The 14 Best Surf Lessons in New Zealand

1.2 Hour Surf Lesson – Te Arai Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 119 reviews · from $50Our pick

Learn to surf at Te Arai Beach with gear, sunscreen, and expert coaching in a small-group Auckland lesson for beginners and beyond.

“We booked four days of private lessons with Maya and couldn’t have asked for a better instructor. She handled different levels with ease — from beginner to intermediate — and was wonderful with our 7-year-old daughter who was just starting. Thanks to her great advice and sharp eye, we all got up and caught waves. Big thanks to Maya!”

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2.Group Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · 2 hours · from $56

Learn to surf at Raglan’s Ngarunui Beach with a small group, patient instructors, quality gear, and two hours of hands-on support.

“The instructors were great. Patient and helpful. Highly recommend this company and experience.”

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3.Auckland: Group Surfing Lesson with Muriwai Surf School

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 34 reviews · 2 hours · from $41Best value

Learn to surf at Muriwai Beach near Auckland with a qualified instructor, small groups, wetsuit, board, and friendly two-hour coaching.

“It’s like riding a bicycle. People can only show you how. You need to figure it out”

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4.Queenstown: White Water Surfing Along the Kawarau River

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 30 reviews · 4h 30m · from $164

Review of Queenstown riverboarding on the Kawarau River, with grade 2 to 3 rapids, standing waves, cliff jumps, price, safety, and tips.

“The crew were epic!! Did this 17 years ago when I was 21 on a contiki had a ball then and had a ball today!! Can’t wait for my own kids to be at least 8 years old and experience this with them!! Cheers guys Swifty 🤘”

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5.Mount Maunganui: Group Beginner Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 1h 30m · from $47

Learn to surf at Mount Maunganui Beach with expert coaching, small groups, free gear, and beginner-friendly waves for $47.

“Bailey was awesome, he helped me out throughout the whole process to catch my first waves while giving pointers along the way! Will be back again tomorrow”

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6.2 Day Surf Lesson Package

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 6 reviews · from $98

Build surfing skills in Raglan with two small-group lessons, gear included, expert instruction, and practice at Ngarunui Beach.

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7.Beginner Surf Lesson at Te Arai Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $49

Learn what to expect from Saltwater Eco’s beginner surf lesson near Auckland, with boards, wetsuits, small groups, safety training, and first-wave tips.

“Clean and great beach for beginners. Locke was exceptionally patient with us beginners and we'd go back to Omaha just to surf with Saltwater Eco. If you're a first-time surfer, there's no need to be afraid when you're under Locke's guidanRead more”

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8.2 Day Surf Lesson & Rental Package

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 5 reviews · 2 hours · from $74

Learn to surf in Raglan with a small-group lesson, next-day board rental, and support from New Zealand’s first surf school.

“2ème jour conditions météo non favorable au surf (absence de vagues)”

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9.Private 2 Hour Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $126

Learn to surf at Te Arai near Auckland with a private instructor, full equipment, flexible coaching, and free cancellation for weather.

“Lee our surf Pro guide was amazing with Sebastien, eight years old. Fantastic instructor!!! Highly recommend”

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10.Private Surf lesson 2:1

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $81

Review of Raglan’s private 2:1 surf lesson, with expert coaching, gear, practical tips, pricing, and advice for beginners.

“Very skilled and friendly instructor. We had never done this before, but got good help so we managed to get up in the end :) Recommended for anyone who wants to try surfing!”

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11.Greymouth: 2-Hour Beginner Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2 reviews · 2 hours · from $71

Learn to surf in Greymouth with a safe, small-group lesson covering ocean safety, pop-ups, turning, and your first wave.

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12.Mount Maunganui: Private Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 1h 30m · from $116

Review of Mount Maunganui’s private 90-minute surf lesson, including coaching, equipment, price, meeting point, suitability, and practical tips.

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13.3 Day Surf Lesson Package

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $142

Learn to surf in Raglan with three small-group lessons, gear included, local instructors, and practical support at Ngarunui Beach.

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14.Private 1:1 Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $99

Learn to surf at Ngarunui Beach with a private Raglan Surf School coach, including gear, personal instruction, and flexible cancellation.

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