Who are the surf lessons at Happy Surfing Okinawa designed for?

Our surf school specializes in beginners, early learners, first-timers, families, and longboard cruisers. Kids and children are very welcome—when booking, please let us know their ages and swimming experience so our coaches can prepare custom kid-friendly gear and tailored ocean safety supervision.

How long is a surf lesson and what is the schedule?

Lessons include approximately 2 hours of dedicated in-water coaching (longer if swell conditions and guest stamina align). We provide a brief arrival orientation and gear fitting at the surf house, with the majority of instruction delivered real-time in the water.

Where do surf lessons take place in Okinawa?

When wave and tide conditions are active in Yomitan, lessons take place right at the beach steps from our surf house. If local conditions are flat or windy, mobile roundtrip transportation is included to the day's best wave spots across Okinawa (from a 40-minute drive up to 2 hours for scenic northern Yanbaru coast trips).

Are surf lessons safe over Okinawa's coral reefs?

Yes. Safety is our #1 priority. We time all lessons with safe high tides, provide protective reef booties (at no extra charge), and guide you step-by-step in and out of the water with former World Tour pro Danny Melhado and certified coaches.

What accommodation is available at the Happy Surfing Okinawa Guesthouse?

Our main beachfront surf house features 2 private rooms with double occupancy (max 4 guests total) steps from Toya beach. We also arrange stays at our sister guesthouse located directly next door for overflow, families, couples, and non-surfing companions.

Okinawa Surfing with Happy Surfing Okinawa

Learn to surf in Okinawa

Q: What languages are surf lessons conducted in? Can Japanese guests join?

Lessons are taught in English, and every coach is also very skilled and fluent in Japanese (日本語でのレッスンも大歓迎です). Japanese guests, international visitors, and bilingual families will feel completely comfortable and supported in the water.

English-speaking surf school & beachfront guesthouse in Yomitan.

Let's Surf

Coached by Danny Melhado

Our founder and head instructor is a former ASP/WSL World Tour Surfer, East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame inductee, and US National Surf Team Member with decades of coaching experience. We focus on early learners, beginners, and families—keeping you safe, confident, and smiling in Okinawa's warm subtropical waters.

Learn more about our instructors

What our customers say

Please check out our reviews on Google Maps. We proudly maintain a 4.9-star rating with over 100 verified reviews.

"We had an absolutely fantastic day surfing with Happy Surfing Okinawa. They provide really great instruction and took us to the best local spot for some great waves."

— Michelle Khare

"Great house to stay at in Okinawa whether you're surfing or not. Super chill vibes, feels like home, very relaxed, super clean and has everything you need for a surf. Will definitely be back."

— Amy Yu

"Beautiful adventure!!! Not only are they super down to earth but great wealth of local knowledge to make your stay as fun and exciting as possible! Go check it out you won’t be disappointed!!"

— Brandon Bunn

Beachfront Guesthouse

Come visit beautiful Yomitan, Okinawa. Surf and stay next to a quiet white sand beach with 2 private rooms, plus our sister guesthouse next door for extra guests and non-surfers.

Located at 431-3 Toya, Yomitan, Nakagami, Okinawa 904-0305.

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Swell & Tides

Okinawa's reefs change constantly with wind and tides. Established in 2009, we have over a decade of local knowledge finding the best waves daily.

Reef Coaching

Okinawa is world-famous for crystal-clear coral reefs. We teach you how to navigate reef breaks safely while protecting ocean ecosystems.

Safety & Fun

Your safety is our top priority. We provide reef booties, custom beginner boards, and in-water coaching so you can catch waves with total peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common questions about surfing, equipment, safety, and lodging with us.

Audience & Kids

Who are the surf lessons designed for?

Our school focuses on beginners, early learners, first-timers, and families. Okinawa's wave setup is ideal for relaxed, enjoyable longboard cruising in warm water. Children are very welcome! When booking, please let us know your kids' ages and swimming experience so we can have appropriate gear and dedicated coaching support ready.

Duration & Format

How long is each lesson and what is the schedule?

In-water coaching time is typically around 2 hours (longer if wave conditions and your energy permit). You'll arrive at the surf house for a light introduction and equipment fitting, and then the majority of coaching takes place directly with your instructor in the ocean.

Location & Transport

Where do we surf? Is transport included?

When conditions are working in Yomitan, we surf right at the beach in front of our house! If local waves are inactive or windy, we provide roundtrip transport to the best waves on the island—from a 40-minute drive up to 2-hour scenic trips to northern breaks (e.g. Yanbaru).

Gear & Safety

What equipment is provided? Do I need reef booties?

We provide premium surfboards matched to your size, wetsuits or rashguards, and protective reef booties. Reef booties are essential for walking across Okinawa's coral reef safely and are included with every lesson at no extra cost.

Accommodation

What are the guesthouse accommodations like?

Our main house has two private double rooms accommodating up to 4 guests total in a peaceful beach setting. We also partner with our sister guesthouse directly next door to accommodate overflow, families, and non-surfing companions.

Languages

What languages are lessons conducted in? Can Japanese guests join?

Lessons are primarily taught in English, and each of our surf coaches is also very skilled and fluent in Japanese (日本語でのレッスンも大歓迎です). Japanese guests, international visitors, and bilingual families will feel completely comfortable and supported.

DAILY WAVE WATCH

Check out our daily photo blog showing current surfing conditions and new surfers catching waves.

Read the Report