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3-Hour Small Group Surf Lesson in Byron Bay

Learn to surf with Byron's longest-serving local instructor.

Three hours in Byron Bay's famously learner-friendly waves with the local legend who's been teaching here longer than anyone, max 10 students, all gear included, dolphins often watching from out back.

⭑ 4.9 102 Google reviews 📍 Byron Bay ⏱ 3 Hours 🔥 Active 🎂 Ages 5 to 95

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4.9 from 102 Google reviews

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Overview

Every surf town has one instructor the locals all point to. In Byron Bay it's this school's owner, who has been surfing the bay since the 1970s, teaching since the 1980s, and is on the beach for every single lesson himself rather than sending a junior. The promise is specific: on your first lesson you'll be paddling properly, catching waves and riding them all the way to the sand.

The session is three hours at Clarkes Beach, the end of Main Beach towards The Pass, which is right in town and the most forgiving stretch of learner water in Byron. You start on the sand with the gear, surf safety and ocean awareness, including how to spot a rip and what to do about one, then it's into the water for up to two hours of actual surfing with the instructors standing in the surf zone beside you, pushing you onto waves and fixing your stance between them. Groups are capped at ten surfers with two instructors, a one-to-five ratio, so nobody is left bobbing. The regular bonus feature: dolphins out the back, and in season whales passing the cape.

All the gear is supplied: surfboard, wetsuit, rash shirt, sunscreen and wax. You bring swimmers, a towel and a water bottle. Ages five to 95 are welcome and you don't need to be a swimmer; you're never out past where you can touch the bottom. Start times move with the tides and wind to give you the best waves, so check your confirmation. If conditions turn unsafe, the lesson is cancelled, every time. That's not a caveat, it's a credential.

Why you'll love it

  1. 1

    Taught by Byron's longest-serving instructor

  2. 2

    Clarkes Beach, right in town

  3. 3

    Up to two hours of actual surfing

  4. 4

    Max ten surfers, two instructors

  5. 5

    Board, wetsuit, rashie, sunscreen and wax supplied

  6. 6

    Ages five to 95, no swimming needed

  7. 7

    Dolphins often out the back

More photos

Itinerary at a glance

1 On the sand · Meet at Clarkes Beach

Meet the instructor on the beach at Clarkes, the Main Beach end towards The Pass. Get fitted with a board, wetsuit and rashie, then cover the equipment, surf safety and ocean awareness, including rips and rescues.

1 In the water · Paddle, catch, ride

Up to two hours in the water with the instructors in the surf zone beside you, working on paddling properly into waves, catching them and riding them all the way to the beach.

1 Wrap-up · Debrief on the beach

Back on the sand to return gear and get tips on what to work on next. You're already in town, so the cafes are a short walk away.

What's included

✓ What's included

  • Three-hour group lesson at Clarkes Beach
  • Surfboard, wetsuit and rash shirt
  • Sunscreen and wax
  • Surf safety and ocean awareness briefing, including rip currents
  • Two instructors in the surf zone, maximum ten surfers

✕ Not included

  • ✕Swimmers, towel and water bottle (bring your own)
  • ✕Transport to Clarkes Beach

Common questions about this trip

  • Where do I meet and when?
    The lesson is always at Clarkes Beach towards The Pass, on Main Beach in Byron Bay, so you can walk there from anywhere in town. Start times change with the tides, winds and waves so you get the best conditions; your exact start time is confirmed when you book.

  • Do I need to be able to swim?
    No. The operator teaches in water shallow enough to touch the bottom and says they can teach you to swim properly in minutes if needed. The session is pitched at beginners through intermediates.

  • What ages can join?
    Any age from five to 95, in the operator's words. Groups are capped at ten surfers with two instructors.

  • What should I bring?
    Swimmers, a towel and a water bottle. Everything else is supplied: surfboard, wetsuit, rash shirt, sunscreen and wax.

  • How much of the three hours is spent surfing?
    Up to two hours is in the water actually surfing. The rest is the beach lesson on equipment, surf safety and ocean awareness, which includes reading rip currents.

  • What happens if the surf is unsafe?
    The lesson is cancelled if conditions aren't safe, no exceptions, and the operator makes that call on the day. Because start times already move with the tide and wind, cancellations are the exception rather than the rule.

  • Will I see dolphins?
    Often, but they're wild and no sightings are promised. Dolphins regularly cruise behind the lineup at Clarkes, and in the winter months humpbacks pass the cape on their migration.

  • What's the cancellation policy?
    The operator has a full refund policy, and bookings can be transferred to someone else or cancelled up to 12 hours before the booked time. The operator cancels lessons if the surf isn't safe. Wanderlust handles the refund for you, refunds mirror the operator's terms 1:1 (including if the operator cancels) and we chase it on your behalf.

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What travellers say

Reviews from real travellers

Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.

The operator's track record

4.9 on Google · 102 reviews

Review excerpts below are from Tripadvisor.

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"Excellent surf session for my 13 year old son, "27 stars!" The energy and positivity was contagious and many life and surf lessons beyond the basics were covered on this most perfect beach in Byron Bay."
M

Marc B.

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"It was cold and rainy but I was smiling ear to ear with … giving great guidance and making sure we were having a great time."
M

Matthew C

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"This surf lesson is a must do in Byron Bay! … The lesson was so much fun and definitely one of the highlights of our trip!"
G

Georgia S

Tripadvisor review

Traveller reviews, source shown on each · shown as excerpts.

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