The 15 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.Private Surf Lesson in Punta Mita

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $105

Spend about three hours learning to surf at La Lancha, near Punta Mita. WildMex provides boards, rash guards, booties, towels, lockers, and changing facilities. Beginners and children age six and up get gentle waves and coaching, while stronger surfers can choose from a large board selection.

“Instructor was awesome!! Waves were fantastic. Customer service was great!! We got lost and they directed us to their shop.”

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10.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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11.Surf classes in Puerto Vallarta with local instructors

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $107

Meet at Plaza Marina or arrange pickup, then ride to Villa Varadero in Nuevo Vallarta for a private surf lesson with local instructors. Daniel has taught beginners on this experience, and your $107.04 fee covers transport, board, leash, rashguard, shade, water, and a snack.

“I had such a great experience, surfing the for the first time. Everything was arranged perfect, got picked up at the hotel en we drove tho the beach where I got lessons from Daniel! Really recommend this one!!”

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12.Surfing Lessons La Lancha

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $83

Meet Julio for a private surf lesson at Playa La Lancha near Punta Mita. Hotel or Airbnb pickup usually takes 20 to 30 minutes, and boards are provided. You’ll spend about two hours learning in English, with the lesson ending back at the beach meeting point.

“Julio was helpful and patient. He made it so I could remember what to do in the moment. We were successful in getting me up on the surfboard and Julio is a kind person who has a deep connection to the ocean like me 🌊”

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13.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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14.Surf Lesson beginner & intermediate from Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $95

Meet Emiliano at VIPS Pittillal near Galerias, ride about 40 minutes to a surf beach outside Puerto Vallarta, and spend up to 2.5 hours learning wave choice and surf technique. Expect a beach warm-up, level-based coaching, refreshments, and optional lunch.

“The surfclass with emilian was perfect. I did surf before a few times but never managed to really take a wave untill today! Emilian gave us a briefing and very usefull tips. He was in the water with us and helped me to catch my first waves.”

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15.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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