Lanzarote Surfing Session

REVIEW · LANZAROTE

Lanzarote Surfing Session

  • 5.064 reviews
  • 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
  • From $60.34
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Operated by School3S Surf Sup y Soul · Bookable on Viator

Traveller rating 5.0 (64)Duration2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)Price from$60.34Operated bySchool3S Surf Sup y SoulBook viaViator

Learning to surf feels instantly possible here.

This Lanzarote session is built around in-water coaching at Famara Beach, with instructors who stay close for safety and push you to catch your first real waves. I also like the GoPro-style photos/videos of your session when the weather allows, so you leave with proof (and not just sore calves). A fair consideration: pickup can take a bit longer than expected, so you’ll want patience and to be ready on time.

You’ll start with a short transfer from Puerto del Carmen to Famara (about 30 minutes), then move into theory on the sand, warm up, and practice while your instructor guides you one step at a time. The lesson time is flexible enough that it can end earlier if you’re feeling worn out, and you can choose to continue or stop when the group agrees.

This is a solid choice if you’re doing Lanzarote for the north-coast surf vibe, but you don’t want a chaotic, self-guided experience. Most people can participate, and the vibe stays friendly and structured, not rushed.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

Lanzarote Surfing Session - Key Things to Know Before You Go

  • Famara Beach, North Coast focus: You’ll ride where the wind-and-wave conditions on Lanzarote’s north side make surf learning practical.
  • Instructor stays in the water: This is the big difference—real-time coaching and safety close by.
  • Theory + warmup + lots of waves: You get the basics, then you get back on the board fast.
  • Small-group attention: The session is set up so the coach can correct you and watch you without losing the whole group.
  • Photos/videos included when weather permits: You’ll get footage from the day if conditions allow.
  • You can stop early if needed: If you’re tired, you won’t be forced to grind through.

Famara Beach Surfing: What This Lesson Is Really Like

Famara has that classic north-coast feel: dramatic coast lines, wind in the air, and waves that can be both thrilling and intimidating if you’re brand-new. That’s exactly why this format works. You’re not just dropped off with a board and a vague instruction to have fun. The lesson structure is built to get you from zero to moving around on the water as safely and quickly as possible.

The headline here is certified instructors who stay in the water with you. For a beginner, that changes everything. If you’re unsure where to go, how to position yourself, or what to do when the wave hits, help isn’t a shout from the beach. It’s right there—close enough to keep you safe and close enough to coach your first attempts.

You also get someone actively encouraging you to take the first waves. That matters more than people think. Surf lessons fail when they turn into too much waiting and not enough trying. This one keeps you moving, with guidance that’s meant to help you learn as much as possible within the time you have.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Lanzarote.

Price and Value: Why $60.34 Can Make Sense

Lanzarote Surfing Session - Price and Value: Why $60.34 Can Make Sense

At around $60.34 per person for roughly 2 hours 30 minutes, the value comes from what’s included and how the time is used. You’re paying for instruction (not just a board rental), and the coaching model is the expensive part: an instructor in the water for hands-on guidance and safety.

Included elements that typically add cost elsewhere:

  • Puerto del Carmen hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels)
  • bottled water and snacks
  • videos of the day when weather allows
  • full insurance coverage during the activity
  • small groups for more personal attention

In plain terms: if you’ve ever paid for a surf rental and spent most of your time watching other people catch waves, you’ll appreciate the difference here. This isn’t that. It’s closer to paying for a guided learning session where you still get enough time on the board to matter.

One practical note: transportation is included only for some areas. If you’re staying farther from Puerto del Carmen, you’ll likely get a meeting point closer to the school. That’s normal for Lanzarote, and it’s worth checking when you book so your start time doesn’t surprise you.

From Pickup to Sand Theory: How the 2.5 Hours Unfold

Lanzarote Surfing Session - From Pickup to Sand Theory: How the 2.5 Hours Unfold

Your day has a calm rhythm, not a chaotic rush. Typically, you’re picked up from your hotel in Puerto del Carmen (selected hotels) and taken to Famara in about 30 minutes. When you arrive, you’ll head down to the beach with your surf material and start with short theory.

That theory phase matters even if you’re eager to paddle right away. You’ll get the basics you actually need for the next stage:

  • how to handle your body position
  • how to time your attempts
  • safety reminders before you go into the water

Then comes warmup. You’ll do preparation on the beach and in that “getting your legs under you” way that helps you avoid the classic beginner mistake: going too hard too soon and burning out in the first 10 minutes.

After that, you move into the main practice time with your instructor close in the water. They stay attentive to safety, guide you through your first real wave attempts, and encourage you to try—especially at the moments when you want to hesitate.

Break timing: there’s a short break—about 10 minutes or so—for water and quick suggestions if needed. One detail I really like: it’s not a huge break. You don’t spend half the session waiting around.

When the activity time is up (sometimes earlier if people get very tired), you’ll agree as a group whether to continue or stop. Then you help collect the material, return to the van, change, and get ready to head back. Roughly another 30 minutes later, you’re back.

The Lesson Structure: Warmup, First Waves, and Real Safety

Lanzarote Surfing Session - The Lesson Structure: Warmup, First Waves, and Real Safety

If you’re picturing a surf lesson that feels like a test, relax. The goal is skill-building you can feel in real time.

Here’s how the coaching typically works on the ground:

  1. Instructor-led setup and reminders: You’ll get the practical basics first, before you go into the action.
  2. Warmup: short prep so you can paddle and pop up without immediately feeling wrecked.
  3. In-water coaching: your instructor stays close and watches each attempt.
  4. Encouragement and corrections: they nudge you forward and guide your technique so you learn as much as possible during the time.

The biggest safety advantage is that your instructor is not only watching from shore. They’re in the water, so they can respond quickly and keep you safe around the wave zone. For beginners, that reduces the panic factor. You can focus on what your body is doing instead of constantly worrying you’re doing everything wrong.

There’s also flexibility built in. If you’re exhausted, you can stop when the group agrees. That’s not a cop-out; it’s smart. Surfing requires energy and balance, and a tired beginner can struggle more. Ending earlier often means you go home feeling proud and happy instead of completely drained.

What You’ll Get: Equipment, Snacks, and GoPro Footage

Lanzarote Surfing Session - What You’ll Get: Equipment, Snacks, and GoPro Footage

This is one of those lessons where the included details prevent small annoyances.

You’ll have access to the surf gear needed for the session. One review mentioned wetsuits and surfboards directly, along with bottled water and snacks like bananas. Even if you don’t care about the snack part, it helps you stay focused instead of hungry halfway through learning.

You also get videos of the day when weather permits. That’s a key detail for anyone learning for the first time. You’ll be able to see what you did—what worked, what didn’t, and what to try next time. It turns the session into something you can improve from.

Some groups also reported getting photos and videos sent through WhatsApp. That’s not something I’d treat as guaranteed for every single weather setup, but it matches the overall idea: you leave with digital reminders of what you learned.

Small-group format also matters. When it’s not packed, you get more attention and less waiting for your turn. You’ll still share the space at Famara, but you’re less likely to feel like you’re just part of a number.

Timing and Logistics: Pickup Delays, Meeting Points, and Getting There

Lanzarote Surfing Session - Timing and Logistics: Pickup Delays, Meeting Points, and Getting There

Let’s talk reality, because Lanzarote lessons start and stop on local timing.

Your start point is listed at C. la Graciosa, 5, 35510 Tías (Las Palmas, Spain), and the activity ends back there. If you’re in the Puerto del Carmen area and your hotel is in the pickup list, you may get hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Important practical detail: pickup sometimes runs slow. If the van is delayed a little, be patient and be punctual anyway. That simple attitude makes the whole experience smoother, because you’re not arriving stressed, scanning the street for the van, and starting the lesson already frazzled.

If you’re farther from Puerto del Carmen, transportation is still included during the surf day time, but you might be directed to a meeting point closer to the provider. This is common on Lanzarote, where traffic and road distances can vary a lot.

Also note: the experience operates in all weather conditions. Dress appropriately—wind and sea spray can change how warm you feel fast.

Who Should Book This Surf Session (and Who Might Want to Rethink)

Lanzarote Surfing Session - Who Should Book This Surf Session (and Who Might Want to Rethink)

This is aimed at beginners. No experience is necessary, and the structure is built around first-timers learning how to handle waves safely and effectively. If you’re traveling with kids, this can work too—one family with kids aged 7 and 9 reported their instructors helped them get up on the board.

You’ll also like it if you want a clear plan. Some surf schools feel like a long waiting game. Here, you get theory, warmup, lots of practice, a short break, and then back to the van while you’re still smiling.

Who might rethink it:

  • If you’re showing signs of fever or flu, it’s not recommended.
  • If you’re expecting a super-long beach hangout, this is a lesson-focused experience, not a picnic.

Language-wise, the lesson is offered in English, and most travelers can participate.

Quick Notes on Instructors and Group Style

Lanzarote Surfing Session - Quick Notes on Instructors and Group Style

The lesson quality comes down to coaching style, and the reviews highlight the friendly, upbeat energy from instructors. Names that came up include Paolo, Diego, and Andrea—and the common thread was encouragement plus hands-on guidance.

One useful takeaway for you: instructors appear to adjust their approach to different ages and abilities. If you’re a true first-timer, that matters. If you’re not, you’ll still get value from corrections and safety guidance.

Practical Packing Tips for Lanzarote Surfing

Because the activity operates in all weather conditions, your job is to prepare for wind and fast temperature swings.

Bring or plan for:

  • a warm change of clothes for after (you’ll want to dry off quickly)
  • swimwear under layers you can manage fast
  • something you’re comfortable getting wet in
  • patience, if you’re waiting on pickup

Also, keep hydration in mind. Bottled water is included, and there’s a short break for water, but you’ll still sweat more than you expect the first time you paddle and pop up.

Should You Book School3S Surf Sup y Soul at Famara?

If your goal is learning to surf without guesswork, I think this is a smart booking. The big reasons are simple:

  • in-water instruction for beginner-level safety and progress
  • a structured 2.5-hour flow with theory, warmup, practice, and a short break
  • small-group attention, which makes coaching feel personal
  • videos of the day when weather allows, plus snacks and water

You might skip or delay if you hate the idea of wind-driven weather changes, or if pickup delays would seriously stress you out. But if you’re flexible, ready to try, and want coaching that’s actually present in the water, this lesson is built for you.

FAQ

Where do the surfing sessions start and end?

The activity starts at C. la Graciosa, 5, 35510 Tías, Las Palmas, Spain and ends back at the meeting point.

Do they pick me up from my hotel?

Pickup is offered from selected hotels in Puerto del Carmen. If you’re farther away, you may be given a meeting point closer to the provider.

How long is the Lanzarote surfing session?

It runs for about 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.).

Do I need any surfing experience?

No experience is necessary. It’s suitable for first-time surfers.

Are the instructors in the water with you?

Yes. Certified instructors stay in the water with you, providing safety attention and guidance.

Do I get photos or videos from the day?

Yes, you get videos of the day when weather conditions permit.

What’s included besides surfing instruction?

Bottled water, snacks, and full insurance coverage during the activity are included, along with constant support and guidance. Small groups are used for more personalized attention.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. After that window, the amount paid is not refunded.

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