Things to do in Oahu › Oahu tours and activities › Surf lessons › Surf Lesson Without the Crowds, GoPro Videos Included
Surf Lesson Without the Crowds, GoPro Videos Included
★ #7 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
Michael McChrystal teaches you to surf at Ala Moana and films the lesson on GoPro. The 90-minute lesson costs from $125 per person. You meet by the beach park's volleyball courts near Kewalo Harbor for daily starts from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Your edited clips come by email after the lesson. They're part of the price, so you don't need to buy a video package.
Our check
Surf Lesson Without the Crowds, GoPro Videos Included at a glance
| Beach | Ala Moana |
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Price | from $125 per person |
| Starts | Daily at 7 a.m. · 9 a.m. · 11 a.m. · 1 p.m. |
| Meeting point | Ala Moana Beach Park, near Kewalo Harbor and the volleyball courts |
| Ages | 10 and up, swimmers only |
| Fitness | Moderate fitness required |
| Main trade-off | Two students per lesson at most |
| Guide languages | English, Japanese |
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
- surfboards, rash guards, reef shoes, GoPro cameras
What's not included
- The operator lists no exclusions
Options
Which option to book
The single 90-minute option includes edited GoPro footage. Daily starts are at 7 and 9 a.m., with later sessions at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
| Option | Departures |
|---|---|
| Surf Lesson Without the Crowds Including GoPRO Videos | 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., daily |
The catch: Each lesson takes two students at most, so a bigger party won't surf as one class.
The day
How does the day work?
You meet at Ala Moana Beach Park for a shore briefing and a surf session recorded on GoPro.
- 1
Beach park meeting
The meeting place is near the volleyball courts by Kewalo Harbor. Your group gathers at Ala Moana Beach Park before the instruction begins.
- 2
Reading the waves
The beach briefing explains how waves work. Surf etiquette is also covered before you head into the ocean to practice.
- 3
Surf on camera
You learn to catch waves with your instructor. GoPro cameras film you in the water for the clips you'll get after the lesson.
- 4
Footage after the lesson
Your clips are edited after you leave the beach. You'll get them by email, with no extra fee for videos or pictures.
The beach briefing and water practice share the 90-minute session. You return to the same Ala Moana meeting point when the lesson ends.
Pickup and meeting point
- Meeting landmarks: Check for the volleyball courts near Kewalo Harbor at Ala Moana Beach Park. These are the landmarks for meeting your instructor before the lesson.
- Own transport: You'll need to make your own way to the beach park. The lesson ends at the same spot, and there's no hotel transfer.
Before you book
- Expect edited clips by email after the lesson. The video is included in your booking.
Fit
Is this tour right for you?
Swimmers aged 10 and up get a 90-minute lesson with their attempts recorded on GoPro. Your footage doesn't cost extra. This fits travelers who want to see their surfing afterward. It suits a solo traveler or a pair.
For an instructor entirely to yourself, Manifesting Aloha offers a private hour by the Hilton Hawaiian Village lagoon from $160 per person. Ty Gurney keeps its shared hour to two students per instructor, from $118.82 per person for 2 to 4.
Who it's not for
- Nonswimmers
- Children under 10
- Groups of three or more wanting one shared class
Good to know
Know before you go
Swimmers aged 10 and up need moderate fitness for this lesson. It isn't recommended during pregnancy. Spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health also make it a poor choice.
A board and rash guard are supplied for your lesson. Reef shoes come with them. Bring your own towel and water, with swimwear on before you're ready to enter the ocean.
Michael McChrystal limits each lesson to two students, so a larger party won't share one class. Ask the school how it splits your group.
You meet by the volleyball courts near Kewalo Harbor in Ala Moana Beach Park. You'll need your own way there. The harbor and courts mark the spot where you meet, with no hotel pickup.
Weather can cause the school to cancel your lesson. Your GoPro clips are edited and sent by email after you surf. Check with the school when you'll get them.
You can reserve for 1 to 6 travelers and receive immediate booking approval. The ticket is mobile. Canceling at least 24 hours before the session gets a full refund, but later cancellations don't.
Reviews
How is it rated?
Alternatives
Which tour to choose instead
An instructor exclusively for you
Private 1-on-1 Surf Lesson with Videos and PhotosYou have your own instructor for an hour with Manifesting Aloha. The price is from $160 per person, with photos and videos at extra cost.
★ 5.0 · 120 reviews · from $160 per person
A defined ratio for two swimmers
Private and Semi-Private Surf Lessons in WaikikiTy Gurney limits each instructor to two students. Its semi-private hour costs from $118.82 per person for 2 to 4, for swimmers aged 15 and up.
★ 5.0 · 79 reviews · from $118.82 per person for 2 to 4
Transport matters more than video
Family, Private and Group Surf Lessons with Waikiki Courtesy ShuttleOhana's open group includes the designated Waikiki shuttle. The 1-hour option costs from $104.66 per person for 2 or more, while photos and videos remain extra.
★ 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
- Are videos included in Michael McChrystal's Ala Moana surf lesson?
Yes, GoPro filming is part of your 90-minute lesson. Your edited clips come by email after you surf. You don't need to buy a photo package. You'll need to ask the school when to expect the email.
- What age can join Michael McChrystal's surf lesson?
Swimmers aged 10 and up can join. Ages 10 to 17 use the youth ticket, with the adult band starting at 18. You also need moderate fitness for the time spent paddling and practicing in the water.
- Where does Michael McChrystal's Ala Moana lesson meet?
It meets in Ala Moana Beach Park near Kewalo Harbor and the volleyball courts. You make your own way there for the 90-minute session. Plan your transport around that park meeting point rather than expecting a hotel collection.
- Does Michael McChrystal provide surf gear?
Yes, your 90-minute booking includes a surfboard and rash guard. Reef shoes are supplied as well. You only need your personal beach items, and the included GoPro recording covers the session without a separate camera rental.
- Can you cancel Michael McChrystal's surf lesson for a refund?
Yes, a full refund applies when you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure. The refund ends inside that window. Keep that deadline separate from any cancellation the school makes because of weather.
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.