Monterey: Private Surfing Lessons

Catch your first wave in Monterey. Big Surf Adventures keeps the lesson simple and well equipped, with two hours of instruction, quality boards, and wetsuits made for the cold California water. I like the one-on-one coaching for beginners who want quick correction, and I like that the meeting beach changes with ocean conditions instead of forcing every lesson into one spot. The main catch is that the exact location is not known until the day before, so this is not the easiest activity to plan around a tight schedule.

I also like the range of formats. You can book a single private lesson, bring two to four friends or family members, or arrange a larger private group with extra instructors. The water is weather dependent, and the lesson can be canceled if the ocean is unsafe, but that safety-first approach is a fair trade for a sport that deserves respect.

Key points to know before booking

• Five possible lesson locations: Big Surf Adventures chooses the beach based on ocean conditions and contacts you one day before the lesson.
• Cold-water equipment included: You receive a 4/5mm wetsuit, comfort-fit booties, a board, and leash, with gloves and hoods available as part of the equipment package.
• Private instruction options: Choose a single lesson, a private group of two to four, or a larger private group with additional instructors.
• More than standing on a board: The lesson covers paddling, positioning, pop-up form, surf etiquette, board choice, surf reports, and basic oceanography.
• Two hours in the water and on the beach: You begin with a beach demonstration, then spend most of the session practicing under supervision.
• A strong early track record: The experience holds a 4.9 rating from eight reviews, with specific praise for instructor Omar and the overall enjoyment of the lesson.

Why Monterey is a good place to learn surfing

Monterey is better known for marine wildlife, Cannery Row, and the scenic road through Pebble Beach than for surfing. That is part of the appeal here. A surf lesson gives you a different view of the coast, one that is active, cold, wet, and much closer to the water than a harbor cruise or sightseeing drive.

You do not need to arrive with surfing experience. The lesson begins with fundamentals, which is exactly what a first-timer needs. You learn how to position yourself on the board, paddle with purpose, and bring your feet underneath you in the pop-up. Those early movements matter more than flashy tricks. If your body position is wrong, the wave will make that clear in a hurry.

The instructors also explain surfer etiquette and how to read surf reports. That is useful beyond the two-hour class. A beginner who knows where to sit, how to avoid another surfer, and how to judge basic conditions is far safer than someone who only learns how to stand.

The Monterey coast can be cold, so the supplied equipment is not a minor detail. Big Surf Adventures provides high-quality 4/5mm wetsuits, comfort-fit booties, gloves, and hoods. Sunscreen is available if needed, and young children who require extra flotation can use life jackets. The gear helps remove one of the biggest barriers to learning in California: getting comfortable in the water long enough to practice.

The first minutes: gear, beach instruction, and a clear plan

Your lesson location depends on the ocean. Big Surf Adventures selects one of five possible sites and contacts you one day before the start. That flexibility allows the instructor to choose a safer and more suitable beach, but you should keep your schedule open and avoid booking something immediately afterward in a distant part of Monterey.

Once you arrive, the lesson begins with equipment and basic preparation. You receive a professional-grade surfboard and leash, along with the cold-water clothing needed for the session. The range of boards is suited to different experience levels, which matters because beginners need a stable platform while more experienced participants may need something more responsive.

The beach portion is short but important. Your instructor demonstrates the basic movements before you try them in the water. You learn where to place your body, how to paddle, and how to move from lying down to standing. Watching the full motion first makes it easier to understand the timing.

This is also where you can ask practical questions. The lesson includes discussion of board selection, surf reports, oceanography, and surfer etiquette. Those subjects might sound less exciting than catching a wave, but they give you a better sense of what the ocean is doing and how your choices affect other people in the water.

A private lesson gives beginners more useful practice

The single private lesson is the best option if you want focused instruction. One instructor can watch your form closely and correct small problems before they become habits. You also spend less time waiting for someone else to finish a turn.

The benefit is especially clear during the first attempts. A beginner may paddle too late, place their hands too far forward, or try to stand before the board has enough speed. With one instructor nearby, you can receive direct guidance and try again while the correction is still fresh.

The lesson structure is not just a quick demonstration followed by a few minutes of help. You receive two hours of guided and supervised instruction, with plenty of practice time on the waves. You should not expect to master surfing in one session, but you should leave with a practical foundation and a better idea of how to keep learning.

Big Surf Adventures says that after a first lesson, you should be able to rent or purchase equipment and surf with confidence. I would read that as a useful starting point, not a promise of complete independence in every condition. Surfing ability depends on the ocean, your fitness, and the amount of practice you put in afterward.

Private groups of two to four keep the lesson social

For families and friends, the two-to-four-person option is a pleasant middle ground. You share the experience with people you know while still receiving a lesson designed for a small private group. The basic structure remains the same: a beach demonstration followed by extended water time with instructor guidance.

A small group can make the first lesson feel less intimidating. You get to watch familiar faces attempt the same movements, celebrate a good ride, and laugh at the inevitable wipeouts. At the same time, you should expect some waiting between turns because the instructor has more than one person to supervise.

This format suits a group with mixed confidence levels, as long as everyone understands that the lesson moves at a shared pace. One person may stand quickly while another is still working on paddling. The private setup gives the instructor room to manage those differences, though a single lesson remains the better choice for maximum individual attention.

The price is $90 per person. For a private group, that fee covers the instructor, board and leash, full cold-water equipment, and two hours of supervised teaching. It is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Monterey, but the included equipment makes the cost easier to judge. You do not need to buy or rent a board and wetsuit before you know if surfing suits you.

Large groups need extra instructors and realistic expectations

Parties of five or more can book a larger private group. Big Surf Adventures adds instructors for safety, guidance, and supervision, which is essential when many people are in the water at once. More instructors also give each participant a fair chance to practice instead of leaving half the group standing on the beach.

The plan is to spend most of the lesson in the water. That sounds ideal, but larger groups naturally require more coordination. You should expect the session to feel more communal and less tailored than a private single lesson.

This option works well for a family reunion, school group, or group outing where the shared experience matters as much as individual progress. It is less suited to someone who wants a highly focused coaching session. If one member of your party is very eager to improve quickly, consider a single private lesson for that person and a small group booking for everyone else.

The added instructors are a meaningful part of the value. Surfing is not an activity where supervision can be treated as an afterthought, especially when several beginners are learning at the same time. More eyes in the water help the lesson stay organized and safer.

What the two-hour session can teach you

The lesson covers more ground than the basic pop-up. Here is what each part means for you:

• Positioning: You learn where to place yourself on the board and in relation to the wave. Good positioning saves energy and gives the board a better chance to move cleanly.
• Paddling: Paddling is how you catch a wave, but it also affects balance and control. A few corrections here can make the rest of the lesson easier.
• Pop-up form: You practice moving from your stomach to your feet in one controlled motion. The instructor can help you avoid standing too early or placing your feet awkwardly.
• Board selection: Different boards behave differently. A board suited to a beginner gives you a more stable place to practice the basic movements.
• Surfer etiquette: You learn how to share the water responsibly. That includes awareness of other surfers and basic rules for avoiding conflict.
• Surf reports and oceanography: You gain a simple framework for understanding conditions rather than entering the water without a plan.

The lesson cannot cover every detail of surfing safety and technique in two hours. It can, however, give you a sensible first step. You will get more value if you listen closely during the beach demonstration and ask questions instead of treating the dry portion as a formality.

Cold water is part of the Monterey experience

Do not pack for this lesson as if you are heading into warm tropical water. Monterey requires serious thermal protection, and the supplied 4/5mm wetsuits, booties, gloves, and hoods are central to the experience.

The equipment is designed to keep students warm even on the coldest days. That does not mean you will feel cozy the entire time. A wetsuit reduces the shock of cold water, but surfing remains physical work, and you should be prepared to get wet from the first attempt.

Comfort-fit booties are especially useful for beginners. They protect your feet and make standing on the board less awkward than doing so barefoot in cold water. The right equipment lets you focus on balance and timing rather than thinking about how uncomfortable you are.

Sunscreen is available if required. Even on a cool day, time outside near the water can leave you exposed to the sun. Bring a practical attitude toward the weather and follow the instructor’s guidance about what to wear and how to prepare.

Safety and weather decisions matter here

Surf lessons run year-round, but they are weather permitting. If the ocean is not safe for surfing, the lesson will not go ahead and a refund will be issued. That policy protects you from being pushed into poor conditions simply because the booking exists.

The changing location is another safety measure. With five possible sites, the local partner can select a beach that fits the conditions instead of treating one fixed meeting point as the only option. You receive the location one day in advance, so check your messages and keep the day flexible.

The activity is not suitable for children under six, people with visual impairments, people with mobility impairments, or pregnant women. Life jackets are available for young children when required, but the minimum age remains six.

The instructor teaches in English. If you need detailed instruction in another language, this may not be the right fit. You should also be comfortable with an active water-based lesson and able to follow safety directions promptly.

What the praise for Omar tells you

The most specific personal praise goes to Omar, who was described as a very good instructor after an enjoyable experience. That detail matters because the quality of a surf lesson depends heavily on the instructor’s ability to explain movement clearly and keep beginners relaxed.

Another participant summed up the day as a super day. The overall rating is 4.9 from eight reviews, a strong early signal, though the sample is still small. I would treat it as encouraging rather than final proof that every lesson will feel identical.

The useful point is that the positive feedback focuses on the actual experience, especially the instructor and the enjoyment of the session. That matches the design of the lesson: comfortable equipment, certified instructors, beach instruction, and supervised practice.

Booking value at $90 per person

At $90 per person, this is a reasonable price for a private two-hour lesson that includes nearly all the equipment you need. The value is strongest for a first-timer who does not own a wetsuit, booties, board, or leash. You can try surfing without making a large gear purchase first.

The value is also tied to group size. A single participant receives the most focused instruction. A group of two to four pays for a private shared session, while a large group gets additional instructors and equipment support. Compare the cost with what your party wants from the lesson: rapid progress or a shared coastal activity.

Reserve now and pay later is available, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Those terms help if your Monterey plans are still shifting. Still, because the beach is chosen close to the lesson date, you should be ready to adjust your plans once the final location arrives.

Should you book this Monterey surf lesson?

Book it if you want a properly equipped first lesson, direct instruction, and a safe introduction to Monterey’s cold-water surf. The single private format is best for fast feedback. The two-to-four-person option is better for friends and family who want to learn together, while larger groups benefit from the extra instructors.

Think twice if you need a fixed meeting point, a non-water activity, or instruction in a language other than English. Surfing also requires patience. You may stand only briefly, or not at all, on your first attempt.

For most beginners who accept those limits, Big Surf Adventures offers good value. You get practical instruction, serious cold-water gear, and a chance to experience Monterey from the water rather than from the shore.

FAQ

How long is the Monterey surfing lesson?

The lesson lasts two hours and includes guided, supervised instruction on the beach and in the water.

How much does the lesson cost?

The price is $90 per person.

What equipment is included?

The package includes a professional-grade surfboard and leash, a high-quality 4/5mm wetsuit, comfort-fit booties, gloves, and hoods. Sunscreen is available if required, and life jackets are available for young children when needed.

Where does the lesson meet?

The lesson location depends on ocean conditions. Big Surf Adventures chooses one of five possible locations and contacts you one day before the lesson with the final meeting point.

Can beginners take this lesson?

Yes. The instruction covers basic positioning, paddling, pop-up form, board selection, surfer etiquette, surf reports, and oceanography.

What group sizes are available?

You can choose a private single lesson, a private group lesson for two to four people, or a large group option for five or more people. Large groups receive support from additional instructors.

What happens if the ocean is unsafe?

Lessons are weather permitting. If the ocean is not safe for surfing, the lesson will be canceled and a refund will be issued.