Things to do in Oahu › Oahu tours and activities › Surf lessons › Surfing Lessons On Waikiki Beach
Surfing Lessons On Waikiki Beach
★ #2 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
Big Wave Dave Surf & Coffee runs a group surfing lesson at Waikiki Beach. You get 90 minutes from $129 per person. The meeting point is the cafe at 226 Lewers Street, with daily starts from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Groups have a maximum of five students. Your belongings can stay in a locker while you practice on the beach and in the water.
Our check
Surfing Lessons On Waikiki Beach at a glance
| Beach | Waikiki Beach |
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Price | from $129 per person |
| Group | Maximum five students |
| Starts | Daily at 8:30 a.m. · 10:30 a.m. · 12:30 p.m. · 2:30 p.m. |
| Meeting point | Big Wave Dave Surf & Coffee, 226 Lewers Street, 20 minutes before the lesson |
| Ages | 13 and up, swimmers only |
| Main trade-off | Extra rental charges for a rash guard and locker lock |
| Guide languages | English, Spanish, Japanese |
| 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 locker to store belongings
- Professional instructor
- All required equipment (Surfboard & Leash)
What's not included
- Gratuities
- Photography - with advance reservations
- Rash Guard rental $5
- Optional Lock rental. $5. or bring your own
Options
Which option to book
There's one 90-minute group option. It runs daily at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m., then at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.
| Option | Departures |
|---|---|
| Waikiki Surf Lessons | 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., daily |
The catch: You must be able to swim, with a minimum age of 13 for this option.
The day
How does the day work?
The lesson moves from the Lewers Street cafe to sand instruction and then wave practice at Waikiki Beach.
- 1
Cafe check-in
You sign in at the Surf Side Retail area inside Big Wave Dave's cafe. The meeting point is indoors beside the shop's retail space.
- 2
Board skills on land
Beach instruction covers paddling and turning the board. You also work on getting over waves and positioning yourself to stand, with safety taught before the water session.
- 3
Wave practice
The group heads into the water with an instructor. You work on standing up and riding waves after practicing those movements on the beach.
The booking lasts 90 minutes and includes beach instruction. It isn't 90 minutes entirely in the water. The lesson ends back at the Lewers Street cafe.
Pickup and meeting point
- Cafe location: Check in 20 minutes before your lesson at 226 Lewers Street, suite 154. Big Wave Dave Surf & Coffee is next to Roy's restaurant.
- Getting there: You make your own way to the cafe. This lesson doesn't collect you from your Waikiki hotel before the start.
- What to wear: Wear a swimsuit to your lesson. A towel and sunscreen belong in your bag, along with your own rash guard if you have one.
Before you book
- Bring your own rash guard and locker lock. The locker is included, but those rentals aren't.
Fit
Is this tour right for you?
Swimmers aged 13 and up get a 90-minute lesson with a five-student cap. You can join without assembling your own group. The cafe meeting suits a Waikiki stay near Lewers Street. Your rash guard and locker lock aren't supplied free.
For a longer shared session, Hans Hedemann offers 2 hours from $112.31 per person. Stoke Drift keeps instruction within your own party, from $123 per adult for 2 or more.
Who it's not for
- Children under 13
- Nonswimmers
- Travelers wanting an instructor exclusively for their party
Good to know
Know before you go
You must be at least 13 and able to swim. Moderate fitness is required. This lesson isn't recommended during pregnancy or for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.
Your swimsuit is the starting point, with a towel and sunscreen in your bag. Bring your own rash guard if you have one. A locker is included, but a rental lock costs extra.
Rain alone doesn't cancel Big Wave Dave's lessons. If weather or water conditions force the school to cancel, it contacts you about rescheduling or a refund. Your own cancellation has a separate deadline.
The cafe check-in is 20 minutes before your lesson. You enter Big Wave Dave Surf & Coffee at 226 Lewers Street, suite 154. Surf Side Retail handles the lesson sign-in inside.
The group cap is 5 students, while a reservation accepts 1 to 6 travelers. For six people, the class arrangements need settling with the school before you pay. The booking limit doesn't enlarge a single class.
Booking approval is immediate and your ticket is mobile. You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start. Later cancellations aren't refundable.
Reviews
How is it rated?
Alternatives
Which tour to choose instead
A longer group lesson
Waikiki: Open Group Surfing LessonHans Hedemann gives you a 2-hour shared session. The lesson costs from $112.31 per person and includes your rash guard and surfboard.
★ 4.7 · 622 reviews · from $112.31 per person
Instruction within your own party
Waikiki Private Group Surf LessonStoke Drift doesn't add strangers to your group. Its 90-minute lesson costs from $123 per adult for 2 or more, with a separate instructor required for children under 13.
★ 4.9 · 312 reviews · from $123 per adult for 2 or more
Video included with the lesson
Surf Lesson Without the Crowds, GoPro Videos IncludedMichael McChrystal includes GoPro footage at Ala Moana. The 90-minute session costs from $125 per person, with edited video emailed after your lesson.
★ 5.0 · 222 reviews · from $125 per person
All 14 Surf lessons we picked · Oahu tours and activities by category
Good to know
People also ask
- What does Big Wave Dave's group surf lesson cost?
The lesson costs from $129 per person for a 90-minute booking. Your board and leash are included. You also get locker use, though a rash guard and lock cost extra if you need to rent them.
- Can a teenager take Big Wave Dave's Waikiki group lesson?
Yes, swimmers aged 13 and up can take this group lesson. The youth ticket covers ages 13 to 19. You don't need surfing experience, but the swimming rule still applies to every participant.
- Can you cancel Big Wave Dave's Waikiki lesson for a refund?
Yes, canceling at least 24 hours before the scheduled start earns a full refund. You won't receive that refund for a later cancellation. Your ticket is mobile, and booking approval doesn't need a later response from the school.
- Can you take a GoPro to Big Wave Dave's surf lesson?
No, personal GoPros and phones can't be used during class. A paid photographer needs a reservation at least 48 hours before your lesson. Keep your own camera in the locker while you're learning in the water.
- Where do you check in for Big Wave Dave in Waikiki?
Check-in is inside the cafe at 226 Lewers Street, suite 154. You'll find the Surf Side Retail area there next to Roy's restaurant. Arrive 20 minutes before your booked start so the school can sign you in.
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.