The 11 Best Surf Lessons in Australia

1.2 Hour Surf Experience on the Gold Coast

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,132 reviews · 2 - 6 hours · from $59Our pick

Meet Go Ride A Wave near the Surfers Paradise sign, collect your soft-top board and rash shirt or wetsuit, then learn in waist-deep water with a Level 1 instructor. The two-hour lesson covers safety, wave choice, board control, and standing up. Instructors such as Taj, Danny, Kal, and Hudson are praised for patient, personal coaching.

“Had a really good time , both instructors were super friendly and clear with instructions , would love to try surfing again”

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2.2-Hour Surf Lesson Experience for Any Level

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 935 reviews · 2 hours · from $70

Meet Let’s Go Surfing at Bondi Beach for a two-hour beginner lesson with no more than five students. You’ll learn beach safety, board technique, paddling, and how to catch a wave, with soft boards, wetsuits, rash vests, sunscreen, and changing facilities provided. English-speaking instructors such as Jessie, Dan, Luke, and Matt focus on calm, personal coaching.

“I will absolutely do this again the next time I’m in Sydney! Had such a blast! My guides were awesome and everyone in the entire group stood up on the board! I had such a blast and the weather held for us too (:”

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3.2-Hour Small Group Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 657 reviews · 2 hours · from $60

Meet Let’s Go Surfing at 5/11 Fletcher Street for a beginner lesson led in English by local and international instructors such as Tim, Guido, Luke, and Ava. Expect safety training, warm-up drills, paddling practice, and coached attempts on soft boards. Allow up to three hours in total, with two hours on the beach and in the water.

“I had Luke as my trainer and he was the best teacher. Really knows what he's doing and gets that knowledge to you in a very easy way. The waves were perfect for beginners and we had the beach pretty much to ourselves. Would highly recommend!”

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4.Noosa Heads: 2 Hour Surf Experience on the Sunshine Coast

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 644 reviews · 2 - 6 hours · from $59

Meet your English-speaking Level 1 instructor at Noosa Heads for a safety briefing, beach practice, and two hours in the water. Go Ride A Wave supplies a soft-top board, rash shirt or wetsuit, sunscreen, and secure storage. Instructors such as George, Reesy, Cici, and Valentino focus on first-timers, helping you catch waves and stand safely.

“Great afternoon out in the surf. Suzy & Ellie went through everything clearly and then let us out to play. They helped out where needed, gave helpful feedback and I had a great time. Thanks girls 🫶”

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5.Learn to Surf at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 491 reviews · from $60Top rated

Meet Go Ride A Wave on Cavill Avenue, then head to the beach for a two-hour beginner lesson. You’ll learn safety, paddle in waist-deep water, practice your pop-up on the sand, and work with instructors such as Jack, Taj, Blake, or Trent to catch your first wave. Boards and rash vests are included.

“Jack was an excellent instructor and went step by step so that everyone could have a legit shot at surfing. Also loved that o could purchase photos afterwards!”

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6.2 Hour Ultimate Learn to Surf Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 235 reviews · from $46

Meet Australian Surfing Adventures at Palm Beach for a two-hour beginner lesson with instructors such as Alex, Luke, Jody, and Jay. You’ll learn surf safety, wave selection, board technique, and how to stand up in shallow water. Wetsuits and boards are included, groups are capped at 12, and the lesson includes free photos.

“The surfing lesson was great but it's finished earlier than the stated time. And that's what I disliked.”

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7.Half Day Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 234 reviews · from $56

Learn to surf for about three hours with Mojosurf in Byron Bay. Your instructor chooses a beach between Lennox Head and Ballina based on the conditions, supplies the board and equipment, and collects you from selected Byron Bay locations. Pickup times vary between 8:30 and 9:30am.

“The session was short but ended up being the perfect amount of time as it was difficult and tiring so everyone on the tour seemed happy it was only half a day! I’d love to come back and learn more as the teachers were great and really funny too and literally picked me right up from my hostel!”

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8.Broadbeach: 2 Hour Surf Experience on the Gold Coast

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 225 reviews · 2 - 6 hours · from $59

Meet Go Ride A Wave at Kurrawa Surf Club in Broadbeach, collect a soft board and rash shirt or wetsuit, then learn ocean safety, board control, and the basics of standing up in waist-deep water. Instructors such as Kal, Blake, Damo, and Tahu offer patient, practical coaching for beginners.

“the instructors were terrific. Our kids felt confident, safe and had a blast.”

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9.Group Surfing Lessons Kool Katz 1 day

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 207 reviews · from $35Best value

Meet Terry, Tez, Shane, or Jeremy for a four-hour beginner surf lesson from Byron Bay. Kool Katz supplies the board, wetsuit, rash vest, sunscreen, and water, then takes you to a suitable beach, often near Pat Morton Lookout. Groups can reach 20 people, though coaching may be split into smaller working groups.

“Amazing experience! My first time surfing and I caught so many waves. The instruction was easy to understand and made it surprisingly easy for me to catch the waves even though I was scared. They start out pushing you onto the waves and by the end, you are catching your own waves! I did not want the day to end!!! This was my favorite part of my Australia trip. Also, the beach they bring you to is beautiful and not busy with people, it’s perfect for beginners”

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10.Learn to Surf Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 187 reviews · 4 hours · from $63

Meet Lets Go Surfing in Byron Bay for a four-hour beginner lesson led by instructors such as Sam, Ava, Jonny, or Luke. Expect about two hours on the beach and in the water, a soft board and wetsuit, a possible trip to Lennox Head, and a swim at a tea-tree lake when conditions allow.

“They were very helpful and gave you some tips and tricks to improve your surfing skills. Would definitely recommend!! 😊”

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11.Surfing Lesson at Middleton Beach with Equipment

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 28 reviews · 2 hours · from $41

Meet your English-speaking coach at Middleton Beach for a two-hour group lesson. You’ll receive a wetsuit, rash shirt, soft board, and suncream, then practise beach skills before heading into the waves. Small groups can get plenty of help, while larger groups may mean less individual attention.

“È stata molto bella e divertente! Ma forse non è il periodo più adatto per fare attività in mare con tutte queste alghe pericolose per gli animali, ma secondo me, anche per l'uomo. Purtroppo sono stato male dopo le due ore trascors e in acqua :-(”

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