Things to do in Oahu › Oahu tours and activities › Surf lessons › Private 1-on-1 Surf Lesson with Videos and Photos
Private 1-on-1 Surf Lesson with Videos and Photos
★ #10 of 14 in our Surf lessons list Picked from the 106 surf lessons in the Oahu catalogue, the way every tour here gets picked.
Updated the price every day; listing, departure times and pickup notes
Manifesting Aloha Surf School gives you an instructor to yourself near Ala Moana Bowls. The 1-hour lesson costs from $160 per person. You meet at the small triangular beach at the end of the parking lot for daily starts from 7 to 10 a.m. Children aged 4 to 11 can ride tandem with their instructor. Paddling help is available when you need it.
Our check
Private 1-on-1 Surf Lesson with Videos and Photos at a glance
| Beach | Ala Moana Bowls |
| Duration | 1-hour booking |
| Price | from $160 per person |
| Format | One student with one instructor |
| Starts | Daily at 7 a.m. · 8:30 a.m. · 10 a.m. |
| Meeting point | Small triangular beach at the end of the Ala Moana Bowls parking lot |
| Ages | 4 and up, tandem option for ages 4 to 11 |
| Parking | Free meeting lot, paid lot nearby if full |
| Main trade-off | Extra charge for photos and videos |
| Guide languages | English |
| Cancellation | Full refund until 24 hours before the start; nothing after |
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
- Surf Board, Leash, Water Shirt (Rash Guard), Water Shoes
- All Fees and Taxes
- Photo/Video Package (sent via email after lesson if purchased)
What's not included
- Gratuities or Tips
Options
Which option to book
The private option gives you one instructor for yourself. It runs daily at 7 or 8:30 a.m., with a final start at 10 a.m.
| Option | Departures |
|---|---|
| Private 1-on-1 Surf Lesson with Videos and Photos Available | 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., daily |
The catch: Each booking covers 1 student, and photos aren't part of the lesson price.
The day
How does the day work?
Your private lesson moves from equipment fitting and a shore demonstration to coached wave practice near Ala Moana Bowls.
- 1
Equipment at the beach
Your instructor meets you beside the triangular beach. The first step is choosing a water shirt and shoes that fit before the shore demonstration.
- 2
Shore demonstration
Your instructor demonstrates paddling and standing near the water entrance. Safety comes before the session in the surf, with time for your questions on shore.
- 3
Individual water practice
The instructor helps push you onto waves and can tow you if paddling is difficult. Children aged 4 to 11 may share the instructor's board.
- 4
Back ashore
You paddle back to the starting beach after practicing. If you've purchased photos or videos, they're uploaded the same day and emailed by that evening.
The scheduled booking is 1 hour. A shore demonstration precedes the water practice, and the lesson ends at the same triangular beach.
Pickup and meeting point
- Meeting landmark: Arrive at the ocean end of the Ala Moana Bowls parking lot. The small triangular beach marks the meeting place for your instructor.
- Parking choices: The meeting lot has free parking. If you can't find a space, there's a paid lot to the right just before you reach it.
- Your ride: You make your own way to the parking lot. This private lesson doesn't include a hotel transfer to or from the beach.
Before you book
- The instructor can tow you if you can't paddle back unaided.
Fit
Is this tour right for you?
Children aged 4 to 11 can choose tandem surfing during this 1-hour private lesson. The instructor's attention stays with one student. It's also a fit if you want help paddling between waves. Your photos require a separate purchase.
For included video, Michael McChrystal offers a 90-minute Ala Moana lesson for swimmers aged 10 and up, from $125 per person. Ty Gurney's shared hour lets two swimmers aged 15 and up learn together, from $118.82 per person for 2 to 4.
Who it's not for
- Children under 4
- Groups wanting a shared lesson under one booking
- Guests expecting photos or video in the lesson price
Good to know
Know before you go
Children can take this private lesson from age 4. Every student must be able to swim, including those using tandem help. The session calls for moderate fitness and isn't recommended during pregnancy.
A water shirt and water shoes are supplied in your size. The school also provides your board and leash. You can't bring a personal surfboard for the lesson, so there's no reason to transport one.
Each reservation is for 1 student with 1 instructor. Children aged 4 to 11 may ride tandem on the instructor's board. That assistance doesn't turn the booking into a place for two family members.
The meeting lot by the small triangular beach is free. If it's full, there's a paid lot to the right just before it. You meet at the ocean end of the lot near Ala Moana Bowls.
Weather can cause the session to be canceled. Photos and video are separate purchases when your lesson runs. Purchased files are uploaded that day, with an email sent by the evening.
Your booking receives immediate approval and a mobile ticket. Canceling at least 24 hours before departure earns a full refund. There's no cancellation refund once you're inside that deadline.
Reviews
How is it rated?
Alternatives
Which tour to choose instead
Video already covered by the price
Surf Lesson Without the Crowds, GoPro Videos IncludedMichael McChrystal includes edited footage of your attempts. His 90-minute lesson costs from $125 per person, with swimming required and a minimum age of 10.
★ 5.0 · 222 reviews · from $125 per person
Two older students learning together
Private and Semi-Private Surf Lessons in WaikikiTy Gurney's semi-private hour fits a pair of swimmers. It costs from $118.82 per person for 2 to 4, with a minimum age of 15 for this option.
★ 5.0 · 79 reviews · from $118.82 per person for 2 to 4
A family sharing its lesson
Surfing Lessons in Waikiki with Hawaii FirefightersSurfing with Firefighters takes bookings for up to four surfers aged 7 and up. The private hour costs from $89 per adult for 3 or more.
★ 5.0 · 316 reviews · from $89 per adult for 3 or more
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Good to know
People also ask
- Can a four-year-old take Manifesting Aloha's private lesson?
Yes, the private lesson begins at age 4. Children aged 4 to 11 can surf on the instructor's board, though they still need to swim. You book one student at a time for individual attention throughout the session.
- Is swimming required for Manifesting Aloha's surf lesson?
Yes, all students need swimming ability for this 1-hour lesson. Your instructor can tow you if paddling becomes difficult. That help doesn't remove the swimming requirement, even when a younger child rides tandem.
- Are photos included with Manifesting Aloha's private lesson?
No, photos and video cost extra for the 1-hour private booking. The files are emailed after the lesson only if you purchase them. You can expect the upload that day and the email by evening.
- Where do you park for Manifesting Aloha at Ala Moana Bowls?
You can use the free meeting lot by the small triangular beach. A paid lot sits to the right just before it if you can't find a space. Plan parking time outside the 1-hour lesson itself.
- Can you cancel the Manifesting Aloha lesson without a fee?
Yes, you get a full refund by canceling at least 24 hours before your booked departure. You won't receive it for a later cancellation. Keep the deadline in mind when choosing a lesson around your arrival or flight home.
Times and conditions as the booking page listed them on October 30, 2026; the price is re-read every day, last on . Tours book on the booking page at its price; a booking through the button earns this site a commission, and your price is the same.