Santa Barbara Surf School
Santa Barbara Surf School
5
Surfing & WindsurfingWater SportsLessons & WorkshopsPrivate Tours
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Private Surf Lessons in Santa Barbara and Carpinteria are our specialty. We feel the best way to maximize your time is to have a surf instructor solely devoted to you, your family or friends. This insures you will be getting the most hands on practice during your time in the water. Typically our Instructors can coach up to 5 students at a time. If you want to surf privately with a larger group we will add instructors as needed. Our proven method for teaching surf lessons is one that has come together through the combined knowledge of our veteran surfers throughout Santa Barbara and the feedback we get from our students. We have carefully studied the most important steps to becoming a successful surfer, and how to make the most of your time. Which is why we’re confident Santa Barbara Surfing School will have you surfing in no time. Included: Surf Boards, Wetsuits, Leashes and Instructor. Group size discounts applied at checkout.
Santa Barbara, California
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingSimilar Experiences
Santa Barbara Surf School
Booking unavailable on Tripadvisor
Want other options you can book now?
Show optionsTravelers talk about
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
480 reviews
Excellent
476
Very good
3
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Jade Scott
4 contributions
Aug 2020
I had a fantastic experience with my instructor, Ally! It was my first time surfing and Ally was great at teaching my sister and I to surf safely and have fun while doing it. Ally swam by our side the entire time and talked us through what waves to catch, when to start paddling, how to prop ourselves up, and how to improve our form. Ally was uplifting, energetic, positive, and supportive and helped us have a totally stress-free fun time. Ally was our hype person the entire time even when we would fall off she would be patient and help us try again. We chatted a lot about her woodworking projects, college plans, and all the cool places she has surfed. I highly recommended booking a surf session with Ally! 1000/10 :)
Written August 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Samantha P
2 contributions
Jun 2021 • Friends
We loved it so much we came two days in a row. Matt, Aiden and Trevor were all excellent instructors and made the experience informative and fun. We were both able to ride a wave on our first try (both 24-25yr old women) and would highly recommend to anyone who is looking to learn how to surf! We are already looking forward to coming back!
Written June 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for surfing with us!
Written July 4, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Walter B
4 contributions
May 2021 • Friends
Dan was a terrific instructor! Conditions were quite choppy on the day of our lesson but he was great at helping us select good rideable waves. The last time I surfed was 45 years ago. It’s not quite like “riding a bike”-muscle memory does fade with time-but Dan rekindled some athletic performance out of this old guy. In short, I highly recommend SBSS!
Written May 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So glad Dan was able to get you out in the water again after such a long break. Nothing better than getting in the ocean, and surfing is the best way to do that. Hope to see you again soon, take care.
Written May 11, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Satie Airame
Santa Barbara, CA4 contributions
Oct 2020
My niece and I had a fantastic surf lesson with Nick from Santa Barbara Surf School. We never surfed before and Nick was competent and reassuring. The school provided wetsuits and boards. After brief instruction on the beach, we were in the water within 20 min. Nick coached us regarding when to paddle and he gave us a manual tow in and push! I caught and stood up on my first wave and continued with about 15 successful (albeit short) rides in the first hour. What a day! We loved it and we will definitely do this again and again!
Written October 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nice! So cool to hear that you stood up on so many waves in your surf lesson with us! Hope to do it again soon!
Written October 14, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Katelyn E
Boston, MA2 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
Carson, Hallie, and Sienna were all so helpful! They were great at giving little adjustments that really helped with out being overwhelming. By the end of the lesson I was standing up on a surf board and it was my first time surfing. Would 100% recommend!
Written July 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for surfing with us!
Written July 12, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MLN
1 contribution
Aug 2020
We signed up our two 9 year old boys for a surf lesson. Nick met us in the parking lot, got the boys into wet suits, gave a safety lesson and got right into the waves. Wishing 5 minutes he had both kids standing up for long rides in perfect conditions. Nick also swam back and forth tirelessly to make sure both boys got as many rides as possible. He taught them technique, safety and how to have fun. It was so great to see the boys learn so quickly and I couldn't more strongly suggest using Nick and this company for surf lessons. GREAT DAY!!
Written August 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alexbunting
Sausalito, CA1 contribution
Jun 2021
I had the time of my life!! I wasn't sure what to expect. As soon as I arrived at Santa Barbara Surf School, everyone greeted me with such enthusiasm. Then I met Trevor and he was so welcoming, with a smile on his face, rearing to go. He made me feel completely confident from the get-go!! He gave me some instructions on the shore and then we got in the water. We took baby steps until I felt more and more secure. Then I was riding the waves!! At least that's what it felt like. I was excited and invigorated. I kept wanting to go more and more. Trevor was always there, motivating me. He was terrific. I highly recommend Santa Barbara Surf School and my instructor Trevor was the BEST coach ever!! Thank you so much!!
Written June 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pumped you had a great time surfing with Trevor and thank you for choosing us for your Santa Barbara Surf Lessons
Written July 4, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Matt P
2 contributions
Aug 2021
My twin 12 year old kids and my sister had a GREAT time surfing for the first time, with Santa Barbara Surf School. Instructors Matt and Sean were outstanding teachers and super friendly - quickly going through the basics and doing some practice on land, getting them out on the water on big stable long boards, and making sure they all got lots of reps. They were all able to stand up and ride waves within a few minutes, and felt confident the whole time. They wound up tired but exhilarated, all smiles, saying they had lots of fun. Highly recommended!
Written August 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for choosing us for your surf lessons!
Written August 5, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Maria L
1 contribution
Jun 2021
Nate, Carson, and Matt were awesome instructors for our group of seven. Everyone got up at least once! With seven beginners, that says a lot for the instruction. Not only are they great surfers, these guys are friendly and ready to maximize your learning time. You can just tell the instructors at SB Surf School enjoy sharing their love of surfing. Additionally, SB Surf School has excellent communication with its customers; replies to inquiries are prompt, and this is a big piece of why we'll come back. All round an organized, reliable bunch of people. THANK YOU! We had a great time and will absolutely call again for future lessons.
Written June 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow! Thanks for the awesome review! We are stoked to hear you had a blast taking a surf lesson with our awesome instructors! We hope to see you out in the water again!
Written June 24, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jordan T
1 contribution
May 2023 • Solo
I had an AMAZING time during my surfing lesson with Tyler! It was my first time surfing and he was an excellent teacher, very knowledgeable and quickly getting me out into the water and onto some waves. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better first experience. (Highly recommend doing the extra 30 minutes as long as you are a strong swimmer, it was a blast.)
Written May 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glad you enjoyed your surf lesson with Tyler! Thank you for the review!
Written May 30, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
clem414
Toulouse, France
Est ce que l'école est ouverte l'hiver ?
Surf school is it opening on winter ?
Written September 13, 2015
Connor King
Santa Barbara, California
Yes! We teach lessons 7 days a week all year long!
Written October 17, 2018
Showing results 1-1 of 1