Sparky&#x27;s Surf School

(437 reviews)

0.5 mi

This place had last minute booking options which was so convenient for us as we have a little girl…read moreand didn't think of lessons until the day before. They have easy online booking options and they sent you an email right away to sign a waiver. It's a little hard to find as it's between the Denny's and a parking lot, so just be vigilant while walking. They have a little shop with a receptionist and the instructors. There's a QR code for tipping your instructors which was convenient considering you're so tired after the lesson. I felt comfortable leaving all my stuff in the office (even shoes) as we walked across the street to the beach. My instructor, James, first practiced my footing, head placement, and movement. Then we paddled out, and he held my board the entire time. I got to enjoy the view prop my head on my board and give Ms. America waves even though no one was looking. That alone is worth all the money. James gave me tips and tricks each wave he pushed me in. Telling me to balance more on the right foot, etc. I felt like I had also paid to hang out with someone really cool. The vibes on the break were so chill. Everyone knew each other and were respectful with waves of hello and aloha. This is a must do in Waikiki. The waves were so soft on my beginner board and they have a 99.9% rate of success. James said he was able to help a 84 year old catch and stand up in a wave. Remarkable!!! I caught six waves and it felt incredible. I'm wiped out and exhausted, but so satisfied and excited for my next lesson. What a treat! I highly recommend Ty Gurney- ask for James!!

We had a surf lesson and video package with Ryan and Marco and had THE best time. They made us feel…read moreincredibly comfortable and confident and were genuinely just really fun to talk to. 10/10 recommend

Paddling out

See all

Ohana Surf Project

(279 reviews)

0.2 mi

It was our first time surfing and we were comfortable and had so much fun…read more Coach and the entire team was amazing. I was the oldest in the group (including my kids) and Coach and Ryan were super attentive and ensured that I didn't get hurt and enjoyed myself. The team promoted connection that made the entire group of first time surfers and total strangers comfortable and supporting each other. From the time we checked in until the check out, every staff member was friendly and professional.

Excellent communication, rate quoting and responsiveness. Helped me with available times, getting…read morethe lesson booked and getting the payment paid, all in a time-sensitive way since I arrived in Oahu on Monday, was staying the week, but hadn't made advance bookings. Emily made sure all my questions were answered, advising what to wear (I asked), and what to bring to the beach, versus leave up at the shop. Amazing!! Some downsides: it's a BIG group! Even though we got semi-private lesson (1 instructor for the 2 of us), you're still taking the lesson amidst the rest of the "school"(...which for us, was 2 school buses filled with students. Maybe 25 people?) You're then all having your lesson in the same area of water, so imagine 30 beginners all on surf boards confined to a limited area on the water. I didn't love this part. You're assigned an instructor (and each of course has his/her own personality). The instructors were all great: coaching you through the positions, picking the waves for you, pushing you off into them to gather speed, and calling out when to "paddle" then "up". But each instructor inherently comes with a personality and if you get a less aggressive one, you might end up waiting for all the other students to get their turn before you get to go. Then (this part was unexpected)...you have to win all the way across, to get out of the "surf lane" of all 25 beginner surfers, before you can win back out to get in line for your next try. It was a lot of swimming for not a lot of surf trials which really tires you out. By 5 runs, I'd had enough. I have had one lesson before (which I absolutely LOVED!!) but it wasn't as part of a big school, it was just me, and one other student, and the instructor. And there was no 25-50 ft "surf lane" that you had to swim across after each attempt to get out of the way of the other students. this extra swimming ate into a lot of surfing time I think. Anyway, good experience, but I wouldn't do it again in this way. Actually, I'm not even sure I'd do it again at all. I ended up buying the photo footage because I'm so sure I'm off surfing now...so might as well buy the photos, as I'll probably never do it again. That's not how I felt after my 1st experience a few years ago in a different format.

Surfing in Waikiki

See all

Mickeys Surf School

(278 reviews)

0.2 mi

Our experience with Mickey made our trip. He introduced my 4-year old to surfing in such a gentile…read moreand thoughtful way, ensuring a safe and positive experience. We scouted out all the options for instructors and Mickey is by far the best and highest quality. In our case, he also went out of his way to share his time early in the morning to allow for best possible conditions. My son came out of the experience with a new friend, asking when he gets to surf with Mickey again. He also had a creative Go Pro set up that documented the whole experience. Mickey is special and has a natural way with kids (and people). We are so thankful we met him, let alone surfed with him.

When our surf instructor became unavailable, we asked for recommendations and were referred to…read moreMickey's, which came highly recommended. We reached out via text, and Mickey responded promptly the same day. Although he was not available for our session, we had the opportunity to observe him teaching two children, likely around 8-9 years old, and were very impressed. Both kids were confidently riding their own surfboards, and Mickey filmed their entire session--creating what appeared to be incredible footage while still delivering an engaging and supportive lesson. Based on what we observed, he clearly provides a memorable and high-quality experience. We look forward to having our own children take lessons with him in the future.

Sunset sessions available @Mickey surf school

Supporting while filming and coaching side-by-side always the theme @Mickey surf school

See all

Little ones have the most fun with Mickey

Moniz Family Surf

(79 reviews)

0.1 mi

Our family took 3 amazing surf lessons at Moniz Family Surf. The staff was so helpful…read more The instruction was perfect! My daughter, wife and I had not been on surf board in over 4 years. Our instructors, Micah, Josh & Sam, had us up on the board riding in waves in the first 20 mins. We had such a great time we came back the next day to Moniz Family Surf to rent boards and head back out. Amazing experience on Waikīkī Beach! 5 Stars.

My son & nephew had an amazing lesson with Micah. He was very patient & encouraging. After a few…read morepractice rounds, they were off & actually catching waves! The pictures & videos were also great - clear & professional grade. The boys had such a great experience, we came back the next day to rent boards & surf again. Thanks Micah and the Moniz staff for taking care of my boys!

Josh winning the Volcom contest at Pipe. And his siblings just as happy.

Papa Tony and our grandson, Honouliwai at Baby Queens.

See all

Moku Hawaii

No more dragging boards on planes, car rentals and parking worries! Moku is right at Waikiki,…read moregreat board selection, price and OPEN past sunset so no panicking to hurry back! Good merch too!

Did my surf lesson today! It was my second time but my first wasn't at moku. I can say that moku…read more(my second surf lesson) was way better than the first. I had Cam (Cameron) answering my questions and he was patient to tell me where I needed progress! It was a great experience! Will be back there again for more lessons and maybe one day just to rent their surfboard! Mahalo

See all

RENTAL MENU

Gone Surfing Hawaii

(167 reviews)

0.6 mi

I signed up my 8 year old for his first surf lesson with Gone Surfing and the experience was…read moreamazing. I will totally recommened this company, they are very professional. They also got us some amazing photos and videos of him surfing. He had lot of fun and cant wait to go back again surfing with them.

Great instructors. Tommy and Dev were friendly, professional and so patient! It was great having a…read morephotographer there to catch my two daughters getting up during our first surfing lesson ever! We highly recommend this company!

Girls Surf Day Waikiki Beach Outrigger Reef on the Beach Hotel. Rent at Gone Surfing Hawaii:)

Headed out with Owen! We both got up on our first try!

See all

The surf stand

Hawaii Surf Guru

(144 reviews)

1.8 mi

My 10 year old daughter had a lesson with Talia last week during our Hawaii vacation. The…read moreinstructor was so friendly, patient, and very knowledgeable! My daughter said that her surfing lesson was one of the highlights of our trip! Great communication, and I would recommend to anyone with kids to try in the future! Thank you!

Free parking lot for 6 hours and if you follow the lagoon, it'll lead straight to the Grand…read moreWaikikian Hotel. By 8/9 pm, the entire lagoon clears out and it's empty. Private beach to yourself with beautiful weather.

Lessons on the beach to learn the basics.

See all

Hans Hedemann Surf School-Waikiki

4.6

(174 reviews)

0.3 mi

5 I can't say enough about the gang at Hans Hedemann Surf School Waikiki! Our family of 6 ( kids…read moreages 11,13,15, and 17) from the Midwest had never been surfing before. These guys were so good at providing instructions, keeping everyone safe, and most importantly making it fun! The kids had an absolutely blast. This was after two weren't overly confident going into it! We opted to have them take photos during our session and man did they not disappoint! I can't say enough good things about Peter, Willie, and Kiva. Would recommend these guys and the surf school to anyone who is considering it! - Matt

Best day learning how to surf. Ask for Hans, Keaton, Tiara, or Nicki'. They made my families…read morefirst time surfing very special.

See all

Surfer Girl Academy Surf School

(33 reviews)

1.2 mi

I called the day before to ask for a lesson and they told me I could show up to the 10 AM lesson…read moreand said to pay onsite. The surf lesson was both amazing and scary. We were given a 2-minute safety and tips speech before both of us in the lesson were shown how to get up on the board. We each had one attempt to get up while the instructor held the board steady near the beach. Then we paddled out to the waves. We had to paddle far and it wasn't my hands/arms that were tired but my shoulders and neck because you have to keep your chin up to stay out of the surf on your way out. I was able to stand up on almost every wave except the one that was too small and the one I tried to do myself. I can imagine it being unsafe and not fun to try to just surf yourself without any prior experience because the one time I tried to judge when to get up myself, I immediately fell hard into the water and swallowed salt water. Highly recommend it if you are at all athletically inclined. Surfer Girl Academy was very laid back and I liked the instructor John.

Really enjoyed myself. So much in fact that I returned a couple of days later to surf again. The…read morestaff, Yuko, Shuji, Inne & Jake took good care of everyone in the group. They were very friendly, helpful & service orientated. You will get your money's worth in the couple of hours you are in the water, and believe me, if an old, fat guy like me can get up on a surfboard, most anyone can. Yuko also took great photos & video that will provide some fantastic memories of this trip to Oahu. You'll need to look for the white van in the parking lot by the water. There is a small "SGA" on it.

See all

Hawaii Driving Academy

(104 reviews)

2.1 mi

I was looking for a driving instructor for my teen and saw all the positive Yelp reviews for Hawaii…read moreDriving Academy. Jay was a wonderful teacher! He has a "can do" positive attitude. He was extremely responsive and answered all my questions over the phone before the first lesson. He is very patient, always came on time and had a face mask on for every lesson. After each lesson, he would message me on my teens progress. Jay was very easy to work with and I felt he and I were able to work together to achieve our goals. It was also very easy and convenient to pay for our lessons via payment app. Our teen passed on the first try!!!

Jay is an experienced driver and very capable instructor. I held onto my learner's permit for half…read morea decade because I was too nervous to take the driver's test, but Jay was able to pace the lessons in a way that worked for me. Since I struggled with the practical aspect, he identified what I was hesitating on and walked me to through the concepts using drawn diagrams to ease me into it. Thanks to his personalized approach, I passed the Kapahulu driver's test in a single attempt.

Post the busses info

Hawaii Driving Academy

See all

Ewa Plains Enrichment Program

(26 reviews)

14.4 mi

I have no words to describe what this school has meant for our little ohana. Our child attended…read morefor two years and was provided with exceptional care and compassion, patience, and everything you could ask for in a preschool. Every teacher there felt like they were born to be a pre-school teacher! We feel incredibly grateful to have found Ewa Plains Enrichment in Ewa Beach for our son. From the very beginning, it felt personal. We were not just enrolling in a school but becoming part of a warm, loving community that felt like family. Miss Jessica and the entire team of teachers are everything you would hope for in a preschool. They are warm, kind, intelligent, and fully engaged with the children. Their sincerity and care were evident every single day. It was almost tangible how much they truly loved each child, including ours. The mission of Ewa Plains Enrichment feels centered in love. Every lesson, classroom moment, and interaction reflects that. Our son not only learned how to read here, but something lit up inside him. It was as if a light switched on, and now he reads his own bedtime stories with joy and confidence. This milestone was nurtured by the school's incredible literacy program and the encouragement of his teachers. The school's focus on literacy is truly outstanding. The dedication and joy the teachers bring to reading is something our family will never forget. We also deeply appreciated the school's commitment to Hawaiian culture. Field trips to the lo'i, the pumpkin patch, and the library helped connect learning to the land and the community. Through songs, stories, and hands-on experiences, the children developed a strong sense of place and respect. As a Buddhist family, we always felt completely welcomed and respected at this Christian school. The values of kindness, compassion, gratitude, and responsibility were shared in a loving and inclusive way that felt deeply aligned with our home life. Our son also had the opportunity to share his own heritage during Culture Week and to learn about the cultures of his classmates. Seeing his identity honored and celebrated was incredibly meaningful and helped him feel proud and connected. The school created beautiful memories throughout the year, from Christmas and Easter performances to a heartfelt Mother's Day celebration. Preschool graduation was one of the best graduation events I have ever attended. It was thoughtful, joyful, and full of love. You could see how much the staff cared about each and every child. During a year when our family needed to take extended international trips, the school was flexible, understanding, and supportive. They even prepared homework packets for our son to bring with him, so he could stay connected and continue learning while we traveled. That level of care and thoughtfulness meant so much to us. Ewa Plains Enrichment has been around for many years, and that experience shows in the most beautiful ways. The staff have worked with so many different types of children and family situations, and their understanding, flexibility, and wisdom come through in how they support each student. You can tell they have truly seen it all and are prepared to meet each child where they are, with love and confidence. Ewa Plains Enrichment consistently goes above and beyond what is expected. They are always thinking about the children and their future. This is not just a school. It is a place where children are truly seen, nurtured, and loved. We will be forever grateful to this school, which is a true gift to the community and island!

Our family is so fortunate and blessed to have found this school! We desired a school that was not…read morejust a "daycare" but one that would challenge our son and continue to foster his growth intellectually as well as be faith based. Our child has excelled and fluorished not only in academics but also socially and spiritually. His growth here has been astounding. The staff here are amazing and were able to create a lesson plan and curriculum based on his needs. They address all aspects of a child's development and offer different activities and experiences for them. He went through three different neighboring preschools before we found this one and we wished we had found it sooner.

Amazing language teachers Hawaiian, Tagalog, Philippines, Bisaya, Ilocano and Vietnamese languages used in class. This is not Seagulls .

A gift for an amazing school year, thank you.

See all

Graduation ceremony has been done for 20 years.

Keiki O Ka 'aina Family Learning Centers

(16 reviews)

6.0 mi

I love seeing the family ho'ike form each community ! The Kumu work so creatively and lovingly with…read morethe keiki, makua and community partners !! Mahalo Keiki O Ka Aina!

Amazing group of nice people!! I was introduced to this nonprofit through a Telon on TV in Hawaii…read more They seem to be very sincere in their drive, and I decided to join in. Although getting to this place was quite an adventure it is very high up on a hill, but nevertheless, it was worth being introduced to such nice people!would definitely donate to their cause again this time being total support of rebuilding and helping out the children in Maui and their families!

Keiki O Ka Aina Graduation ~ Mahalo Kumu Jessica

Keiki O Ka Aina Field Trip Fun Day at Discovery Center

See all

Keiki O Ka Aina Field Trip Fun Day at Discovery Center

Kiddie Academy of Honolulu

(10 reviews)

3.3 mi

Our daughter started at KA at 10 weeks old, very shortly after KA first opened, and (a blink…read morelater!) is now soon to graduate and head to preschool. KA has been spectacular through and through. The school is loving, nurturing, supportive, clean and full of fun activities. My daughter has thrived, with so many great friends and teachers, and so many fun things each day. She loves the play nook, book corner and circle time. Meals are all coordinated from a neighboring restaurant, so the kids eat well and with a healthy variety. They have a "book library" you can borrow from. AND They have parent-accessible cameras so you can check in on your kiddo through the day! We feel so lucky to have been a part of the KA 'Ohana and are so thankful. When I was dropping off my baby so I could head to work, I always knew that she would be loved, well fed, clean and cared for. After over 2.5yrs, they have done and been so much more. In addition to the amazing teachers, the management at KA are incredible. They are hands-on, friendly and accommodating, and truly care about the daycare and the children. When a child is hurt or sick or having a tough day, they will often be found on the laps of Ronna (the owner) or Keesha (the manager), so they can get some extra attention to help ease whatever the issue. We cannot recommend KA enough for your little one! Ps. Tell Keesha I say hi!!

We loved Kiddie Academy and sent both of our children there. The teachers and management are…read morecaring, professional, and helpful. They were all amazing and we especially loved Ms Kimmie and Ms Caitlyn, as well as Ms Keesha and the owner Ronna. My son was quite young when he began and I like that they kept the tiniest babies in their own room which (I think) helped reduce the number of times he got sick! We also had some behavioral challenges and greatly appreciated the level of communication, empathy, and willingness to try various approaches and solutions.

See all

Rainbow Learning Academy

(5 reviews)

18.7 mi

Highly recommend!! I fully trust the staff with my daughter. She has gone here for almost 2 years…read moreand she loves it. The staff is friendly, gentle, caring, and so supportive. They communicate well and also throw cute events for family to partake in. My daughter gets disappointed when I come in to pick her up - she tells me she doesn't wanna go home yet. I think that's a great sign she's having fun and loving her time there!

We enrolled our son at 6 months old and have been really happy with his care. The infant teachers…read moreare all wonderful and caring. You can see how much they love the kids. As he's gotten older he's continued to love going to RLA. He's always happy to see his teachers and is all smiles when we drop him off. I really appreciate that they provide meals (breakfast and lunch / snacks). The lunches are impressive (IMO) and expose my son to a lot of foods we don't have at home. On another note, we liked RLA so much that we enrolled my daughter for the summer before she started kindergarten. The class size was small (which has both plusses and minuses, depending on what is important to you). Mainly we liked the curriculum and the amount of hands on activities they were able to do with a small class size. The teacher incorporated some pre-k activities since I wanted to make sure my daughter was prepared for Kindergarten.

Our infant/toddler classroom. Lots of space to explore and play!

Our preschool classroom. Fun centers to explore!

See all

Recent review

The Growing Patch 24-Hour Children Academy

4.3

(12 reviews)

10.0 mi

We love the Growing Patch!…read more So we initially found the Growing Patch on Patch Hawaii where they list all certified childcare providers on the island. I only used 2 months of maternity leave so I needed to find a daycare that would take my baby as young as she was. We were lucky to find the Growing Patch since they take babies as young as 3 weeks old. We also learned that the owner was prior military and we were proud to go with them since we are military ourselves. We live on the west side and work closer to town so they were right in the middle and convenient for dropping off and picking up baby. Their location is a bit hidden in the back parking lot of Aiea Square area, near Queen Street Cafe but it's easy to get to since it's at the cutoff for Aiea if you're coming from either direction. This makes getting back on the freeway just as easy if you're heading town side. If you're going west, you'll either have to back track to Halawa or drive further down towards Pearl City. To start off, although this facility is a bit hidden, the front doors art covered in bright red posters showing that it's a daycare that provides 24-hour service. Yes! They will watch your child overnight if you need it. We visited the place for the first time during family tour day which was scheduled in advanced for those interested in learning about the facility, their staff and how they do things at the Growing Patch. We were the 1st ones to sign up after the orientation was completed and they offered an "observation day" before my baby officially started daycare with them. This was where they watched her for a few hours to see how she does around the care givers, being in a new place and around other children. She did great her 1st time there and the longer she went, the more she would learn to love being there. They provide you a list with the items they'll need to take care of your baby and anything else you would recommend to keep them comfortable when they're away from you. Each child has a storage cubby for their belongings. At the front door, you have to ring the doorbell to be let in and you check in on the tablet at the front desk. The facility itself is organized and separated into areas for different age groups since they take infants and up to pre-k age. My baby was enrolled into the infants area and they have a lot of things to keep the children busy from walkers, toys, beds and more! They do art work too like a regular school would and send it home with the parents. I love my baby's footprint art! The place smells clean every time I walk in and they sanitize everything at the end of each day. They have a calendar at the front that you can view to see what your child is scheduled to do that day. You can ask the front desk assistants for a curriculum to take home with you too. They even have scheduled field trips for the kids and notify parents via email and the app for permission. Their last field trip was to the Pumpkin Patch back in October 2024. They use an app called Child Pilot to help you keep track of what you're child is doing during the day and to contact you if needed. If you don't bring lunch for your child, they provide meals specially made by the Queen Street Cafe but this is for the toddler ages. The staff here if so friendly and they love the kids very because it shows. When I drop my baby off in the morning, she already knows where she is and loves to smile at all the caregivers. She's even excited to see all the other children and does not cry when I leave. After only a couple months here, my baby is the most friendliest and social child and I love how her smile can brighten up anyone's day when they see her. They hold parent teacher conference to talk about your child's progress here at the Growing Patch. They even ask about the milestones you expect your baby to reach and they'll help them work on that. These meetings are nice and as a first time parent, it's funny to see things from this aspect because I remember my parent teacher conferences with my parents and most of them weren't good since I was naughty lol. I love the relationships they build here otherwise and I haven't had any bad experiences with the Growing Patch so far. We recommend their services to all parents with toddlers or younger and we hope they open more facilities on island in the future. I also wanted to mention that they have a Facebook and Instagram page to see updates and events on your social media. Please see the photos I posted for more info. Thank you to the Growing Patch Ohana and their owner, Mrs. Dominica for all you do!

This rating is based on the customer service received before care was given…read more Domonica, founder of this establishment, called my family to offer us a spot. Over the phone, she specified when the soonest date available is and we gladly accepted. From then, we took the next steps and made an appointment to tour the day care. After touring, Domonica proceeds to tell us that the soonest available date is now 2 months later than the original date she offered and confirmed with us. We were very upset as we already confirmed that we wanted this spot over the phone. She apologized and said she talks to many families and assumed that we were going to back out. She offered the same spot that we accepted to MANY families even after we confirmed. This alone is very unprofessional, especially coming from the founder of this operation. She then offered a hug to cure all of her mistakes. The extreme lack of professionalism and customer service that came directly from the founder is just unacceptable. I do not feel comfortable and would not recommend bringing your family to a place that does not truly care for your family as they only seek to secure the money bag. Please take your child to a place where you know they will be valued.

See more unrecommended reviews

See all

Calvary Child Care Center

4.2

(5 reviews)

7.5 mi

I wouldn't recommend this child care the place is very unsanitary the carpets are dirty, and…read moreeveryone brings their dirty shoes inside. Every time we picked up my son he was sweaty, messy, and not happy, and the same when we dropped him off in the morning he was not excited he cried instead. I think they just let him cry also because when we picked him his eyes were swollen all the time. We felt racism from this childcare. I'm blessed that we found better childcare for our son now, and we can compare lots of differences he is now excited and happy all the time whenever he goes to school.

My Daughter was sent to here when she was 2 with dippers and did not understand English. We were so…read moreworried at that time. Now she is confident and happy, and she has many friends. The Teachers are so caring and I decided to write a review here. Thanks to all the Teachers!

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

75 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Alicia A.

8 years ago

Sparkys was amazing the best experience ever and is definitely what made my trip memorable! It was my first time ever surfing, Sparky and Sam instructed my younger cousin sister and I in the best way possible and it showed when all of us all caught a ride on our first wave and continuously after that! They are the most chilled, warm and welcoming people and their genuine passion for teaching and especially love for surfing is made very clear in the way they teach and support those who they teach! They were even helping other kids catch waves ... nothing but aloha for what they do. If you plan on visiting Waikiki beach or Hawaii in general add this to the list if I had found them earlier on my trip I would have definitely gone back to them over and over again and will definitely be going back on my trip back! They have sparked a genuine interest in surfing for me and provide you with all the confidence and courage to try your best. Truly the best in the business and what you want with something like this. Top people read more

Todd M.

8 years ago

It's been a dream of my teenage daughter to surf, but she has always been too nervous to go out into the water over her head. Sparky and Corinna were very nice people and made us feel like family. They put my daughter at ease the moment they met her. Sparky's teaching approach was very calming and whatever anxiety my daughter had quickly faded away. Before I knew it, they were paddling out to surf. After a few tips in the water, my daughter was up and surfing on her first attempt. As I sat on the beach and watched, I noticed several other groups of people taking surfing lessons from different surf schools as well. The one difference I noticed was my daughter consistently caught wave after wave as compared to the others who were only occasionally catching a wave. After seeing this, I knew we had made the right decision in choosing Sparky's Surf School. read more

Aleksandra P.

8 years ago

I'm leaving Hawaii today and I'm thinking about the best experience I had on this beautiful island. I was pretty hesitant about taking one of those lessons from schools at the beach (which are btw much more expensive), so I'm so happy I found Sparky's Surfing School. Who was able to book me a lesson the next day at 7am, which was perfect time for me. Moreover, they were able to organize a photoshoot too, which was such an amazing experience itself. Sparky was so nice and helpful, supportive and kind. I love the feeling to be taught by someone who loves what he does, not just doing his job, but actually enjoying it together with you. A huge shout-out to Corinna, she took amazing pictures and edited them so nicely. Thank you again! It was truly the best experience ever. I can't wait to come back and meet you guys again. Mahalo for your kokua! read more

Ebby B.

5 years ago

My boyfriend and I had the BEST time with Sparky! We scheduled a 75-minute private lesson with him, and we both agree that it was the best experience of our 3 weeks in Hawaii. I'd never surfed before, and my boyfriend had taken one lesson years ago, so we're both beginners. Sparky was super helpful, and we had his full attention in the water for over an hour! We both caught waves and had the biggest smiles on our faces the whole time. In Sparky's words, if we didn't catch a wave, "It wouldn't be his fault." :) I'd recommend this experience to anyone who wants to try the iconic adventure of surfing in Hawaii. Nothing will compare to the feelings we both had surfing at Waikiki Beach with Diamond Head to our right. Amazing! read more

Jack D.

4 years ago

My 12 year old daughter and I (46yo) could not have had a better time learning from Sparky. After only 15 mins in the on-shore lesson, my daughter was standing up on waves...infact, she stood up on her very first wave attempt. Not only was Sparky great with working on form, etc., but he handled traffic in the water for us, always asking folks to clear the way or warning people to watch out for us. It was a great experience. If you are in the area, and wish to try this great sport, look no further...Sparky is your man. He is also one of the only, if not THE ONLY, surf schools that employs a photographer so you can add on to your less a package and get pace pictures that you and your group will treasure forever. read more

Hope K.

3 years ago

There's nobody who does it better than Sparky and his entire team! We've had the pleasure of surfing with them for our past two visits and have been blown away by the experience they provide. Theres top-notch and then there's Sparky's Surf School! We also have a four year old son and they have given him the most amazing beginning experiences with surfing. This will be something we look to put at the top of our list every time we visit Oahu. Whether you've had experience or not, book the lesson! You will not regret it for one second. These lessons have been some of our top memories and highlights from our visits to Oahu! Thanks Sparky and team!! We can't wait to see you all again soon! read more

Margaret C.

4 years ago

Sparky is an old soul of the ocean and is happy to share his wisdom with others. He had my boys riding the waves in less than 20 minutes. They loved it and will be out there doing it every day till we leave this beautiful island. Sparky had a great time, full of laughs and encouragement for my kids and seemed to enjoy seeing them catch a wave as much as they did riding it! I can't recommend him enough. His lesson went well overtime as he made sure all three of my boys knew how to catch the right wave. His friend Kurt, was also full of encouragement and fun for the boys. Don't hesitate, get out there with Sparky and learn how to surf Hawaiian style! read more

Iosefa L.

8 years ago

We had a great time learning to surf with Sparky. We did a group lesson for 4 people. We had a great on the beach lesson and then spent the rest of the time in the water. Sparky is very knowledgeable and very friendly. He knew the perfect spot on Waikiki to catch some waves without being crowded. I highly recommend Sparky if you want a great experience learning how to surf from a genuine local. We also chose to have pictures and video taken through Sparky. It turned out to be his Wife, who was just as friendly and professional as Sparky. The photos and videos turned out amazing. Mahalo, Sparky and Corinna! read more

Leah M.

3 years ago

Our kids had the best time surfing with Sparky! I booked this for the last day of our trip while we were waiting to fly out late that night. After spending the previous week exploring all over Hawaii (including a cruise), this one hour surf lesson with Sparky and Mark was the highlight of their trip! Next time we make it back, we will definitely be surfing with Sparky's Surf School. The photography add-on option was amazing. The photos we got captured the experience perfectly, and the quality was better than I ever expected. All around exceptional, from start to finish! read more

Lily B.

7 years ago

Highly recommend booking a lesson and/or photo session with Sparky and Corinna. They are such wonderful souls and work with you for what you need and want on the water! Sparky was great with getting me the best board for my level, was flexible with timing and scheduling, and overall is such a great person to paddle out with. Corinna took beautiful shots of our session and sent me previews of the final reel a few days in advance so I could see how they turned out. Loved working with both of them! read more

Nikki J.

7 years ago

Myself, husband and our two kids (8 and 10) loved our lesson with Sparky. Sparky and his group were so lovely, friendly and very helpful in teaching us to ensure we all got the best from our lesson. He was so caring towards our youngest, ensuring she was safe and having fun, which allowed us to relax and ride the waves ourselves. I also really recommend getting the photos, Corina did a great job with our pictures they are just beautiful. We couldn't recommend this experience enough. read more

Gretchen M.

4 years ago

My 9yr old daughter and 14 yr old son took lessons while and Waikiki and it was one of their favorite parts of vacation! My 9yr old daughter was able to stand on the board many times during the lesson. I was shocked how fast she was able to learn and they were very patient with her. My 14 yr old son also did very well. We also had pictures taken and they were awesome! I'm so glad they will have this memory of our vacation read more

Karen F.

3 years ago

Sparky squeezed 3 kids in same day and we are so grateful! Super easy to coordinate and pay via Venmo. He took my call from his Apple Watch as he was getting in the water for a lesson. Abe was an amazing instructor and so patient with the teenagers. He helped them in the water and all 3 got up surfing on the first lesson! They loved is so much we went and rented boards for another 2 hours! Thank you so much Abe & Sparky! read more

C O.

5 years ago

Sparky is amazing! My co -worker and I took a private lesson and loved every minute of it- we are both in our 40s. She was very anxious about the ocean and about surfing yet Sparky had her up, surfing, and smiling in less than 10 tries. He is patient and kind, funny and knowledgeable. It was clear that the other instructors out there really respected and liked him too. I would highly recommend Sparky's Surf School! read more

Donna F.

4 years ago

We signed my son up for surfing lessons months before our trip to Waikiki....this was one of the most memorable times of our whole trip. Sparky was wonderful with my son who had never surfed before. We was kind, patient, professional and knowledgeable. My son had a wonderful time and will never forget his surfing lessons. We are anxiously awaiting our surfing photos. Book with Sparky, you won't be disappointed! read more

Kana I.

7 years ago

My 12 years old son took Sparky's private lesson in early January 2020. Sparky was an excellent coach and my son loved him! He was super nice with kids and knows how to teach them. He taught my son how fun surfing is and gave him great experience and memory. Thanks to Sparky, my son is a big fun of surfing now! Next time, when we visit Hawaii, he will definitely take Sparky's lesson again. I truly recommend Sparky! read more

Sunghye Stella K.

2 years ago

My 8 and 5-year-old daughters had their first surfing lesson with Mark and Ave, and it was amazing! Mark and Ave provided clear instructions and personalized attention, ensuring my girls felt confident and safe. Their encouragement turned the experience into a thrilling adventure. My daughters left beaming with pride and can't wait to surf again. They are still talking about the turtle, Kevin :) Thank you! read more

Sascha P.

4 years ago

Our kids, Luca and Ella, took their first surfing lessons with Sparky and his team. Their instructions were super simple and fun. What better way to learn from the locals about surfing but also anything else that happens on Oahu? The kids were standing on the board riding the waves of Waikiki literally at the first attempt. It was amazing to watch. Super fun group of people, would recommend them to anyone. read more

Leah M.

3 years ago

Our teens wanted to do this on our last day in Hawaii. Of all the activities we did over the 10 days here, this was the highlight of their trip! Sparky and Mark were incredible. They took excellent care of the kids and found the perfect spot for them to surf and catch some good waves. They were up on the board in no time and this was their first time ever to surf. We cannot recommend Sparky's enough! read more

Cassie T.

7 years ago

My daughters 18 and 10 had the best time learning to surf with Sparky. He made the lesson experience so much fun. Both girls stood up and surged within the first 2 waves. Sparky was very patient and really gave them confidence!! My youngest Hope went back and had another lesson and on our last day went back to say goodbye as Sparky had made a big impression. Can't rate Sparky's high enough!! read more

Sparky's Surf School - surfschools - Updated August 2026

People who viewed Sparky's Surf School also viewed

Surf Lessons Waikiki

(36 reviews)

Jenny is awesome! I thought surfing was going to be a pain in the butt to learn, but after 1 hour…read morewith Jenny I was ready for the North Shore, too bad its not winter, I would've been tearing it up. If your headed to O'ahu and are interested in a surfing lesson, look no further!

Amazing morning lesson with Al!! We had a 2hour semi-private lesson in great conditions for $55…read moreeach with the Yelp discount, which is an incredible deal. My boyfriend and I are both snowboarders so are familiar with balance and steering but needed to learn surf applications like popping up and picking waves. Al did a great job of teaching us based on our skill levels and making sure we could do it on our own once we left, gradually giving us less and less instruction. At the end he even taught us how to surf side by side and hold hands, which was very sweet! Al is very clear and knowledgeable, would definitely recommend

Kahu Surf School

4.1

(78 reviews)

Paulo was a great coach and all 3 of us caught multiple waves. Aura farming: surf lesson at Waikiki…read moreBeach, right at the Duke statue. Great time and value!

If zero stars could be the score it would, but, alas, we're stuck with 1 star. I suppose I should…read morehave done my homework beforehand ... and certainly having Elon Musk as your background picture on Yelp would have been a big red flag .... Avoid: Kahu Surf School. My son was so excited for his first surf lesson and we had signed up with this School based on reviews on Google. I don't even know where to begin - they were late, the photographer no-showed, they didn't have a plan for who would give the lesson, and then they expected my kid - (and this was billed for 6-11 year olds) to immediately grasp it - and this is all before getting in the water (we also had to meet them at an office two blocks off the beach). The instructor told my son to "stop f'ing around" in front of us when he giggled nervously when he didn't get some something perfect immediately. We should have pulled him right there (parenting fail). Verbal abuse is never okay. The surf lesson was an absolute nightmare. The instructor swore at my child repeatedly (including f-bombs) leaving my son in tears, he was impatient with my son as he struggled to learn a new skill, and he seemed to have a little experience or willingness to work with a new-to-surfing kid. Kids need to be told things and receive constant reminders to help them learn. Instead, the instructor was verbally abusive of a child. This was supposed to be the highlight of the trip and instead my son ended up on the beach in tears. The surf instructor took off and paddled away from him as my son was attempting to learn how to navigate on a board and then screamed at him that he was f'ing terrible when my son fell. The whole thing was only 25 minutes instead of an hour. I've reached out to the surf school for a refund (they did give back the photo fee, but have refused everything else and are now LYING that my son is special needs and that I misled them . Our son does not have special needs and is not special needs in any way ... their story has changed ged repeatedly- all to justify financial irresponsibility and verbal abuse of a minor. They tried to say it was my son's fault for not learning his first time out or listening (to verbal abuse). These are kids- they deserve better- and patience is part of it..It was the most unprofessional experience we've ever had and I'm so, so sad for my kid. I would NEVER recommend them and encourage everyone to seek more appropriate options for children's beginner lessons. In fact, the instructor started out saying he would be on the beach watching my son, and he'd come in if he needed help. It was unreal and I think he saw our expressions as he did go in the water with him. Note the photo, that they offer refunds for reviews ... so, buyer beware. I don't suppose I'll get a refund for this? I have also had really strange communications via email with the person I can only assume is the owner and the author of the below response. Each email has changed the story and now he's settled on calling an academically gifted child/swim team swimmer special needs (I think there is maybe a reading comprehension issue? It's alarming and very strange. These are not people I'd want around my kid. It's a violation of yelp and Google to offer incentives for reviews.

Polu Lani Surf Lessons & Adventures

(60 reviews)

John is the BOMB!! I have taken a couple of friend groups…read moreout for surf lessons. We even had a 10 year old with us in one group ( who proceeded to show out on us old folks). John is patient, attentive and kept us all safe. Most important we had BIG FUN while learning. Every time I have visitors who are brave enough to get on a board this is who I call.

We had a terrific first lesson with John! He was super helpful over the phone and gave us all the…read moreinformation we needed before we met up at the beach. I was worried that being out of shape and overweight would prevent me from getting up on the board successfully. John was patient and super encouraging and really boosted my confidence in the water. Not only did I make it up, but I managed to ride a ton of waves during our 2 hour session. Great lesson and terrific instruction!

Star Beachboys

4.0

(259 reviews)

Aunty V was great, very patient and understanding with someone like me, a non-swimmer surfing for…read morethe first time. After the patient comes fun, but observant Aunty V. Trusting her helps you trust yourself while surfing. I highly recommend 10/10.

Yogi was super helpful and our instructor was awesome My…read morekids loved it Will be going again

Hans Hedemann Surf School-Waikiki

4.6

(174 reviews)

Best day learning how to surf. Ask for Hans, Keaton, Tiara, or Nicki'. They made my families…read morefirst time surfing very special.

Alysha Surf School

4.7

(94 reviews)

I took lessons with Al. He is amazing. Teaches safety and details with surfing for beginners like…read moreme. He is funny but serious when it deals with safety issues, getting up, and getting down from the wave. He took his time with me and made sure I was comfortable before getting out! I recommend these instructors. I did get up on 6 waves and felt confident during the experience. Thank you, Al you are amazing!!!

My boyfriend and I took surf lessons with Al in the beginning of March. We paid for a semi-private…read morelesson at 7am in the morning at the advice of my friend, and it was absolutely worth it! Very long time out in the water, and we didn't have to share our instructor's attention with anyone else! Al took us a south of the crowd, and gave great instructions on where exactly to meet up. He has a safe in his car and had all of the equipment we needed. That early in the morning it was completely empty and beautiful. Al gave really great instruction and felt more like an uncle than a commercial surfing instructor. He made sure we had fundamentals down so I could correct my positioning and form by myself. His critique after each fall were great. When I showed interest in how to read the waves, he happily taught me some things, despite that normally being reserved for the second or third surf lesson. My boyfriend and I were up on the board quickly and for most of the lesson. We were so stoked he let us know where to rent boards on our own for the rest of our stay. If we had had the time I definitely would have booked a lesson with him for another day. But I guess I'll just have to wait until my next O'ahu vacation. :)

Ohana Surf Project

(279 reviews)

Shaka Surfing Academy

(8 reviews)

One of our best experiences in Oahu. Our plans were in flux, and we decided last minute to take a…read moresurfing lesson. Matt was able to accommodate us on short notice when other instructors could not. We texted some info so he could fit us with boards and water shoes. We met up with Matt in Waikiki, got some on-land instruction, and off we went into the water. He took us to a place where there were small waves water shallow enough for a 5+ foot person to stand and not be carried out by the currents, perfect for beginners who have never before swam out into the ocean on a large board. He picked waves that he thought were appropriate for our skill, and all of us were able to stand on our boards riding a wave for 4 or more seconds. After a few tries, we were mostly able to surf the wave quite a grid distance towards shore. Matt rotated us to make sure we all had a turn and his individual attention. He kept a close eye on us to make sure we didn't drift in the current. Failure is a disincentive to enjoying a new activity, and Matt saw to it we were as successful as we could be. The ocean is an unforgiving force, and Matt made the experience easy and enjoyable. Make sure to bring bandaids - not any fault of Matt's but things in the ocean can still leave you with the usual bumps and scrapes common to any water faring activity. The kids now think of themselves as surfers and want to do this again. Matt tells us he is from the Basque region of France, where he also surfed and taught surfing. Now he teaches surfing in Hawaii. Book a session with Matt for one of the best experiences you'll have on Oahu.

I had multiple lessons from Matt during my stay in Hawaii…read more Matt is the BEST surfing coach that I've ever met. He is knowledgeable, kind, encouraging and has a great personality. I had never seen a surfing board before, and I fell love into this sport after my first lesson with Matt. It was such an amazing experience. I've never paddled into the ocean before but Matt was always by our side to keep us safe. And when the right moment came, he would give me just a little push to catch the wave and signal me to pop up. I was able to stand up on the first lesson!!

Hawaiian Boy Surf School

4.7

(12 reviews)

Super friendly and professional instructor who tailors your lesson to suit your level. I'm a…read morebeginner surfer with some experience and the tips he gave me on how to read waves were so valuable! I left with a smile on my face and a little more confidence for my next surf session. Looking forward to another lesson next time I'm on Oahu! Mahalo!

My daughter and I had booked a lesson for the afternoon. We received a call to come about 30…read moreminutes early, which worked out great for my daughter myself and our instructor. He was very thorough. We felt very safe. My daughter had an excellent time I surprise myself and even got up multiple times. I would highly suggest booking here. We will definitely come back in the future.

LB Surf