Australia · SURF LESSONS

Surf Lessons in Australia: 15 Beach Breaks for a First Stand-Up

36 tours  ·  from $36

Bondi, Byron, Surfers Paradise and Noosa, all of them beach breaks built for a first stand-up. These 15 are compared on group size, board and wetsuit hire and how long you are actually in the water.

Surfers Paradise: 2 Hour Surf Experience on the Gold Coast - The sand lesson makes the water easier
2-Hour Experiences, Gold Coast Tours, Queensland Tours, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in the Gold Coast, Tour Reviews

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 your English-speaking Go Ride A Wave instructor near Cavill Avenue, collect a soft-top board and rash shirt or wetsuit, then learn surf safety, wave timing, board control, and the pop-up on Surfers Paradise Beach. The two-hour lesson suits first-timers, with instructors such as Taj, Jack, Ciara, Danny, and Hudson praised for patient, clear coaching.

“It was an amazing experience. All the instructors were very good. If anyone is looking for a surf lesson then these people are the best.”

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Bondi Beach: 2-Hour Surf Lesson Experience for Any Level - The first 20 minutes: check-in, equipment, and preparation
2-Hour Experiences, New South Wales Tours, Surf Lessons, Sydney Tours, Tour Reviews

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 128 Ramsgate Avenue for a two-hour beginner lesson on Bondi Beach. You’ll learn beach safety, board technique, and wave timing in a group of no more than five. Instructors such as Matt, Luke, Marcus, and Brontë offer patient, personal coaching. Boards, wetsuits, rash vests, sunscreen, and changing facilities are included.

“We had Matt and Andrea. Both were great. Great fun for a first timer”

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Byron Bay: 2-Hour Small Group Surf Lesson - The beach briefing covers more than standing up
2-Hour Experiences, Byron Bay Tours, New South Wales Tours, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Byron Bay, Tour Reviews

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 on Fletcher Street for a beginner-friendly Byron Bay lesson. You’ll cover beach safety, paddling, wave selection, and standing before heading into the water with a soft board and wetsuit. Groups stay small, with no long transfer outside town and up to six surfers per instructor.

“My son and nephew attended a lesson and really enjoyed it, the instructor was great and they are keen to go again in the future.”

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Noosa Heads: 2 Hour Surf Experience on the Sunshine Coast - Moving into waist-deep water for the first attempts
2-Hour Experiences, Noosa & Sunshine Coast Tours, Queensland Tours, Surf Lessons, Tour Reviews

Noosa Heads: 2 Hour Surf Experience on the Sunshine Coast

4.2 Hour Surf Experience on the Sunshine Coast

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

Spend two hours learning to surf at Noosa Heads with a Level 1 instructor such as George, Reece, Cici, or Valentino. You’ll receive a soft-top board, rash shirt or wetsuit, sunscreen, beach coaching, water support, and use of showers afterward. Expect plenty of practice, helpful wave tips, and a real chance to stand up.

“Our surf lesson with Matt and Reese was amazing! Our group of 6 people were at various levels, for some it was their first time on a board and others had been multiple times. Despite the large group and different levels of experience, Matt and Reese helped us all to improve. It was fun, accessible, and made us all very excited to start surfing more.”

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Learn to Surf at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast - Safety talk, sand practice, and the first waves
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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, collect a soft-top board and rash vest or wetsuit, then head to waist-deep water for a two-hour beginner lesson. Instructors such as Jack, Taj, Trent, Blake, and Marco teach safety, paddling, and the pop-up. Morning and afternoon sessions suit most schedules.

“A great experience for first time surfers! The instructors were amazing, with help from Trent by the end I was standing when I never thought I would!”

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2 Hour Ultimate Learn to Surf Adventure - Boards, wetsuits, and the first push into the waves
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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 in shallow water. Instructors such as Alex, Luke, Jody, and Jay teach safety, wave choice, and board technique in groups of no more than five per instructor. Boards, wetsuits, and photos are included, with a maximum of 12 people.

“Good location and good coaches Taught basics to surf By end of it boys were able to ride a few waves”

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Half Day Surf Lesson - From Byron Bay pickup to the first wave
Byron Bay Tours, Half-Day, New South Wales Tours, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Byron Bay, Tour Reviews

Half Day Surf Lesson

7.Half Day Surf Lesson

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

Spend about three hours learning to surf with Mojosurf near Byron Bay. Your instructor chooses the beach according to the day’s conditions, with possible locations from Lennox Head to Ballina. Pickup, transport, a board, and lesson are included. Departure is usually 8:30 or 9:30am, confirmed the day before.

“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 lesson: safety, balance, and board control
2-Hour Experiences, Gold Coast Tours, Queensland Tours, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in the Gold Coast, Tour Reviews

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

Learn to surf in waist-deep water at Broadbeach with Go Ride A Wave. You’ll get a soft board, rash shirt or wetsuit, sunscreen, safety coaching, and two hours in the water with a Level 1 instructor. Guides such as Kal, Blake, Damien, and Tahu are praised for patient, clear teaching, especially with first-time surfers and families.

“the best experience of my life. I had a blast and to think I almost cancelled this morning. I highly recommend it!!!”

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Group Surfing Lessons Kool Katz 1 day - From Shirley Street to the best beginner beach
1-Day Tours, Byron Bay Tours, New South Wales Tours, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Byron Bay, Tour Reviews

Group Surfing Lessons Kool Katz 1 day

9.Group Surfing Lessons Kool Katz 1 day

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

Learn to surf in Byron Bay with Kool Katz Surf School in a group of up to 20. Terry, Tez, Shane, and Jeremy teach beginners from the beach through the first waves, with boards, wetsuits, rash vests, sunscreen, and water included. Pickup may be offered, and the lesson finishes back at 4/70 Shirley Street.

“If you want to get into surfing, this is definitely a good opportunity without spending too much money.”

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Sydney: Maroubra Surf Lesson - Your first fifteen minutes: safety before surfing
New South Wales Tours, Surf Lessons, Sydney Tours, Tour Reviews

Sydney: Maroubra Surf Lesson

10.Maroubra Surf Lesson

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

Meet at 7 Marine Parade for a two-hour beginner lesson at Maroubra Beach. Instructors including Ryan, Effy, Seb, Pia, and Max teach safety, board control, and wave catching in groups of six or fewer. Soft boards, wetsuits, rash vests, sunscreen, storage, and showers are provided. Bring swimwear and a towel.

“Great fun and awesome instructors who were very knowledgeable. They easily helped us to get standing in the session.”

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From Byron Bay: Learn to Surf Half-Day Tour - Meeting the instructors and learning the basics
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From Byron Bay: Learn to Surf Half-Day Tour

11.Learn to Surf Half-Day Tour

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

Spend four hours learning to surf with Lets Go Surfing Byron. You get about two hours on the beach and in the water, small groups of up to seven per instructor, soft boards, wetsuits, safety coaching, and stops such as Lennox Head lookout and a tea-tree lake. Instructors including Sam, Ava, Johnny, and Luke help beginners catch their first waves.

“Ava was an amazing tour guide and surf instructor. It was my first time surfing and she had a lot of patience with the team and gave everyone the best tips for surfing to be a life long hobby not just a quick stand up success”

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Half Day Guided Surf Lesson in Byron Bay - Learning the basics before entering the water
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Half Day Guided Surf Lesson in Byron Bay

12.Half Day Guided Surf Lesson in Byron Bay

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

Meet Soul Surf School on Bay Street for a roughly four-hour beginner lesson in Byron Bay, Lennox, or Ballina. Your coach supplies the soft board, wetsuit, and safety guidance, then teaches you in waist-deep water with easy waves. Adults are taught at a maximum 1:7 ratio, while children have closer supervision at 1:4.

“Tailored the class to different levels of ability. Made everyone feel very safe and comfortable. Thank you!”

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Noosa Heads - 2-Hour Surf Lesson with Expert Instructors - Meeting at Merrick’s red surf trailer
2-Hour Experiences, Noosa & Sunshine Coast Tours, Queensland Tours, Surf Lessons, Tour Reviews

Noosa Heads – 2-Hour Surf Lesson with Expert Instructors

13.2-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 your soft board and rash vest, then walk to Noosa Main Beach for a two-hour lesson. Coaches such as James, Oa, Anthony, Mike, and Finn teach safety, paddling, and standing up in small groups of up to seven. Most beginners spend the session catching gentle, waist-deep waves.

“Mike and oa were awesome instructors, the whole group got up on the boards, great times!”

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Miami: Group Surf Lesson - How the 150-minute lesson unfolds
Gold Coast Tours, Queensland Tours, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in the Gold Coast, Tour Reviews

Miami: Group Surf Lesson

14.Miami: Group Surf Lesson

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

Meet the surf van at Tallebudgera Surf Club for a 150-minute beginner lesson with Australian Surfing Adventures. You’ll learn beach and board basics, practice with an English, Spanish, or French-speaking instructor, then head into the water for gentle waves. Equipment, sunscreen, and surfing photos are included.

“Had a great time, even managed to stand up a few times. Loved the photos, thanks!”

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Small-Group Surfing Lessons in Byron Bay - Getting suited up and meeting the instructor
Byron Bay Tours, New South Wales Tours, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Byron Bay, Tour Reviews

Small-Group Surfing Lessons in Byron Bay

15.Small-Group Surfing Lessons in Byron Bay

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

Meet at 5/11 Fletcher Street for a two-hour beginner surf lesson at Byron Bay’s Main Beach. You’ll receive a board, wetsuit, rash vest, sunscreen, beach practice, and water coaching. Instructors such as Mitch, Jade, Johnny, and Ava focus on simple technique and helping you catch a wave safely.

“Jade was an excellent instructor! She payed great attention and offered very specific feedback. The only reason I have given this a 3 star is because of the group size. I did tons of research and selected this option because they advertised a Read more”

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New in Surf Lessons

★ 5.02 Hour Surf Lesson At The Spit, Main Beach (Ages 14+)From $5383 reviews
★ 4.5Private Surf Lessons Kool Katz 1 DayFrom $5770 reviews
★ 5.0Half Day Learn to Surf Tour From ByronFrom $6331 reviews
★ 5.0Experience The Thrill Half Day Surf School in Byron BayFrom $6037 reviews
★ 4.52-Day Progressive Surf LessonsFrom $10730 reviews
★ 5.0Learn to Surf at Middleton BeachFrom $4657 reviews
★ 5.0Dee Why Beach Group Surfing LessonFrom $5321 reviews
★ 4.6Rainbow Beach: 4WD Beach Drive Adventure and Surf LessonFrom $9124 reviews
★ 4.8Epic Learn to Surf Safari 4×4 – Double Island PointFrom $10741 reviews
★ 4.7Gold Coast’s Favourite Learn to Surf Lesson (Ages 13+)From $5332 reviews
★ 4.82-Hour Private Surf Lesson with Photo PackageFrom $9931 reviews
★ 4.9Coolangatta: 2 Hour Surf Experience on the Gold CoastFrom $5958 reviews
★ 4.8Group Surf Lesson with InstructorFrom $6050 reviews
★ 5.0Anglesea: 2 Hour Surf Experience on the Great Ocean RoadFrom $5940 reviews
★ 4.7Surfing Lesson at Middleton Beach with EquipmentFrom $4128 reviews

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