Surf Lessons in South Africa: Our 7, in Order

1.Jeffreys Bay: Private Surfing Lesson for Beginners

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 43 reviews · 2 hours · from $43Our pick

Spend two hours learning to surf at Jeffreys Bay’s oldest surf school with a private English-speaking coach. You’ll practice on the beach, work in waist-deep water, and learn to paddle, catch waves, stand, and ride toward shore. Boards, wetsuits, changing rooms, storage, and photographs are included. Coach Ernie has earned special praise for helping beginners stand up.

“Heel leuke eerste surfervaring! Onze begeleider Ernie heeft ervoor gezorgd dat we tegen het einde konden rechtstaan. Goede tips van hem, leuke sfeer! Een echte aanrader! Bedankt Ernie”

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2.Muizenberg Cape Town: Private Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 37 reviews · 1 hour - 80 minutes · from $34Top rated

Meet your English-speaking coach at Lifestyle Surf Shop for a 60 to 80 minute private or group lesson at Muizenberg Beach. Coaches such as Tammy and Alphonso teach ocean safety, pop-ups, paddling, and wave choice, then guide you in the water. Board and wetsuit rental cost extra, but you receive a discount.

“This was our first time surfing and it was amazing. Tammy was a very good instructor with a lot of positive energy. She gave good instruction’s which made us learn the basics and hit the waves in the very first lesion. We highly recommend Tammy and will definitely come back again.”

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3.Jeffreys Bay: Learn to Surf Group Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 35 reviews · from $28

Meet the Jeffreys Bay Surf School team for a beginner lesson built around five clear steps: paddle, catch a wave, stand, and ride toward shore. Coaches including Lorenzo and Angelo work in small groups and teach first on the sand, then in waist-deep water. Boards, wetsuits, changing rooms, and storage are included.

“It was a nice activity, the trainers were friendly and learned our the basic skills.”

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4.Catch your first waves in Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 1h 30m · from $52

Meet Surf Life Surf School at Eden on the Bay for a private 90-minute lesson in Big Bay. You will learn board handling, surf safety, wave reading, paddling, steering, and a proven pop-up technique. Groups can include up to six people, or you can request one-on-one coaching when booking.

“Fantastic experience with great instruction and a lot of amazing time in the waves. Definitely recommendable for everyone who wants to try surfing!”

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5.Learn to surf with the best view of Table Mountain

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 1h 30m · from $46

Meet Surf Life Surf School at Eden on the Bay for a 90-minute, English or Afrikaans surf lesson. You’ll learn board handling, wave reading, paddle technique, steering, surf safety, and a reliable pop-up. The open group holds up to six people, with boards and 4/3mm wetsuits supplied.

“We booked a 1.5-hour surfing lesson and it was great! Everything was explained very clearly and they gave us personalized advice on how to improve. It was a lot of fun and we highly recommend it!”

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6.2-Hour Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 8 reviews · from $35

Meet Dolphin Adventures Sea Kayaking on the beach for a two-hour Plettenberg Bay surf lesson with instructor Giovanni or a fellow English-speaking coach. You’ll cover ocean safety, paddling, balance, and standing up, then practice in the water with a wetsuit and board included. Groups of about five help keep coaching personal.

“Sadly, the conditions were not right for surfing so we did a kayaking session instead. Giovanni was very thorough with safety. It was just on the ocean so out and back. Sadly, the dolphins did not show themselves. Shower facilities were good.”

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7.2 Hour Surf Lesson Jeffreys Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 4 reviews · 2 hours · from $23Best value

Spend two hours learning to surf at Dolphin Beach, a short distance from Jeffreys Bay’s famous Supertubes. Your English-speaking instructor covers 20 minutes of land practice before helping you catch waves. Boards and wetsuits are included, groups are limited to eight, and follow-up lessons can be booked at a discount.

“instructor Lungani was great. I never surfed before only skateboarded and I was riding a few waves within minutes. instructions were clear and conscise. would definitely go back only thing is surfing is very tiring so be prepared”

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