Omar is great! I was able to learn the skills on the beach and able to ride on the waves 7 times, thanks to Omar!

Blue was an incredible teacher for our small group lesson. Communication before the lesson was perfect, with detailed info on what to expect. He was at the meeting location early and explained surfing concepts on land, then guided us through practice on the sand. Then we got in the water and he helped each surfer catch numerous waves. Blue did not pressure anyone and even encouraged us to use the surf boards as body boards if we enjoyed it. The no pressure but strong guidance was the perfect combo for our group to thrive. Excellent gear and mentoring on how to get on and off the thick, warm wetsuits (which we loved in the cold Pacific surf). Highly highly recommend! read more

The family had a 1st timers surf lesson for Father's Day and had a great time!Zane helped my husband and daughters with getting on the wetsuits and booties, which is quite the process! Then Noah was the instructor for them. (I didn't surf.) Noah is friendly, patient, knowledgeable and I felt comfortable entrusting my family to him out in the cold Pacific Ocean with undercurrents. Love the fact that he's a life guard too! He gave clear instructions to us all. My 12 & 15 yo daughters said they had fun. Setting up the lessons and registration was an easy process. The communication during registration and prior to the lessons was excellent!!! Would definitely use these guys again and highly recommend them to others! read more

See all

Fun experience. Zane was a pleasure to work with and taught a lot of the basics to me which I needed since it's like my first time in a long time. read more

When my girlfriends dad wanted to learn I figured it'd be best to get him a lesson. He's 6ft plus so we'd need a bigger wetsuit and board than most. I was so happy we went with Big surf adventures. They had a perfect fitting wetsuit and booties, plenty of boards for any surfer, and super friendly instructors who were an absolute pleasure to be around and had excellent instructing / coaching skills. I've been surfing regularly for over ten years and listening to their coaching made me very happy I went with a professional instructor when it came to introducing my gf's dad to surfing. I was able to rent a super fun shortboard to mess around on while Zane took care of my friend and had him up surfing in no time. Abraham (another instructor) was there with us too giving another one on one lesson that was going fantastic. Highly recommend! read more

Monterey Bay Surf Lessons - Cowabunga - Surf Schools Near Me - Carmel, California

The best experience. The team was wonderful. My son had Instructor Abraham and LOVED him. He was so encouraging and patient. Xaden got up on his very first attempt. Thank you for being our first surf experience. We will see you in the Pros read more

See all

It was my first time learning to surf and I had an amazing experience. Alex D. was such a phenomenal instructor that I was actually able to stand up and catch a wave several times. I am supposed to have surgery on both my ankles this year so I was really nervous about injuring them again. He was so considerate of my needs and took extra precautions to make sure I didn't roll my ankles. He was also extremely talented in noticing which waves were good for beginners and timing when to let me know when I should pop up. Because of this, I had such an amazing time on my first time surfing that I've decided to make this my summer goal. We will be coming back for more lessons with him in the summer! read more

My boyfriend and I really wanted to try surfing, so we decided to sign up for beginner lessons under Rick during a weekend getaway in Monterey. Some unexpected moments: Rick took us out further into the ocean in the beginning to see and feel the kelp forest, which was a nice touch. Also, a dolphin surfaced right beside us while we were paddling out in the ocean! The sea is truly beautiful and unpredictable. Meeting up with Rick was easy -- he told us exactly where his moving truck was parked by the beach, and we met up with him to put on our wetsuits (he had plenty of sizes available) and carry our surfboards to the beach. Rick was incredibly patient, encouraging, and positive. He never once seemed annoyed or frustrated, even after we fell countless times despite his great teaching. (Surfing is a LOT harder than it looks!) He was also evidently very experienced (he surfed professionally a while back), so we felt like we were in good hands. It was obvious that safety was very important to Rick. He taught us to hold the nose of the board above water when walking through the waves, to put our hands over our head when coming up after falling to prevent the board from hitting us, etc. Come prepared with a swimsuit (to wear under your wetsuit), sunscreen for your face if it's sunny outside, towels/ dry clothes, and the energy to get back up after falling down a zillion times! The sport is refreshing and especially fun with the likes of Rick around. I was able to surf a few of the waves out of what was probably at least 30... Next time we come back, hopefully my success rate will be a lot higher! read more

This was our second time using Monterey Bay Surf Lessons. First time was with our 12 year old sun and second time was for our now 13 year old son and 14 year old nephew. Noah was an awesome instructor and very easy to work with. He made sure the boys had a great time and felt comfortable. I was able to do everything online and communicate through text messages, super easy and appreciated. Thank you again, please remain awesome! #supportlocal read more

We are day three of the 3 day private surf lesson package for my 11 year old daughter. The wetsuits are great from head to toe my daughter was never cold even in the freezing ocean. Her instructors were Hector and Alex. Zane explained they look for people are great at surfing but have some teaching experience . Both instructors were wonderful with my daughter, careful of her safety, responsive to her needs, endlessly patient, and professional as they had her up on that board standing on a wave by the end of day one. I'm just so impressed how they constantly monitored her and encouraged and challenged her without making her feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Worth every penny ! read more

Monterey Bay Surf Lessons - Del Monte beach - Surf Schools Near Me - Carmel, California

So I live in Boulder Creek which is about 1/2 hour from Santa Cruz, one of the surfing hot spots. I have friends who have their kids take surfing lessons in Santa Cruz and that was the thing I was always going to do when my kids were old enough. But my dad lives in Monterey and while we were down for Spring Break, I got a wild hair and decided to see if there was something fun and active my kids could do while we were visiting. I am so happy I did a search and found Monterey Bay Surf Lessons. Santa Cruz is amazing for surfing, but there is something really special about having a small, private lesson in a ​sheltered beach that isn't crowded. We were met by surfing instructor, Jacob. Don't let this fresh, young face fool you... he is very experienced. He is super friendly, and he gave a great first experience to my kids. My kids are 12 and 9.5 and my youngest was a little nervous. Jacob struck the right balance of engagement​, lesson and just having it be a fun time and completely put him at ease. I was so impressed by Jacob and you couple that with ​perfect conditions and it was a huge win for my family. Thank you Monterey Bay Surf Lessons for gifting us a new fun sport to do. And thank you especially Jacob for just being Awesome. read more

Had a fantastic lesson with Pat! I've attempted surfing before, but had a lot more success during this lesson where we covered basic safety, surfing techniques, surfing shallow whitewater waves, and catching deeper unbroken waves. No matter how unexperienced you are, Pat will have you surfing by the end of your session. Would recommend to anyone interested in the sport. read more

Oh. My. God. If you don't know how to surf and are totally freaked out about learning, this is the PLACE TO GO! but seriously... Nick and Mark were my instructors and let me just say that they were some serious eye candy ;) Aside from the obvious, they were super helpful in learning how to surf. Before we even went out we covered basic pop- up and paddling techniques. Finally, we went out and started taking waves. At first the boys were pushing me into the waves, but eventually I got the swing of paddling hard into the wave and started doing it by myself. They were super encouraging and positive and never made me feel out of place for not knowing how to surf at their level. (: It was a really rewarding experience. Thanks Nick and Mark! I hope to be back soon! read more

I must admit, I'm not any good at surfing and quite frankly, a bit terrified of being out on the ocean...but the Monterey Bay Surf team really helped me step up my game and I had a great time learning! They are patient, encouraging and really know how to instruct you to do what you need to do in order to catch a wave. Having experienced surfers there takes away the frightened feeling you'll probably experience the first few times you go surfing (if you're anything like me). I felt safe and satisfied throughout my time with them and shared plenty of laughs along the way. By the end of my lesson I was feeling pretty confident in the water and I can't wait to go back out! I would recommend giving them a call no matter what age you are...it's never too late to learn!! Bring your friends too and it's sure to be a day to remember! read more

I called last minute to see if I could schedule a first time lesson and they very quickly accommodated me. I registered online and was able to pay that way too. A couple hours later we met them in Carmel close to the beach. What was a little odd but not necessarily a bad thing was that they had their truck parked in a residential area and you met them there. Stored in the back they had boards and suits for use. The instructor was nice but a little quiet. The lesson lasted 2 hours from when we met which was definitely long enough to learn new skills and get very tired. Overall a good experience, and id recommend them! read more

Surprised my two sisters with surfing lessons & we had an amazing time! Both of their first time & my second. Robert was our instructor & he was so amazing & kind & really made our experience top notch! We all appreciated the encouragement he consistently gave us. Honestly, everyone we met was kind & helpful. Amazing vibes all around. They clearly love what they do. Thank you! read more

Dudes and dudettes - if you are considering taking lessons here, definitely do it!! We had Abraham and he was absolutely amazing, he kept us calm, as well as made us feel safe and comfortable in the water. I hope to take another with him specifically when I come back. Great overall person as well as surf instructor :) read more

Great spot! They are very knowledgeable and were accommodating of my needs. Would recommend for anyone looking to take surfing lessons.

Zane was awesome - wasn't my first time surfing so just needed a tune-up and he adapted easily. Super friendly, helpful, and gave good advice for other nor cal surf spots. Love that they pick the spot the night before based on what waves will be best for beginners. Highly recommend! read more

I had a great experience with South bay Surfriders. I have had two lessons and both Austin and JP were very patient and completely supportive throughout the entire lessons. They made learning to surf very fun and relieved an anxiety I had! I highly recommend this company for surfing lessons! read more

Grew up on the Peninsula and never thought about surfing. Decided to take a lesson at the promoting of my buddies and really enjoyed it. Great instructor and definitely do it again. read more

My 16 year old had a great first experience surfing with Nick. I would highly recommend Monterey Bay Surf Lesson to surfing novices of all ages! read more

I had a great lesson with South Bay Surf Lessons. I live in the area and wanted to try surfing, but don't have a board or wetsuit. A friend recommended this company. I called and they set me up with a semi-private lesson the next Saturday. My first lesson went WAY better than I thought and I actually stood up on a couple waves. Paul was our instructor and he was great! Really professional and encouraging. I recommend this company to anyone in the area looking for a fun summer activity. read more

Went out to Carmel Beach this morning with Pat. I was able to ride a few by the end of the lesson. Exactly what I was looking for. I'm from the Midwest and have been in the ocean about a dozen times so I didn't expect much. Pat was a great help from teaching me why I need a wetsuit (who knew the water was that cold?) to riding a few waves and even where I could go to get gear. Great experience and an awesome and fun way to spend the morning. read more

I can't say enough amazing things about our surf lesson. Patrick knows his stuff. We started with safety info and tips, and he had our whole group standing almost right away. I highly recommend this surf class! We'll definitely be back for more. Hang loose! read more

This place is awesome. I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for surf lessons. I will definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for surf lessons. Kris did an awesome job with everything we needed to have a good time. Thanks again Monterey bay surf lessons. You rock! Keep it up read more

I have always wanted to surf. Chenoa had me up by my fifth try. I am really glad I went. She taught me skills I will use over and over. Thanks for the great lesson! read more

My wife and I are complete surfing neophytes; city-slickers through and through. We had a group lesson with another couple, similarly experienced. Our instructor Austin was incredibly patient with us all and seemed legitimately excited for us as, one by one, we all figured out how to ride a wave. I highly recommend the experience, even on a gray day like we had. read more

These guys really know what they are doing. They are friendly, professional, and talented instructors who really make learning a difficult sport seem easy and fun! If you want to learn from the best, don't choose anyone else other MB Surf Lessons! read more

Fantastic friendly service. They go out of their way to make sure, regardless of age or ability, that you feel like you've accomplished something by doing all they can to make you feel special. Quality instruction and unforgettable memories. read more

Thank you Jessica for all your wonderful advice and knowledge.I will be in touch soon.your company sounds great :)

For those thinking about learning how to surf and ponder whether to get a coach or try it yourself: don´t think - get a coach! Rick was able to help us to really see and experience how much fun surfing is. We were at Carmel beach with my 7-year old son. Especially with kids you really need to be careful and respect the sea. There is always little bumps and bruises when you are outdoors and this sport is no different. It helps when you have a professional there to help. Well, more than that - it makes the difference between trying it and actually learning it. Awesome! read more

Bad Day. Made reservations for my 7 & 8 year old kids to take surf lessons. (They surfed in Capitola a year ago.) Instructor Rick should not have subjected our kids to the size waves that were out there that day. They may have lost their interest in surfing. He did not pay attention to them as he promised them he would. A big wave came and tossed my daughter around underwater and she is a good swimmer but she came out crying. Rick was busy body surfing on his own. The lesson started with a VERY short lesson on how to surf... no questions were asked of their swim ability, just how to stand up. Other people on the beach even said it didn't look like the lesson was going well and the waves were too big. The scheduled two hour lesson was over after one hour. read more

Be careful with this company. I reserved lessons, but then got sick the night before. I cancelled in the morning, but they still charged my card for the whole amount of the lessons. After I saw the charges on my account I tracked them down and only then did they offer to make up the lesson, but refused to refund the amount. Horrible costumer service. I would go somewhere else for your lessons. read more

A fantastic experience! First off, I appreciate the integrity. The instructor asked if I would like to reschedule because he wanted to make sure the conditions were good, not just OK. I took him up on it, met the next day, and we had great waves. The experience was good, but the reason it's an easy 5-star rating is Ryan was REALLY exceptional as an instructor. I got up, had FUN, felt safe, and would do it again tomorrow. Thanks, Ryan. read more

Full disclosure: I had Miguel and Mark as instructors. And maybe I think so highly of this company because it's the reason I got into surfing (took one lesson yesterday and I am *so* hooked!). Miguel and Mark are really fun and great instructors. The day was gloomy and cold, but they made the most of it. The first time riding a wave is pretty terrifying, (I think I took at least a gallon of the Pacific into my lungs as well as soiling my wetsuit) so most of us were pretty inclined to just kind of hang out beyond the breaking waves, but Miguel and Mark would not allow this. They kept calling us out individually and walking us through what we were doing wrong/how we could improve our method. They would give us all the necessary push (literally) to catch a wave as well as coming along with us on some of them. My only (minor) issue was that they didn't mention we could only pay with cash before coming along (also, the fact that I accidentally flashed a group of nine year olds while taking off my wetsuit - but that had nothing to do with the company). I'd definitely come back here/recommend it :) read more

Surfing with the Monterey bay surf company was such a great experience! I had never surfed before but I easily learns the fundamentals and everyone in our group could stand by the end of the lesson. Plus getting to hang out on Carmel beach is always a plus. We had Austin as an instructor and he is such a great guy who obviously knows what he's doing, I highly recommend anyone to take their lessons here read more

I booked my hubby some surf lessons for our vacation in Monterey. That morning a huge swell rolled in. There were 6 foot beach breaks and 50 degree water. Despite the bad weather, his surf instructor Rick was amazing!!! They showed up in a moving truck (yes literally a moving truck!) full of wet suits, boards, and surf equipment. Taught my hubby for a few minutes on the shore things like how to pop up on the board... Then in to the water they went. Rick braved the freezing water and crazy waves, and still taught my hubby to surf!! I had a few conversations with the owner Jeano... He is awesome! I had no clue what I was doing, and he walked me trough the booking process, and set me mind at ease about sending my hubby into the ocean! When the weather is better and the waves aren't taller then me, I will be booking more lessons for the hubby and me!!! Everyone I spoke with in the shop were very professional and knowledgable!!! Would not book anyone else in Monterey for surf lessons!!! read more

Great service. Set up an appointment they called back to confirm the time. Showed up and they were already set up and ready to go. Adam was great and an awesome instructor. Took the time to make sure everyone got up and provided lots of encouragement. Would easily recommend to anyone. read more

I would highly recommend Monterey Bay Surf Lessons!! Austin was our instructor and he is AMAZING!! He was so much fun and got everyone in our group standing up! He was great with my kids (ages 8 & 9). I can't praise him enough. Anyone who wants to learn to surf should use this company! read more