Things to do in Oahu › Oahu tours and activities › Kayak, paddleboard and Kaneohe sandbar tours › Family, Private and Group Standup Paddle Lessons in Waikiki
Family, Private and Group Standup Paddle Lessons in Waikiki
★ #7 of 12 in our list “Kayak, paddleboard and Kaneohe sandbar tours” Picked from the 28 kayak and paddleboard tours in the Oahu catalog, the way every tour here gets picked.
Updated price re-read every day; listing, times and pickup notes reviewed with it
Ohana Surf Project teaches you to paddleboard off Waikiki Beach with lessons tailored to your group. The 1-hour family lesson costs from $116.18 per person for 2 or more. It starts at 3 p.m. throughout the week on available dates. Designated Waikiki transfers are included. A parent joins a child under 13 on separate boards, and private lessons offer individual help for children who can't paddle independently.
Our check
Family, Private and Group Standup Paddle Lessons in Waikiki at a glance
| Where | Waikiki Beach |
| Craft and guide | Paddleboard with instructor, format matched to your party |
| Duration | 1 or 2 hours by option |
| Price | from $116.18 per person for 2 or more |
| Short lesson | 3 p.m., all days of the week, dates vary |
| Longer lesson | 9 a.m., noon or 3 p.m., dates vary |
| Pickup | Designated Waikiki stops, 10 to 45 minutes before the lesson |
| Family requirement | A parent and a child under 13, all swimming and paddling independently |
| Main trade-off | Private instruction needed for non-swimmers |
| Guide languages | English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean |
Read from the operator's listing on the booking page, October 30, 2026. The price is the tour's starting price in U.S. dollars, re-read every day, last on .
What's included
- A safe place to store your belongings
- All necessary equipment including rashguard, reef shoes, paddleboard, and paddle.
- All taxes and fees
- Professional instructor
- Transportation to and from designated meetings spots in Waikiki
What's not included
- Gratuities
- Photos & videos (available for purchase)
- Meals
Options
Which option to book
Lessons last 1 or 2 hours, with family and private formats. Semiprivate lessons pair two students with an instructor, while exclusive groups need at least three swimmers aged 13 and up.
| Option | Departures |
|---|---|
| Family Lesson (1hr) | 3 p.m., daily |
| Exclusive Group (1hr) | 3 p.m., daily |
| Semi-Private (1hr) | 3 p.m., daily |
| Family Lesson (2hr) | 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m., daily |
| One-on-one Private (1hr) | 3 p.m., daily |
| Exclusive Group (2hr) | 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m., daily |
| Semi-Private (2hr) | 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m., daily |
| One-on-one Private (2hr) | 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m., daily |
The catch: The family lesson needs a parent and a child under 13, and everyone must swim and paddle their own board.
The day
How does the day work?
A visit to the Surf Center comes before your beach lesson and the shuttle back to your drop-off point.
- 1
Meet the shuttle
Your pickup brings you to the Ohana Surf Center at Waikiki Beach Marriott. The visit begins with check-in and equipment fitting.
- 2
Prepare for the water
A safety briefing comes before the ride to the beach. You'll discuss your experience and comfort level with the instructor there.
- 3
Practice on your board
Your instructor works with you on the water. The lesson format determines how much individual attention you get.
- 4
Return through the center
The group heads back to the Surf Center afterward. Photos and videos are available to buy before the shuttle takes you to your drop-off point.
Lesson time is 1 or 2 hours by option. Check-in and transfers add steps around that time. The outing ends with the ride back from the Surf Center.
Pickup and meeting point
- Pickup instructions: Your meeting details arrive by email at least 24 hours before the lesson. If they haven't arrived by then, Ohana Surf Project needs a call or email.
- Shuttle timing: Pickup is 10 to 45 minutes before lesson time. The assigned Waikiki meeting point determines your time, so the lesson start isn't the shuttle departure.
- Special pickup: Some nearby hotels can get a closer pickup by arrangement. Requests need at least 24 hours' notice and aren't automatic.
- Ready for water: Wear your swimsuit and apply sunscreen before arrival. A towel belongs in your bag, while the school supplies a surf shirt and reef shoes.
Before you book
- Non-swimmers need private lessons. They provide individual help while you're on the water.
Fit
Is this tour right for you?
The 1-hour family lesson fits a parent and a child under 13 who can each manage a board. Both need to swim independently. You don't share a board during the lesson. The private format suits a child who needs individual help.
For balance practice on an anchored board, Yoga Floats costs from $57.36 per adult. If you'd prefer to learn while exploring a river, Rainbow's group lesson costs from $104 per person.
Who it's not for
- Non-swimmers choosing a shared lesson
- Family bookings without a parent participating
- Children under 13 in semiprivate or exclusive group lessons
Good to know
Know before you go
The family option pairs a parent with a child aged 12 or younger. Each person needs to swim and handle their own board. A child who needs shared-board support requires a different lesson arrangement.
Wear your bathing suit with sunscreen applied before pickup. A towel is yours to bring. The school supplies a long-sleeved rashguard and reef shoes along with the board equipment.
Your pickup details arrive by email before the lesson. If they're missing 24 hours beforehand, contact Ohana Surf Project. Your assigned stop may be outside your hotel rather than at its front entrance.
Staff need advance notice of medical conditions or injuries. Lessons aren't recommended during pregnancy or for travelers with spinal injuries. Non-swimmers also need to discuss their lesson type before arriving.
Weather can cause a lesson cancellation. When it goes ahead you'll have a place to store your belongings during the session. Photos and videos are optional purchases after your return to the surf center.
You can reserve for up to 8 participants using mobile tickets. Cancellation at least 24 hours before the lesson earns a full refund. No refund applies if you cancel closer to the start.
Reviews
How is it rated?
Alternatives
Which tour to choose instead
Practice balance without a paddling route
Paddleboard Yoga Class in HonoluluYoga on anchored boards costs from $57.36 per adult at Magic Island. You're working on poses in shallow water.
★ 4.9 · 124 reviews · from $57.36 per adult
Learn while exploring the Anahulu River
Group Stand Up Paddle Lesson and TourRainbow's shared paddleboard lesson and tour costs from $104 per person for 2 hours. An instructor accompanies your river outing.
★ 5.0 · 43 reviews · from $104 per person
Paddle independently after a brief introduction
Haleiwa River Paddleboard Rental with Blue Planet AdventureBlue Planet's rental costs from $39.99 per person with basic instruction before a 2-hour river outing. Ongoing coaching isn't part of the rental.
★ 4.9 · 232 reviews · from $39.99 per person
All 12 tours in the list “Kayak, paddleboard and Kaneohe sandbar tours” · Oahu tours and activities by category
Questions
People also ask
- What does Ohana Surf Project's family paddleboard lesson cost?
The family lesson costs from $116.18 per person for 2 or more. That starting rate covers the 1-hour option at 3 p.m. You get instruction and equipment, with transport from designated Waikiki stops also included.
- Can a non-swimmer take an Ohana Surf Project paddleboard lesson?
Yes, a private lesson is the option for non-swimmers. You can choose a 1-hour or 2-hour session. The family and semiprivate choices require swimming ability, so staff need to know your ability before they assign the lesson.
- Which Ohana Surf Project lesson suits a child aged 2 to 6?
The private lesson suits children aged 2 through 6 who need individual attention. Private instruction starts at age 2. A family booking isn't a substitute when your child can't swim or manage a board on their own.
- How many students share Ohana Surf Project's semiprivate lesson?
The semiprivate option pairs two students with one instructor and starts at age 13. Both students must be able to swim. Choose this format for a pair wanting instruction together without joining a larger lesson group.
- How early does Ohana Surf Project collect Waikiki guests?
Pickup falls 10 to 45 minutes before the lesson by your assigned stop. Your email provides the exact instructions. The ride takes you to the surf center first, where equipment fitting and a safety briefing precede the beach transfer.
Times and conditions as the booking page listed them on October 30, 2026; the price is re-read every day, last on . Booking happens on the booking page, at its price; a booking through the button earns this site a commission, and your price is the same.