Polu Lani Surf Lessons &amp; Adventures

(437 reviews)

1.3 mi

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)

2.0 mi

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)

1.6 mi

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)

1.8 mi

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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RENTAL MENU

Sparky's Surf School

(110 reviews)

1.8 mi

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)

1.3 mi

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)

0.2 mi

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)

2.1 mi

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)

0.7 mi

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)

12.6 mi

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)

4.7 mi

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)

1.6 mi

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)

16.9 mi

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)

8.2 mi

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)

5.8 mi

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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12 reviews that are not currently recommended

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John T.

0

1

0

10 years ago

I recently took a trip to O'ahu with my family. My son has been asking me to teach him how to surf for some time now, but I am not very good myself. Soooo, we found Polu Lani Surf and gave them a call. The owner and best surf instructor EVER took me and my boy out and he was up on his second try!!! I also caught more waves than all my previous surf trips combined. Ricky was super cool, patient, and full of Aloha!! I could not be happier and my son has still not stopped talking about his experience. Thanks Ricky, you are the MAN!! Aloha read more

Paulina S.

0

1

0

5 years ago

I had a fantastic experience with John. He was very knowledgable and put me at ease in the water. I liked how we were just outside of Waikiki with lots of open space in the water. This allowed me to relax and not worry about bumping into other surfers. I was able to stand up and catch great waves multiple times. John comes prepared and provides rash guards, booties, and even coconut water for his customers. I highly recommend Polu Lani Surf lessons if you are a first time surfer in Oahu! read more

Geneviève B.

0

4

0

10 years ago

I surfed with Rick back in Mai 2015 and had an awesome time. It was my first time surfing and I was anxious being a single female traveling alone. Rick was super respectful and I felt very safe in the water. He got me up on my first try! He made sure I got on as many waves as possible. I even got tired before the end of the lesson. You really get enough time in the water! I came back to Hawaii in January 2016 and surfed again with Polu lani. I got the same great experience. read more

Mike T.

0

1

0

9 years ago

Rick was amazing and helped my fiancee and I get up on our boards quickly. His personality was perfect for teaching and providing all of the tips to keep us safe on the water. Like others have mentioned, the surfing takes place away from the crowds which made the experience even better. We felt like we had the ocean to ourselves. Thanks again for all the help and the great photos. Mahalo! read more

Tommy R.

66

1

0

10 years ago

I had not attempted to surf again for over 15 years. Rick had me up and riding for over 100 yards in about an hour thanks to his experience and expertise. On top of that he's a very cool dude and has been surfing for most of his life and a local to boot. Would highly recommend u get up with Rick if you're looking to get up on the waves! read more

John A.

0

2

0

4 years ago

What a fantastic experience! Went with my 16 year old daughter, who of course got right up, me on the other hand, not so much pop. John was incredible! Patient, positive, talkative, experienced and professional. Highly recommend Polu Lani and John! Will do this again for sure! Thank you! read more

Makoto M.

0

1

0

4 years ago

John is a fantastic instructor who is patient and fun to be around and learn from. He shares his knowledge and passion for surfing and will take the time to make you a better surfer. He cares about making the next generation of surfers. I highly recommend taking lessons from him. read more

Chip B.

1

16

18

10 years ago

Ricky my instructor was very patient, and fun to be with. Ricky knows what he's doing and makes the experience fun! And he make sure while you're having fun you're also safe. I'll guarantee you he can get you up on that surfboard. Hope you have as much fun as me. read more

Candice T.

0

2

0

10 years ago

Rick was just awesome! He really made the whole experience for us, so much better - You wouldn't think that surfing in Hawaii could get any better than that, but he really made it amazing! Thanks Rick! read more

Ron H.

217

1

0

10 years ago

Rick is one of the best dudes in the game!! Teaches you the fundamentals and takes time to really guide you. Definitely recommend taking a lesson! read more

Kirbee D.

0

1

0

8 years ago

The best experience!!!! Rick was an awesome instructor. His surfing lesson was the highlight of our trip!

Emily M.

0

1

0

10 years ago

Rick先生はプロのコーチです！泳げないけど丁寧に一から教えてくれます(^^)とにかく丁寧で、最初は怖いと思っていたけど安心して楽しめました‼また絶対に教えてもらいたいです(^^)

Polu Lani Surf Lessons & Adventures - surfschools - Updated August 2026

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Mickeys Surf School

(278 reviews)

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.

Sparky's Surf School

(110 reviews)

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!!!!!

Kahu Surf School

4.1

(78 reviews)

Paulo was a great coach and all 3 of us caught multiple waves. Aura farming: surf lesson at Waikiki…read moreBeach, right at the Duke statue. Great time and value!

If zero stars could be the score it would, but, alas, we're stuck with 1 star. I suppose I should…read morehave done my homework beforehand ... and certainly having Elon Musk as your background picture on Yelp would have been a big red flag .... Avoid: Kahu Surf School. My son was so excited for his first surf lesson and we had signed up with this School based on reviews on Google. I don't even know where to begin - they were late, the photographer no-showed, they didn't have a plan for who would give the lesson, and then they expected my kid - (and this was billed for 6-11 year olds) to immediately grasp it - and this is all before getting in the water (we also had to meet them at an office two blocks off the beach). The instructor told my son to "stop f'ing around" in front of us when he giggled nervously when he didn't get some something perfect immediately. We should have pulled him right there (parenting fail). Verbal abuse is never okay. The surf lesson was an absolute nightmare. The instructor swore at my child repeatedly (including f-bombs) leaving my son in tears, he was impatient with my son as he struggled to learn a new skill, and he seemed to have a little experience or willingness to work with a new-to-surfing kid. Kids need to be told things and receive constant reminders to help them learn. Instead, the instructor was verbally abusive of a child. This was supposed to be the highlight of the trip and instead my son ended up on the beach in tears. The surf instructor took off and paddled away from him as my son was attempting to learn how to navigate on a board and then screamed at him that he was f'ing terrible when my son fell. The whole thing was only 25 minutes instead of an hour. I've reached out to the surf school for a refund (they did give back the photo fee, but have refused everything else and are now LYING that my son is special needs and that I misled them . Our son does not have special needs and is not special needs in any way ... their story has changed ged repeatedly- all to justify financial irresponsibility and verbal abuse of a minor. They tried to say it was my son's fault for not learning his first time out or listening (to verbal abuse). These are kids- they deserve better- and patience is part of it..It was the most unprofessional experience we've ever had and I'm so, so sad for my kid. I would NEVER recommend them and encourage everyone to seek more appropriate options for children's beginner lessons. In fact, the instructor started out saying he would be on the beach watching my son, and he'd come in if he needed help. It was unreal and I think he saw our expressions as he did go in the water with him. Note the photo, that they offer refunds for reviews ... so, buyer beware. I don't suppose I'll get a refund for this? I have also had really strange communications via email with the person I can only assume is the owner and the author of the below response. Each email has changed the story and now he's settled on calling an academically gifted child/swim team swimmer special needs (I think there is maybe a reading comprehension issue? It's alarming and very strange. These are not people I'd want around my kid. It's a violation of yelp and Google to offer incentives for reviews.

Star Beachboys

4.0

(259 reviews)

Aunty V was great, very patient and understanding with someone like me, a non-swimmer surfing for…read morethe first time. After the patient comes fun, but observant Aunty V. Trusting her helps you trust yourself while surfing. I highly recommend 10/10.

Yogi was super helpful and our instructor was awesome My…read morekids loved it Will be going again

Jamie O'Brien School Of Surf

(16 reviews)

Wonderful surf school. The staff are extremely helpful and friendly. They made sure we knew what we…read morewere doing, and why. Made sure everyone in our group was doing well. We loved it so much we had to come back again! Our great instructors were Happi, Brandon, and Tyler. Great people! Thanks for the amazing time Management give these guys a raise!

We love JOB school of surf, the instructors are strong surfers, gives great instruction and gets my…read moredaughter into great waves. We've gone to both Coronado and Waikiki. The solo surf lesson makes a difference when you're looking for a quality experience. Highly recommend for young kids.

Surfer Girl Academy Surf School

(33 reviews)

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.

Kilohana Surf School

(24 reviews)

Fantastic! This place was a great, no-nonsense, easy, quality surf lesson for my first-timer kid…read more Molly quickly gave a land lesson and then they were off paddling into the ocean waves. My kid got up surfing in no time, and did so repeatedly. Molly gave her lots of tips and made the whole experience safe, casual, and fun! Mahalo Molly & Chris!

I cannot recommend Chris enough! My girlfriend and I had a wonderful 60-minute private lesson with…read moreChris. We arrived a bit late, so Chris was swift with the on land instruction so that we still had plenty of time in the water. It was both of our first times but we each made it up at least once. I am pretty afraid of the ocean but I really had a blast. It was all thanks to Chris! Chris was caring, funny and a great teacher. He gave helpful instruction and kept us feeling encouraged and excited even as the surfing got tiring. He supplies all the equipment (including a rash guard) and a lock box to keep all your personal items while out on the water. If you're looking at the Groupon Deal, I would recommend going directly through Chris' site instead. Groupon takes 1/2 half that money for itself. The other surf lesson spot on that beach charges $150 per person for a private lesson. Definitely recommend going through Kilohana Surf School with Chris. As he told us, though, the pricing isn't his main concern, he does it for the aloha. And we could tell! We felt like he took us in as friends. Thanks again, Chris! We'll definitely be back!

Faith Surf School

4.7

(113 reviews)

First time signing up for surf lessons and, based on reviews, decided to give Faith a try…read more I think the rates are reasonable for personal, semi-group, and group instruction. 80 minutes for newbies was a perfect amount of time to go over safety, technique, and signals on land then experiment in the ocean for the remainder of the time. Rocco was clear when giving instructions and tips for improving our stance on the board while on land. He was patient and re-stated parts I did not understand. Looking back, I wish I had asked for advice on what to do when surfing directly into/next to someone. Shout to the other person? Jump off the board? Rocco mentioned 'traffic' and who has the right of way but not crash scenarios. I mention this because on three of my practice runs, I was wiped out by other younger individuals No blame or judgment from a first-timer here, but I was excited to get a longer run standing yet almost half of my opportunities were stopped short not due to my lack of skill. You will need to purchase a rash guard either at Faith or purchase one locally (check out Ross, Walmart, Target, etc.). Also would recommend leg protection if you burn easily (like I did). I applied sunscreen on the backs of my legs, as instructed in the confirmation information, but I got a gnarly sunburn on my and legs. I signed up for 11:00 slot and was delayed almost 30 minutes due to overlapping canoe and surf lessons schedules. The staff was apologetic and kind and offered beach chairs while we waited. We were not in a rush, so waiting was no issue. Once we began, we received the full 80 minute lesson and had a blast! Even with the delay, I would highly recommend Faith! The staff is excellent and personalizes feedback on land and in real time in the water. Mahalo ‍

Stopped by at 9:30am this morning with no reservation & the guys were able to accomodate us…read moreimmediately! Clark, Toni & Ron were so friendly & full of aloha!! Will definitely stop by regularly on my HNL layovers!

Surf Caddy

4.6

(50 reviews)

A+ experience. I have zero surf experience before this. He was very focused on learning on the go…read more We covered safety and the begining and hit the water. I was with 2 friends and he made sure we each got time to learn. All of us got to our feet and roade at least one wave. I will happy go see him again next time I visit the island. Thanks for everything.

The two stars are only because Carsun was really nice, easy going, and helped me paddling when I…read moreneeded it. I'm disappointed overall because he was over 30 minutes late from our scheduled appt, he didn't tell me I would be with another student (I thought I was paying for private), and the overall session was only 40ish minutes. It said up to 90 minutes on Groupon, so I was assuming at least an hour of water time. He seems like a good guy and runs a nice family business, but unfortunately he struck me on my biggest pet peeve: ending significantly earlier than the paid time (...and being really late). I'd recommend his services only if he fixes those two areas.

E Oahu Surf Tours