Stand up paddleboarding is the gentlest way to get out on Waikiki water, and it clicks fast. Ohana Surf Project runs their SUP lessons from the Waikiki Beach Marriott, a few minutes on foot from the hostel, and takes you out over the clear, shallow water on a quieter stretch of the Waikiki shoreline. Board, paddle, and everything else is included, and most people are up and gliding within the first half hour.
Two-hour lessons. Family $145, exclusive group $150, semi-private $160, all per person, or private one to one $205. Paddleboard, paddle, and gear included, daily year round.
Stand up paddleboarding is the one that surprises people. It looks harder than it is, and on the flat, clear water inside the Waikiki reef it comes together quickly. Ohana Surf Project starts you from scratch, with balance first, then paddle technique, then steering, and most people are standing and paddling comfortably within the first 30 minutes. From up on the board you get a view down through the water you never get from the beach.
The surf center sits inside the Waikiki Beach Marriott on Kalakaua Avenue, close enough to Waikiki Beachside Hostel that you can walk over with a towel and nothing else. Lessons run at 9 AM, 12 PM, and 3 PM every day of the year, each a full two hours, and Ohana goes out rain or shine. They use their own spot along the Waikiki shoreline rather than the crowded main stretch, which makes a real difference when you are still finding your balance. Board, paddle, and all the equipment come with the lesson.
The instructors are the same crew who teach the surf lessons, with over 150 years of combined experience across the team and lead instructors averaging around 15 years of teaching. One thing to know before you book: unlike the surf lesson, paddleboarding has no open group option, so the smallest booking is semi-private at $160 per person for two students with their own instructor. If you are on your own, the private one to one lesson is $205 and takes all ages and abilities, with tandem lessons available. Travelling with people? Exclusive group is $150 per person for three or more, and family lessons are $145 per person for at least one parent and one child under 13, with one instructor for every four family members. Grab a couple of others from the hostel common room and the per-person price drops.
Lessons run at 9AM, 12PM, and 3PM daily, all year, and every lesson is two hours. Professional Coaching Level 4 runs 2.5 hours. Ohana runs rain or shine.
Bring a swimsuit, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, and a change of clothes. The paddleboard, paddle, and all the equipment are provided.
You can walk to this one. Ohana Surf Center is inside the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort at 2552 Kalakaua Avenue, around the corner from Waikiki Beachside Hostel on Lemon Road, so it is a few minutes on foot and there is nothing to arrange. Show up in your swimsuit a little before your lesson time and check in at the surf center. A courtesy shuttle is also available from select Waikiki pickup points. The map below shows the walk from the hostel.
A few minutes on foot. Ohana Surf Center is inside the Waikiki Beach Marriott at 2552 Kalakaua Avenue, around the corner from the hostel on Lemon Road. A courtesy shuttle from select Waikiki pickup points is also available.
Less than it looks. Lessons start from scratch with balance, paddle technique, and steering, and most people are standing and paddling comfortably within the first 30 minutes.
Two hours. Every standard lesson is a two-hour session, and the only exception is Professional Coaching Level 4, which runs 2.5 hours.
Paddleboarding has no open group option, so the smallest booking is semi-private at $160 per person for two students with their own instructor. On your own, the private one to one lesson is $205. With a few people, exclusive group is $150 per person for three or more, and family lessons are $145 per person. It is worth asking around the hostel common room, since the per-person price drops as the group grows.
For the exclusive group lesson, yes, and it is ages 13 and up. For semi-private, call ahead if anyone in your pair is under 13 or cannot swim. If you are not a confident swimmer, the private one to one lesson takes all ages and abilities and tandem lessons are available.
The stand up paddleboard, the paddle, and all the equipment you need, plus your instructor. You bring a swimsuit, a towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes.
Yes. Family lessons are $145 per person and need at least one parent and one child under 13, with one instructor for every four family members. The private one to one lesson takes all ages and abilities, and tandem lessons are available.
You will receive a full refund with at least 48 hours notice of cancellation. Group bookings of 9 or more people are subject to a 72-hour cancellation policy.
