in the water. Kelley pushes you for a few waves so you can get a feel for. Then encourages you to try and catch your own waves. I loved it! Super cool and chill local dude who knows how to surf.

Awesome times awesome rides

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Hanapepe river paddleboarding with Kelly and his sons

Endless Summer Surf School Kauai

(85 reviews)

0.2 km

My first time surfing at age 60 and I was able to ride several waves all the way to shore. Great…read moreexperience with these guys and really fun! I would recommend for all ages!

My husband and daughter signed up for group lessons. Weather was less than agreeable but the…read moreinstructor prioritized safety and everyone had several chances to catch a wave. My husband has done lessons before and felt the instructions were much clearer with this surf school than prior lessons. My daughter was surfing off the first wave! Great place for beginner lessons!

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Surf Into Yoga

(21 reviews)

3.7 km

GEEAT lesson! Rochelle is amazing! My boys had a lesson for the first time ever and they had such…read morean awesome time! This is a MUST if you're visiting the island!

Rochelle is hands-down THE BEST massage therapist I have ever had the opportunity to receive a…read moremassage from. She is extremely knowledgeable about the body, how to pinpoint and relieve specific pain, and is very strong. She is also the best surf instructor on the island of Kauai and has vast knowledge and experience with the practice of yoga. I HIGHLY recommend her services!

Rochelle Ballard is now offering Live Yoga and Workout Classes on Instagram @rochelleballard

The Surf Guide Team at Surf Into Yoga

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Memories to last forever

Aloha Surf Lessons

4.5

(24 reviews)

1.5 km

This surf school is run by professional surfer Chava Greenlee and his big personality comes through…read moreall aspects of the school. Chava goes out of his way to make his surf lessons better than the rest. First, the technique that he uses is clearly well-thought out and effective for beginners. Second, he and his instructors are there for the students (not to surf between students's waves). He provides water shoes for each student. Finally, his lessons on Poipu Beach are at a great break that is very good for beginners to learn. While on Kauai I noticed other surf schools doing all of these wrong, but not Aloha Surf Lessons. If you take your lesson early in your stay, be sure to come back and rent a board from Aloha and practice. Chava and the other instructors will continue to give you advice and feedback when they're in the water.

Had a great experience with Aloha Surf! I signed up by myself and the instructors were all so…read moreawesome! One of the highlights of my trip. My instructor was great. He really make me feel comfortable especially it being my first time and by myself. I asked him to take a picture and video for me and he was super cool about it. After my lesson Chava was gracious enough to take me around to a couple stops before dropping me off back at the hotel. He is so proud of this Island and rightfully so. The whole experience in itself was amazing. All amazing people! Excellent company!! Thanks for such a great experience!!!

After the lesson was over

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Bucket List: Surf in Hawaii =

Lola's Driving School

2.3

(6 reviews)

27.8 km

Lola Driving School may have worked well for some families, but that was not our experience…read more As a family with a neurodivergent teen, we found the main instructor verbally abrasive, dismissive, and inconsistent in her professionalism. Sessions were frequently canceled or started late on her end, yet we were charged fees for any lateness or rescheduling. The communication style felt disrespectful toward both students and parents, including during the parent night. After we withdrew, multiple teens we know shared similar experiences. If your child needs patience, clear communication, or respectful instruction--especially if they are neurodivergent or not local-presenting--I recommend proceeding with caution or choosing another program.

Not only does this aunty breach attendance contracts with her students, she also discriminates…read moreagainst those experiencing medical conditions. She has shown no desire to help these students succeed in getting their license while they also balance the other demands of succeeding in school, sports, etc. and dealing with uncontrollable health circumstance. I know driving schools on Kauai are far and few between but this one is easy to get into for a reason. The only "life lesson" this aunty teaches is how not to conduct a business in Hawaii. No Aloha to be found. Worth waiting for a spot with the Aunties and Uncles who have Aloha for their students and want them to succeed in all aspects of life.

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Hearts4Kauai

(1 review)

1.8 km

I had a great experience with Hearts4Kauai! Jamie is extremely nice and knowledgeable about what…read moreshe does. She is the best instructor for CPR/First aid course I've had. Not only does she go through with you the skills you learned through the online course to prepare you, she is extremely precise and clear on the guidelines. I chose the heart saver CPR Blended option so I was able to do the first portion of the class online. I've taken CPR courses in the past for childcare, but it has been a few years so it was a good refresher. Jamie was really flexible about the date and times available to do the Skills portion in person which were required for the certification. She had her space set up perfect, since I'm sure there are COVID requirements. I will definitely use her service again and recommend to friends and family.

Blue Seas Surfing School

(4 reviews)

5.7 km

Very complete instruction before getting in the water. Perfect location to catch 1st wave. Very…read moreinteresting instructor with lots of history and stories to share. Lesson was in 2019. Missed him this trip as he was winning Legends competition on other island.

Excellent! Charlie is the best! We took lessons with him back in 2013 with our daughter. Now we…read morecame back with our boys for a lesson. He is calm, patient and very friendly. I highly recommend him!

Blue Seas Surfing School Owner Pro surf Instructor Charlie Smith at The Duke Statue Waikiki Hawaii we teach Surfing on Kauai in Poipu Beach

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Blue seas surf school

Hoku Water Sports

(41 reviews)

1.5 km

If you are looking for surf lessons, this is the place! The instructors were knowledgeable, caring,…read moreand supportive. My daughter had an amazing experience here! Our instructor was beyond amazing. Thank you all for the memories!

Dave was amazing today during our lesson and gave advice and insight for the full 90 minutes…read more Highly recommend seeking him out!

Gnar being shredded

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Poipu Beach

4.5

(498 reviews)

1.8 km

(Visited 05/26/26 SU @ 10:00am): There were definitely "crashing waves" albeit small ones along…read morePoipu Beach Located on Kaua'i's "sunny southside", I spent a lazy Sunday at Poipu Beach people-watching, reading, sleeping, snorkeling, sunning, and swimming. Right along The Sheraton Kaua'i Resort Villas where I was staying, I haven't had a day-long beach day for awhile, and I really needed a day just to recharge, refresh, and regenerate my body, mind, and soul. Having been ranked as one of the top beaches in the U.S. over the years, was there anything to poo-poo about Poipu Beach!? EXPERIENCE The word "poipu" in the Hawaiian language meant "crashing waves" and was actually two beaches in one. A "tombola" (known as Nukumoi Point) separated the two bays, and in this case it was a narrow sand spit that extended from the shore to an island. This particular area was a favorite spot for endangered napping Hawaiian monk seals. The area on the western side of the beach was a favorite for beginner bodyboarders while small waves broke gently on the shallow sandbar created a fun area for children to play. The area on the eastern side of the beach was a lava rock-protected and shallow spot for swimmers and another play area for families with small children. On this comfortable sunny day, what was initially a quiet beach progressively got crowded and noisy as the day wore on. I swam for hours back and forth past the shorebreak along the coast, took breaks to drink water and eat a snack, napped, read, and then went back out with snorkel gear in hand. An exhausting exhilarating stress-free day - perfection! SERVICE Specifically on this section of the beach, there weren't any bathrooms nor lifeguard stations. Generally speaking, there weren't any facilities whatsoever except for what the adjacent Sheraton Kaua'i Resort Villas may offer. It was a completely open public beach - 'nuff said. PARKING (Varied; N/A this instance) I had no vehicle, so I simply walked from my room. However, there was a nightly $40.00 fee for guests who stayed at the Sheraton Kaua'i Resort Villas if they parked on the property, and there might've been some free parking along the many nearby roads and streets. Make sure to carefully read any posted signs. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE I made a spot directly out past the middle opening from the resort's pool and the sand, the beach was clean and smooth, somewhat spacious, and fairly empty early-on but no shady trees to deflect the sunlight. There was a lone monk seal https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=120&select=xDFNXkdOMhOO9W7Nv7YtuA which was a protected specie, so people must please stay away. Sizable waves were much further out, this beach was perfect for light water activity (no real surf breaks while snorkeling was better once you got considerably past the shore break). No benches, chairs, or tables, so bring your own chairs or towels to lay or sit on. Obviously, there was plenty of natural lighting with only the glowing stars left to guide you when nighttime came. There were no TVs nor any background music except for any electronic device you brought along with you such as your mobile phone. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=120&select=GN-CeJWbv9VNt_FU7MhmDg ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL Poipu Beach was another little piece of island heaven which I hoped would stay that way. Online research culled many articles and reviews of this beach that also alluded to what I experienced, so none of this was a secret. However, on this given weekend, I was thankful for the peacefulness and solitude. I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $0.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, there was no need for funds of any kind which included my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS

Probably the most famous beach on Kauai, Poipu was named 'Best Beach in America' in 2001 by "Dr…read more Beach", when such lists weren't so prevalent as they are now. My wife and I visited on Day 4 of our Kauai vacation in the early afternoon, and continued to understand why it is so popular with tourists. The area around the beach area is built up, with retail businesses within walking distance. There is usually plenty of free parking, but on this day, the past week's rains had flooded one of the parking lots, so there were not as many spots. My wife still found a good spot though, and we walked the short distance to the shoreline. There is a protected man-made wading area towards the east of the beach. It is easy to wade out to the lava rock retaining wall, with the water being maybe 3 feet there. There are facilities and lifeguards in the area. One of their jobs was to keep folks from getting too close to 4 sea turtles that were sunning on the sand near that area.

Unknown fruit on one of the trees. January 2023.

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Poipu Bay Golf Course

4.0

(77 reviews)

3.3 km

Had a 12pm tee time, just flew in from the Big Island , the staff was amazing never played there…read morebut they treated you like you're part of the family. It was a beautiful day and I gotta say the greens looked and responded amazing. The view was stunning and I played a great game being that it's the first time playing there. Took so much pictures and shot an 84

Nice layout, not overly challenging, other than the wind. Greens were aerated a few weeks earlier,…read moregave us a discount for that. Carts were good and course in nice shape. Greens, super slow, so give it a whack. Team there decent, but front desk lady was rude and a bit condescending, also very confusing. Prefer not dealing or speaking with her again. Practice range is nice but nothing special. Worth it one time to play a former PGA tour course. Not worth another trip.

Celebrating our game on 16th hole

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Na Pali Experience

(592 reviews)

24.6 km

Seana and Jane were amazing! One of the most beautiful places in the world and got to see a lot of…read morebird life! Great activity with 9 and 11 year old grandkids!

Our experience with Napali Experience was truly unforgettable! Captain Kylie and deckhand Jay made…read morethe tour so special, sharing fascinating stories and insights about Hawaiian history, culture, and the Na Pali Coast throughout the day. There were three standout moments for us: snorkeling alongside sea turtles, witnessing two incredible pods of dolphins in their natural habitat, and being dipped into the famous fertility waterfall--a memory my husband and I will cherish forever. The Na Pali coastline is absolutely breathtaking. Seeing the towering cliffs and dramatic mountain ranges from the water gives you a whole new appreciation for just how vast, rugged, and remote this part of Kauai truly is. It's incredible to imagine what life must have been like for those who once called this coastline home. We can't recommend Napali Experience enough. Thank you to Kylie, Jay, and the entire team for creating such a memorable and once-in-a-lifetime adventure!