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Learn to Surf on the North Shore + Private Tour

A lesson from Jamie O’Brien’s team at Turtle Bay, then your own guide for the rest of the coast — Waikiki pickup, eight hours, your pace.

Choose: Ohana lesson or group lesson

Tap one — the booking panel opens right below.

Choose your lesson time

The group lesson runs once a day, at 12:45 PM. Want a different time? The Ohana lesson runs six.

Lessons run in a protected cove at Turtle Bay. Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience publishes no seasonal closure — the calendar runs year-round — and you can cancel or move your booking free up to 48 hours before (24 hours if you’re staying at the Ritz-Carlton Turtle Bay).

Why book the lesson with a private tour

A fully private, customizable North Shore day around your lesson

The lesson is 90 minutes, and Turtle Bay is the far eastern end of the North Shore — an hour and a quarter from Waikiki, with the whole coast between you and home. The rest of the day is the point. Your own guide builds it around your group and adjusts on the day for the swell and the weather. Book the Ohana lesson and the whole day is private, water included.

Doing it on your own

  • The lesson doesn’t include transportation — and Turtle Bay is an hour and a quarter out, well past where the buses turn around
  • A fixed plan made from a hotel room, with no idea what the surf or the weather is doing today
  • Guessing which beach is safe, which break is working, where to eat
  • Time lost to parking, lines, and wrong turns

With a private local guide

  • 100% private — just your group, your pace, your stops
  • Customizable on the day: big swell? We chase the surf. Flat and clear? We snorkel. Rain on the North Shore? We move
  • A local who knows the beaches, the food, and the timing — and gets you in at Giovanni's without the line
  • Maximum North Shore, minimum wasted time: 7:00 AM pickup to 3:00 PM return, every hour used

How the morning works

Book the 9:00 AM10:15 AM11:30 AM12:45 PM2:00 PM3:15 PM lesson. We handle everything else.

An hour and fifteen up the middle of the island and east along the coast, a stop for coffee, and you’re at the surf shop with time to spare.We go the other way round: over the Pali, up the Windward coast to Kahuku, and along to Turtle Bay for an afternoon lesson.

Your day, hour by hour

Your lesson: Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience · 9:00 AM10:15 AM11:30 AM12:45 PM2:00 PM3:15 PM Ohana lessongroup lesson
  1. 7:00 AMPrivate pickup at your Waikiki hotelJust your group. We load up and go.
  2. 7:00–8:10Up the middle, then east along the coastPineapple fields, down into Haleʻiwa, and out along the North Shore to Turtle Bay.
  3. 8:10–8:25Coffee at Ted’s BakeryAt Sunset Beach, the closest good coffee to Turtle Bay, open from 7. Or Green World Coffee Farm on the drive up.
  4. 8:30 AMCheck in at the JOB surf shopThirty minutes before your lesson. It’s on the ground floor of the Ritz-Carlton at Turtle Bay.
  5. 9:00 AMIn the waterNinety minutes, just your group. A land lesson on paddling, stance and ocean safety first, then 4:1 in the water with a photographer shooting the whole thing.Ninety minutes with the class, up to sixteen. Land lesson first, then 4:1 in the water — a social way to catch your first waves.
  6. ~10:30Back on the sand. Your guide is waiting.Rinse off, change, and the day turns west.
  7. 11:00 AMLunch, your callThe original Giovanni’s is minutes away at Kahuku — garlic shrimp, no line with us — or Foodland Pupukea poke, or a Kua ʻAina burger later in Haleʻiwa.
  8. 12:00 →West along the North ShoreSunset Beach and Pipeline first — you’re at the top of the coast, so the whole afternoon runs west — then Waimea Bay, turtles at Laniakea, and Haleʻiwa Town.
  9. 3:00 PMBack in WaikikiHome through the middle, past Green World Coffee Farm or Dole if there’s time. A full 8-hour private day.
  1. 8:00 AMPrivate pickup at your Waikiki hotelJust your group. We load up and go.
  2. 8:00–9:20Up the middle, then east along the coastPineapple fields, down into Haleʻiwa, and out along the North Shore to Turtle Bay.
  3. 9:20–9:40Coffee at Ted’s BakeryAt Sunset Beach, the closest good coffee to Turtle Bay, open from 7. Or Green World Coffee Farm on the drive up.
  4. 9:45 AMCheck in at the JOB surf shopThirty minutes before your lesson. It’s on the ground floor of the Ritz-Carlton at Turtle Bay.
  5. 10:15 AMIn the waterNinety minutes, just your group. A land lesson on paddling, stance and ocean safety first, then 4:1 in the water with a photographer shooting the whole thing.Ninety minutes with the class, up to sixteen. Land lesson first, then 4:1 in the water — a social way to catch your first waves.
  6. ~11:45Back on the sand. Your guide is waiting.Rinse off, change, and the day turns west.
  7. 12:15 PMLunch, your callThe original Giovanni’s is minutes away at Kahuku — garlic shrimp, no line with us — or Foodland Pupukea poke, or a Kua ʻAina burger later in Haleʻiwa.
  8. 1:15 →West along the North ShoreSunset Beach and Pipeline first — you’re at the top of the coast, so the whole afternoon runs west — then Waimea Bay, turtles at Laniakea, and Haleʻiwa Town.
  9. 4:00 PMBack in WaikikiHome through the middle, past Green World Coffee Farm or Dole if there’s time. A full 8-hour private day.
  1. 9:00 AMPrivate pickup at your Waikiki hotelJust your group. We load up and go.
  2. 9:00–10:30Up the middle, then east along the coastPineapple fields, down into Haleʻiwa, and out along the North Shore to Turtle Bay.
  3. 10:30–10:50Coffee at Ted’s BakeryAt Sunset Beach, the closest good coffee to Turtle Bay, open from 7. Or Green World Coffee Farm on the drive up.
  4. 11:00 AMCheck in at the JOB surf shopThirty minutes before your lesson. It’s on the ground floor of the Ritz-Carlton at Turtle Bay.
  5. 11:30 AMIn the waterNinety minutes, just your group. A land lesson on paddling, stance and ocean safety first, then 4:1 in the water with a photographer shooting the whole thing.Ninety minutes with the class, up to sixteen. Land lesson first, then 4:1 in the water — a social way to catch your first waves.
  6. ~1:00Back on the sand. Your guide is waiting.Rinse off, change, and the day turns west.
  7. 1:30 PMLunch, your callThe original Giovanni’s is minutes away at Kahuku — garlic shrimp, no line with us — or Foodland Pupukea poke, or a Kua ʻAina burger later in Haleʻiwa.
  8. 2:30 →West along the North ShoreSunset Beach and Pipeline first — you’re at the top of the coast, so the whole afternoon runs west — then Waimea Bay, turtles at Laniakea, and Haleʻiwa Town.
  9. 5:00 PMBack in WaikikiHome through the middle, past Green World Coffee Farm or Dole if there’s time. A full 8-hour private day.
  1. 10:00 AMPrivate pickup at your Waikiki hotelWe go the other way round today — East side first, lesson later.
  2. 10:00–11:00Over the Pali and up the Windward coastThe cliffs, Kaneohe Bay, and the greenest side of the island, past Kualoa Ranch — the valley from Jurassic Park.
  3. 11:00 AMTropical Farms for macadamia nutsFree tasting, and the best roadside stop on the Windward side.
  4. 12:00 PMLunch at the original Giovanni’s, KahukuThe first shrimp truck, and it’s five minutes from the surf shop. With us there’s no waiting in line.
  5. 12:15 PMCheck in at the JOB surf shopThirty minutes before your lesson, on the ground floor of the Ritz-Carlton at Turtle Bay.
  6. 12:45 PMIn the waterNinety minutes, just your group. A land lesson on paddling, stance and ocean safety first, then 4:1 in the water with a photographer shooting the whole thing.Ninety minutes with the class, up to sixteen. Land lesson first, then 4:1 in the water — a social way to catch your first waves.
  7. ~2:15Back on the sandRinse off and change as the light goes long on the water.
  8. 2:45 PMWest along the coastSunset Beach and Pipeline on the way back, then Haleʻiwa Town if the timing works.
  9. 6:00 PMBack in WaikikiHome through the middle of the island. A full 8-hour private day.
  1. 10:00 AMPrivate pickup at your Waikiki hotelWe go the other way round today — East side first, lesson later.
  2. 10:00–11:00Over the Pali and up the Windward coastThe cliffs, Kaneohe Bay, and the greenest side of the island, past Kualoa Ranch — the valley from Jurassic Park.
  3. 11:00 AMTropical Farms for macadamia nutsFree tasting, and the best roadside stop on the Windward side.
  4. 12:00 PMLunch at the original Giovanni’s, KahukuThe first shrimp truck, and it’s five minutes from the surf shop. With us there’s no waiting in line.
  5. 1:30 PMCheck in at the JOB surf shopThirty minutes before your lesson, on the ground floor of the Ritz-Carlton at Turtle Bay.
  6. 2:00 PMIn the waterNinety minutes, just your group. A land lesson on paddling, stance and ocean safety first, then 4:1 in the water with a photographer shooting the whole thing.Ninety minutes with the class, up to sixteen. Land lesson first, then 4:1 in the water — a social way to catch your first waves.
  7. ~3:30Back on the sandRinse off and change as the light goes long on the water.
  8. 4:00 PMWest along the coastSunset Beach and Pipeline on the way back, then Haleʻiwa Town if the timing works.
  9. 6:00 PMBack in WaikikiHome through the middle of the island. A full 8-hour private day.
  1. 10:00 AMPrivate pickup at your Waikiki hotelWe go the other way round today — East side first, lesson later.
  2. 10:00–11:00Over the Pali and up the Windward coastThe cliffs, Kaneohe Bay, and the greenest side of the island, past Kualoa Ranch — the valley from Jurassic Park. Taken slowly today — there’s time to stop and look.
  3. 11:00 AMTropical Farms for macadamia nutsFree tasting, and the best roadside stop on the Windward side.
  4. 12:00 PMLunch at the original Giovanni’s, KahukuThe first shrimp truck, and it’s five minutes from the surf shop. With us there’s no waiting in line.
  5. 2:45 PMCheck in at the JOB surf shopThirty minutes before your lesson, on the ground floor of the Ritz-Carlton at Turtle Bay.
  6. 3:15 PMIn the waterNinety minutes, just your group. A land lesson on paddling, stance and ocean safety first, then 4:1 in the water with a photographer shooting the whole thing.Ninety minutes with the class, up to sixteen. Land lesson first, then 4:1 in the water — a social way to catch your first waves.
  7. ~4:45Back on the sandRinse off and change as the light goes long on the water.
  8. 5:00 PMWest along the coastSunset Beach and Pipeline on the way back, then Haleʻiwa Town if the timing works.
  9. 6:30 PMBack in WaikikiHome through the middle of the island. A full 8-hour private day.

Having too much fun? You can always add an extra hour or two on the day — just tell your guide. Extra hours are $100 (Sienna) or $125 (Sprinter).

Every lesson time is an 8-hour private day — the return simply follows the pickup. Pick a different time above and this itinerary updates.

About the lesson

Your Ohana lessongroup lesson: who runs it and what to expect

Both lessons run from the Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience shop on the ground floor of the Ritz-Carlton at Turtle Bay, both last an hour and a half, and both keep four guests to an instructor in the water. Book in the panel at the top of the page — you book directly with them.

A private surf lesson on clear water at Turtle Bay with a green sea turtle below Ohana · private group

Ohana Surf Lesson

Their most popular option, and a private lesson for your family or friends only. A personalised land lesson on paddling, stance and ocean safety, then 4:1 in the water, tailored to your group’s level. A photographer shoots the session; images are available to buy afterwards.

★★★★★ 5.0 on Google · 2,336 reviews

1.5 hoursland lesson then in the water
$175 per personchildren 10 and under $299, with their own instructor
Six times daily9:00, 10:15, 11:30, 12:45, 2:00 and 3:15
Up to 124:1 guests to instructor
Book this lesson

Booked directly with Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience through the panel above. Free cancellation or rebooking up to 48 hours before.

An instructor running a land lesson for a group on the beach at Turtle Bay Group · join the class

Group Surf Lesson

The most economical way in, and a social one — a class of up to sixteen, all levels, with the same 4:1 guest-to-instructor ratio in the water. One departure a day, at 12:45 PM.

★★★★★ 5.0 on Google · 2,336 reviews

1.5 hoursland lesson then in the water
$145 per personthe most economical option
12:45 PM dailyone departure a day
Up to 164:1 guests to instructor
Book this lesson

Booked directly with Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience through the panel above. Free cancellation or rebooking up to 48 hours before.

Both include the surfboard, fins, leash, rash guard and reef shoes, and both are ages 12 and up. The shop is stroller and wheelchair accessible with notice. Want a one-to-one lesson instead? See the FAQ below.

After the lesson

Then the North Shore is yours

Turtle Bay is the eastern end of the North Shore, so everything below runs in one direction — west along the coast, back toward Haleʻiwa. Nothing is backtracking. Your guide picks the order based on the day.

Lunch — your call

Two ways to do it:

Grab it and eat on the sand

Right after the lesson you’re minutes from Kahuku, so the original Kua ʻAina for burgers and Foodland poke (the locals’ choice) come first. Further east, Giovanni’s garlic shrimp at Kahuku is the North Shore classic — and with us there’s no waiting in line. In winter that means eating shrimp while surfers take on humongous waves.

Sit down, ocean view

For a more luxurious lunch: Haleiwa Beach House, right on the water in town (closed Tuesdays), or Roy's Beach House at Turtle Bay, up the coast past the surf breaks.

The best beach for the day

We choose based on that day's wind, waves, and weather. Winter means Pipeline, Sunset Beach, or Waimea Bay when the big swells are running. Summer means Sharks Cove snorkeling, Waimea Bay swimming, and turtles at Laniakea.

Three ways to build the day — pick your lesson time

Morning lesson

9:00, 10:15 or 11:30 AM · Ohana onlyCoffee at Sunset on the way out, lesson mid-morning, and the whole coast to come home along. Shrimp at Kahuku, then west — Sunset, Pipeline, Waimea and Haleʻiwa — home eight hours after pickup.

Afternoon lesson

12:45 or 2:00 PM · 10:00 AM startThe other way round, and the only slot the group lesson runs. Out over the Pali and up the Windward coast, macadamia nuts at Tropical Farms, lunch at the original Giovanni’s in Kahuku — five minutes from the surf shop — then the water. Home about 6:00.

Late lesson

3:15 PM · 10:00 AM startThe same East-side loop at a slower pace — longer at the farm stand, longer over lunch, longer on the beaches. You surf with the afternoon light on the water, which is when it looks best. Home by about 6:30.

Either way, your guide photographs the whole day and shares a Google Drive folder afterward — included.

Start / finish Lunch & coffee Beaches Way home, if time allows

The East-side loop is the same route for the 12:45, 2:00 and 3:15 lessons — they just start later and take it slower. Tap a pin for details; click the map to enable scroll zoom.

What it costs

One flat rate for the whole group

The private tour is one price for the vehicle, not per person — so four people pay $200 each, six pay $133. The lesson is booked and paid separately: $175 a person for the Ohana, $145 for the group class.

  1. Book the lesson

    Your slot, directly with Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience, from the booking panel at the top.

  2. Reserve the private tour

    Same date, 7:00 AM pickup. Full payment secures it; free cancellation up to 72 hours before.

  3. Tell us your hotel and lesson time

    Reply to the confirmation. We set pickup, coffee, and check-in around it and plan the afternoon together.

Questions first? Send us a note and we'll reply within 24 hours. Or call (808) 989-3220.

Good to know

Questions people ask before they book

Do I need any surfing experience?

None. Both lessons are built for first-timers and start on the sand — paddling, stance, how to read a wave and how to pop up — before anyone gets in the water. All skill levels are welcome, and the instructors tailor it to your group.

How old do you have to be?

Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience lists both lessons as ages 12 and up. The Ohana lesson also prices riders 11 and older at $175, with children 10 and under at $299 because they get a personal instructor. If your group has younger kids, book the Ohana and tell them the ages.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

You should be comfortable in the ocean. The lesson runs in a protected cove at Turtle Bay, you’re on a big beginner board with a leash, and the ratio is four guests to one instructor in the water the whole time.

What’s included, and what should I bring?

Surfboard, fins, leash, rash guard and reef shoes are all provided. Bring a swimsuit worn under your clothes, reef-safe sunscreen, and a towel and change of clothes for afterwards — there’s room in the vehicle, and we won’t rush you to the next stop.

Can I book a one-to-one lesson instead?

Not through this page — we list the Ohana and group lessons here. Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience does run other formats, including solo instruction; ask them directly at jamieobriensurfexperience.com, then tell us the time and we’ll build the day around it.

What about the big winter waves?

The lesson runs in a protected cove, and their calendar takes bookings year-round with no seasonal closure published. Conditions still decide the day — if they cancel, you’re refunded, and we turn it into a big-wave watching day at Pipeline and Waimea instead, which in winter is a spectacle of its own.

Will there be photos?

The Ohana lesson includes a personal photographer shooting the session, with images available to buy afterwards. Separately, your guide photographs the rest of the day and shares a Google Drive folder — that part is included with us.

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