Australia · SURF LESSONS

The 15 Best Surf Lessons in Australia

42 tours  ·  from $36 a head

Bondi, Byron and the Gold Coast all run beginner breaks with soft boards and a two-hour format. These 15 compare group size, whether the wetsuit and board are in the price and which beaches suit a first stand-up.

Surfers Paradise: 2 Hour Surf Experience on the Gold Coast - Getting fitted with a board and rash shirt
2-Hour Experiences, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Gold Coast, Tour Reviews, Tours in Gold Coast

Surfers Paradise: 2 Hour Surf Experience on the Gold Coast

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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Bondi Beach: 2-Hour Surf Lesson Experience for Any Level - Meeting at 128 Ramsgate Avenue
2-Hour Experiences, Surf Lessons, Tour Reviews, Tours in Sydney

Bondi Beach: 2-Hour Surf Lesson Experience for Any Level

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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Byron Bay: 2-Hour Small Group Surf Lesson - Practicing the pop-up on a soft board
2-Hour Experiences, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Byron Bay, Tour Reviews, Tours in Byron Bay

Byron Bay: 2-Hour Small Group Surf Lesson

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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Noosa Heads: 2 Hour Surf Experience on the Sunshine Coast - From beach briefing to first attempt
2-Hour Experiences, Surf Lessons, Tour Reviews, Tours in Sunshine Coast

Noosa Heads: 2 Hour Surf Experience on the Sunshine Coast

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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Learn to Surf at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast - Practicing the pop-up on the sand
Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Gold Coast, Tour Reviews, Tours in Gold Coast

Learn to Surf at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast

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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2 Hour Ultimate Learn to Surf Adventure - The main water session: repetition is the real lesson
2-Hour Experiences, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Gold Coast, Tour Reviews, Tours in Gold Coast

2 Hour Ultimate Learn to Surf Adventure

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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Half Day Surf Lesson - Mojosurf and the teaching atmosphere
Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Byron Bay, Tour Reviews, Tours in Byron Bay

Half Day Surf Lesson

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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Broadbeach: 2 Hour Surf Experience on the Gold Coast - The first 20 minutes: safety, balance, and board control
2-Hour Experiences, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Gold Coast, Tour Reviews, Tours in Gold Coast

Broadbeach: 2 Hour Surf Experience on the Gold Coast

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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Group Surfing Lessons Kool Katz 1 day - What happens during the four-hour lesson
1-Day Tours, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Byron Bay, Tour Reviews, Tours in Byron Bay

Group Surfing Lessons Kool Katz 1 day

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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Sydney: Maroubra Surf Lesson - The first part of the lesson: safety before speed
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Sydney: Maroubra Surf Lesson

10.Maroubra Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 188 reviews · 2 hours · from $60

Meet the Lets Go Surfing team at 7 Marine Parade for a two-hour beginner lesson at Maroubra Beach. You’ll learn beach and wave safety, practice on a soft board, and work toward standing on your first wave. Groups are limited to six, with instruction in English, Spanish, or Dutch. Instructors may include Ryan, Effy, Luke, Lucas, Seb, or Armand.

“A very attentive teacher, very kind and patient, who knew how to explain things to me even though I was afraid that it was my first time. I'll do it again 100%, I had a great time.”

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From Byron Bay: Learn to Surf Half-Day Tour - Why the seven to one ratio matters
Half-Day, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Byron Bay, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Byron Bay

From Byron Bay: Learn to Surf Half-Day Tour

11.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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Half Day Guided Surf Lesson in Byron Bay - Finding the right beach near Byron, Lennox, or Ballina
Guided, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Byron Bay, Tour Reviews, Tours in Byron Bay

Half Day Guided Surf Lesson in Byron Bay

12.Half Day Guided Surf Lesson in Byron Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 160 reviews · from $60

Spend about four hours learning to surf with Soul Surf School in Byron Bay. Coaches such as Harry and Ben teach beginners in waist-deep water, using soft boards, included gear, and small groups. Depending on conditions, your lesson may take place near Byron Bay, Lennox, or Ballina.

“Excellent instructors, very knowledgeable and cool guys! Would highly recommend to anybody to go here for a lesson.”

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Noosa Heads - 2-Hour Surf Lesson with Expert Instructors - What happens during the two-hour lesson
2-Hour Experiences, Surf Lessons, Tour Reviews, Tours in Sunshine Coast

Noosa Heads – 2-Hour Surf Lesson with Expert Instructors

13.Noosa Heads – 2-Hour Surf Lesson with Expert Instructors

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 151 reviews · 2 hours · from $57

Meet the team at Merrick's Noosa Learn to Surf, collect a soft board and rash vest, then walk to Noosa Main Beach for a two-hour lesson. Coaches including James, Oa, Anthony, Mike, and Finn teach ocean safety, standing technique, and wave riding in groups of up to seven. Beginners aged seven and older are welcome.

“Best surf lesson I’ve had in Australia! Thank you!”

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Miami: Group Surf Lesson - Why the beach can change on the day
Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Gold Coast, Tour Reviews, Tours in Gold Coast

Miami: Group Surf Lesson

14.Miami: Group Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 146 reviews · 2h 30m · from $46

Meet the surf van outside Tallebudgera Surf Club for a 150-minute beginner lesson with Australian Surfing Adventures. You’ll receive equipment, sunscreen, coaching in English, Spanish, or French, and photos afterward. The beach changes with the day’s conditions, and instructors such as Luke, Gabriel, Ted, and Alex are praised for patient, practical teaching.

“Good experience, Gabriel (our teacher) had a lot of patience and made sure everyone was safe. I managed to surf couple of times which is great for the first lesson!”

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Small-Group Surfing Lessons in Byron Bay - What the six-to-one ratio means
Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Byron Bay, Tour Reviews, Tours in Byron Bay

Small-Group Surfing Lessons in Byron Bay

15.Small-Group Surfing Lessons in Byron Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 131 reviews · from $63

Spend about two hours learning to surf at Byron Bay’s Main Beach with an instructor from Lets Go Surfing. You’ll receive a board, wetsuit, rash vest, and sunscreen, then practise on the sand before entering the water. Groups are capped at six students per instructor, with a maximum of 10 people overall.

“Excellent experience. We were so lucky as there were only two booked for todays lesson. The instructor was so informative, kind and patient. He really went out of his way to give my daughter the best experience and ensured she went out on a good wave :) highly recommend Thank you”

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New in Surf Lessons

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★ 5.02-Hour Private Surfing Lesson in TorquayFrom $13272 reviews
★ 5.0Learn to Surf at Coolangatta on the Gold CoastFrom $6074 reviews
★ 5.0Gold Coast Full Day Learn To Surf AdventureFrom $9945 reviews
★ 5.02 Hour Surf Lesson At The Spit, Main Beach (Ages 14+)From $5383 reviews
★ 5.0Half Day Learn to Surf Tour From ByronFrom $6331 reviews
★ 4.5Private Surf Lessons Kool Katz 1 DayFrom $5770 reviews
★ 5.0Experience The Thrill Half Day Surf School in Byron BayFrom $6037 reviews
★ 5.0Style Surfing Byron BayFrom $6866 reviews
★ 5.02-Night Byron Bay Surf CampFrom $24768 reviews
★ 4.52-Day Progressive Surf LessonsFrom $10730 reviews
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★ 5.0Dee Why Beach Group Surfing LessonFrom $5321 reviews
★ 4.6Rainbow Beach: 4WD Beach Drive Adventure and Surf LessonFrom $9124 reviews
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