How we rank: Google rating, weighted so a 5.0 from six reviews doesn't outrank a 4.9 from a thousand. Schools can't pay to move up this list; a paid placement is labelled as one. Listings that share a phone number or website are marked as the same team.
Book online
Pick a date and pay online through GetYourGuide. Prefer to call a school yourself? The full list is below.
We earn a small commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Newport Beach · 1.5 hours
Surfing lesson with local instructors
Private or small group
Check prices →Check prices & dates →Booked and paid on GetYourGuide
// Packing list
Most schools provide the board and wetsuit, so you can arrive with very little. These are the small things worth packing.
We may earn a small commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We only recommend gear we'd ride ourselves.
Rash guard (UV surf shirt)
Stops the wetsuit and board rubbing your chest raw, and covers your shoulders if the water is warm enough to skip the wetsuit.
See options on Amazon →Mineral (zinc) sunscreen
You will spend a couple of hours on open water. Zinc stays on your face better than spray and is easier on the reef.
See options on Amazon →Changing poncho or hooded towel
Gets you out of a wet wetsuit in a beach parking lot without the towel dance.
See options on Amazon →Waterproof phone pouch or dry bag
Keeps your phone, keys and car fob dry and sand-free while you are in the water.
See options on Amazon →Reef booties or water shoes
Only where the entry is rocky or reefy. Sandy beaches rarely need them, so ask the school first.
See options on Amazon →Surf hat with a chin strap
Shades your face during the beach briefing and in the water; the strap keeps it on when you fall off.
See options on Amazon →Full checklist, including what to leave at home: What to bring to surf lessons
Seasonal averages for California — not a live surf report for this beach. California surf seasons in full
// 8 Surf schools listed
Local instructors, real reviews, and how to reach each school direct.
Highest rated
Learn to Surf HB5.0 from 369 reviews
Lowest published group price
Banzai Surf Schoolfrom $89 per person
Kids-friendly
Learn to Surf HBTagged kid-friendly from student reviews
// The Lineup
Ranked by rating confidence — review volume counts, not just the score.
// Free Surf Guide
The Beginner's Surf Guide
Wave basics, gear checklist, lesson tips — all free, delivered instantly.
8 schools on the map
Loading map...
// The price check
Based on prices published by 7 of 8 schools · checked October 2026
The other 1 don't list prices on their websites, so they are not in these figures. Rates change with season, group size and what's included. Confirm with the school before you book.
What the schools say about their lessons
From each school's own website. Schools that don't say aren't counted as a no; confirm when you book.
// Side by side
| School | Rating | Group | Private | Kids | Lesson | Phone | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learn to Surf HB | 5.0 (369) | Price not published, ask the school | $150/lesson | Price not published, ask the school | Two-hour session · 1:4 instructor to student ratio · ages 4+Board + wetsuit included | +1 949-423-3749 | Book Learn to Surf HB on their website (opens in a new tab) |
| Corky Carroll's Surf School | 4.9 (347) | Price not published, ask the school | $155–$160/lesson | Price not published, ask the school | 2 hours · 3:1 student instructor ratio · ages 4+Board + wetsuit included | +1 714-969-3959 | Book Corky Carroll's Surf School on their website (opens in a new tab) |
| Banzai Surf School | 4.9 (126) | $89/person | $169/lesson | Price not published, ask the school | 2 hours · ages 3+Board + wetsuit included | +1 714-813-2880 | Book Banzai Surf School on their website (opens in a new tab) |
| Surf is Cool - Surf School | 5.0 (41) | $115/person | $140/lesson | Price not published, ask the school | Bring/rent your own | +1 323-621-9015 | Book Surf is Cool - Surf School on their website (opens in a new tab) |
| Orange County Surf Coaching | 5.0 (39) | $95/person | $160/lesson | Price not published, ask the school | Max 8 / 4:1 ratio · ages 7+Board + wetsuit included | +1 714-745-8492 | — |
| Salty Grom Surf Camp | 4.8 (18) | Price not published, ask the school | Price not published, ask the school | Price not published, ask the school | 2 hours · 1-4 SurfersBoard + wetsuit included | +1 714-362-5978 | Book Salty Grom Surf Camp on their website (opens in a new tab) |
| Clint Carroll Surf School | 5.0 (18) | Price not published, ask the school | $159–$199/lesson | Price not published, ask the school | 1.5–2 hours · ages 5+Board + wetsuit included | +1 949-355-7285 | Book Clint Carroll Surf School on their website (opens in a new tab) |
| Better Late Then Never Surf Experience | 5.0 (1) | Price not published, ask the school | Price not published, ask the school | Price not published, ask the school | 1.5 hours | +1 949-478-3312 | Book Better Late Then Never Surf Experience on their website (opens in a new tab) |
Ask = not published on the school's website, so call or message to get a quote. Prices are the lowest each school lists. Lesson details are what each school states on its own website; a dash means not stated.
// Know before you book
Group lessons are the usual starting point: they cost less per person, and you share an instructor with typically 4 to 8 other students. Private lessons give you one-on-one attention and a faster start, which suits nervous beginners, anyone short on time, or surfers working on a specific skill, at a higher price per person. Semi-private sits in between, for two to three people who want to learn together. Class size and what is included vary by school, so confirm when you book.
You share an instructor with other students, typically 4 to 8 per instructor, for around 90 minutes to 2 hours.
Best for: First-timers on a budget and anyone who likes learning alongside others.
Published by Banzai Surf School: “1.5Hr Group Surf Lessons for ages 14 & up. Includes surfboard, wetsuit, and beach instruction.”
A small group of two to three people with one instructor, often friends or family booking together.
Best for: Couples, friends and families who want more attention than a group without the private price.
Published by Orange County Surf Coaching: “2 people | (1.5 hour session), Includes Board & Wetsuit”
One instructor, one student (or one family). The pace and focus are yours to set.
Best for: Nervous beginners, short trips, and surfers working on a specific skill.
Published by Corky Carroll's Surf School: “2-hour surf lesson, 1 person”
Lessons run for younger surfers, usually in smaller groups with a lower instructor-to-student ratio. Minimum ages vary by school.
Best for: Children and teens. Ask the school about age limits and whether parents can stay on the beach.
Multi-day programs, from a few days to a week or more, mixing lessons, practice sessions and surf theory.
Best for: Visitors staying a while and anyone who wants to progress past the first stand-up.
Published by Corky Carroll's Surf School: “3-Day Camp (Week 1) $285, 4-Day Camp (Week of July 4th) $370, 5-Day Camp $460. Daily Schedule: 9am-1pm. For kids ages 5+”
Board and wetsuit are usually included in a lesson price. Confirm when booking, because policies differ between schools. In Huntington Beach, 6 of 8 schools say board and wetsuit are included on their own websites.
// The Local Report
Huntington Beach isn't just 'Surf City USA'—it's where surfing dreams are born. Here, surfing isn't just a sport; it's a way of life that's been carefully preserved since the 1920s. When you learn to surf in Huntington Beach, you're joining a community where local instructors share decades of knowledge passed down through generations of wave riders. The wide, sandy beach provides plenty of space to practice, and the laid-back atmosphere means you'll never feel rushed or judged. This is where countless surfers caught their first wave and fell in love with the ocean.
On the city's Main Beach, surf lessons are run by the City of Huntington Beach's contracted surf instructors (the city lists six), each assigned to specific lifeguard towers, so your lesson location depends on which school you book. Board surfing is prohibited whenever the city posts its "blackball" signs or flags, which mark areas for swimming only. South of Beach Boulevard, Huntington State Beach is different water. California State Parks warns that rip currents there can be large and "extremely dangerous", that the surf "often breaks very steep, rapid and hollow", and that "novice surfers are not encouraged to surf at this location".
Summer (July-September) brings warm 68-72°F water and manageable 2-3ft waves. Spring wetsuit recommended. Winter brings bigger waves—best avoided by beginners.
Morning sessions offer glassy conditions and smaller crowds. Instructors focus on safety and fundamentals, ensuring you're comfortable before hitting the waves. Beach facilities include showers, restrooms, and plenty of parking. Expect a mix of other learners and supportive experienced surfers sharing the lineup. The National Weather Service's advice applies here: only swim at a beach with lifeguards, check the local beach forecast and talk to the lifeguard before going in, and remember that rip currents often form on calm, sunny days. If one catches you, don't fight it: relax and float, wave and yell for help, or swim parallel to the beach until you're out of the pull. City lifeguards patrol the 3.5 miles of Main Beach, from Beach Boulevard north to Sea Point Avenue, from dawn to dusk every day of the year. On the neighbouring state beaches, lifeguards patrol year-round but the towers are staffed only from roughly Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend.
Gear included · Group lessons · Beginner friendly
Auto-summary of reviews
Customers consistently praise the friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful instructors who create a fun and effective learning environment for surfing.
Private lessons from
$150/lesson
Group lessons · Kids welcome · Beginner friendly
Auto-summary of reviews
Customers rave about the attentive instructors, effective lessons, and focus on safety, resulting in a fun and confidence-building surfing experience for all levels.
Group lessons from
$115/person
Gear included · Kids welcome · Beginner friendly
Auto-summary of reviews
Customers consistently praise Christian and Maddie for their welcoming, knowledgeable, and supportive coaching, which significantly improves surfing technique, confidence, and competitive skills.
Group lessons from
$95/person
Gear included · Group lessons · Beginner friendly
Auto-summary of reviews
Customers consistently praise the knowledgeable and friendly instructors who create a fun and successful surfing experience, often getting beginners to stand up quickly.
Private lessons from
$159/lesson
Gear included · Group lessons · Beginner friendly
Auto-summary of reviews
Customers consistently praise the surf school's accommodating and patient instructors who create enjoyable and confidence-boosting surfing experiences for all skill levels.
Private lessons from
$155/lesson
Gear included · Private lessons · Beginner friendly
Auto-summary of reviews
Customers consistently praise Banzai Surf School, particularly instructor Justin, for providing excellent, patient, and informative instruction that makes surfing accessible and enjoyable for beginners.
Group lessons from
$89/person
Private lessons
Pricing
Not published on their website. Call or message to ask.
Gear included · Group lessons · Beginner friendly
Auto-summary of reviews
Customers consistently praise Salty Grom's enthusiastic and supportive staff, particularly highlighting coaches Kylie and Dory, for creating a fun and encouraging surfing experience that kids love and want to return to.
Pricing
Not published on their website. Call or message to ask.
