Moniz Family Surf

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Tony Moniz for the incredible surf lessons he provided to my wife and daughter at Moniz Family Surf. Being a surfer, I’ve only ever wanted one other person to teach my wife and daughter how to surf, and that’s surfing royalty Tony Moniz. What a great human being! Tony’s expertise and genuine aloha spirit made their introduction to surfing both enjoyable and memorable. His patient and encouraging teaching style ensured they felt confident and safe throughout the experience. By the end of the session, my 11 year old daughter was paddling and catching her own unbroken waves. We did the lesson with Tony on day 2 of our 2 week vacation in Hawaii, which meant for the rest of the 2 weeks my daughter was out there with me at Canoes, catching her own waves!! Such a dream come true for a Dad! It’s clear that Tony’s passion for surfing and dedication to sharing it with others is at the heart of Moniz Family Surf. We couldn’t have asked for a better instructor, and we’re grateful for the lasting memories he’s helped create. Also a big shout out to Daniel, the photo/videographer who captured all these special memories. A big Mahalo from down under!! 🤙🏾

Just do it! Did you sign up yet? I had no experience and I stood up my first wave. Micah is so patient and thoughtful. I would recommend them for ur first time, comfort and safety is what they do best. I’m so grateful I had such a kind native family teaching me the ways to ride :) I’m definitely a customer for life, can’t wait to do it again in the future.

Two years ago, I lived in Waikiki for 3 months. I learned how to surf with another instructor and caught the bug to keep going. I spent many hours on the water and renting boards each time. I felt like a fixture in Canoes. Each day I had a decent session catching good waves, enough to make me walk away with a huge grin on my face and leave me wanting more. Fast forward to a year later, I went to surf in other countries. Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Bali, Spain… I somehow forgot how to catch a wave. I kept forgetting not to look down. I kept getting thrown around the waves because I was paddling in the wrong part of the wave. I even joined a surf camp in Morocco to get my bearings straight. Nothing worked and my confidence was shot. Renting a board each time suddenly felt like a heavy weight on my wallet especially since I wasn’t catching any waves. I was essentially “taking a bath” in the water. I had just returned to Hawaii to visit a friend and while I was there, it was my mission to find an instructor to help me screw my head back on correctly. I found Moniz Family Surf. When I messaged Isaiah on WhatsApp, I received an immediate response. Thankfully I was visiting for two weeks because he was booked up for the next week and a half. The day before, he sent me a text to double check if I was still planning having the lesson. I sure was. I explained my situation and what I had been struggling with. He helped me prepare some of the things I felt less confident about before we hit the water. I had specific goals in mind but his first suggestion was to get me back to the point where I could catch a wave and stand up. Each time I paddled back, he gave me a new piece of advice to incorporate into my next wave. He encouraged me to take my time and celebrated my wins with me. A few days later, I went to another beach in Oahu and was able to catch waves on my own. Slowly but surely, I felt myself becoming who I once was - a girl with the biggest grin on my face. I want to send my biggest thanks to Isaiah and the Moniz Family Surf for creating such a safe, patient, and nurturing environment where judgement is not a word in their vocabulary. I wish I stayed longer so I could continue lessons with them for my journey into bigger waves. For those considering a surf lesson whether you’re on a brief vacation or staying a little longer, I understand that it may seem like a pricey activity to invest in but if you have even the slightest interest, I highly recommend you book here. You won’t regret it

If you visiting Waikiki or a local. You gotta check out the Moniz family Surf. The family is iconic. My daughter has been surfing with Uncle Micah going on 3 summers. She's ripping it! Looking for some surf lessons or to rent some boards. All ages must apply!

I had a private surfing lesson with Tony at Moniz Family Surf. He listened to my problems and gave me tips one by one. It was a great lesson where I could feel Tony teaching me with passion and sincerity for surfing. Moniz Family Surf instructors are trustworthy. I highly recommend them to others.~From Jenny

I must say that i tried so many places that tried to teach me how to surf but this place was the best! Give me a lot of knowledge, practicing and experience. They are amazing people that know how to treat and teach you everything. If you want to learn how to surf this is the place!

It doesn't get better than getting lessons from surf legends!!! I surf semi-regularly (once a week or two) in California but I hadn't had proper instruction in a long while and I booked two lessons with Isaiah during a trip to Waikiki and in that short time he dramatically improved my surfing. I just came back and went to my local break and had my best session ever there, thanks to stuff Isaiah taught me. And he's a real nice, chill guy too. Just book a lesson with the Moniz Family - they're the absolute best!

We did two lessons for my son. One with Tammy Moniz, and another with Micah. He loved both. Thank you Tammy Moniz for being his first surf instructor. He learned so much, and had a lot of fun, and wants to keep surfing.

Would rent boards from this wonderful family owned shop again and again. Tony provided great advice for getting my young kiddo who is just getting started with surfing. Importantly, the boards are not waterlogged and super heavy like the beach stands on the beach.

Im sure there are other good surf instructors in Waikiki but I'm always gonna go with the Moniz's. Liam was my son's instructor and he was great. Upon introductions he engaged in good conversation with my son and assessed his abilities. They went over the basics at the shop and headed for the beach. Before getting in the water Liam went over solid ocean safety rules. My son was up and surfing in no time. He caught a bunch of long rides. Liam worked with my son on going down the line and reading the waves. I paddled over to another surf spot of a better quality and they soon followed. My son caught his biggest wave to date and rode it all the way in. The lesson was perfect amount of time. Not too short and not too long. He had a blast. The Moniz's directed us to their surf canoe for the afternoon and that was equally as epic. Yew!

My sister and I had Kevin as our instructor on a Thursday morning and he was AMAZING. He was funny and kind and clearly knew surfing. This guy paddled out effortlessly and really communicated in the water clearly. He told us at the beginning of class that it was really flat and he would try his hardest to get us a wave and boy did he try his hardest and we got up on a couple! He was amazing at directing and towing you onto a wave. My sister and I felt completely safe under his care. If you're even a little nervous - trust Kevin. I was nervous I was going to suck at surfing and hate it but he really knows everything about Waikiki and how to maneuver through all the other people.

Isaiah was phenomenal. This is hands down one of the best surfing lessons to choose from. It's a little more pricy than you would pay with other ppl but you're paying for the patience and quality here. This past Saturday I selected another group lesson from a different company for a 2hr lesson but was not happy with the instructor. We didn't even get the full 2hrs we had paid for. Now today, Tuesday we decided to go with Isaiah based on the fact that the family are pro surfers and felt like they would know what they were doing, and boy was I glad we did. He took our 11yr old out and was super patient with him. I felt completely at ease not being in the water with them and knowing my son would be ok. Isaiah was so accommodating to even get us in at an 8am lesson time when they don't start until 9am. We will definitely be coming back and paying for a 2hr lesson next time we are here.

My daughter and I had a semi-private lesson with Micah last week. He got both of us standing up and riding the waves in to the shore, and we had a lot of fun in the process. We saw another place offering lessons at a higher price, so I don't know why anyone would go somewhere else. I definitely recommend Moniz Family Surf lessons.

Hawaii has so many blessings on the island, but one place that has become very special to me is Moniz Family Surf. For the past year, I have had a love/hate relationship with the ocean. My first time surfing since the pandemic, I left San Onofre bloody, bruised, frustrated, distressed and discouraged with my everything hurting. I was able to squeeze in a 9:00 am surf lesson last November before my friend's wedding with Isaiah Moniz with the intention of understanding the ocean, so I didn't fear it. Isaiah taught me about edict, showed me how to navigate the channels, and position myself properly within the line up, and slowly the negative emotions that I had associated with surfing began to fade and my mind began to quiet down when he reminded me to breathe. He showed me how to tuck into the ocean during a fall, and showed me how to stand slowly moving from left knee to right knee, eventually planting my dominant foot between my hands, curving my hips, and bringing my stance low with feet planted shoulder width apart. When he gave me a push into the ocean and said, "You got this," I was finally able to stand for the first time in over a year after getting tossed, held under water and getting pummeled wave after wave and thrown into rocks at Trails in California. He taught me how to read the waves and feel the ocean, and I accomplished more in that hour and a half than I had in an entire year. When learning a new craft as a beginner, your teacher matters. I think the best part of the lesson was observing his connection to the ocean- it was his playground. There was no stress, no chaos. The ocean merely reflected his goodness, tranquility, fun, and love for it all- that is what I needed to see. "You got this" was what I needed to hear. "Ha" breathing in the life of it all was what I needed to feel. I just needed to open my heart to the ocean, and in that moment the surf lesson became a life lesson- to position yourself to find a sense of peace among the chaos, and breathe in the mana. I left Moniz Family Surf captured by the ocean. Thank you Isaiah for sharing your love of the ocean with me. When choosing surf schools in Waikiki, Moniz Family Surf is the place to go for education and aloha spirit!

My son and I have surfed in Fiji, Costa Rica, and California and we can definitely say that Moniz Family surf is world class in their surf instruction. They make surfing in Waikiki safe and fun while providing the right amount of instruction and guidance based upon skill level. All the instructors at Moniz Family Surf are true professionals, but more importantly they treat you like family. Thank you Isaiah, Kevin, Liam, Loa, and Micah for an amazing two weeks of surfing. We will be back soon!

Our instructors were amazing and so nice. We had never been on surf boards before and felt very comfortable in the ocean with them guiding us! We booked a group lesson for the family and one private lesson for my youngest. We all successfully surfed, it was one of our most memorable experiences in Waikiki! Highly recommended and family friendly.

These guys are it! Incredible staff, location, instruction and gear. Liam and Uncle Kev were amazing. So fun I signed up for another lesson in a couple days. Can't wait!

If you're looking for a fun, safe, and successful surf session definitely check them out, and ask for Kevin! Kevin was a very patient instructor and so cool, he made my first surfing experience a great one that I'll never forget! Overall, 10/10 Also, if you're looking for footage of your surfing session ask for Tyg (hope I spelled this right), he did a great job capturing the moment!

My surf instructor Lao rips and is a great teacher. I would come again and have a lesson every day. 10/10 experience

Best place to rent a longboard, very friendly and laid back. To be honest, I didn't even check with other shops or outfitters. Don't rent from the guys on the beach. Moniz Family Surf is right next to the Billabong store and across the street from Waikiki Beach. They have good quality boards and for a good price. I'm pretty sure they give good lessons too. They have a lineage of good surfers. Support a local shop.

The coaches Micah and Isaiah are brothers from the famous surfer family who are patiently teaches the 100% beginners with their wisdom from their life long experience out there in the ocean. They identify and fix your problem quickly.

We were referred here from the beach rental place because this shop is open later, they also said they are cheaper than what the shop on the beach charges. I love businesses supporting other businesses. We stopped in and were greeted by a friendly lady that helped us rent a board. She asked a few questions such as have you surfed before and maybe a few other questions (I can't remember). Since my daughter only had one lesson she suggested we go with 2 hours because most new to surfing don't stay out very long. She said if we go longer no problem she'll make the adjustment when we return. To her surprise we came back 3 hours later. My daughter is an athlete so she has a high stamina. She would have stayed out longer but only came in because she was hungry. We paid the difference when returning the board and were on our way. I would recommend them and would rent from them the next time we are in town.

The BEST experience of our trip! My wife and I did a semi-private lesson with Micah Moniz; as a first time surfer I wasn't sure I was going to get the hang of it, but the gentle waves in Waikiki and Micah's great instruction made sure I got to stand up not once but many times! Micah is extremely experienced and knew exactly when to push us with the waves to get us as many chances to stand as possible. They also have a photographer and videographer to capture the moments that you get up on the board, which were amazing against the backdrop of Diamond Head and the blue waters of Waikiki. Even as it got crowded in the afternoon, Micah made sure we were safe and helped me learn how to steer to avoid others. The location is super close, right across from the Hyatt and across the street from Waikiki beach. Afterwards we looked up Micah's Instagram and saw how amazing he surfs and knew we just got a lesson from a real pro. Would do this again 10 times out of 10.

God bless this family for doing what they love best !! Mahalo for keeping our island traditions alive through teaching and perpetuating our Hawaiian culture.. So proud to see our Hawaiian people succeed .. It is apparent that Ke Akua has blessed you as you have blessed others . ) Through sharing your expert knowledge on how to respect and learn the ocean first, then, how to surf .. oh, and not to mention, you are a beautiful family too !!.. ) mahalo Moniz family for all you do )

We signed our 9 year old daughter up for a private lesson with Micah and it was a once in a life time experience!!!! (until we signed her up again for another lesson a few days later again with him because it was so awesome). We are from NJ, my daughter has some surfing experience but mainly from me pushing her into waves on a sand bar. In Waikiki it's much different since it's a combo reef / sand bottom - so you really need to know the best take off spots. Micah was great! He was cool with our daughter and knew exactly where to take her to catch the best waves. The people at the board rental / signing up for the lesson were super cool as well! We strongly recommend Moniz Family surf!

Just across street on the side of the Billabong store from the Waikiki beach where the Duke statue is located. Why I like this better than beachfront surfboard rentals. * Good aloha service and good local family business * accept credit cards (some beach front is cash only) * 10' 6", 11' & 12' soft tops that give you plenty of floatation for gentle Waikiki waves and won't ding. * the smaller the wave rent the biggest board. Seems counterintuitive but bigger floats better and easier to catch small waves. This is only place I found 12' wave catcher. * they include a Billabong rash shirt * they let you stash your flip flops and dry stuff while you surf * good value $25 for two hours and they aren't watching every minute * we didn't do lesson but listening to the guy set it up with someone else I suspect they would be very good One thing to be aware of. The soft tops can rash you more so than traditional board as they have slightly rough surface. They don't require wax. Rash shirt recommended. Also, if you get big boards like 11' as we did, two people to carry across street makes it much easier.

This was my first time surfing ever! I was extremely nervous and scared, but our instructor Micah made it simple and easy. He gave us great tips to get us to stand and to also keep ourselves safe! He was super patient and I was able to stand up after a few tries! Micah is a great instructor and gave us tips to help us succeed each time. They offer lessons in 1.5 hour sessions and are cheaper if you go as a group! I definitely recommend Moniz Family Surf if it's your first time and you want someone who is going to make you feel safe - especially if it's your first time!

They charge $209 for a private a lesson which is way over the market price. Don't go !!! Not trust and honest business store.

Best place in town to rent surfboards with a convenient location right across from the beach. Really awesome friendly staff with above average surfboard options for rentals. I always support the local friendly businesses that spread the aloha spirit. Best family business on island!

Better service & surf boards than other board rentals in the area. Worth the few extra dollars if you value quality experiences.

Slightly embarrassed to say we are local and have never taken the kids out to surf BUT I am so so happy and grateful that we were able to set up lessons at Moniz Family Surf with Micah! Micah was prompt and amazing with our group of kids ages 9-15. Each and every kid is still talking about all of the fun they had and the waves they caught with Micah by their side. (It is now 5 1/2 hours later and my 9 year old son is trying to convince me to buy him a surfboard after one lesson and all of the other kids are asking when we can go again ‍) I 100% recommend Moniz Family Surf for all of your surfing needs if you are visiting the islands or just locals like us who just want to try something new and not sure where to start. They even do really affordable board rentals! TY Micah, Tammy and the rest of the team for being so great! We cant wait to bring the kids in for their next lesson!

Tammy is such a great teacher! It was my first time surfing and I had so much fun riding out the wave. Tammy was patient and explained the steps really well. I highly recommend Moniz Family Surf!

Micah is the best surf instructor! I found Micah's profile on Yelp and checked out his Instagram page. My husband and I are here in Oahu for a month and decided to take surf lessons twice a week and see where we can get. We only took 1 group lesson 2 years ago and really had no expectations going into it. But now we're at week 3 and can catch a wave or two ourselves and can even walk a little on the long board. Super stoked abt the experience! Micah is super responsive and his instructions are so on point. He's super friendly to talk to and very patient with us :) If you're looking for an instructor who can help you improve progressively, definitely hit him up! His shop is really conveniently located at Billabong on Waikiki and they have small storage bins where you can put personal items in. There's also a drinking fountain to refill your water bottle and also a bathroom for students. He also has rash guards you can borrow as well. It's a perfect one-stop shop y'all!

By far the most professional, competent and friendly surf lessons in Waikiki. Our instructor, Brandon, brought my wife, two teenage daughters and me out and taught us with patience and enthusiasm! The girls are now hooked. I cannot recommend them more.

Wonderful, amazing! The instructor was great and very adaptable! I highly recommend this surf school and I will be seeing them again when I return :)

We came from Arizona looking for a patient, amazing surf school for our daughter who has special needs. This school went above a beyond and gave our family an amazing surf experience! Meika, our instructor, was the best! I'd you want to learn to surf in Waikiki, this is your place!

It was truly my first time surfing, after 3 failed attempts back in my hometown. My instructor Micah was super helpful, engaging, and awesome to be around!! He pushed me into the best waves, i wasnt afraid i was going to run anyone over (because you know its crowded out there) I stood up so many times and rode the waves to shore, truly an unforgettable experience! If youre looking for a great place to get a surf lesson, this is the place!! Thank you so much Moniz family, I might go buy a board now ;)

We came to Hawaii for our honey moon and the ocean view is amazing! Surfers everywhere - which gave my husband the courage to take some surf lessons! Moniz Family Surf was recommended to us by one of the staffs at our hotel. There are many other surfing school along the beach but Moniz really cater to their students. The class size is small and you must know how to swim! I had to sit out on this one because I can't swim however one of the staff members did offer swimming lessons for me! Wish I stayed longer :( my husband had a lot of fun surfing, states it was super tiring. They provide you with the surfboard and the shirt. Remember to wear your own swim trunks or bikini! They first teach you how to stand on the board and how to use your arms to paddle out. Then after 10-15 mins, you take a short walk to the beach and off you go...into the ocean!

Micah and Liam were awesome, super patient and knowledgeable, went with wife and 2 kids and we all stood up and had a ton of fun! Highly recommend if you are looking for a lesson.

It was a really awesome experience and the staff was extremely friendly. Rocko, who worked the front desk, was very helpful in setting up our lesson. We had never been surfing before but after lessons with our instructor Kevin we are happy to say: WE CAN SURF. Kevin was really cool and had patience with my partner and I. He never made us feel bad about being a pair of "out of towners," and provided us with positive feedback during the lessons. I recommend this place to anyone on vacation in Waikiki Beach looking for a good surf lesson. They also rent equipment if you already have experience surfing. What was really awesome was that they have partnerships with some photographers who work the water and we were able to get some awesome videos of our day in the water. 10/10 would recommend this place!

Excellent in every phase! Check in person was polite and informative. Instructor was great, and very patient. Helped critique for each and every wave, and assisted in which waves to catch and which to let pass. Convenient location!

Great family run company who took my three kiddos out and taught them to serve. Micah did a great job teaching them before getting out on the water and then they had a blast surfing.

I was hesitant on surfing but I gave it a try for my 31st birthday and I am so glad I did! Micah was the best instructor I could have asked for! I had never surfed before and with his great instructions and help I caught the very first wave plus many more after that! I had the best time and even rented a board the next day to try it again on my own! I fell in love with surfing and can't wait to keep practicing it! Thank you Micah and Moniz Family surf for being so awesome definitely recommend and will definitely be back next time I'm in Waikiki!

Affordable board rentals. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Location was prime (inside of the retail store) across the street from the beach (Duke statue)

Booked a session for the entire family in August 2021. Leading up to the session, Tammy and Vanya were really helpful in determining the best format to book. My wife, oldest daughter, and I went with Micah and my younger son and daughter went with Kevin. They walked us through some basics beforehand and got us comfortable on the board and then took us on an easy paddle out to a spot where we caught wave after wave. It's clear that all the local surfers and surf groups have a lot of respect for the Moniz family and we had a great spot to ourselves. Both instructors were extremely positive and fun, and it ended up being one of the best family bonding experiences that we've ever had. Thank you so much for everything!

My son and daughter took surfing lessons at Moniz Family Surf. We felt very honored and privileged to have had this opportunity. The Moniz family has extensive experience in surfing and the Moniz children are professional level surfers with impressive sponsorships. The family is very respected in the surfing/local community. Every interaction we had with the family was extremely positive. Tony (owner) was great in accommodating us and fitting us in the schedule at the last minute. Isaiah, his son, provided an amazing lessons and an incredible memorable experience. We couldn't have asked for more. My kids cannot wait to come back. If you're looking for top-quality instruction and great service/care, highly recommend going to the Moniz Family. They are located just across Waikiki beach at the Billabong store where they'll make sure to fit you with the right board and equipment.

If you're on O'ahu and want to learn how to surf or rent a board, I highly recommend Moniz Family Surf! Right next to the beach located in Waikiki, I had the best first time experience. Our surf instructor, Micah, taught us the fundamentals on a sample board inside the storefront and once we felt confident enough, he grabbed us some boards and walked us over to the ocean where the fun began. He was really patient with my friend and I and walked us through what to do in the water. I felt 100% safe and had so much fun. I wish I had a picture of my smile surfing that first wave. Amazing experience.

Amazing experience taking a lesson with the Moniz family. Uncle Tony is a legend and made it so easy to surf for our first time. We had a blast. Highly recommend!

Took my girlfriend out to surf for the first time, our surf instructor Micah was incredibly patient and helpful. Even though she panics in the water, Micah helped her all the way to getting one full run standing on her own. Thank you so much!

Went for lessons with my family and we had an amazing time. Prices were fair and the time allotted was more than enough for five of us to be exhausted. Micah was extremely helpful and we were able to schedule our appointment a day in advanced. We all had a wonderful time

Truly appreciated the time and patience Micah and Tony showed our family during our surf lesson. I grew up surfing on the east coast and never had any good opportunities to teach my kids & wife to surf; I wanted the ideal setting. This experience was everything and more. Micah is a skilled instructor and started with basic instruction at the store, then we moved across the street to the beach. The boards are stable and safe and literally ride themselves. The whole family caught numerous waves using their instructions and valuable tips after each attempt. I've had a surf lesson in California years ago and Micah's approach was significantly better. I also appreciated the great conversation while sitting on our boards waiting for the waves to come in. The aloha spirit and passion for surfing is in their family blood and you can hear it when you interact with Micah. It was truly an honor and an experience to surf and learn with the Moniz Family.

Loved my experience with Moniz family. We went out with a small group of 5 including the instructor and myself so I was able to get sufficient one on one time. Our instructor really knows his stuff and was encouraging over the hour and half we were out in the water. I didn't feel like a pro at the end but I feel capable enough to rent a board and continue practicing on my own. I would consider renting from their shop or participating in another lesson in the future. Don't forget to bring a towel like I did, I had to wait to dry off before I could get into a car to take me back to where I was staying.

Isaiah was amazing! He is so good at Sharing his time for a group lesson. Scott the manager is incredible. They made my son and I feel like locals and ensured we were taken care of throughout our stay:)

I took my first ever surfing lesson with Moniz on my last day in Hawaii, and it was one of the highlights of my trip. I walked into the shop last minute looking for a private surfing lesson that afternoon. Knowing it was my last day there, they accommodated me even though they were already completely booked. My instructor was very friendly and knowledgeable. He guided me through step by step, and I was able to stand up within the first few rides. I'd highly recommend them to anyone who's looking for an excellent surfing experience.

HAD SO MUCH fun today! Micah was a super fun/ great and patient instructor. just so amazed that our friend who literally had no swimming experience and was able to stand up in the board on her first try! also he was knowledgeable where the safest breaks were!!! we recommend this surfing team especially if you have no surfing experience at all!!

Well known Moniz family / surfers - Micah was awesome! He took me out for a private and literally guided and surfed the waves with me - not sure how he did it but we rode the waves together and he offered a hand/shoulder to help me balance as needed. From the start - he put me at ease, great spirit + talent + guide .. the perfect teacher. You will be in great hands - Thank you Micah!

My daughter and I spent a couple days surfing with Micah. He is friendly, patient , incredibly knowledgable and works with lots of beginners. What he doesn't tell you is that he is a world class waterman and surfing runs in his blood. He is a very humble local boy who likes to share the love of surfing. He is a legend.