Surf Lessons for Ka’anapali Resort Guests with Makai Surf Club
Staying in Ka’anapali, Honokowai, or Kapalua? Makai Surf Club teaches private and semi-private surf lessons at Ukumehame Beach, about 20–25 minutes south of the Ka’anapali resorts. It is an easy coastal drive to gentle, uncrowded waves and an instructor focused only on you.
surf together.Make MEMORIES
Learning to surf takes practice, patience, and the right guidance. At Makai Surf Club, you’ll get hands-on instruction in a supportive environment designed to help you feel comfortable in the ocean. Take your time, build your skills, and enjoy the experience of learning to surf in Maui.
Why Learn to Surf at Ukumehame Beach
Ukumehame Beach offers a beautiful West Maui setting for learning to surf, with a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of space to enjoy the ocean while building confidence on the board.
With experienced local instructors and personalized guidance, Makai Surf Club creates a supportive surf experience for beginners, families, and anyone looking to experience Maui from the water.
Beginner-Friendly Waves
Enjoy a welcoming environment designed to help new surfers learn with confidence.
Uncrowded Surfing
More space in the water means a more relaxed and focused learning experience.
West Maui Mountain Views
Learn to surf surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Maui's West Side.
From your first paddle to your first wave, you'll have local guidance and encouragement throughout your surf lesson while enjoying the beauty of Maui's West Side.
Book Your Surf Lesson ↗
Surf Lessons
Designed Around You
Every surfer learns differently, which is why Makai Surf Club offers private and small-group options for guests staying in Ka’anapali, Honokowai, and Kapalua.
Private Surf Lessons
One-on-one instruction
Enjoy personalized one-on-one instruction focused on your individual ability, goals, and comfort level. Private lessons allow your instructor to adjust the pace and coaching around your specific needs.
Semi-Private Surf Lessons
Learn together
A great option for couples, friends, or family members who want to learn to surf together while receiving professional guidance and personalized support.
Private Group Lessons
Made for your group
For families and larger groups, private lessons are also available. Group options can accommodate multiple surfers while maintaining a fun and personalized learning experience.
Your surf experience
starts here.
Choose the lesson that fits you best and get ready to experience West Maui from the water.
What to Expect From
Your Surf Lesson
Your first surfing experience should be exciting, supportive, and easy to understand. At Makai Surf Club, you'll be guided through the essential steps before getting into the water.
Meet Your Instructor
Get ready for your session and meet your experienced Maui surf instructor. You'll have an opportunity to get comfortable, ask questions, and prepare for your time in the water.
Learn the Fundamentals
Start with essential surfing techniques, board positioning, safety, paddling, pop-up technique, and ocean awareness.
Practice in the Water
Put your new skills into practice with friendly in-water guidance and support as you learn how to position yourself and work with the waves.
Catch Your First Wave
Use what you've learned to work toward standing up, maintaining your balance, and enjoying your first rides on a surfboard.
Quality longboards, UPF 50 rash guards, and booties are provided, along with a safety briefing, towels, drinks, and snacks, and in-water support to help make your experience comfortable and enjoyable.
Why Make the Drive
from Ka’anapali?
Ukumehame Beach is one of Maui's most beginner-friendly places to learn how to surf. The waves provide a welcoming environment for first-time surfers, while the uncrowded setting gives you more space to focus on learning, practicing, and building confidence in the water.
Located on Maui's West Side, Ukumehame also offers an incredible backdrop of the West Maui Mountains, giving your surf lesson a beautiful and memorable setting from start to finish.
Ka’anapali Beach is beautiful for swimming and snorkeling. For a first surf lesson, we head a short drive south along Honoapiilani Highway (HI-30), past Lahaina and Olowalu, to Ukumehame Beach, where gentle rolling waves and an open lineup give beginners room to learn. A morning lesson has most guests back at their resort by lunch.
Enjoy a welcoming environment designed to help new surfers learn with confidence.
More space in the water means a more relaxed and focused learning experience.
Learn to surf surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Maui's West Side.
Get personalized guidance from experienced local surf instructors.
Lessons are adapted to your experience, comfort level, and goals.
A memorable way to experience the ocean together while visiting Maui.
Go beyond sightseeing and experience the island from a completely different perspective.
Receive friendly coaching and encouragement throughout your surf lesson.
Build confidence, catch waves, and create lasting memories on Maui's West Side.
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 Lives on the Water
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.
Ka’anapali Surf Lessons — FAQs
Everything you need to know before your surf lesson with Makai Surf Club. From what to bring and what you'll learn to where we meet, we're here to make your Maui surf experience simple, comfortable, and enjoyable.
No. Our surf lessons are designed for first-time surfers as well as those who want to build confidence and improve their surfing fundamentals. You'll receive personalized instruction in a supportive environment, so you can learn at a comfortable pace.
Bring comfortable swimwear and sunscreen. Makai Surf Club provides towels, drinks, snacks, UPF 50 rash guards, booties, and the surfboard needed for your lesson. We take care of the essential equipment so you can focus on learning and enjoying your time in the water.
All Makai Surf Club surf lessons are two hours long. This gives you enough time to go over the fundamentals, practice your skills in the water, work on your pop-up and balance, and spend time catching waves with guidance from your instructor.
Yes. Private surf lessons provide one-on-one instruction based on your experience, comfort level, and surfing goals. This personalized approach allows your instructor to focus on the areas where you need the most guidance.
Yes. Semi-private lessons are available for two surfers and are a great choice for couples, friends, or family members who want to share the experience while still receiving personalized instruction throughout the lesson.
Absolutely. Our surf lessons are designed to introduce beginners to surfing in a supportive and encouraging environment. Lessons take place at Ukumehame Beach, where the uncrowded waves and open beach setting create a comfortable environment for learning, practicing fundamentals, and gaining confidence in the ocean. No previous surfing experience is required.
You'll learn fundamental surfing skills including board positioning, paddling, getting through waves, pop-up technique, balance, wave awareness, and basic surf safety. Your instructor will guide you through each step and adjust the lesson to your individual comfort and ability.
Makai Surf Club provides quality longboards, UPF 50 rash guards, and booties for your lesson. Towels, drinks, and snacks are also provided, so you can arrive ready to enjoy your time in the water without needing to bring your own surf equipment.
Lessons meet at Ukumehame Beach on Maui’s West Side, at 615 HI-30. From Ka’anapali, follow Honoapiilani Highway (HI-30) south past Lahaina and Olowalu. The beach is on the ocean side of the highway, about 20–25 minutes from the Ka’anapali resorts.
Ukumehame Beach is approximately 20–25 minutes south of Lahaina and the Kaanapali resort area. It is roughly 25 minutes from Kihei, Makena, and Wailea, and about 45 minutes from Paia, Haiku, and Maui's North Shore areas. This makes Makai Surf Club a convenient option for visitors staying in several parts of the island.
Ukumehame Beach offers a more relaxed setting away from some of Maui's busier surf areas. The uncrowded waves can provide beginners with more space to practice their fundamentals, work on balance and pop-up technique, and become more comfortable in the ocean with personalized guidance from their instructor.
Yes. Makai Surf Club welcomes visitors staying throughout Maui. Our Ukumehame Beach location is convenient for guests staying in Lahaina and Kaanapali, as well as those visiting from Kihei, Wailea, Makena, Paia, Haiku, and other areas around Maui.
The minimum age for regular surf lessons is 8 years old. Children ages 5–7 can join us for a private tandem surf session, where an instructor brings them on their own board. The child surfs on the front of the board while the instructor stays on the back. Kids need to be able to swim comfortably. Life jackets or water wings are only allowed during a tandem surf session.
Your First Wave Starts Here.
Build confidence, learn the fundamentals, and experience surfing on Maui with personalized instruction at Ukumehame Beach.
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?
Experience the ocean, learn the fundamentals, and build your confidence with a personalized surf lesson from Makai Surf Club.
