UK and Ireland Surf Schools Guide

A surf board on the beach with the text - the best surf schools in the uk and ireland

Find the Best Surf Schools in the UK & Ireland

With the UK surf season just around the corner, now is the perfect time to level up your skills and make 2025 your best surfing year yet! Whether you’re a beginner looking to catch your first wave or an intermediate surfer ready to refine your technique, booking a surf lesson with a professional coach can accelerate your progress.

For intermediate surfers a surf school refresher session will help fine-tune your paddling, balance, and wave selection—giving you the confidence to take your surfing to the next level.

One women surfing high fiving another women, with another behind filming with a go-pro at a surf school in the UK

Photo: Woman and Waves

Are you brand new to surfing? You want to start but you’re not sure where to begin? The best way to learn is by booking surf lessons with a reputable surf school. A professional surf coach will teach you essential skills, from water safety and wave reading to paddling, popping up, and balancing on your board.

Taking surf lessons helps you progress faster than learning solo. Instructors correct your posture, paddling, and technique early on, making it easier to catch waves with confidence. You can also opt for 1-to-1 coaching or improver sessions to refine your skills. There are so many amazing surf schools in the UK and Ireland where you can learn!

Waves in Newquay Bay - where some of the best surf schools in the UK hold their lessons.

Learning to surf in the UK may not be as tropical as Byron Bay, but with the right coaching, you’ll master the fundamentals in no time. Plus, surf schools provide all the equipment and valuable local knowledge, helping you find the best beginner-friendly waves.

Ready to start your 2025 surf journey? Discover the top surf schools in the UK and Ireland with this guide…

Here’s a list of the surf schools in the UK and Ireland

CORNWALL

FIND YOUR SURF SCHOOL HERE

DEVON

FIND YOUR SURF SCHOOL HERE

SOUTH COAST

FIND YOUR SURF SCHOOL HERE

NORTHEAST ENGLAND

FIND YOUR SURF SCHOOL HERE

WALES

FIND YOUR SURF SCHOOL HERE

SCOTLAND

FIND YOUR SURF SCHOOL HERE

NORTHERN IRELAND

FIND YOUR SURF SCHOOL HERE

IRELAND

FIND YOUR SURF SCHOOL HERE

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Surf Schools Cornwall

Cornwall

Home to some of the most famous surf beaches, Cornwall offers some of the best surf schools in the UK for all levels.

ADSurf
Bude
Specialising in advanced surf coaching, ADSurf helps surfers refine their techniques through video analysis and personalised sessions.

Big Green Adventures
Crantock
Offering surf lessons, SUP, and coasteering, this adventure school provides fun, safe, and informative sessions for all ages.

Blue Wings Surf School
Widemouth Bay
Situated on Widemouth Bay, this school offers lessons for all abilities with a friendly and knowledgeable team.

Bude Surfing Experience
Bude
Provides professional surf coaching at Summerleaze Beach, focusing on fun, safety, and skill development.

Constantine Bay Surf School
Padstow
Provides expert coaching at one of Cornwall’s best surf beaches, offering group and private lessons for all levels.

Cornish Wave Surf School
Newquay
Offers small-group and private surf lessons, as well as surf and adventure retreats, with a focus on immersive experiences.

Elemental Surf School
Newquay
Passionate about delivering the best surf experience, whether you’re a beginner or improving your skills.

Escape Surf School
Newquay
One of Newquay’s premier surf schools, offering progressive coaching for all abilities with ISA-qualified instructors.

Evolve Surf School
Gwithian
A mobile surf school offering lessons at various top surf spots, ensuring the best conditions for every session.

Fistral Beach Surf School
Newquay
Situated on the iconic Fistral Beach, this school offers a range of lessons and courses for all skill levels.

Gather and Glide
Newquay
Longboard and advanced coaching for women with supportive female instructors. 2-5 Day courses, suitable for all levels.

Global Boarders Surf School
Praa Sands and Gwithian
An award-winning mobile surf school that offers lessons across Praa Sands and Gwithian, ensuring the best waves and conditions for every session.

Hayle Surf School
Hayle
Located near the stunning beaches of St. Ives Bay, this school offers expert coaching for all levels, focusing on safety and fun in a friendly environment.

Holywell Bay School of Surf
Newquay
Located at the scenic Holywell Bay, this school provides expert tuition in a quieter surf setting, ideal for learning.

Kingsurf Surf School
Mawgan Porth
Operating since 1997, Kingsurf provides tailored lessons with a focus on fun and safety on Cornwall’s north coast.

Newquay Activity Centre
Newquay
Provides surf lessons alongside other adventure activities, with experienced instructors on Towan Beach.

NQY Surf School
Newquay
Provides expert tuition for all levels at some of Newquay’s best surf spots, including Fistral and Towan Beach.

OA Surf Club
Bude
A surf school and adventure centre offering lessons on Bude’s best beaches with experienced local instructors.

Peg’s Surf Coaching
Perranporth
Run by an experienced surf coach, this school specialises in tailored one-to-one and small group coaching to help surfers progress.

Perranporth Surf School
Perranporth
Offers lessons on the expansive Perranporth Beach, suitable for beginners and improvers.

Quiksilver Surf School Newquay
Newquay
Located at Fistral Beach, this school offers lessons for all abilities, with experienced instructors and quality equipment.

Shore Surf School
Gwithian
Operating on Gwithian Beach, this school provides high-quality surf lessons in one of Cornwall’s best beginner-friendly surf spots, with experienced instructors and top-tier equipment.

St Ives Surf School
St Ives
Based on Porthmeor Beach, this school provides professional surf tuition in the heart of St Ives, catering to beginners and advanced surfers looking to refine their skills.

Stoked Surf School
Newquay
Based in Newquay, this school provides high-quality surf coaching with an emphasis on fun and personal development.

Surf Sanctuary
Newquay
Specialises in high-performance surf coaching, private lessons, and adventure activities for individuals and small groups.

Surf Sistas
Cornwall
Surf Sistas have been taking women’s surfing to new places since 2003. Their programmes in Cornwall, are for all surfers, from complete beginners to improver/intermediates looking to progress.

The Surf Club Cornwall
Newquay
Overlooking Mawgan Porth beach, this club offers private, family, and group lessons with all equipment included.

Wave Riders Surf School
Cornwall
A mobile surf school providing tailored coaching and lessons at various surf spots in Cornwall.

Wavehunters
Polzeath
A renowned surf school offering lessons, equipment hire, and surf safaris at Polzeath Beach.

Waves Surf School
Wadebridge
Offers surf lessons and holiday packages, catering to all abilities with a relaxed and friendly approach.

Westcountry Surf School
Watergate Bay
A family-run surf school providing high-quality coaching on the beautiful two-mile stretch of Watergate Bay.

Women + Waves
Newquay
A surf collective specialising in bespoke coaching, surf camps and training exclusively for women, locally and across the globe!

Surf Schools Devon

Devon

With beautiful beaches and consistent waves, Devon is a top spot for surf schools in the UK.

Bantham Surfing Academy
Bantham
Located at Bantham Beach, this academy provides expert coaching in a stunning natural setting, perfect for beginners and intermediates.

Barefoot Surf School
Croyde
A relaxed and friendly surf school, providing beginner to advanced lessons at some of Devon’s best surf spots.

Croyde Surf Academy
Croyde
Situated in North Devon, this academy provides lessons from a unique double-decker bus setup overlooking Croyde Bay.

Discovery Surf School
Bigbury-on-Sea
A top-rated surf school offering lessons and surf hire on the beautiful South Devon coast.

Lords of Downend
Croyde
A specialist surf coaching company focusing on small-group and private lessons for those looking to progress quickly.

Nick Thorn Surf Coaching
Putsborough
Specialist surf coaching in North Devon, offering everything from beginner lessons to advanced surf training and lifeguard courses.

Shaka Surf
Croyde
A relaxed and welcoming surf school in Croyde, providing small-group lessons and eco-conscious surf experiences.

Surf Saunton
Saunton
Based in North Devon, Surf Saunton offers lessons on the gentle waves of Saunton Sands, ideal for beginners.

Surf South West
Croyde
Based in Croyde, this school is one of the longest-established in the UK, with expert coaching and surf camps.

Surfing Croyde Bay
Croyde
An award-winning surf school offering premium lessons and coaching programs on Croyde’s world-class waves.

Surfing Woolacombe Surf School
Woolacombe
A highly rated surf school offering lessons for all levels at the stunning Woolacombe Beach.

The North Devon Surf School
Bideford
One of the UK’s longest-running surf schools, offering lessons at the consistent waves of Westward Ho! Beach.

Walking on Waves
Saunton
Based at Saunton Sands, this school offers high-quality surf lessons in one of North Devon’s most picturesque locations.

Westward Waves Surf School
Westward Ho!
A friendly, professional surf school offering lessons for all abilities on the consistent waves of Westward Ho! Beach.

Woolacombe Surf Centre
Woolacombe
Located in the heart of Woolacombe, this centre provides expert tuition in one of England’s best surf locations.

Surf Schools South Coast

South Coast

The South Coast is perfect for beginners, with friendly surf schools in the UK offering lessons in scenic spots.

Bournemouth Surf Academy 
Bournemouth
Based at the famous Boscombe Beach, this academy provides fun and professional surf lessons for all ages and abilities.

Brighton Surf School 
Brighton
The only dedicated surf school in Brighton, offering lessons and surf hire on the pebbled beaches of the south coast.

Sorted Surf School 
Bournemouth
One of the most established surf schools on the south coast, offering expert tuition and equipment hire at Boscombe Beach.

Surf Schools Northeast

Northeast England

For amazing surfing adventures, Northeast England hosts some great surf schools along its rugged coastline.

Longsands Surf School
Tynemouth
A fantastic surf school located on Longsands Beach, offering expert coaching for beginners and advanced surfers.

NE Surf
Northumberland
An amazing surf school in the North East owned and run by Northumbrian surfers who live for the surf, and making sure you learn in the best way.

Saltburn Surf School
Saltburn-by-the-Sea
As one of the UK’s oldest surf schools, it provides lessons on the North Yorkshire coast, suitable for all levels.

Scarborough Surf School
Scarborough
Located on the East Coast, this school offers comprehensive lessons and equipment hire for surfers of all abilities.

Tynemouth Surf Co
Tynemouth
One of the longest-running surf schools in the northeast, providing expert tuition and a well-stocked surf shop.

Yonder Women’s Surf School
Tynemouth
A female-focused surf school dedicated to empowering women through surfing, offering group and private lessons.

Surf Schools Wales

Wales

From Pembrokeshire to the Gower, Wales boasts excellent surf schools set against stunning backdrops.

Abersoch Watersports
Abersoch
A well-known watersports centre offering surf lessons along the stunning beaches of Abersoch, with lessons for all ages and abilities.

Barefoot Boardriders
Pembrokeshire
Located on the stunning Pembrokeshire coast, this surf school provides a variety of board sports, including surfing and paddleboarding, for all abilities.

Blue Horizons Surf Club
Pembrokeshire
A surf school and club offering a variety of surf lessons, from beginner to advanced, as well as surf camps and coaching.

Cressey’s Surf Academy
Swansea
An experienced surf academy offering beginner to advanced coaching in some of South Wales’ best surf spots, including Llangennith.

Gower Surf Academy
Swansea
A premier surf academy located on the stunning Gower Peninsula, offering lessons and surf camps for all levels, with a focus on skill development.

Llangennith Surf School
Swansea
A surf school located on the famous Llangennith Beach, known for its consistent waves, perfect for learning and improving surf skills.

Newsurf
Pembrokeshire
A modern surf school offering lessons, surf camps, and coaching, focusing on progression and fun at some of Pembrokeshire’s most popular beaches.

Outer Reef Surf School
Pembrokeshire
A top-rated surf school with a focus on surf coaching and safety, offering lessons at Pembrokeshire’s best beaches for surfers of all levels.

Pembrokeshire Surf & SUP Centre
Pembrokeshire
Top quality equipment and professional instructors offering surf lessons, coasteering, kayak tours and paddleboarding in Pembrokeshire.

Pembrokeshire Surf School
Pembrokeshire
Offering surf lessons in Pembrokeshire’s stunning beaches, this school caters to beginners, intermediates, and advanced surfers with tailored lessons.

Pembrokeshire Surfing Lessons
Pembrokeshire
Offering lessons in Pembrokeshire’s surf hotspots, this school provides one-to-one coaching, group lessons, and surf camps.

Porthcawl Surf School
Porthcawl
A well-established surf school based at Porthcawl, offering lessons and surf hire for all ages and skill levels in a vibrant coastal town.

Progress Surf School
Pembrokeshire
A friendly surf school offering surf lessons for all abilities, with a focus on progression and helping surfers improve at their own pace.

South Wales Surf Lessons
Swansea
Offers lessons on the best beaches in South Wales, tailored to different experience levels, from first-timers to advanced surfers.

Surf School Wales
Swansea
A mobile surf school providing lessons at Wales’ best beaches, including the Gower Peninsula and Pembrokeshire, for all levels of surfers.

Surf Schools Scotland

Scotland

Scotland’s wild coastline is home to some of the most unique and beautiful surf schools in the UK.

Coast to Coast Surf School
Dunbar
Situated at the beautiful Belhaven Bay, Coast to Coast offer surf lessons and equipment hire perfect for beginners and intermediates. For the more adventurous, they also offer adult surf camps to Scotland’s stunning North Coast and West Coast Islands.

New Wave Surf School
Lossiemouth
A friendly surf school offering lessons in a variety of surf spots in Scotland, catering to surfers of all levels with an emphasis on fun and progression.

North Coast Watersports
Thurso
A watersports hub in the Highlands, providing surf lessons along the rugged coast of Thurso, ideal for surfers seeking adventure and excellent waves.

Pete’s Surf School
Kilkenzie
Provides surf lessons in a relaxed environment, suitable for all ages and skill levels, with stunning coastal views.

Surflewis & Harris Surf School
Isle of Lewis
Located on the wild and beautiful Isle of Lewis, this surf school offers surf lessons and surf tours in some of the most dramatic and remote locations in Scotland.

Suds Surf School
Sandend
A surf school offering lessons and coaching along Scotland’s stunning coastline, perfect for those looking to experience the unique surf culture of the country.

Surf Schools Wales

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland offers a range of surf schools in the UK with incredible beaches and welcoming instructors.

Alive Adventures
Portrush
An adventure company offering surf lessons, paddleboarding, and other activities along the north coast, perfect for families and groups.

Long Line Surf School
Benone
Located on the beautiful Benone Strand, this surf school offers eco-friendly surf lessons and retreats in a stunning coastal setting.

Portrush Surf School
Portrush
A popular surf school on the scenic Causeway Coast, offering lessons for all ages and abilities on the famous West Strand Beach.

Surf Camp Northern Ireland
Portstewart
Provides immersive surf camps for all levels, focusing on surf progression, fitness, and community, based in Northern Ireland’s top surf locations.

Troggs Surf School
Portrush
One of Ireland’s longest-running surf schools, providing expert tuition, surf coaching, and equipment hire on Northern Ireland’s best waves.

Surf Schools Ireland

Ireland

Ireland has so many amazing surf schools with world-class waves and great coaching.

7th Wave Surf School
Enniscrone
A friendly and professional surf school offering lessons for all levels, set in some of Ireland’s most stunning coastal locations.

Aloha Surf School
Fanore
A welcoming surf school on the scenic west coast, providing expert coaching and a relaxed approach to surfing for all abilities.

Atlantic Surf School
Strandhill
Provides surf lessons along Ireland’s west coast, specialising in beginner and intermediate coaching in some of the country’s best surf spots.

Ben’s Surf Clinic and Surf School
Lahinch
A top-rated surf clinic focused on high-quality coaching and progression for surfers of all levels in the Lahinch area.

Bunmahon Surf School
Waterford
A relaxed and fun surf school offering lessons on Bunmahon Beach, a hidden gem for learning to surf in Ireland.

Celtic Surf School
Spanish Point
A surf school offering lessons in Ireland’s best surf locations, with a focus on fun, safety, and learning in a supportive environment.

Inchydoney Surf School
Cork
Located on the beautiful Inchydoney Beach, this surf school provides high-quality lessons in one of Ireland’s most scenic surf spots.

Kingdom Waves Surf School
Kerry
Located on the stunning beaches of Kerry, this surf school offers beginner-friendly lessons and surf camps in one of Ireland’s most beautiful regions.

Lahinch Surf Experience
Lahinch
An experienced surf school offering lessons tailored to individuals, families, and groups, right in the heart of Lahinch’s surf scene.

Lahinch Surf School
Lahinch
One of Ireland’s best-known surf schools, offering high-quality lessons on Lahinch Beach, a prime surf destination on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Murf’s Surf School
Bundoran
Provides surf lessons for all levels, focusing on small-group coaching and fun, friendly instruction.

Pukana Surf Adventures
Cork
A mobile surf school providing lessons and surf tours along Ireland’s stunning coastline, focusing on adventure and progression.

Rebelle Surf School
Strandhill
A female-focused surf school dedicated to empowering women through surfing, offering lessons and retreats in a supportive environment.

Rossnowlagh Surf School
Donegal
Located on Rossnowlagh Beach, this school offers beginner to advanced lessons in one of Ireland’s most consistent surf spots.

Strandhill Surf School, Sligo
Sligo
One of Ireland’s most established surf schools, based at Strandhill Beach, offering lessons and surf experiences for all skill levels.

Sligo Surf Experience
Sligo
Provides expert coaching and guided surf experiences at Sligo’s top surf beaches, with a focus on progression and enjoyment.

Surf Mayo
Louisburgh
Situated at Carrowniskey Beach, this school provides expert tuition and a friendly atmosphere for surfers of all levels in Mayo.

The Surf Shack Ireland
Curracloe
A fun and friendly surf school offering beginner-friendly lessons and equipment hire, perfect for those new to the sport.