North America

7 of the coolest resorts for learning to surf in the USA

Last updated 18th March 2019

Are your kids are begging for a holiday where they can shred some waves or do you have an entire family of willing surfers? We have rounded up the best resorts where kids (and parents) can learn to surf and where the non-surfers among you can relax and enjoy some R&R. 

7. Hotel del Coronado, California

Hotel Del, as it is affectionately known, is a family-friendly beachfront resort located on the beautiful Coronado Island, 15 minutes from downtown San Diego. If your little adventurers want to learn to catch a wave and you want an unforgettable vacation, this is it! As well as surf lessons for tots as young as four, there are daily surf camps for older kids and teens, and mom and dad can join in the fun too if they wish.

6. Boca Raton Resort and Club, Florida

Surfs up for the whole family at the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Southern Florida. The Boca surf is ideal for amped first-timers and there’s an excellent surf school offering private lessons and clinics for the whole family. The resort is also home to Flow House Boca, a space dedicated to surfers with a Flowrider stationary wave for the ultimate surf on land experience. After you hang ten, hangout in the California-themed beach bar. The beach club also hosts special family surfing events through the year including Father’s Day surfing.

 

5. Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, California

If you dream of a quintessential beach getaway for the family with surfing for your wannabe waver riders, head to Monarch Beach Resort, located at the popular surfing spot, Dana Point in Southern California. Both adults and kids can learn to surf, bodyboard and body surf seven days a week for a minimal fee. There’s an awesome kids clubs for five to 12 year olds, a spa and plenty of other activities including golf and tennis if you don’t fancy hitting the waves.

4. Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, Hilton Head, South Carolina

This East Coast resort is the ideal spot for aspiring surfers and their families. Youngsters from the age of 5 can learn to master the waves with private lessons, while group lessons are available for 7 year olds and above. There are endless others activities on offer including golf and tennis so the non-surfers in your gang won’t have time to get bored, and there’s a kids club, too.

3. The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel, California

Mediterranean-style villa resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is the perfect setting to begin your Southern California surfing adventure. Kids from the age of five can experience a two-hour surfing adventure, which takes place a five minute drive away, When they’re not catching waves, drop off your brood in the awesome Ritz-Kids kids club to enjoy endless activities including Beach Banzai Body Boarding sessions, while you head to the spa for some well-deserved R&R!

2. The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Hawaii

For an unforgettable vacation for junior wave riders and their families, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa in Hawaii, said to be the birthplace of surf, is spot on. Beach boys and girls can learn how to catch their first wave at Ka’anapali Surf Club, or for a tamer option, you can try stand up paddle boarding. If surfing is not your cup of tea, there’s golf, scuba-diving, luaus and endless other adventures to be had, as well as a kids club for five to 12 year olds with full day, half day and night programs.

1. Walt Disney World, Orlando

For a tidal wave of fun and a private surfing lesson, head to Disney World in Florida. It might not be on the coast, but it is home to the Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, which features North America’s largest wave pool. Kids (and mom and dad too) can have a lesson before the park opens and ride waves up to six feet high. And, when you’re done, you have the whole theme park at your fingertips!