We are conveniently located in the heart of Waikiki at 205 Lewers Street, Honolulu, HI 96815.

Our shop is open from 8am to 4pm HST (Hawaiian-Aleutian Standard Time), 7 days a week.

Here are just a few ways we stand out from the rest:

• REAL WAVES – AND MORE OF THEM! We’ll take you to the real lineup where the best and longest waves happen. (Some surf schools keep students on the inside, which typically means shorter waves and shallow, more hazardous conditions.) And with our low student-to-teacher ratios, we guarantee you’ll catch more waves with us!
• REAL SURF INSTRUCTION. Ty Gurney Surf School has the lowest student-to-teacher ratios anywhere in Waikiki. We book no more than 2 students per instructor to ensure that every minute of your time with us is spent riding waves and learning to surf. You’ll have an unforgettably fun time while gaining new surf skills and greater ocean awareness. We put safety first without sacrificing fun! All instructors maintain current CPR, Ocean Lifeguard, and First Aid Certifications. Our team’s experience and expertise as both individual surfers and professional surf instructors ensures that you’ll be surfing and learning with the best.
• REAL SURF SHOP. We’re proud of our shop! Having a physical location allows us to make a Ty Gurney Surf School lesson into a more convenient and fun experience for you. We’re a 30 second walk to the beach where you’ll be surfing. You’ll meet here for your lesson, store your belongings while you’re in the water, and you’ll be able to grab a drink, dry off, and change afterwards.

Regardless of your fitness level, we can get you up and riding.

You don’t need to be an Olympic swimmer to surf, but you should be able to comfortably tread water to take a surf lesson. Basic swimming skills and being comfortable in the water are recommended anytime you’re entering the ocean.

Visit Book Now to find and book the right activity for you. Please call us at (808) 271-9557 to book a lesson today.

Not sure or want to talk to us about your options? Contact us with a phone call or email. Or if you’re on Oahu, stop by our shop – we’ll answer any questions you have and help you book directly.

Lessons run 7 days a week. Our start times will vary depending on the lesson type and season. Please visit Book Now and select your lesson type to check current availability.

Our schedule fills up quickly, and booking in advance ensures that you are surfing on the day(s) and time(s) that you want to be surfing! Please also note that all surf tours are available September 15 – June 15 only.

Our lessons are designed for all ages and abilities. For safety and insurance purposes, children age 12 and under must take a private lesson (1 student per 1 instructor). Depending on your child’s comfort level, we may take him or her tandem surfing, where your child will be riding waves on the same surfboard as his or her instructor. Children ages 12 or younger must be accompanied by an adult on any surf safari tour.

There’s nothing better than surfing with family, friends, and colleagues! Because Ty Gurney Surf School emphasizes personalized, individual surf instruction, we do not book more than 2 students per 1 instructor. To get your group surfing together at the same time, you may book multiple private or semi-private lessons. For example: Your party of 4 may book 4 private lessons at 9am, or your party of 4 may book 2 semi-private lessons at 9am. If you have a large group, please contact us to discuss the best options for you.

Surf conditions vary based on a number of factors – swell direction, wind, tide, and many more. We do most of our lessons at Pops, one of the top breaks on Oahu’s south shore that consistently has waves year round for all surfing levels, and is especially ideal for beginners, with some of the longest waves anywhere on the island. For surf tours, our instructors use their expert local knowledge of the entire island of Oahu to take you surfing at the best waves during your tour. You can check Oahu surf forecasts at these sites:

South Shore: Surfline South Shore Surf Forecast, SwellInfo South Shore Surf Forecast

North Shore: Surfline North Shore Surf Forecast, SwellInfo North Shore Surf Forecast

We are lucky to be a warm water environment! Average ocean temperatures here in Hawaii do not vary much from season to season. Expect an average water temperature of 77° to 78° F (25° to 26° C) year round.

We consistently monitor weather and ocean conditions, and we do not cancel lessons for rain or mildly inclement weather. Lessons and surf tours are hardly ever cancelled due to weather.

Ty Gurney Surf School accepts all major credit cards when booking lessons online, over the phone, or at the shop. Cash and/or checks may be used when booking over the phone or at the shop. We are also able to room charge your lesson if you are a guest of the Ka La’i hotel.

All bookings for lessons require advance payment.

We require payment at the time of booking to secure your spot and we offer a full refund for lessons or surf tours cancelled with at least 48 hours advance notice.

Please contact us at least 48 hours in advance if you need to reschedule your lesson or surf tour. There is no charge or “change fee” to reschedule your lesson as long as your rescheduling is done with at least 48 hours advance notice. Rescheduling between 48 and 4 hours before the lesson will be subject to a 20% rescheduling fee. Large group bookings of 9 or more are subject to a 72-hour cancellation policy. No-shows and decreases in the number of students within the 48-hour cancellation policy will be charged the full price. Lessons rescheduled within our 48-hour cancellation are no longer eligible for refunds. Photos are eligible for a full refund upon request.

You may cancel your lesson or surf tour up to 48 hours in advance of your scheduled date/time in order to receive a full refund.

We almost never need to cancel a lesson or surf tour. Cancellations may be required only in the most exceptional cases due to factors beyond our control (weather events – which thankfully, are very, very rare!).

Ty Gurney Surf School offers photos and video services with our lessons and surf tours. Please visit Video for complete details.