Founded by professional surf legend Carol Philips, North Shore Surf Girls is the premier destination for those seeking an elite, authentic Hawaiian surf experience where local heritage meets world-class coaching. We specialize in transforming the intimidation of the legendary North Shore into pure exhilaration, providing a safe and inclusive environment where adventurers of all ages—from solo travelers to families—can master the art of the ocean. Our team of certified, high-performance instructors doesn’t just teach you how to stand; we guide you through board protocol, ocean literacy, and the soul-stirring ‘Aloha’ spirit, ensuring your journey into the waves is the most memorable chapter of your Hawaii story.
Dive into the soul of Oahu with North Shore Surf Girls, an elite surf sanctuary founded by professional surfing legend Carol Philips. Growing up amidst these iconic breaks, Carol established a mission to dissolve the intimidation of the ocean and replace it with pure, inclusive joy for adventurers of all ages and backgrounds.
Whether you are a solo traveler or a family seeker, our professionally trained and experienced instructors guide you through the essential mastery of board protocol and ocean navigation, ensuring your first wave is more than just a ride—it’s an authentic connection to Hawaii’s rich heritage.
At the heart of every lesson is a deep-rooted commitment to safety and the genuine Aloha spirit, transforming the legendary North Shore into your personal playground where every student is treated like local royalty.
We had an awesome time with the North Shore Surf Girls. We got our 4 kids (13, 15, 21, 21) lessons and Remi was their instructor. She was very informative and patient with them. My wife and I sat on the beach and took lots of pics and vids. They all loved it and were exhausted after the 2 hour lesson. Thanks for the experience of a lifetime NSSG!
I took five kids (ages 7–10) surfing for the very first time and booked a private lesson with two instructors. It was an incredible experience! The instructors were patient, encouraging, and knew exactly how to build the kids' confidence. Amazingly, everyone was standing up and riding waves within the first hour! They made the experience fun, safe, and memorable for both the kids and myself. I would highly recommend this surf school to anyone, especially families with first-time surfers.
Great Experience.
Went surfing for the first time. Carol and Matt are awesome instructors. Only went because my grandchildren were going and figured that, at my age I might not get another chance. The instructors were very patient and understanding that it took a little more effort to get a 73 year old man to catch a wave. But I did it and it was awesome!! Thank you so much Carol and Matt!
I brought my two girls to surf with Lily and they loved it. More than other schools we've tried on O'ahu. They are 11 and 12 and really likd having a female instructor who was willing to actually teach them new skills and help them progress...not just catch a few waves. Surf Girls were prompt and prepared and professional but still relaxed and friendly.
Great teachers, great people
I had a great experience with North Shore Surf Girls! My instructor, Lawrence, was amazing. He gave me the tips and guidance I needed to stay safe and improve my surfing. I had quite a few wipeouts and even reached a point where I wanted to end the lesson early, but Lawrence encouraged me to keep going and stay positive. Thanks to his patience and support, I was able to catch a wave by the end of the lesson. Catching that wave made the entire experience unforgettable and gave me a real sense of accomplishment. For an additional fee, they also had a photographer there to capture the experience, which was a great way to preserve the memories and celebrate the progress I made during the lesson. I highly recommend North Shore Surf Girls to anyone looking to learn how to surf or improve their skills!
Lawrence is killer. 1 of us had done surf lessons before and stated how much more enjoyable it was with him. Even watching some of the other instructors we felt lucky to be with him- good teacher, but calm & feels like you’re just being taught by a good friend. Liked him so much we booked repeat lessons with him!! He can get the worst of the worst up on a board. Go get it- and request Lawrence!!
You can tell Remi loves to surf and teach people how to get up and catch a wave. She was very personable, knowledgeable and patient in her teaching. Not only was she excited when I got up but also all the other people just out having fun.
A group of three 33-40 yr olds (male and female) and Amy made sure all of us got up and rode the surf on our first try! She was so encouraging and kind. I got voluntold by my husband and brother-in-law that I had to go with them and I was terrified. Amy read that right away and brought my nerves back to earth and made sure I felt safe and ready to rock and roll. I highly recommend her and this kick ass women owned and managed business. Totally worth the price and don’t forget to tip, not because you have to, but because they work hard giving you a great experience!!! Mahalo, Amy! I’ll never forget my 40th birthday and riding the waves on the final day of our trip!
This was booked from the Sea and Surf google location. Once booked, the confirmation came through as North Shore Surf Girls. Our instructor Carol was very patient, and gave my kids the feeling of “they are in control” and to have the confidence they needed for ages 10 & 12. They were nervous of “coral” and “currents”. Neither of those ended up being an issue for them despite both being present. We got instructions on land, practiced before going in, and coaching while out in the water. We opted for private lessons and are so glad we did. Lawrence ended up helping our group when his lessons finished and it kept us moving along going out on waves even in a private group and it also helped with my 10yr old getting pulled back out by an instructor without wearing them out. Definitely recommend!
If you are looking for more than just a "stand up once and take a photo" tourist experience, North Shore Surf Girls is the place to go. I surfed with them this December on the North Shore of Oahu, and it was hands-down the best instructional experience I’ve ever had in any sport. I had the privilege of working with Carol Phillips. Carol isn’t just an instructor; she is a master of the craft. What set her apart was her deep focus on surfing mechanics. Instead of just pushing me into waves, she took the time to explain the "why" behind every movement. She gave me constant, actionable feedback and clearly explained how my specific actions led to a successful ride or wipeout. Beyond the physical technique, she prioritizes surfing safety and culture, ensuring I left the water with a better ocean awareness and respect for the lineup. Carol has an incredible ability to read her students. She tailored her teaching approach perfectly to my learning style and adapted her instructions as I progressed throughout the session. By the end of the lesson, I didn't just feel like I had surfed; I felt like I had actually learned how to surf. If you want a professional, safe, and deeply educational experience I highly recommend North Shore Surf Girls.
My daughters had an absolute blast with the North Shore Surf Girls. The first day, Remi did an awesome job managing both of them and their different strengths, personalities - and had them both standing up on their first waves! My youngest had so much fun she went back the next day for a second lesson, this time with Carol, who was also fantastic. It is totally worth making the trek for a less crowded beach and unique spot for surf lessons! Tip: If you're not sure about how long of a lesson to take, my athletic (but one is petite) 11 & almost 13 year old were good after the 1.5 hour lesson. Shorter they would have asked for more, but longer their arms may have fallen off!
Surf lessons with North Shore Surf Girls was the highlight of our boys vacation in Oahu! They loved it so much they convinced us to bring them back the next day. Josh and Remy were absolutely wonderful with our beginner boys! We are extremely pleased with the service and fast response with squeezing us in with our last minute planning for lessons. You guys rock! Highly recommend North Shore Surf Girls!!!
I have been here twice now and I highly recommend them for learning how to surf. I 2021 I had my first ever surf lesson here. At the end of 2024 I had the opportunity to come to Oahu on business and I knew I wanted to go surfing with this group again. I booked a time I thought was good and then later on needed to reschedule and Carol was excellent at doing that. I got my lesson with Amiee and she was fantastic! I did the hour private/semi private lesson and it was everything I could have wanted. I got 1 on 1 instruction on everything from safety, to surfing form, to carrying a board, the paddle zones and surfing zones, etc. I thought it was really good. Once we got out onto the water I was even able to get up on a few waves and that made my whole day. I have a lot to work on and I wish I could surf every day. This is an incredible sport and the people here make it a really fun time. I can't wait to come back and get another lesson with Aimee, Carol, and the whole team
Carol was great. We had a lot of fun surfing with and her instructions were great. Very relaxed and helpful to us learning. Highly recommend her and her business to anyone wanting surf lessons and or board rentals.
Can't say enough good things about North Shore Surf Girls. We started with a lesson for our 14 year old daughter with Aimee, who was very knowledgeable and a great instructor. After a brief beach lesson, we watched them paddle out and, within minutes, were thrilled to watch her catch her first wave ever! The experience was better than we hoped, and seeing other outfits with their client interactions left us reassured that we made the best choice. In one case, two young men worked with another school's instructor who tossed his board in the ocean and paddled away, leaving his students struggling to get their boards past the waves on their own. That instructor didn't even bother turning around. Incredible. Needless to say, our first experience was so good that we returned for a semi-private lesson with Carol. This surfing magician turned a 53 year old father into his daughter's hero. I caught quite a few waves before having to return from shear exhaustion. It was a blast and a memory we will forever cherish. Thank you, Aimee and Carol!
Aimee was a fantastic instructor from beginning to end. She had me up and riding waves in no time. It was also lovely just chat with her and learn more about her experiences as a native Hawaiian. Strong recommend on doing a lesson!
Our instructor Amy was amazing. She was patient and helpful with my teenagers and my husband, and all three had multiple successful attempts at surfing. They are hooked and can’t wait to come back to Hawaii and do it again! The meeting point was easy to find, all gear was provided, and there was even a photographer that got amazing pictures we could purchase after. North Shore Surf Girls was amazing!
This was such an amazing experience for the whole family. Much thanks to Aimee, Josh and Avery. They were able to accommodate us and all six of our children ages 17 down to 6. They gave special attention to our six year old and when it was his turn would ride tandem with him and by the end he was even able to ride solo. Everyone got up several times. When we signed up they had us send in our ages and sizes and experience level. They were ready with the correct board sizes to help us be successful and the location was perfect for us a with small surf-able waves. I highly recommend this company.
North Shore Surf Girls was founded by Carol Philips, a professional surf legend who grew up surfing Oahu’s iconic North Shore breaks. Carol established the school with a mission to dissolve the intimidation of the legendary North Shore and replace it with pure, inclusive joy for adventurers of all ages and backgrounds. She remains active today as Founder and Head Coach.
North Shore Surf Girls has been teaching safe, joyful surf lessons on Oahu’s North Shore since 2005 — nearly two decades of local, female-founded, family-owned instruction. The school has earned 500+ 5-star reviews and a 5.0 rating across Google, TripAdvisor, and Yelp.
All North Shore Surf Girls instructors are certified, high-performance coaches with Red Cross CPR and lifeguard certification. Many are former professional surfers. Beyond technical surf instruction, our team teaches board protocol, ocean literacy, and the Hawaiian Aloha spirit — so every student leaves with deep ocean understanding, not just the ability to stand up.
Our values are safety, inclusion, local heritage, and Aloha. Safety: every instructor is Red Cross CPR and lifeguard certified. Inclusion: open to every gender, age 2+, skill level, and group size. Local heritage: our coaches grew up surfing the North Shore. Aloha: every student is treated like local royalty.
North Shore Surf Girls teaches at authentic North Shore breaks — Chun’s Reef and Puaena Point — rather than crowded Waikiki. You get less crowded conditions, beginner-friendly waves at the right tide, and instruction from coaches who grew up surfing these specific waves. Same accessible pricing starting at $65.95 — but on Oahu’s legendary North Shore.
