Things to do in Oahu › Oahu tours and activities › Surf lessons › Surfing Lesson Open Group
Surfing Lesson Open Group
★ #11 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
North Shore Surf Girls teaches you to surf near Haleiwa at a beach chosen for conditions. The 2-hour semi-private lesson costs from $199.90 per person. You meet on Kahalewai Place for daily starts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Two students share each instructor despite the open-group tour title. You'll need to ask which age rule applies to your child before you pay.
Our check
Surfing Lesson Open Group at a glance
| Beach | Haleiwa coast, break chosen for conditions |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Price | from $199.90 per person |
| Format | Semi-private, two students per instructor |
| Starts | Daily at 9 a.m. · Noon · 3 p.m. |
| Meeting point | Kahalewai Place, Haleiwa |
| Transport | Own arrangements to the meeting point |
| Fitness | Moderate fitness required |
| Main trade-off | Conflicting minimum ages of 8 and 10 in the lesson rules |
| 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
- Use of equipment (e.g. reef shoes, surfboard, leash, long-sleeved rash guard)
- Use of wetsuit and life jacket
- Experienced lifeguard- and CPR-certified instructor
What's not included
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options
Which option to book
The available option is Semi-Private Lesson despite the open-group title. It runs daily at 9 a.m. or noon, with another start at 3 p.m.
| Option | Departures |
|---|---|
| Semi-Private Lesson | 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. and 3 p.m., daily |
The catch: The activity has a minimum age of 8, while small-group lessons start at 10. You need to ask the school which rule applies to your child.
The day
How does the day work?
You meet the school in Haleiwa before learning surf basics and practicing on the North Shore with an instructor.
- 1
Haleiwa meeting
The school meets you on Kahalewai Place. Your session begins from this Haleiwa meeting point, with the surf break chosen for the conditions.
- 2
Surf basics
The lesson starts with the basics. Shore instruction is part of the session, so you don't spend the full lesson in the water.
- 3
Practice with an instructor
Your instructor stays alongside you in the surf. The semi-private format shares the teaching between two students as you work on catching waves.
The 2-hour booking covers the instruction on shore and in the water. Kahalewai Place is also the end point for your lesson.
Pickup and meeting point
- Meeting location: You meet on Kahalewai Place in Haleiwa. Your trip starts there, with no pickup from Waikiki.
- North Shore transport: Plan your ride to Haleiwa and back after the lesson. Hotel pickup and drop-off aren't part of this semi-private option.
Before you book
- Check with the school before paying for a child. A ticket age band doesn't mean your child can join the lesson.
Fit
Is this tour right for you?
This 2-hour lesson suits adults with plans near Haleiwa. Two students share each instructor in this semi-private lesson. You'll need to make the drive yourself. Families shouldn't pay until the school says their child can join under the age rules.
For a windward base, Sunset Suzy's Punaluu group offers a 90-minute weekday lesson from $95 per person. Manifesting Aloha has individual instruction from age 4 near Ala Moana Bowls, from $160 per person.
Who it's not for
- Families who still need to ask if their child can join
- Travelers who need pickup from Waikiki
- Visitors seeking a 1-hour lesson
Good to know
Know before you go
The minimum age is 8 for the activity and 10 for a small-group lesson. Check with the school that your child can join this semi-private lesson before you pay.
Your bag needs a towel and sunscreen, with drinking water for afterward. Wear swimwear for the lesson. Surf equipment is supplied, but there aren't on-site lockers for your valuables.
This semi-private lesson pairs 2 students with each instructor. It isn't an open group despite the tour title. You can book for up to 9 travelers at once.
You meet at Kahalewai Place in Haleiwa. Arrive 15 minutes before the lesson for check-in. You'll need your own ride from Waikiki or wherever you're staying.
The break is chosen to suit conditions. If North Shore Surf Girls cancels for surf or weather, you can choose a full refund or reschedule. There's also a gift-card option if you prefer it.
You get a mobile ticket with instant booking approval. You can get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start. You need moderate fitness, and this lesson isn't advised during pregnancy.
Reviews
How is it rated?
Alternatives
Which tour to choose instead
Practice on the windward side
Surf Lessons on the North Shore of OahuSunset Suzy teaches a small group in Punaluu. The 90-minute weekday lesson costs from $95 per person and includes a turtle tour.
★ 5.0 · 287 reviews · from $95 per person
Private lessons from age four
Private 1-on-1 Surf Lesson with Videos and PhotosManifesting Aloha's private lesson starts at age 4. It costs from $160 per person near Ala Moana Bowls, with tandem help available through age 11.
★ 5.0 · 120 reviews · from $160 per person
Two hours without leaving Waikiki
Waikiki: Open Group Surfing LessonHans Hedemann runs an open group at Waikiki Beach. Its 2-hour lesson costs from $112.31 per person for swimmers aged 14 and up who can paddle back themselves.
★ 4.7 · 622 reviews · from $112.31 per person
All 14 Surf lessons we picked · Oahu tours and activities by category
Good to know
People also ask
- Is the North Shore Surf Girls booking an open-group lesson?
No, you book a 2-hour semi-private lesson. You share each instructor with one other student. Choose that option by name when you book, despite the tour's open-group title.
- Does North Shore Surf Girls provide a wetsuit and life jacket?
Yes, both are available with the gear for this 2-hour booking. Your surfboard and rash guard are supplied too. If you can't swim, check with the school before you book.
- Where does the North Shore Surf Girls lesson meet?
The meeting location is Kahalewai Place in Haleiwa. You should arrive 15 minutes before starting and arrange your own transport. The school chooses the actual surf break for conditions rather than promising a single beach for every lesson.
- Can you get a refund if North Shore Surf Girls cancels for weather?
Yes, a school cancellation for surf or weather allows a full refund or a new date. A gift card is another choice. If you cancel yourself, you need at least 24 hours' notice for the standard full refund.
- How much does the North Shore Surf Girls semi-private lesson cost?
The 2-hour option costs from $199.90 per person. Instruction on shore is part of that time, with ocean practice afterward. You don't get a hotel transfer, and food and drinks aren't included in the booking.
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.