We had the BEST experience with Maui Waveriders Kihei, and George completely made it unforgettable…read more From the start, George went above and beyond to make our lesson feel personal and tailored to us. It honestly felt like a private lesson. He took the time to understand our different skill levels and customized everything so we both felt comfortable, challenged, and successful. What stood out just as much as his skill as an instructor was how genuinely kind and respectful he was. As an LGBTQIA couple, we felt completely welcomed and at ease, which meant a lot and made the experience even more special. George is not only an incredible instructor, but someone who truly cares about making sure you have a great time and get full value out of your experience. We both walked away feeling confident, accomplished, and so happy we chose this company. If you're booking, ask for George. You won't regret it.

This review is for the "Maui Waveriders Lahaina" location. We had an 11AM lesson on 04/24/2026 near…read moreUkumehame Beach Park. Pros: 1. Instructor was at the location on time. 2. He brought rash guards. Cons: 1. Rocky beach with shallow wave break, your group will have to be careful to "fall shallow" off your board or you may get cut by the rocks/coral below. 2. Instructor was short on some needed gear (no water shoes for me in standard US Size 10). 3. Instructor was not the best at coaching/communicating, had a bad attitude at times (probably the biggest issue we had with this lesson). The Whole Picture: After signing up we received an automated email with the time and location of the surf lesson. Was surprised that it was actually 20 minutes south of Lahaina at a ROCKY ENTRY north of Ukumehame Beach Park. On 04/24/2026, the day of our 10AM surf lesson, we pulled off the highway next to the instructor's truck which had a cone on the hood of it. We did quick introductions and the instructor gave us rash guards and boards. He then asked us our shoe sizes as this location required water shoes given it was so rocky. Unfortunately, he only brought one pair of size 10 water shoes, and with two people in our group who wear size 10, I had to wear size 11 which was too big and made it hard to balance (not ideal when trying to surf). He then provided some basic surfing instructions on the beach and then had us follow him into the water. His vibe up until this point was just okay, not super positive, sort of just like he was just going through the motions, but at least he was calm - this changed once we started trying to catch our first waves. He didn't tell us to start to ride in any particular order, or for only one person to go at a time, so once we paddled out we all started trying to catch a wave the first time he said "here's a wave to go for" (we were about 20 feet apart from each other). We thought we did well when two of the three of us caught our first wave attempt and each had a nice safe ride, but the happy moment quickly ended when we paddled back out to have him yell at the two us "what are you guys doing?!? You can't take off so close to each other or close to me like that!!" He went on to say that we could potentially hit each other if we are too close, while this is potentially a fair critique to make as an instructor, its also something that he should have communicated to us before we even paddled out. The bad/tense situation could have been avoided if he had just instructed us properly in advance saying "now once we get out there I want you guys to only try a wave one at a time, or to be at least 50 feet apart", but he didn't. Also when we paddled back out he could have just coached us in a positive way saying "hey guys good job on your first wave, but next time go one at a time because you could potentially run into each other", but again he chose to yell and be snarky, not a great approach for an instructor. Basically in addition to more water shoes, our instructor needed a positive coaching reminder (remember your aloha brother)!

My husband and I spontaneously booked this during our time in Maui as part of our honeymoon and it…read moredid not disappoint. Instruction was great, vibes were immaculate, and we had a really great time and caught a lot of waves for our first time ever on a surfboard. Our instructor Bryan was not only a good hang, but thorough and attentive in teaching us and did a great job making sure us newbies stayed safe. So glad we booked this! I see some negative comments about the photos on here and I just want to say I had a great experience with that. We did buy the album because the photos were pretty sick and it's our honeymoon. But if I didn't want to buy them it wouldn't have been a big deal as they didn't pressure us at all. In fact we approached the guy with the photos out of our own interest. No one was tryna get us to do anything. Anyways the whole experience was worth every penny!

Such a fun first surfing and family bonding experience! Our coaches David and Jonny made the…read moreexperience positive and memorable. The group was small and the personalized instruction gave it an almost private lesson feel. I'd definitely recommend Surf Club Maui to anyone that is interested in giving surfing a try!

This surf school is amazing! The instructors are so amazing and encouraging! They push you to your…read morehighest limits! They show you and explain all the stuff you need to know to surf! The waves are amazing and are perfects for kids (and parents!!)!There was also a photographer who got the best photos of me and my family! The boards are also rash free which is amazing and they were so comfortable!I recommend this surf school a lot! I am very happy to support this small family owned surf school! Val is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We had the best time at waves Surf school! My 7 year old daughter surfed for the first time and…read morethey did such a great job making it fun and comfortable for her! They also have a photographer which captured so many great pictures and videos of her! We were so happy we went back a second day for more lessons! Highly recommend this surf school! Also, we loved her surf instructor Sochi!

Eddie was a very thorough and patient instructor and we all got up and surfed on a wave! We had a…read moregreat time and felt very safe.

Dylan instructed both me and my wife. I've only surfed one time and it was 15 years ago and my wife…read morehas never surfed before. Dylan gave good instructions on land and had us practice on the ground before walking to the beach. He assisted us and made it very easy for me to shake the rust off and get on my board many times. My wife even got up a handful of times which was great for a 1st time. Even gave us a great lunch recommendation. Thank you!

We booked through Viator and for two people ( my husband and I) was $216.00…read more Pros: very responsive information sent by text including pictures of where to meet. We found the spot easily and the van. Once we checked in, we filled out the waiver, fitted with a sun shirt and water shoes. We were also given a mesh bag to put our belongings in and this was put in their van. We were in a group of 6 people total and our guide was Mikey. Mikey went over the basics and had us practice on dry land and then we were off. It was only waist deep and most of the ocean floor was sand, with a few rocks, so the water shoes came in handy. Mikey found a wonderful area for us to ride waves on Kalama Beach and was very encouraging and positive. He'd tell you exactly what to do and when to do it to successfully surf. I am the least athletic person and I stood up on my first wave. Best of all, we saw a lot of turtles! I could have stayed all day and just enjoyed the turtles. Surfing is exhausting and I had a hysterectomy 6 months ago. When I wanted to just cheer people on, there was no pressure to get back out there. It was at my own pace. I really appreciated that. There is also a photographer to purchase pictures and we bought those as well for $120.00. $90.00 for 1 person and $120.00 for two. It will be 48 hours or so until those come in digitally. Gratuity isn't included, so we brought cash. If you need to, there is also a digital way to tip your instructor. If you use this company, ask for Mikey. He's a great teacher and very enthusiastic with his small group. Con: on the Viator website it lists "light refreshments", which wasn't offered. If I had to do it again, I'd skip Viator and book directly with the company. If you book directly with the company it's $88.00 per person.

Really positive experience. Went surfing with a family group of five, for most of whom it was the…read moresecond time attempting surfing. We arrived a little late (went to the wrong location further south), but we were accommodated regardless. Manu (Manuel) who hails from Argentina was our instructor. He was super friendly and encouraging, remembered all our names after asking only once, and was just genuinely a really nice person. He offered each person individual feedback, and we all managed to eventually glide our way along without falling at least once! Even the fellow taking the photos was friendly and encouraging, it really made the morning. For $20 per person, the photos are made available digitally; the quality of the pics is totally worth it, lots of great action shots. Would go again, was just starting to get a feel for it! Great way to spend two hours, at $90 per person. All equipment is included, including long sleeve rash guard shirts and full water booties. The latter are essential because the practice area is very shallow and rocky. My cousin and I also happened to get jellyfish stings, so just be aware to watch the surface of the water for them, especially around full moon time (we went day of the full moon). Don't worry, it was about as bad as stinging nettle and only lasted a few hours. It's also pretty atypical, my first time getting stung despite coming to Maui for years. Just do it! You'll have fun no matter what. All ages and sizes were out learning to surf that day. I enjoyed watching others gain skill and confidence, and hearing people cheer their friends on. Best day we've had so far this trip.

These fabulous surfer ladies are the best. Absolutely loved my experience. They educated, made sure…read moreI felt comfortable throughout the entire process and their positive aloha vibe made everything even better than anticipated.

Dan and Steve were INCREDIBLE with our daughters for their first surf lesson!! One on one chats…read morewith our girls, excellent approach and built confidence and joy for surfing. they are both still raving about them and we watch for them each time we're passing the beach this whole trip! We used the chat feature and Maui surfer girls contacted us easily and seamlessly to book. They had come highly recommended and even last minute came through with these two special teachers- really made us feel comfortable as parents and we were so proud of our girls for getting up and riding waves in their first lesson!

Come here mid December. Good for swimming with the waves and body surfing for kids/beginners. You…read morewon't be able to do much snorkeling here during this time, the beach waves are too strong. We enter through the Days-inn area. There was shared public parking with the Days-inn hotel parking lot. Overall your typical soft sand beach in Maui.

Beautiful and really nice. The waves are crashing and fun!! Totally recommend. Sometimes really…read morebusy and sometimes empty!!

Beautiful beach and in my opinion the best one. No clothes is awesome though it's up to you.read more

Been coming here from the 90s and literally grew up with families and locals. MY MY FAV! could…read morehave great surf but beware of the rip.

If I could give more than five stars for our surf lesson with Ryan from Maui Surf, I absolutely…read morewould! Hands down, Ryan is the BEST instructor I have ever had, and I've had previous beginner lessons. This experience was on another level--one of those rare, unforgettable moments that stay with you forever. I've surfed a bit before, so I went in thinking this would just be a refresher for me. My husband (age 64) had never surfed and was a bit apprehensive. But Ryan's skill, patience, and unparalleled ability to connect with his students completely transformed the experience for both of us. He took the time to understand our individual needs and tailored the lesson perfectly, blending just the right amount of technical guidance with encouragement and humor. Before we even touched the water, Ryan gave us the most thorough and engaging on-land lesson I've ever experienced. He didn't just teach us how to pop up on the board--he explained the mechanics of surfing, wave dynamics, and safety tips in a way that was clear, detailed, and easy to absorb. By the time we hit the waves, Mark (and I!) felt more confident than ever. But Ryan didn't stop there. He wove the spirit of Aloha into every moment of the lesson, teaching us about the Hawaiian language, culture, and the deep connection Hawaiians have with their land and ocean. His stories about the islands, the meanings of Hawaiian place names, care for the ocean, and his insights into the natural beauty around us elevated the experience to something truly profound. It wasn't just a surf lesson; it was a cultural and ecological immersion. And then came the magic. Not only did Mark manage to get up on the board (on his first try, no less!), but we were treated to the most breathtaking sights while surfing. Whales were breaching in the distance, and turtles swam gracefully by as if they were cheering us on. Ryan's excitement and genuine joy made it all the more special--he celebrated every moment with us, making us feel like pros out there! Ryan also had mounted GoPros on our boards (included in the price) and captured the most incredible action shots of us riding the waves! These weren't your typical blurry or off-center photos--they were absolutely magazine-worthy. Ryan has an amazing eye for timing and composition, selecting those exhilarating moments when we were standing tall on the board, surrounded by the sparkling ocean. The photos were so vibrant and professional-looking that they'll forever be a cherished keepsake of this unforgettable day. He truly went above and beyond to make sure every detail of our experience was exceptional! Ryan's energy and passion are infectious, and his dedication to his craft is unmatched. Whether you're a complete beginner like Mark or someone who's surfed before, like me, he has a way of making you feel like you can conquer anything. I've had good instructors in the past, but Ryan blew them all out of the water (pun intended!). If you're on Maui and even thinking about trying surfing, do yourself a favor and book a lesson with Ryan at Maui Surf. You'll walk away not only with new skills but also with a heart full of Aloha and memories that will last a lifetime. Mahalo, Ryan--you've truly set the bar sky-high! ‍

We booked with Maui Surf Lessons for the 7:30 am couples private surf lesson and couldn't have been…read morehappier with our experience. Our coach/guide/ instructor or whatever you want to call it was a native of Lahaina and knew his stuff! His strength was impressive as he had to "toe" us into some choppy waters to get to where we could get into the waves. I'm not a small guy and he hauled me around with ease! I've gone out a few times before but never with formal lessons and this experience beat them all! They guaranteed us we would get up on a wave and my wife and I both did on multiple waves! It was an amazing feeling! We were the only ones on the water when we started and it was so serene and peaceful! Ryan was a great instructor and really showed care for us. We loved our time and hope many others will choose his company for their surfing experience in Maui! Mahalo Ryan!

We had the best experience from the moment I called to book the lesson. The instructors were…read morefriendly and the pictures that the photographer captured were amazing. Everyone was successful in getting up and catching a wave!!! Kalama beach also had shade and benches overlooking the ocean and across the street is a small shopping area with restaurants.

Had a great time learning to surf in Kihei with these guys. They were able to take a last min…read morereservation a couple days before, and it was really convenient and easy to meet up with the instructors at the park to get started in the morning. The guys were great about making everyone comfortable and getting everyone up and riding at least a couple good waves during the lesson. Also added to the experience that we managed to see some sea turtles during our lesson.