
1.5-Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Monica
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 146 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 1.5-Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Monica worth booking?
1.5-Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Monica is a 1.5-hour experience in Santa Monica, United States, from $140 per person. It scores 78 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 146 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 78 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (146)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $140 per person
Kapowui, was awarded best surf school in Venice beach for the last 5 years in a row. Kapowui is a family run business and and an icon of southern California. We live, eat, and dream surfing and teach surfing because w
What you get
About this experience
Kapowui, was awarded best surf school in Venice beach for the last 5 years in a row. Kapowui is a family run business and and an icon of southern California. We live, eat, and dream surfing and teach surfing because we want to share our love and stoke for the sport. This is a life choice for us and what gives our lives meaning. All of Kapowui's instructors are imbued with the Aloha spirit, live within blocks of the beach (4 of them live in surf vans), surf every day and have many years teaching experience. When we are doing a lesson with you, we are 100% focused and in the moment with you. At Kapowui we truly care about your experience. Whether surfing is a one time bucket list item or a new sport you want to pick up, we will have you up riding waves, 100% guaranteed! Additionally you will be immersed in the surf culture, giving you the opportunity to feel the true surfer vibe, while learning a skill you can use forever.
What's included
Included
- Sunscreen, souvenir, water
- surfboard, wetsuit, instructor
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Santa Monica
Meet at the iconic Kapowui VW van in the parking lot 5 South 2701 Barnard way, Santa Monica, ca 90405
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet at the iconic Kapowui VW van in the parking lot 5 South 2701 Barnard way, Santa Monica, ca 90405
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- kapowui surf lessons
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 146 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
146 verified traveler reviews for 1.5-Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Monica. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Made surfing feel easy!
Overall amazing experience all around. The guys were all super nice and very experienced surfers. They taught us well and we were riding waves in no time. If you are in the area and want to try surfing definitely check them out. We had never surfed before but they made it so easy.
via Viator
Awesome for kids new to surfing
Really awesome lesson for my 8 year old son. Friendly, and super effective lesson. He stood on the board multiple times even though it was his first lesson. I highly recommend these guys. They’re fantastic. Totally worth every penny, and very reasonably priced.
via Tripadvisor
Todd was great for teaching an absolute beginner
Todd was the best! Really got my son up and running in a hurry with a great education in how to surf. Excellent all the way around!
via Tripadvisor
Excellent
My son is an experienced surfer, our instructor taught him so many new techniques. The instructors are for all over the world and are they are super friendly and good people. Kapowui treats you like family. would not go anywhere else when visiting Cali....
via Tripadvisor
Great experience, great people
Martin was so friendly and genuine. You could tell he really wanted everyone to have a great time. The instructor I had (Will) was awesome - super helpful to me as a first time surfer, but also helpful to my boyfriend who has surfed a handful of times and just wanted to tips.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $140 to $150
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 51
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 78
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
1.5-Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Monica: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Santa Monica.
How much does 1.5-Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Monica cost?
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Prices start at $140 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Santa Monica usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 1.5-Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Monica take?
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Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Santa Monica is not rushed.
Is 1.5-Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Monica worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 78 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 146 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Santa Monica, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 1.5-Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Monica?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is 1.5-Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Monica suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book 1.5-Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Monica?
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Around 51 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Santa Monica can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Santa Monica and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 1.5-Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Monica start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Santa Monica within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Santa Monica?
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Santa Monica is where most LA coast tours start: beach bike and e-bike rides to Venice, surf lessons, food walks on Third Street and open-top runs up Pacific Coast Highway. On Outty we rank every Santa Monica experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Best of Los Angeles Guided City Tour with 4 Stops and Free Time, Half Day Best of Los Angeles City Tour from Santa Monica, Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Celebrity Homes Tour by Open Air Bus. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Santa Monica?
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March to May and September to November, dodging the June marine layer. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Santa Monica?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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