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Kihei • South Maui • Private and Semi-Private Surf Lessons • All Skill Levels • Ages 4 and Up
Questions about this or any other Maui activity? Text or call us at (808) 298-3021 daily. We are fun specialists and island experts, and we can help you pick the perfect Maui activity for your crew. We are Maui family-owned and operated, and we’re Maui’s highest-rated activity and rental shop!
It’s easy to book your Kihei Surf Lessons with Maui WaveRiders right here online.
Auntie Snorkel offers the lowest prices guaranteed!
We will email you an E-Ticket once we complete your reservation.
Free cancellation up to 72 hours prior.
Text or Call (808) 298-3021 Daily!
Auntie Snorkel’s Reviews
Why You’ll Love Kihei Surf Lessons with Maui WaveRiders
⭐ Your Own Instructor, Your Own Group
Every Maui WaveRiders lesson — private or semi-private — comes with a dedicated instructor assigned exclusively to your party. You never share your instructor with strangers. That means more time in the water catching waves and less time waiting around. Whether you’re booking a private lesson solo or a semi-private lesson for your family or group, the instruction is focused entirely on you.
⭐ 2 Hours of Instruction Plus the Board for the Rest of the Day
The lesson itself runs 2 hours, and your soft top surfboard stays with you until the end of the day. Most guests use that extra time to keep practicing what they learned with the waves still fresh in mind. It’s one of the most generous inclusions in any Maui surf lesson and a detail guests consistently appreciate.
⭐ All Skill Levels Welcome — Truly
Maui WaveRiders instructors work with complete beginners, nervous first-timers, young children, and experienced surfers looking to advance their technique. The lesson adapts to you, not the other way around. The 15-minute land session before entering the water sets every guest up with the basics and water safety knowledge they need to feel confident before paddling out.
⭐ Kihei’s Gentle South Maui Surf Is Perfect for Learning
South Kihei offers consistent, gentle waves that are well suited to learning. The warm, calm conditions that make Kihei popular for swimming and snorkeling also make it one of Maui’s best surf lesson locations. Beginners build confidence quickly here, and the setting — with Maui’s mountains behind you and clear blue water ahead — is hard to beat.
⭐ Private Lessons for Young Children and Hesitant Beginners
Maui WaveRiders specifically recommends their private lesson format for young children and guests who feel uncertain about getting in the ocean. One instructor entirely focused on one student removes the distraction and pressure that can come with group settings. Many guests who were initially hesitant describe their private lesson as the highlight of their entire Maui trip.
⭐ Semi-Private Lessons for Couples, Families, and Friend Groups
The semi-private format brings together 2-6 people from your own party with a single dedicated instructor. It’s more personalized than a group lesson, more social than a private, and the natural choice for couples and families who want to learn together. Sharing the experience with people you know tends to make it more fun for everyone involved.
⭐ Everything You Need Is Provided
Rashguard, surf shoes, soft top surfboard, and safety fins are all included. There’s nothing extra to rent or track down before your lesson. Show up at the beach, meet your instructor, and you’re ready to go.
What’s Included in Kihei Surf Lessons with Maui WaveRiders
✔ 2-hour surf lesson with a dedicated instructor
✔ Soft top surfboard to keep and use for the rest of the day after your lesson
✔ Rashguard
✔ Surf shoes
✔ Safety fins
✔ Approximately 15-minute land lesson covering surfing basics and water safety
✔ In-water instruction for the remainder of the lesson
✔ Private lesson: 1 student per instructor
✔ Semi-private lesson: 2-6 students from your group with 1 dedicated instructor
✔ All skill levels welcome — beginner through advanced
✔ E-Ticket emailed from Auntie Snorkel after booking
✔ Free cancellation up to 72 hours prior
What Does a Maui WaveRiders Surf Lesson Look Like?
See for yourself in this preview of the experience.
What Will I Learn in a Maui WaveRiders Surf Lesson?
Every lesson is tailored to your current skill level, so what you cover depends on where you start. Here’s what a typical lesson progression looks like for beginners and returning surfers.
On the Beach (Approximately 15 Minutes)
- Surfboard and equipment overview — how your soft top board, fins, and rashguard work and why each matters
- Water safety fundamentals — how to read the surf zone, protect yourself when wiping out, and work with the ocean rather than against it
- Pop-up technique on the sand — the core movement of surfing practiced dry before you ever touch the water, building the muscle memory you need to stand up on your first real wave
- Paddling and positioning — how to lie on the board, paddle efficiently, and position yourself to catch waves
In the Water (Remainder of the 2-Hour Lesson)
- Catching your first waves — your instructor pushes you into waves, reads conditions for you, and gives you the best possible setup to stand up successfully
- Standing up and riding — practicing the pop-up in real conditions with real-time feedback from your instructor, who stays in the water with you throughout
- Wave selection and timing — developing an eye for which waves to go for and when to paddle
- Adjusting and improving — as you find your footing, your instructor adjusts guidance to help you ride longer, turn, and build confidence in the water
After the Lesson
Your board stays with you for the rest of the day. Most guests spend that time practicing what they just learned while the instruction is still fresh. By the end of the afternoon, first-time surfers are often catching waves on their own.
Lesson Details, Times, and Duration
Lesson duration: 2 hours (plus use of board for the rest of the day)
Availability: Monday through Saturday, conditions allowing
Lesson times: 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 11:30 AM
Choose your preferred time at booking. Due to limited availability, your first choice may not always be available. We will contact you with alternative options if your chosen time is not open.
Meeting location:
Maui WaveRiders Kihei
2021 South Kihei Road, Kihei, HI 96753
Where Are the Kihei Surf Lessons Located?
Maui WaveRiders Kihei, 2021 South Kihei Road
The South Kihei Road location puts you right on the beach in the heart of Kihei, Maui’s most popular South Side resort corridor. Street parking is available along South Kihei Road.
Approximate driving times:
- 5 minutes from central Kihei
- 15 minutes from Wailea area resorts
- 25 minutes from Kahului Airport (OGG)
- 60 minutes from Kaanapali area resorts
Which Lesson Should I Book?
The private lesson is the right choice for:
- Young children who need focused one-on-one attention in the water
- Hesitant or nervous beginners who want a patient, undistracted instructor entirely focused on them
- Experienced surfers who want to work on specific skills, technique, or advancement
- Anyone who wants the most individualized instruction possible
The semi-private lesson is the right choice for:
- Couples who want to learn together with one instructor between them
- Families with multiple children or mixed-age groups from the same party
- Friend groups of 2-6 people who want the social energy of learning together
- Anyone who wants more personalized attention than a group lesson, while sharing the experience with people they know
Maui WaveRiders also offers stand-up paddleboard (SUP) lessons in Kihei for guests who want to try a different water sport. Ask us about SUP lesson availability when you call (808) 298-3021.
Are There Special Restrictions for Kihei Surf Lessons with Maui WaveRiders?
⚠️ Minimum age is 4 years old for semi-private lessons. Private lessons are recommended for young children.
⚠️ Lessons are available Monday through Saturday, conditions allowing. Ocean and weather conditions may result in reschedules.
⚠️ Guests should be comfortable in the ocean and able to swim.
⚠️ Not recommended for guests with serious back, neck, or shoulder injuries. Consult a physician if you have medical concerns before booking.
⚠️ Pregnant guests should consult a physician before booking.
⚠️ A semi-private lesson is limited to your own closed party of 2-6 people. You will not be grouped with strangers.
⚠️ Your preferred lesson time may not be available due to limited slots. We will contact you to confirm or offer alternatives.
Pro Tips from Your Fun Specialists
- Book your preferred time slot early — morning sessions (7:30 AM and 9:00 AM) tend to book first and often have the calmest conditions
- Apply reef-safe sunscreen before arriving and bring extra for after your lesson
- Wear or bring a swimsuit you can move freely in — the rashguard is provided but you’ll want comfortable bottoms
- Don’t skip the land lesson — the pop-up technique practiced on the sand makes a real difference when you’re in the water for the first time
- If you’re nervous, tell your instructor before you start — they’ve taught hesitant beginners at every level and know exactly how to make the water feel manageable
- Use your board for the rest of the day after your lesson; the extra time in the water while the instruction is fresh is where the biggest improvement happens
- Bring water and a snack for after the lesson — two hours of surfing in the Maui sun is a real workout
- Have someone on the beach with a camera or rent a GoPro from Auntie Snorkel to capture your first waves — these are moments worth keeping
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Kihei Surf Lessons with Maui WaveRiders
Do I need any surfing experience to book a lesson?
No experience is necessary. Maui WaveRiders instructors work with complete beginners every day. The lesson starts with a 15-minute beach session covering everything you need to know before entering the water, so you’ll feel prepared and confident before you paddle out.
What is the difference between a private and semi-private lesson?
A private lesson is one student with one instructor — maximum individual attention, ideal for young children, hesitant beginners, and surfers working on specific skills. A semi-private lesson is 2-6 people from your own group with one dedicated instructor. You share the experience with people you know but still get far more attention than in a large group lesson. The semi-private is the better value for couples and families.
Can young children participate?
Yes, starting at age 4. Maui WaveRiders specifically recommends the private lesson format for young children since one-on-one attention makes the experience more effective and enjoyable for kids who need a patient, focused instructor.
What is included in the lesson price?
The lesson includes a rashguard, surf shoes, soft top surfboard, safety fins, the land lesson, and in-water instruction. The board stays with you after the lesson for the rest of the day at no additional charge.
What if my preferred time is not available?
Lesson slots are limited and popular times book quickly. Select your preferred time at booking and we will contact you to confirm. If your first choice is unavailable, we will offer you alternatives.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear or bring a comfortable swimsuit. A rashguard, surf shoes, and fins are all provided. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a towel, water, and a snack for after the lesson.
Is surfing physically demanding?
Paddling and popping up work muscles that many people don’t use in daily life — primarily shoulders, core, and legs. Most guests find the lesson genuinely tiring in a fun way. If you have concerns about your fitness or any physical conditions, consult a physician before booking.
What is the cancellation policy?
Auntie Snorkel offers free cancellation up to 72 hours prior to your lesson.
Why Book Kihei Surf Lessons with Maui WaveRiders Through Auntie Snorkel?
⭐ Best-Value Tickets for Maui Surf Lessons
⭐ Secure Checkout with Easy Cancellation Up to 72 Hours Prior
⭐ Real Local Support from Our Family-Owned Lahaina and Kihei Shops
⭐ Personalized Help Choosing the Right Maui Activity for You
⭐ Trusted by Thousands of Happy Maui Guests
More About Kihei Surf Lessons with Maui WaveRiders
Why Kihei Is One of Maui’s Best Spots to Learn
South Maui’s geography creates conditions that are reliably friendly for beginners. The coastline faces south and southwest, which means it catches consistent swells while remaining calmer than the more exposed breaks on the North Shore and West Side. The water is warm, the bottom is sandy at the lesson area, and the waves roll in at a pace that gives first-timers time to react.
The Land Lesson Is Where It Actually Starts
Standing up on a surfboard for the first time is a physical skill, and like most physical skills it benefits from slow-motion practice before the full-speed version. The 15-minute land lesson isn’t just an orientation — it’s where the muscle memory gets built. Guests who take it seriously tend to stand up on their first or second wave in the water. Your instructor will tell you this. It’s worth listening.
Keeping the Board Makes the Lesson Complete
Two hours of instruction sets you up. The rest of the day with the board is where you cement what you learned. Surfing is a physical skill that responds well to repetition while the patterns are still fresh, and having the board available for the afternoon means guests can keep applying what they just learned rather than walking off the beach the moment the instruction ends.
Private vs. Semi-Private: How to Decide
The honest answer is that most adults without young children do well in a semi-private lesson, and most families with young kids are better served by private lessons for the children. The semi-private format with a closed group of people you know tends to feel comfortable and fun. For anyone who feels genuinely uncertain about the ocean, the private lesson’s one-on-one attention is worth the difference in price.
What First-Time Surfers Actually Experience
Most guests who have never surfed before and take a lesson with Maui WaveRiders stand up on their board during the session. The combination of gentle Kihei conditions, soft top boards that are stable and forgiving, and instructors who push students into waves at exactly the right moment gives beginners a genuine fighting chance. The feeling of standing up on a wave for the first time, even a small one, is something guests talk about for the rest of their trip.
Location: Maui WaveRiders Kihei, 2021 South Kihei Road, Kihei, HI 96753
Learn More About Maui Ocean Activities from Auntie Snorkel’s Fun Specialists
Auntie Snorkel’s Maui Guidebook offers all our Island Expert knowledge at your fingertips to help you find the perfect Maui activities for you. Learn more about Maui ocean activities in the articles below.
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