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
Our group lessons are the most popular way to start surfing, and for good reason — learning is more fun with other people cheering you on. Traveling on your own? No problem, we’ll match you with a group at your level. Open to ages 14 and up.
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.
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.
Every surf lesson at Hans Hedemann Surf School is built around one goal: having fun while you learn to surf.
Each 2 hour surf lesson includes everything you need to catch your first wave:
- Safety slideshow
- Land lesson
- Warm up before you paddle out
Then comes the fun part: heading into the gentle waves of Waikiki and catching as many rides as possible. Your instructor stays right beside you and gives your board a push into each wave for a burst of momentum. When you hear us yell “Stand up!” that’s your moment. Use the technique you learned on land, pop up, and just like that, you’re surfing.
Some students stand up on their very first wave and others take a few tries. Either way, we guarantee you’ll be riding waves by the end of your first surf lesson, and our photographer and drone pilot will capture every second of it.
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
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 2025 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!