The 13 Best Surf Lessons in Puerto Vallarta

1.Surf lessons in Puerto Vallarta and Nayarit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 137 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $110Our pick

Okala Surf School picks you up, chooses the best beach for the day’s waves, and gives you a private surf lesson with boards, rash guards, snacks, and photos included. Instructors such as Kristhian, Jonathan, Diego, and Kalany teach beginners on beaches near Puerto Vallarta and Nayarit.

“It was amazing! They are awesome instructors. You should book it. It was easy to get picked up and the beach was gorgeous.”

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2.Private Surf Lesson Experience at Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $94

Learn to surf with a private instructor such as Edson, Jean Carlo, or Fernando, then choose between more beach time and a visit to Sayulita. Pickup from central Puerto Vallarta, boards, and rash guards are available, with morning or afternoon options.

“Me and my friend had a great surfing experience with Edson. We caught a lot of waves and enjoyed the company! I would highly recommend this trip with Edson 😊👍”

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3.Fun 2 hr Surf Lessons in Punta de Mita

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 92 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Meet Alejandro, Alex Jr, or Diego at the beach in Punta de Mita for a private two-hour surf lesson. You’ll learn balance, pop-up technique, ocean safety, and wave selection, with boards and rash guards supplied. Lessons begin at 10am or 5pm.

“Alejandro was awesome the day we had planned our lessons there were no waves. So we rescheduled for a couple days later. I have been trying to surf for years, he had me up and surfing in 30 minutes. Very friendly respectful instructor.”

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4.Vallarta surf lesson with Pickup Included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $120

You get a private, half-day surf lesson with pickup in Puerto Vallarta. Instructors such as Emilian, Emilio, Andru, and Joaquin explain technique, safety, and wave choice before about two hours in the water. The beach may be Nuevo Vallarta, Punta de Mita, or another suitable break.

“Emilian was an amazing teacher. We learned so much more than I expected given that it was our first time. My 13 yo son was doing a 360 on his board before our lesson was over. I would recommend this experience to anyone! Hands down so much fun and I'm so glad I participated in the lesson!”

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5.2 Hour Private Surfing Experience in Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Spend a private morning learning to surf with Joaquin, Emi, Danny, or their team. After pickup in Puerto Vallarta or Bahia de Banderas, you’ll drive to Punta Mita or Nuevo Nayarit for a safety lesson, two hours in the water, beach time, snacks, and a ride back.

“Joaquin & Danny were amazing! We had such a fun morning learning to surf. My sons did great with their instructions. And had a blast. I did not think I would get up on the board but I did! Danny & Joaquin are patient, kind, funny and amazing instructors. You cannot go wrong with 10/10 experience.”

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6.Puerto Vallarta premier Surf Lessons VSCO

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $90

Meet Leo and the Vallarta Surf Co. team for a five-hour beginner lesson from Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta. Walk six minutes through jungle to a quiet sandy beach, learn pop-ups and timing, then practice small waves with boards, shade, snacks, water, and pickup included.

“I had a great time going on this surfing lesson, would highly recommend! My coach and the location were both great”

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7.Surf Trip to La Lancha Beach -all ages & levels

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $50

Meet Marea Surf School in Sayulita, choose a board, then ride 30 minutes to La Lancha Beach. Miguel, William, or Max may guide your lesson, with options for transport only, free surfing, or a 1.5-hour lesson. Expect a jungle walk, long waves, and about 4 hours away.

“Wonderful experience. The ride to the beach was a lot of fun and our instructors, Miguel and William, were excellent. We’ve all taken multiple beginner surf lessons and we all agreed this was the best! The beach was absolutely perfect for beginners and Miguel and William made sure we all had a great time and caught a ton of waves. Can’t recommend highly enough!”

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8.Private Surf Lesson in Sayulita

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $85

Meet Wildmex Surf & Adventure in central Sayulita for a private, English-language lesson built around your pace. You’ll learn board position, standing technique, and wave timing, with instructors such as Michael, Alex, Rodrigo, and Diego guiding beginners toward their first rides.

“Jonathan and Michael were great! Everyone in our family learned to surf! They were a lot of fun! Highly recommend. Close to the beach.”

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9.Surf Lesson in Sayulita’s Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $84

Meet at Wildmex’s blue shop for a 20-minute safety and surf basics briefing, then head to Sayulita’s sand-bottom beach break. Your bilingual instructor covers paddling, standing, stance, and wave timing. Board, rash guard, booties, and wetsuit top are included.

“We booked private surfing lessons for our family of 4 (kids aged 12 and 14). We had Lalo and Lalo as our instructors and they were awesome! They were patient, knowledgeable, and kind. They were extra fun with the kids too. We were all able to catch way more waves than we expected and had so much fun! We'd highly recommend Wildmex for surf lessons!”

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10.Puerto vallarta and Nayarit: surf lessons

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 2 hours · from $112

Kristhian and Jonathan of Okala Surf School teach private surf lessons at Nuevo Nayarit, La Lancha, or Litibu. You’ll practice paddling and pop-ups on the beach, then take your board into the water with one instructor for every one or two surfers. Gear, transport, snacks, and GoPro photos are included.

“La clase estuvo increíble, aprendimos mucho, súper bien explicada. Los instructores al pendiente en todo momento, muy amables y atentos. Definitivamente recomiendo la actividad.”

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11.La Lancha Surf Trip w/ Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 5 reviews · 4 hours · from $55

Meet Miguel, Omar, and the Marea Sayulita team in central Sayulita, choose from more than 50 boards, then ride through the jungle to La Lancha. After a short safety briefing, you get 2 to 2.5 hours of unguided surfing. No lesson is included.

“Miguel and Omar were great! It was a nice surf spot.”

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12.Private Surf Lesson at La Lancha Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 4 reviews · 4 hours · from $104

Spend four hours learning to surf at La Lancha Beach near Punta Mita with an English or Spanish speaking ISA certified instructor. Choose from more than 300 boards, use provided gear, walk 10 minutes through jungle to the sand, and return to Sayulita by air-conditioned vehicle.

“I feel that we were misled. We had taken a 2 hr private lesson which was advertised as a 2 hour activity. Bus picked us up at Sayulita around 8 and took about 45' to get to the shop. Add in another 45' to change, get acquainted with the instructor, cart the surfboards over a busy highway and through a jungle with rickety single plank bridges (all part of the charm, no complaints) and then finally to the beach. Less than an hour for the actual surfing before it was time to head back. Beach was spectacular as was the water hence the stars. Lessons were perfunctory and in line…”

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13.La Lancha Surf Lesson w/ Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3 reviews · 4 hours · from $49Best value

Meet Marea Sayulita for a 4-hour surf trip to La Lancha Beach. Choose from more than 50 boards, ride in an open-air surf car, hike 8 minutes through mangroves, and receive a 20-minute beach lesson plus 1.5 hours of coached water time in English or Spanish.

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