Surf lessons in Waikiki, Oahu.
Dive into the adventure of being surrounded by Hawaii’s beautiful, turquoise waters and gliding along the warm Waikiki waves. Come have fun and ride with Oahu’s most well-known surf school today!
Our Surfing Lessons
Whether you want to take a surf lesson or a guided stand-up paddle tour, Hans Hedemann Surf School has you covered. Our goal is to watch you ride the iconic waves in Waikiki while enjoying the tide and experiencing the beauty of this ancient sport.
Our professional instructors will coach you every step of the way to make sure you get the most out of each surfing lesson. We provide all the equipment for your lesson.
Group lessons
The perfect option for beginning your surfing career. Participants must be at least 14 years old and if you want to join a group lesson but are visiting on your own we’ll incorporate you to one. Perfect if you want to learn with friends.
Semi-Private Surf Lesson
Three people will be getting surf lessons with this option. No matter the skill level of any participant, your surf lesson will be adjusted to accommodate everyone and make sure instruction is accordingly.
Private Surf Lessons
A private lesson is the best option if you want more one-on-one time with the instructor. Private lessons are best for children between 5 and 14 years old, intermediate surfers that want to step it up, or even beginner surfers that require extra instruction.
Most importantly we want you to have fun while learning how to surf and make the most out of the beach instructions before heading into the water.
Our typical surf lesson is 2 hours long and consists of a technique slide show, a safety briefing, a land lesson, and time spent in the water. Each lesson begins and ends at the surf shop.
If you’re visiting the tropical waters of Waikiki, surfing is a must. Our experienced surfer instructors will make sure you get as many waves as possible by pushing the back of your surfboard, giving you a burst of momentum.
After we push you into the wave you’ll hear us yell excitedly “stand up!” You’ll then use the technique we taught you on land to stand up on your board. And just like that, you’re surfing! Smile as our cameraman and drone pilot capture your rides perfectly.
Some of our students can stand up right away and others take a little longer. Either way, we guarantee you’ll be surfing by the end of the first surf lessons, especially because you’ll be doing it with friends.
Want to improve at surfing quickly?
We recommend booking a series of 5-10 lessons. Ask us about our discounted rates for booking your surf lessons in bulk.
Your First Surf Lesson
Our meeting point is at our surf shop in the Queen Kapiolani Hotel, right next to the Honolulu Zoo. As we guide you out to the break you’ll enjoy the scenic view of Diamond Head towering above the Honolulu buildings.
We’ll start the lesson with a slideshow where you will be learning the basic techniques of surfing along with a brief safety overview. We’ll also provide you with reef shoes and a rash guard.
Our instructors will walk you around the corner to San Souci beach where we’ll start the land lesson. The first time you visit us we will begin with a land class, which all beginners must take before getting into the water.
In this time, we will set you up with a solid foundation based on a proven technique to get you riding waves as soon as possible.
This will help keep you safe and learn the best way to catch waves. The land lesson consists of surf drills to ensure your technique is at its best, and after stretching you’ll head into the water with all your equipment ready.
What you should bring:
- Swimsuit
- Sunscreen
- Friends
- Hat
- Towel
You can leave any valuables at our shop in your personal locker
Hans Hedemann Surf School: Your best option
You’re guaranteed to be surfing within a two-hour lesson
Take the memory with you so you can watch yourself surfing at Waikiki with photos and videos from your lesson in HD starting at $75.
About HHSurf
A family-owned business with over 30 years of experience.
We are one of Honolulu’s top surf schools, founded by former professional surfer Hans Hedemann, and the perfect option to take surfing lessons when you visit Waikiki Beach.
As a family-owned business with over 30 years of experience, we offer surf lessons that are guaranteed to have you riding waves while staying safe.
We were awarded a certificate of excellence from Trip Advisor in 2019 and strive to maintain a premium service for you and your family year round.
Years Experience
Private Surf Lesson
My son had an awesome surfing experience. Hugo, his coach, was outstanding! He was professional, caring, and very experienced. The staff was also great, and the photographer was the best. Thank you so much! Highly recommended!
Excellent Customer Service
Private Surf Lesson
Awesome Experience!!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Hans Hedemann?
Beating out top competition he soon ranked 3rd in the world for surfing. He was featured in the popular Hollywood film titled “North Shore” which debuted in 1987. After 18 years of professional surfing, he retired and decided to start a surf school.
Will I be able to go surfing by myself after one lesson?
It may take a year or two to really develop all these skill sets.
Do I need to know how to swim for the surf lesson?
How do I prepare for my surf lesson?
The surf top comes with the surfing lesson, we also have sunscreen available for purchase.
We recommend eating a healthy meal and drinking a lot of water before and after the lesson.
How do I book a surf lesson in Waikiki?
To book a lesson just call 808-924-7778 or book directly on this website. We have 3 available sessions per day. We look forward to hearing from you!
Where are you located?
If you’re looking for an adventure, learning to surf in Waikiki is the perfect activity. The waves here are world-famous, and surfing is a great way to get outside and enjoy the beautiful Hawaiian weather.
While surfing can be challenging, it’s also incredibly exhilarating and rewarding. And what better place to learn than in Waikiki, where you can find some of the best surfing conditions in the world?
While you can certainly try to surf on your own, we highly recommend taking a surf lesson from a professional. That way, you can learn the proper techniques and safety measures. Plus, surfing is more fun when you’re with friends! Luckily, we offer the best surf lessons in Oahu! So grab your friends, hit the beach, and start learning how to surf!
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can explore all that Waikiki has to offer. There are a lot of surf spots for advanced surfers to enjoy, and the views from the water are simply incredible. So whether you’re a surfing novice or a seasoned pro, surfing in Waikiki or is an adventure you won’t want to miss. We also offer North Shore surf lessons!
Learn to Surf in Waikiki: Your First Wave Starts Here
There’s a reason people travel from all over the world to learn to surf in Waikiki. The warm turquoise water, the gentle rolling waves, and the laid-back aloha spirit make it the single best place on earth to catch your first wave. And when you’re ready to take that step, Hans Hedemann Surf School is where Oahu’s best surfers and its happiest beginners get their start.
Waikiki Beach isn’t just beautiful. It’s genuinely ideal for learning. The breaks are consistent, the water is warm year-round, and the sandy bottom means you can stand up when you need to catch your breath. Generations of surfers have taken their first ride here, and there’s a reason this stretch of shoreline has been the heartbeat of Hawaiian surf culture for over a century. If you’re going to learn to surf anywhere in the world, Waikiki is it.
Waikiki Surf Lessons with Hans Hedemann Surf School
A Waikiki surf lesson with Hans Hedemann Surf School isn’t just an activity to check off your vacation list. It’s an experience you’ll be talking about for years. Founded by Hans Hedemann, a former #3 ranked professional surfer, our school brings world-class instruction to surfers of every level. Whether you’ve never touched a board or you’re looking to sharpen your technique, our experienced instructors meet you exactly where you are.
Our lessons are designed to get you standing and riding within a single afternoon. No spending two hours just learning to paddle. No sitting on the beach watching everyone else have fun. We use a proven system that cuts the typical learning curve by over 65%, so you spend less time struggling and more time actually surfing.
What to Expect from Your First Surf Lesson
When you show up for your first Waikiki surf lesson, you’ll be greeted by instructors who genuinely love what they do. We start on the beach with the basics: how to position yourself on the board, how to pop up, and how to read the wave beneath you. Then we get in the water together, and our instructors stay right by your side until you’re up and riding on your own.
Safety is always our first priority. The ocean deserves respect, and we make sure every student understands how to move through the water confidently before they paddle out.
Book Your Waikiki Surf Lesson Today
Learning to surf in Waikiki is one of those experiences that stays with you long after you’ve dried off and headed home. The feeling of catching your first wave, the rush, the balance, the pure joy of it, is something no one forgets.
Hans Hedemann Surf School has been helping people feel that feeling for over 28 years. Come find out why thousands of visitors choose us every year for their first surf lesson in Waikiki.
The waves are waiting. Come learn to surf.