Learn to Surf in Maui with Makai Surf Club
Ready to catch your first wave? Makai Surf Club offers beginner surf lessons in Maui designed to help first-time surfers build confidence, learn proper technique, and enjoy the ocean with experienced local guidance.
Your First Wave Starts Here
Maui Surf Lessons
Designed Around You
Whether you're catching your first wave, learning with someone special, or bringing the whole family, choose a lesson designed around your experience, goals, and comfort in the water.
Private Surf Lessons
One-on-one coaching
Enjoy personalized one-on-one instruction focused on your individual ability, goals, and comfort level. Your instructor can tailor every part of the lesson to help you progress with confidence.
Semi-Private Surf Lessons
Learn together
A great option for couples, friends, or family members who want to experience the ocean together while still receiving professional, personalized coaching throughout the lesson.
Private Group Lessons
Made for your group
Bring the whole family or group and enjoy a private surf experience designed around everyone. Group lessons accommodate multiple surfers while maintaining a supportive learning environment.
Your Maui surf experience
starts here.
Choose the lesson that fits you best and get ready to experience Maui from the water.
What to Expect From Your First Surf Lesson
Your first surf lesson should feel exciting, relaxed, and completely approachable. At Makai Surf Club, we take the time to make sure you feel comfortable before you ever paddle into the water.
From your first introduction to the board to catching your first wave, your instructor will be right there with you — keeping things fun, safe, and encouraging every step of the way.
Meet Your Instructor
Get comfortable, meet your instructor, and learn what to expect from your session before heading into the water.
Learn the Fundamentals
Learn the basics of surf safety, board positioning, paddling, and how to pop up with confidence.
Practice in the Water
Put your new skills into practice with hands-on guidance and plenty of encouragement from your instructor.
Catch Your First Wave
When the moment is right, your instructor will help you catch your first wave and experience the thrill of surfing.
Quality longboards, UPF 50 rash guards and booties, a safety briefing, towels, drinks, snacks, and supportive in-water instruction.
More Than a Surf Lesson An Elevated Maui Experience
At Makai Surf Club, every lesson is designed to feel like more than time in the water. From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, every detail is thoughtfully considered to create a personalized, comfortable, and elevated surf experience.
Enjoy quality surf equipment, personalized instruction, towels, refreshing drinks, snacks, and dedicated in-water support — all thoughtfully provided so you can focus on enjoying your time in the ocean.
It’s a more intentional way to experience surfing in Maui, with personal attention and thoughtful touches from start to finish.
Personalized Instruction
Coaching tailored to your experience level, comfort, and goals in the water.
Quality Surf Equipment
Quality longboards, rash guards, and booties are provided for a comfortable experience in the water.
Towels & Refreshments
Towels, refreshing drinks, and snacks are thoughtfully provided as part of your surf experience.
Dedicated In-Water Support
Friendly, attentive support in the water helps you feel comfortable, confident, and supported throughout your lesson.
Thoughtful From Start to Finish
Every detail is designed to make your time with Makai feel personal, effortless, and memorable.
Learn From Someone Who Knows the Ocean
Local knowledge, water experience, and personalized instruction come together to help you feel more confident in the ocean.
Learn From Someone Who Knows the Ocean
Makai Surf Club was founded by Maui local Karlie Thoma, an experienced waterwoman with a lifelong connection to the ocean.
With experience in surfing, kiteboarding, winging, and foiling, Karlie brings extensive water knowledge and a genuine passion for helping others become more comfortable and confident in the ocean.
Whether you’re taking your first surf lesson or looking to improve your existing skills, instruction is built around the individual surfer rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Why Learn With Makai Surf Club?
Local experience meets personalized instruction — so you can enjoy more of your time in the water.
Beginner Surf Lessons Maui — FAQs
Everything you need to know before your first surf lesson with Makai Surf Club. If you're new to surfing, we're here to make your experience simple, comfortable, and enjoyable.
No. Our beginner surf lessons are designed for first-time surfers as well as those who want to build confidence and improve their fundamentals.
Bring comfortable swimwear and sunscreen. Makai Surf Club provides towels, drinks, snacks, UPF 50 rash guards, booties, and the surfboard needed for the lesson.
Private and semi-private lessons are two hours long, giving beginners enough time to learn the fundamentals and practice in the water.
Yes. Private lessons provide personalized instruction based on your experience, comfort level, and surfing goals.
Yes. Semi-private lessons are available for two surfers and are a great choice for couples, friends, or family members.
You'll learn fundamental skills such as board positioning, paddling, getting through waves, popping up, balancing, and developing greater awareness and confidence in the ocean.
Your First Wave Starts Here.
Build confidence, learn the fundamentals, and experience surfing in Maui with personalized instruction.
Use these exact views to help you identify the Makai Surf Club West Maui meeting point when you arrive.
Conveniently Located in West Maui
Makai Surf Club is based at Ukumehame Beach in West Maui, offering a convenient and relaxed surf lesson location for visitors throughout Maui.
Our West Maui surf location is easy to reach from nearby West Maui areas, South Maui communities, and the North Shore.
Whether you are staying in West Maui or visiting from another part of the island, Ukumehame Beach provides a convenient setting to meet your instructor, get comfortable in the water, and enjoy a personalized surf lesson.
Our surf lessons take place at Ukumehame Beach in West Maui — a relaxed West Side setting with space to learn, practice, and enjoy the ocean.
Permitted and Insured
Makai Surf Club is permitted and insured to run surf lessons at Ukumehame, meeting the requirements set by the State of Hawaii. We take your safety and experience seriously, which is why we’re proud to operate with the proper permits and insurance for our surf lessons.
We’re also locally owned and women-owned, bringing genuine Maui knowledge, personal attention, and a love for surfing to every lesson.
State Permitted & Insured
Meeting Hawaii’s requirements for providing surf lessons.
Locally Owned & Women-Owned
Proudly rooted in Maui and locally operated.
Ready to Learn to Surf in South Maui?
Experience the ocean, learn the fundamentals, and build your confidence with a personalized surf lesson from Makai Surf Club.
