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Lahaina, HI

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Island Style Adventures Surf School

4.5 (135 reviews)
Closed • 7:30 am - 4:30 pm

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Preparing for the waves.
Kimi S.

Richard was our three teens coach. He did an amazing job. They had so much fun. They were riding the waves before you knew it. We will be back.

Steven P.

We had an amazing experience with Nick here. We called at 9pm the night before to see if we could get in a class the next morning at 8:30am and was able to get on the phone with someone and book it that night! We had our lesson with Nick who was able to get my son, fiance' and I on some waves after a brief on-land class that was very informative. Nick was very helpful and got us all up surfing in no-time at all! I would definitely recommend Island Style and more specifically Nick if you can get him!

Naturals ‍‍
Red B.

Had a great time learning to surf with ISA. All of the instructors were super cool and helpful. I was able to get up just about every time! The meeting point was perfect for us while staying at the Westin. Literally a couple minutes down the beach. They got us suited up and went through the basics of surfing in front of their storefront, then we walked about a half mileish down the beach to where the waves were. We got lucky with some good waves and everyone was able to catch several during the roughly two hours of surfing. They had a photographer on site, so we were able to get some good shots! These cost extra, but are totally worth it.

Am I surfing or doing yoga? I'll let you be the judge :)
Karen W.

I have never been surfing before and since I was in Maui I figured now was a good time to try it! Booking can be done in person, online, or over the phone and they offer private, semi-private, and group lessons. The group lessons are great in that the instructor to student ratio is always 1:3 so you are still getting pretty good instruction and help since it is a very small group. The check in area is near the entrance to Whaler's Village right next to Leilani's. It's a small little stand with a white and yellow sign. Our instructor was Steven who was great at providing us instruction at the basics of surfing. After about 20 minutes of going over safety and a how-to crash course we went out to catch some waves! You don't need to be a very strong swimmer but it does help if you are as you will be doing a lot of paddling against the waves. If you aren't though have no fear because the instructor will help you out and even tow you (With a toe!) to a good area if you need it. Some things I learned during this surfing session: - A T-Rex with its short stubbly arms could probably paddle better than me - Paddling is hard work! I think at least half my time was trying to paddle out to the good area with waves. - The ocean floor in this area is full of sharp coral so pay attention to the safety warnings. If you fall always try to fall on your back to prevent scratching yourself up. They will give you a rash guard shirt and booties to wear before you head out for protection against coral. - You may fall or wipe out at some point depending on how the waves are and your balancing prowess so go in and be prepared to possibly get a nose full of water! - The instructors are awesome and are always encouraging. Steven did a great job. For newbies he will push your board when the time comes to help you ride the wave. He will also tell you when to stand up so you can maximize your riding time. - If you are lucky you may see some wildlife while you are in the water. We saw a large sea turtle swimming casually by us. Awesome! They have an on site photographer to digitally capture your Maui surfing memories. The photos are $30 (Add $2 if using credit card for processing fee) and he will send you a link where you can download your photos. The price of the 2 hour session was $85 but I used the check in offer which cut the cost down a little. With tax my total ended up being around $80. Times for the group sessions are 8 AM, 11 AM, and 2 PM. They do have a cart a few feet from the check in where you can stash your belongings while you are surfing and the people at the counter can keep an eye on it but I'd still pack minimally just in case. A towel, your room key and possibly any payment if you anticipate buying photos is all you really need. It was a fun experience I'm glad I tried it out!

Second try!
Amy J.

What an experience! Tyler and Pete were amazingly patient and helpful. Not the easiest feat when trying to teach a high energy 8 year old and his dad to surf. Lessons start w some on ground instructions of how to stand and balance, what not to do, and practice on a board in the grass. Once the basics are mastered (10 to 15 mins depending on your group size) it was off to the ocean. Our 8 year old made it happen on the second try and spent the next hour and a half continuing to practice. Hubs had a little more of a challenge, but Tyler and Pete were amazing in continuing to get him standing. At the end you are offered photos of your experience, at a more much reasonable price than I expected. Don't hesitate to book this adventure. Pro that it's right in Whaler's village so you can end your lesson w some lunch.

The crew educates its students in detailed fashion on Surfer etiquette, technique and safety before getting in the water.
Walter Antonio A.

I signed up through a hotel concierge service opting for an early morning session (8am). The location is right at the beach side of the Westin Resort & Spa on Kaanapali Beach, just west of the towel station for the pool area. Surfing Hawaii was a bucket list item of mine... Let it be known, this surf lesson would be my first shot at the sport ever. Upon check in, I was welcomed and made to feel at ease. My Instructor's name was Josh. The lesson got underway promptly as scheduled. Josh had a very positive attitude and was thorough in his clear, calm instruction. Prior to setting the boards in the water, our class was taught the do's and don'ts pertaining to Surfer etiquette, proper technique for paddling out and wave riding along with how to be safe while out in the water. Additionally, Josh assured that we were properly equipped to maximize our experience. He too, gave us a step by step narrative on what we would expect to happen in certain instances. The boards and complimentary equipment included with the lesson were clean and in fine condition. All of this pre-water preparation would prove to most valuable once we got in the water. All I can say is based on my instruction, my bucket list item got underway with me catching my first wave and nearly making it all the way to shore. My observation with the other student was that he was equally successful... It also was his first time on a surfboard ever. Josh was most encouraging and challenged us to increasingly get to catching waves more and more on our own with less and less assistance from him. He eventually had us catching the waves on our own, rallying when we were successfully surfing ourselves. In the end, instead of helping us to surf, he was surfing with us. If you are considering signing up prior to getting set for your Maui trip or if you're see-sawing on adding it to your itinerary during your stay, I highly recommend this company & it's staff. I also recommend using the on site photographer to capture your educational experience. Mahalo Josh & the rest of the Island Style Adventure Surf Lessons crew!

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Best surf company in Maui I used them every September and when I travel to the islands to our timeshare. Zach Zane is the best there

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Ask the Community - Island Style Adventures Surf School

Review Highlights - Island Style Adventures Surf School

“He was raised in Maui and was very knowledgeable about the ocean conditions and where the water was deepest.”

Mentioned in 26 reviews

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"So glad I finally found you -- and so glad I didn't give up."…read more My last surf lesson in Maui was with Chyna, and it completely changed how I understood surfing. A little background about me: a middle-aged first time surfer, a basic swimmer and a big fan of basic snorkeling. Weekly workouts include gym weight lifting, kick boxing, yoga, and Lagree. And, I had a HUGE fear of wipeouts. Chyna and her friend Aina once ran a small water-sports business together, and they also volunteered teaching local kids to surf. They lost so much in the 2023 Lahaina fire, not to even mention that Aina is also a Maui firefighter. Thankfully, their families were safe. Knowing their story made Chyna's generosity, patience, and love for the ocean feel even more special. This was nothing like the two commercial surf lessons I had taken before: no photographer on shore, no rush to simply get me standing for a picture. In 2 hours, Chyna taught me how to respect and learn from the ocean: how to read the shoreline, reef and rocks, whitewater and green waves, wind, entry and exit points; how the board works; how to paddle, turn, control it, get through whitewater, and even use sound to judge an approaching wave. Most importantly, she corrected my popup technique and let ME decide whether to stand when each wave came. Once I stopped rushing and started learning the speed and timing of the wave, I was able to feel the freedom and pure energy from surfing. Even the whitewater that had scared me before stopped feeling intimidating: I didn't get knocked over ONCE! For the first time, I experienced what surfing can feel like when fear is no longer in control and I can actually listen to my body and the ocean. Chyna and Aina, I'm so grateful I found you. See you at the next wave!

My six-year-old son had a private surf lesson with Theo today, and the entire experience exceeded…read moreour expectations. From the initial communication and detailed information provided beforehand to the beautiful location and overall organization, everything was seamless and professional. Theo was an absolutely fantastic instructor. As a parent, I was nervous because my son had never surfed before, but Theo immediately put us at ease. He took the time to explain his approach, including why he wanted to start on smaller waves and ease my son into the experience rather than pushing too hard too fast. That thoughtful approach made all the difference. Theo was incredibly encouraging, motivating, and patient throughout the lesson. He paid close attention to my son's energy level and knew exactly when breaks were needed, which was especially important for a young child. He struck the perfect balance between building confidence and keeping the experience fun and positive. I was also extremely grateful for Theo's communication with us as parents. He kept us informed, answered our questions, and made us feel comfortable every step of the way. Overall, this was an outstanding experience, and I cannot recommend them enough!! If you're visiting and considering surf lessons, do it. In fact, I left wishing I had booked a lesson for myself as well! Thank you, Theo, for making my son's first surfing experience such a memorable and positive one.

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Black Rock Beach - Very sandy beach

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One of the highlights of my trip to Maui was coming to Black Rock Beach in Lahaina. Originally we…read morewere supposed to stay in Lahaina, but because of the rebuilding of the area, we stayed a little further south. I wish I did stay in the area because the whole area is a vibe. It's a little more touristy with resorts and shopping areas, but once you get on the beach you forget all that. Some of our group was already here and gave us specific instructions on where to park. We parked in a paid parking garage and had to walk between hotels to find the entrance to the beach. This particular stretch is in front of the Sheraton Maui Resort. This beach was awesome! Don't get confused like I did and think this was a black sand beach. Black Rock refers to the giant black lava rock going from the beach into the ocean. It's a very popular cliff diving area. In my opinion, you got to have some athletic ability to do the cliff diving. There's two ways to get to the peak of the rock to jump. There's a path from the shore, but you have to do a little climbing with a very sketch path to the top. The other option is to swim in the ocean towards the end of the rock where you have a little ladder to get you up, but you still have to get to the top of the rock. My friends and I decided to do the swim out which in itself was a challenge. One I got close, I decided to be the photographer in the water for when my friends jumped. We hung out in the water for awhile before swimming back to shore. The beach is perfect for lounging around, with soft white sand and crystal clear water. I brought my snorkel and goggles to really appreciate what's under the sea. We stayed out here way longer than we planned because time flies when you are having fun. On my next trip to Maui, I would totally consider staying right on this beach. I will most definitely be back!

Favorite beach in Maui. You can guarantee you will see 3+ turtles by the rocks on the right side…read moreevery time. And occasionally, a Hawaiian monk seal that comes up to bask in the sun during the day. Tourists here are the worst though! I have seen them crowding the turtles (10 ft distance is the law), standing on the swimming turtles to treat them like surf boards, and even approaching the monk seals or blocking their path back to the water (50+ ft is the law). Enjoy this beach responsibly and respect the beautiful wild life that frequent this beach.

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Island Style Adventures Surf School - surfing - Updated November 2026

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