These 90-minute beginner-friendly surf lessons unfold on the gentle, rolling waves of Hanalei Bay—one of Kaua‘i’s most iconic and beginner-friendly surf spots. You’ll spend the first half hour learning ocean safety, paddle techniques, and how to read the waves before heading out to put it all into practice. With soft-top boards and hands-on instruction, you’ll go from beach briefings to standing up on your board in no time. It’s surfing stripped of bravado—laid-back, intuitive, and rooted in the rhythms of the ocean.
“My instructor was so patient and knowledgeable—stood up on my first wave in no time!”
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GUEST REQUIREMENTS
For all ages.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Moderate
WHAT TO BRING
Swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen
CANCELLATION POLICY
Changes or cancellations must be made 36 hours prior. Must call operator.
WHAT GUESTS ARE SAYING
4.9★ from 400+ reviews on TripAdvisor
Guests consistently praise the patient instructors, beginner-friendly setting, and supportive teaching style. Many beginners report popping up on their first wave thanks to step‑by‑step guidance. Families, couples, and solo travelers describe the lesson as a memorable highlight, providing confidence and joy in Hanalei Bay’s calm waters.
“We got to paddle up and down the Hanalei River too—super calm and so much fun!”
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Duration:
-Each session with Hawaiian Surfing Adventures is 1.5 Hours long.
About:
- We use soft-top surfboards for our surf lessons
- Often times mornings are best for wave quality and there is less wind, but also there is less of a crowd. Afternoons we try to have 1pm be our last lesson time because the Island children get home from school and want to head to the beach to practice their skills and we don’t want to bum them out. Our schedule is usually close to the following:
First 1/2 hour
- Watch the ocean and the waves together and talk about ocean safety
- Teach paddle and positioning yourself on the board.
- Teaching you to start reading the waves.
Safety briefing
Remaining hour
-We will get you out in the ocean and help you learn to stand up
-Talk with you about the world of surfing and some basic rules when surfing
-Answer your questions.
**Must check in a ½ hour prior to lesson start timeHawaiian Surfing Adventures is a family‑run surf school on Kauaʻi’s North Shore, operated by the Alapa family since 2000. Born and raised in Hanalei, owner Mitchell Alapa and his experienced local instructors bring unmatched ocean knowledge, warmth, and aloha spirit. Lessons begin with a land-based safety and technique briefing, followed by in‑water coaching using high‑quality soft‑top boards, creating a supportive, fun atmosphere grounded in Hawaiian surf tradition.
Location: Hanalei Bay, Kauaʻi
Check-in: Surf shack in Hanalei town, arrive 30 minutes early, then walk down to the beach with your instructor.Client must call 36 hrs in advance to cancel or reschedule my surfing adventure! If you do not call 36 hours in advance there is no refund. There can be a reschedule opportunity, if we are able due to availability, There will be the charge for the additional booking less 30%. There is no guarantee we can reschedule that day or at a specific time. Mahalo and we look forward to seeing you!
Please note for groups + 4 students please give 48 hours notice.
Attention!! For party’s requesting more then 2 instructors for family or group we require 48 hours cancellation/time change to allow rebooking opportunity for our instructors.
FOLIO TRAVELOGUE
Where the Locals Learn
There’s something deeply humbling about standing on the sand, staring out at the break, listening to someone who grew up on this shoreline talk about ocean safety. Not the Instagram version of surfing—but the real kind. Where you don’t just chase waves, you respect them. That’s how the lesson starts.
We paddle out past the shallows, soft boards under us, morning sun cutting through the clouds. The instructors are calm, steady—half coach, half ocean whisperer. No one’s shouting. No one’s rushing. They let you take it in: how the waves form, how they move, how to feel them under your chest before you even stand.
“They let you take it in: how the waves form, how they move, how to feel them under your chest before you even stand.”
And when you do stand—maybe wobbly, maybe yelling a little—it’s a rush. Hanalei’s waves don’t try to crush you. They give you a chance. A chance to feel what’s always drawn people to this spot: that blend of motion and quiet, power and peace.
By the end, we’re salt-crusted, sun-warmed, and just beginning to understand what it means to be in the water here. It’s more than a lesson. It’s a glimpse of something older, slower, and way more generous than expected.
