Surf Lessons In Waikiki

Surfing Waikiki with Hans Hedemann Surf School

Most people show up to their first surf lesson convinced they’ll spend two hours falling off a board while the whole beach watches. Then, somewhere around the forty minute mark, a wave picks them up, they scramble to their feet, and suddenly they’re gliding toward the sand with Diamond Head sitting right there in front of them. There’s usually some yelling involved. And a grin that lasts the rest of the day.

If you’re heading to Oahu and thinking about giving surfing a try, here’s the case for doing it in Waikiki, and for doing it with Hans Hedemann Surf School.

Why Waikiki works so well for beginners

There’s a reason people call Waikiki the birthplace of modern surfing. Hawaiian royalty rode these waves centuries ago, and Duke Kahanamoku grew up here before he went on to introduce surfing to the rest of the world.

But the history isn’t really why it’s great for learning. It’s the waves. The reef sits well offshore and takes the punch out of the swell, so what reaches you is slow, rolling and pretty forgiving. You get time to paddle, time to get up, and time to mess up and try again. The water is warm all year, so you won’t need a wetsuit, and there’s almost always something small and rideable coming through.

The man behind the school

Here’s something you don’t see often: the guy whose name is on the sign actually learned to surf on these same waves. Hans Hedemann was born in Honolulu in 1959, grew up in Kailua, and first paddled out at Waikiki in 1966 when he was seven years old.

He went pro at 18 and was named Rookie of the Year on the world tour in 1978. In 1983 he won the first two events of the season in South Africa, led the rankings for a good chunk of the year, and finished fourth in the world. He kept winning on tour until 1989 and hung it up at the end of 1990. You might even recognize him from the movies, since he showed up in more than 20 surf films plus North Shore and Back to the Beach, both from 1987.

In the early 1990s he opened his surf school near Diamond Head. Three decades later it’s still run by the same family, with a shop in Waikiki and another up on the North Shore in Haleiwa.

So why is it the best?

Read through enough reviews and a few things keep coming up.

First, they guarantee you’ll stand up and ride a wave during your first lesson. That’s a bold promise, but after thirty years of teaching total beginners on the same breaks, they clearly know how to deliver on it.

Second, the instructors. Every one of them is trained in lifeguarding and CPR, and a lot of them are seriously good surfers. People tend to mention their instructor by name in reviews, calling them patient, encouraging and fun, which tells you something. A good instructor has a knack for pushing you into exactly the right wave at exactly the right moment, and that’s half the battle.

Third, they don’t throw you into the chaos in front of the big hotels. Lessons head over to the quieter stretch near Kaimana Beach and Tonggs, where there’s more room and fewer boards flying around. One reviewer who’d tried another school in Waikiki said the paddle out was shorter here and there were fewer students per instructor.

And you don’t have to bring anything except sunscreen. The board, rash guard, reef shoes, land lesson and safety talk are all included. Kids are welcome in private lessons, and if you’re not a strong swimmer they’ll put you in a life vest and keep you in shallow water.

The reputation backs it up too. TripAdvisor named it one of Honolulu’s top surf schools in 2025, and it sits at around 4.8 out of 5 on HawaiiActivities.com.

What a lesson looks like and what it costs

You check in at the surf shop inside the Queen Kapiolani Hotel at 150 Kapahulu Avenue, right next to the Honolulu Zoo. Here’s what Waikiki lessons cost as of October 2026.

Lesson	Price per person (USD)	Good for
Group	$100	Ages 14 and up who want a fun, social first session
Semi private	$150	Two or more people sharing their own instructor
Private	$180	Kids, nervous beginners, or anyone wanting to improve fast

They also do sunset lessons, multi day packages, photo packages, paddleboarding, bodyboarding and board rentals.

The lesson itself goes roughly like this. You get fitted for your gear, then spend some time on the sand learning how to lie on the board, paddle, pop up and stay out of other surfers’ way. After that you paddle out with your instructor, who helps you pick waves and gives you a push when one comes. Then you ride, fall, laugh, and do it all again until standing up starts to feel almost normal.

A few tips before you go

Go in the morning if you can. The wind is usually lighter and the water is glassier. Wear reef safe sunscreen and reapply more than you think you need to, because the Hawaiian sun is no joke. Eat something light beforehand and drink plenty of water, since paddling is a real workout. If you can’t swim, just tell them. And seriously, get the photo package. You’ll want proof.

Also, keep your expectations realistic. One lesson will get you up and riding, but it usually takes something like 5 to 10 lessons before you can head out on your own.

Best Surf Lessons in Waikiki

Learning to surf in Waikiki is one of those experiences that sticks with you, and doing it with Hans Hedemann makes it even better. You’re learning from a school started by a guy who grew up on these waves and competed with the best in the world, taught by people who care about keeping you safe and clearly love what they do.

Whether it’s your first time on a board, a family trip, or you’re ready to get a little better, this is the spot. Book ahead, pack the sunscreen, and go catch your first wave right where surfing began.