3-Day Surf Camp on Maui at Kalama Park in Kihei

Three days on the water gives you something a single surf lesson cannot: time to remember what you learned, fix mistakes, and try again. This surf progression at Kalama Park in Kihei is built for beginners, families, and mixed ability levels, with several departure times to fit a Maui schedule.

I like that the price includes the practical gear you need, including a surfboard, rash guard, and reef shoes. I also like the personal teaching style reported from instructors San and Lucas, plus the chance to buy photos from Elijah, who photographed one student across all three days. The main consideration is the booking setup: you must provide three preferred dates, and the stated maximum is only two participants, so larger families should confirm availability before paying.

Key Points

• Three days of practice: More time on the water lets you work on balance and wave catching instead of rushing through one lesson.
• Kalama Park in Kihei: Every surf session takes place at the same Maui location, keeping the experience simple and focused.
• Gear is supplied: Your package includes a surfboard, rash guard, reef shoes, and professional instruction.
• Named instructors: San and Lucas are specifically associated with patient, hands-on teaching, while Elijah can provide photos for purchase.
• Flexible scheduling: Several departure times are offered, though you must submit three preferred dates at checkout.
• Small stated capacity: The experience lists a maximum of two participants, an important detail for families and groups.

Three Days at Kalama Park, Not One Quick Lesson

The basic idea is simple. You meet the Waves Hawaii Surf School van at 1900 South Kihei Road, then head to Kalama Park for your surf sessions. You should be at the van five minutes before your lesson begins.

The camp is designed as a progression. On the first day, you learn the basics. On the second and third days, you have time to repeat the movements and improve your control. The supplied information does not give a minute-by-minute schedule for each session, so do not expect a detailed classroom plan before arrival. What you can count on is three days of instruction aimed at helping you catch waves and build skill.

That extra practice matters. Surfing has a steep first-day learning curve, and a single lesson often ends just as you begin to understand the timing. With three sessions, you can pay attention to what changes from one day to the next. If your first attempts are wobbly, you get another chance instead of treating the experience as a one-off activity.

The full experience lasts about three days and two hours, though the exact lesson times are not specified. Several departure choices are available, which helps you fit surfing around other Maui plans. Still, leave enough room in your schedule for the camp rather than squeezing it between fixed commitments.

Meeting the Waves Hawaii Surf School Van

The meeting point is 1900 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, Hawaii 96753. This is both the start and end point for the activity. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the meeting point on your own.

The van is a useful marker because you are not simply wandering around the park trying to find an instructor. Arrive five minutes before the lesson, not at the exact start time. That small buffer gives you a chance to locate the van and get ready without turning the opening minutes into a scramble.

Public transportation is available near the meeting area, and the experience allows service animals. The information does not specify parking arrangements, transportation times, or exact van markings, so confirm any details you need with Waves Hawaii Surf School after booking.

Since the activity ends back at the meeting point, you can plan your next stop from the same general area. That is handy if you are building a Kihei day around the surf camp. Just remember that your own transport remains your responsibility at both ends.

What Happens During the Surf Progression

The school describes this as a three-day camp for learning the basics and improving your skills. You should expect instruction on the foundations of surfing, followed by repeated practice in the water.

The supplied gear includes a surfboard, rash guard, and reef shoes. That is a useful package for a beginner because you do not need to arrange the main equipment separately. A rash guard can help protect you from board rubbing and sun exposure, while reef shoes provide foot protection in the water. The exact board type and available sizes are not given, so ask the school about fit if you have a specific need.

The first session is likely to feel the most technical. You are learning how to handle the board, position yourself, and respond to a wave, all while managing balance. The value of this camp is that you do not have to master everything immediately.

On later days, you can focus on small improvements. You might work on standing more cleanly, catching a wave with better timing, or staying balanced for longer. The school does not promise a particular skill level by the end, so keep your expectations sensible. Three days can give you a strong start, but surfing remains a sport that rewards regular practice.

The experience is described as suitable for all ages and skill levels, and it is especially popular with children. That makes it a reasonable choice for a family looking for a shared activity rather than separate programs. Yet the stated capacity of two people deserves attention. If you are booking for more than two, contact the provider before assuming the camp can take your entire group together.

San, Lucas, and the Teaching Style

Two instructor names give this experience a more personal feel. San is connected with one particularly successful three-day progression, helping a beginner catch waves independently by the end of camp. Lucas is described as patient and helpful with a family group.

Those details point to the most important feature in a beginner surf lesson: instruction that gives you time to try without making you feel rushed. You need clear guidance, but you also need room to make mistakes. The comments about San and Lucas suggest that the teaching is hands-on and encouraging, though individual instruction can vary by date and instructor assignment.

You should not assume you will be taught by a specific person unless Waves Hawaii confirms it. San and Lucas are names associated with the school, but the supplied details do not promise a particular instructor for every booking.

The camp also has a photo option. Elijah photographed one participant on all three days and sent the images promptly after the camp. Souvenir photos are not included, but they are available to purchase. If having action shots matters to you, ask whether a photographer will be present on your dates and what the photo package costs.

Why Kalama Park Works for Beginners

Keeping all three sessions at Kalama Park makes the camp easy to understand. You are not spending each day learning a new meeting point or adjusting to a different part of the island. The familiar setting lets you focus on the board and the waves.

Kihei is also a practical base for a Maui holiday. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the activity begins and ends in the same place. These details may sound minor, but they matter when you are carrying wet gear or arranging a family day.

The information does not describe the beach conditions, wave size, changing facilities, restrooms, or shade. Do not build your plans around amenities that have not been confirmed. Ask the school what to bring and what facilities are available on your chosen dates.

The location is best understood as a working surf lesson site, not a sightseeing tour. The focus is on getting into the water and learning. If you want a broad coastal tour, scenic narration, or several Maui stops, this is not that kind of experience.

The Price: What $502.56 Per Person Covers

At $502.56 per person, this is a serious purchase, especially for a family. The value depends on how much use you make of the three days. You are paying for a multi-session learning experience, professional instruction, a surfboard, a rash guard, and reef shoes, rather than one short introduction.

A three-day format can be better value than booking three unrelated lessons because the teaching is meant to build from one session to the next. You avoid starting from zero each time. If you are eager to learn and expect to practice all three days, the price is easier to justify.

The calculation is less attractive if you only want to stand on a board once for a holiday photo. In that case, a single lesson may suit you better, if available. This camp makes the most sense for someone who wants actual improvement and can commit to all three days.

Photos cost extra, and transportation to the meeting point is also your responsibility. Include those possible add-ons in your budget. The camp does include the main surf equipment, which keeps you from having to rent a board and protective items separately.

Who Will Get the Most From This Camp

I would choose this experience for a beginner who wants more than a quick taste of surfing. It is also a good match for someone who learns by repetition. If you need time to turn instructions into muscle memory, three days give you a fair chance.

The camp suits families and mixed skill levels in principle, since it is described as family-friendly and open to all ages and abilities. Children may enjoy the clear goal of catching a wave, while adults can work at their own pace. The stated maximum of two participants, however, creates a practical question for larger families. Confirm the group arrangement before booking.

You should also consider the schedule. Several departure times make planning easier, but the booking process requires three preferred dates. If your Maui calendar is tight, submit dates that genuinely work rather than hoping the school can fit you in later.

The camp may not suit someone who wants private hotel transport, a sightseeing component, or a guaranteed named instructor. None of those features is included in the supplied details.

Booking Details You Should Not Miss

You receive confirmation within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The most important instruction is to enter three preferred tour dates in the Special Requirements field at checkout. Leaving out those three dates can result in cancellation, so treat this as a required booking step, not a suggestion.

The experience offers free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. A cancellation made less than 24 hours before the start time is not refundable, and late changes are not accepted. That policy is fairly flexible for ordinary schedule changes, but it gives you little protection once the 24-hour window begins.

The stated average booking time is 42 days ahead. That suggests you should not wait until the last minute if your dates are fixed, particularly because availability must be confirmed and the camp requires three possible dates.

The activity uses a mobile ticket. Keep the ticket available on your phone and arrive at the meeting point five minutes before the lesson. The camp ends where it starts, but hotel transport is not part of the package.

FAQ

How long is the surf camp?

The experience lasts approximately three days and two hours. It is a three-day surf camp rather than a single lesson.

Where does the activity take place?

Surfing takes place at Kalama Park in Kihei, Maui. You meet the Waves Hawaii Surf School van at 1900 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point where you started.

How early should I arrive?

You should meet the Waves Hawaii Surf School van five minutes before your lesson.

What equipment is included?

The package includes all surf gear listed by the school: a rash guard, reef shoes, and a surfboard. It also includes a professional instructor.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. You need to arrange your own transportation to and from the meeting point.

Do I need to provide preferred dates?

Yes. You must provide three preferred dates in the Special Requirements field at checkout. Failing to provide them can result in cancellation.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the local start time are not accepted for a refund.

Should You Book the Three-Day Maui Surf Camp?

Book it if you want a real introduction to surfing and can commit to three sessions. The strongest reasons are the built-in practice time, included equipment, flexible departure choices, and the personal teaching linked with San and Lucas. The chance to catch waves independently by the end of the camp is a realistic goal, but not a guarantee.

Think twice if your schedule is uncertain, you only want a one-time activity, or your group has more than two people. The stated maximum of two participants needs clarification for families, despite the camp being promoted as family-friendly.

For a committed beginner, $502.56 buys more than a quick Maui diversion. It buys time to turn a first attempt into a developing skill. Just submit three workable dates, arrange your own transport, and confirm group size before you finalize the booking.