Things to do in Oahu › Oahu tours and activities › Surf lessons › Private and Semi-Private Surf Lessons in Waikiki
Private and Semi-Private Surf Lessons in Waikiki
★ #12 of 14 in our list “Surf lessons” Picked from the 106 surf lessons 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
Ty Gurney Surf School pairs you with another student for surfing instruction at Waikiki Beach. The 1-hour semi-private lesson costs from $118.82 per person for 2 to 4. You meet at the shop opposite Halekulani for daily starts from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Each instructor teaches no more than two students. This hour suits couples who can swim and are both at least 15.
Our check
Private and Semi-Private Surf Lessons in Waikiki at a glance
| Beach | Waikiki Beach |
| Duration | 1 or 2 hours |
| Price | from $118.82 per person for 2 to 4 |
| Priced option | 1-hour semi-private lesson, two students per instructor |
| Standard starts | Daily at 8 a.m. · 9 a.m. · 10 a.m. · noon · 1 p.m. · 3 p.m. · 4 p.m. |
| Meeting point | Shop next to Denny's, opposite Halekulani Hotel |
| Semi-private ages | 1-hour option from 15, 2-hour option from 13, swimmers only |
| Main trade-off | Advance booking required for optional paid photos and videos |
| Guide languages | English |
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
- Rash Guard Shirt
- Introductory land lesson to review basic skills and water safety
- Surfboard
What's not included
- Gratuity (optional)
- Photos & videos (optional - must be booked in advance)
Options
Which option to book
Private and semi-private lessons run for 1 or 2 hours. The Alii private options add a tow back to the lineup after each wave.
| Option | Departures |
|---|---|
| Semi-Private Lesson (1hr) | 7 start times from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily |
| Private Surf Lesson (1hr) | 7 start times from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily |
| Semi-Private Lesson (2hr) | 7 start times from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily |
| Ali'i Private Surf Lesson(1hr) | 9 start times from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily |
| Private Surf Lesson (2hr) | 7 start times from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily |
| Ali'i Private Surf Lesson(2hr) | 9 start times from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily |
The catch: The 1-hour semi-private minimum is 15, so younger teens can't join this option.
The day
How does the day work?
The lesson starts at Ty Gurney's shop before a beach briefing and practice in the Waikiki surf.
- 1
Shop preparation
Your belongings stay at the shop. You get ready with the supplied equipment before the lesson moves to the beach with your instructor.
- 2
Beach briefing
The beach introduction covers basic skills. Your instructor then reviews water safety before you head into the surf to practice what you've learned.
- 3
Into the surf
You head into the water to practice catching waves with your instructor. Teaching is shared between no more than two students per instructor during the session.
The lesson length is 1 or 2 hours by option. That includes the beach introduction. Your finish point is the same surf shop.
Pickup and meeting point
- Shop landmarks: Check for Ty Gurney Surf School beside Denny's restaurant across from Halekulani Hotel. The shop is where you meet before heading to the sand.
- Hotel journey: You travel to the school independently before your lesson starts. There isn't a hotel pickup or drop-off included in this meeting arrangement.
Before you book
- Book photos and videos ahead if you want them. They aren't included with your lesson.
Fit
Is this tour right for you?
Two swimmers aged 15 and up can share the 1-hour lesson with one instructor. Your party gets a defined teaching ratio. It's suited to a couple or friends who want to learn together. The 2-hour semi-private option also accepts ages 13 and 14.
Stoke Drift keeps your party together for 90 minutes, from $123 per adult for 2 or more. For a young child's own instructor, Manifesting Aloha accepts ages 4 and up from $160 per person.
Who it's not for
- Nonswimmers choosing semi-private instruction
- Children under 15 taking the shared 1-hour option
- Guests needing hotel collection
Good to know
Know before you go
The 1-hour semi-private option is for swimmers aged 15 or older. You share an instructor with one other student. Private options offer individual attention and accommodate a wider range of abilities.
Bring a towel and sunscreen for the session. Your board and rash guard are provided, though you can use your own shirt. Bags and other belongings can stay at the shop while you surf.
The priced 1-hour option accepts 2 to 4 travelers, with 2 students per instructor. Solo travelers need a private lesson.
Arrive at the shop 15 minutes before your lesson. It's next to Denny's opposite the Halekulani Hotel. You check in and store belongings there before going to the sand for instruction.
Paid photos and videos need to be booked ahead. They aren't part of the lesson price, and deciding afterward doesn't reserve a photographer. Your booking choice should include the photo request if you want one.
Booking approval is immediate and your ticket is mobile. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start for a full refund. No refund applies to a later cancellation of your lesson.
Reviews
How is it rated?
Alternatives
Which tour to choose instead
A longer lesson within your party
Waikiki Private Group Surf LessonStoke Drift's private group lasts 90 minutes. It costs from $123 per adult for 2 or more, with every student aged 13 or older.
★ 4.9 · 312 reviews · from $123 per adult for 2 or more
Individual attention for a young child
Private 1-on-1 Surf Lesson with Videos and PhotosManifesting Aloha offers a private hour from age 4. It costs from $160 per person, with children through age 11 able to ride tandem with the instructor.
★ 5.0 · 120 reviews · from $160 per person
Waikiki pickup for a shared lesson
Family, Private and Group Surf Lessons with Waikiki Courtesy ShuttleOhana's open group comes with a designated Waikiki shuttle. The shared hour costs from $104.66 per person for 2 or more, with swimmers aged 13 and up eligible.
★ 5.0 · 284 reviews · from $104.66 per person for 2 or more
All 14 tours in the list “Surf lessons” · Oahu tours and activities by category
Questions
People also ask
- What does Ty Gurney's starting price cover?
It covers the 1-hour semi-private lesson from $118.82 per person for 2 to 4. You need to be a swimmer aged 15 or older. Longer lessons and private instruction are separate options with their own eligibility rules.
- Can you book Ty Gurney's semi-private lesson alone?
No, a solo student needs a private booking. The 1-hour semi-private option accepts 2 to 4 people, keeping the ratio at two students per instructor. You need another eligible swimmer to use that format.
- When should you arrive for Ty Gurney's Waikiki lesson?
You should reach the shop 15 minutes before the booked start. Check-in and storing your belongings happen there before the walk to the sand. The shop is next to Denny's and opposite the Halekulani Hotel.
- Are photos included in Ty Gurney's one-hour lesson?
No, the 1-hour lesson doesn't include a photo or video package. You need to request and pay for photography in advance. Your board and rash guard are already supplied without a separate equipment purchase.
- Does Ty Gurney's Waikiki booking allow free cancellation?
Yes, canceling at least 24 hours before departure gets you a full refund. You lose the refund once you're inside that window. Keep your booking's deadline in mind before moving the lesson to another day.
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.