About Maui Wave Riders
Maui Wave Riders is a family-owned surf school that has been putting beginners on waves since 1997, making it one of the longest-running lesson operations on the island. Their Kihei location sits directly across from Cove Park, widely considered one of the best beginner surf breaks on Maui—waves roll in gently over a sandy bottom in just a few feet of water, so even non-swimmers can participate safely. A second location at Ukumehame Beach Park serves West Maui visitors near Lahaina.
Lessons are offered as private one-on-one sessions or semi-private groups of up to six from the same party, each lasting two hours and including a soft-top surfboard, rashguard, and reef-safe surf shoes. Every session begins with a 10-to-15-minute land briefing on ocean safety, wave reading, and pop-up technique before students hit the water with their instructor. Children as young as four are welcome, and the patient, encouraging teaching style has earned Maui Wave Riders over 650 Yelp reviews—with more than one student calling it 'the best surf school in the world.' Professional photos of your session are included at no extra charge.
For guests who want to paddle out independently after their lesson, the shop rents soft-top and hard-top surfboards plus stand-up paddleboards by the day or week. Multiple morning time slots run Monday through Saturday, with check-in thirty minutes before your scheduled start. The combination of a perfect learner's wave, nearly three decades of teaching experience, and an all-inclusive lesson package makes Maui Wave Riders the top pick for families and first-timers in South Maui.
