REVIEW · LANZAROTE
Lanzarote Surfing Session
Book on Viator →Operated by School3S Surf Sup y Soul · Bookable on Viator
Famara is the kind of place that makes learning to surf feel possible. What I like most is the in-water instruction style and the focus on getting you onto waves quickly at Famara Beach. The one thing to keep in mind is that pickup can sometimes run a bit slow, so being ready and patient helps.
You start with a short theory and warm-up, then you practice while your instructor stays close for safety and corrections. I also like that you leave with videos of the day (weather permitting) and that the day runs in small groups, so you’re not just standing around waiting your turn.
In This Review
- Key Highlights You’ll Want to Know
- Surfing at Famara: Why Lanzarote’s North Coast Works for Beginners
- Price and Value: What $60.34 Buys You in 2.5 Hours
- From Puerto del Carmen to the Beach: Pickup, Timing, and What You’ll Do First
- Theory, Warm-up, and the First Waves: The Coaching Style That Helps
- In-Water Instructors and Safety: The Real Difference on the Water
- Your GoPro Moment, Snacks, and Break Time
- How the Session Ends: Tired, Happy, and Back on Track
- Price Includes More Than Gear: The Often-Forgotten Extras
- What to Expect in a Mixed Group (Kids and Adults)
- Who This Lanzarote Surf Lesson Is Best For
- What to Bring and Wear for All-Weather Surf Lessons
- Should You Book School3S Surf Sup y Soul at Famara?
- FAQ
- Where does the surfing take place?
- How long is the Lanzarote surfing session?
- Is hotel pickup included?
- Do I need surfing experience?
- Are the instructors in the water with you?
- What media do I get from the session?
- What happens during the lesson?
- What if I get too tired to continue?
- What’s the lesson like in bad weather?
- Who is this best for?
Key Highlights You’ll Want to Know

- Famara Beach on Lanzarote’s north coast is the playground for your first real attempts
- Certified instructors stay in the water and coach you while you’re actually surfing
- No experience needed, and you’ll still get structured pushes for that first wave
- Photos and videos are captured with GoPro when conditions allow
- Short break, then more practice, with water and suggestions before you head back
Surfing at Famara: Why Lanzarote’s North Coast Works for Beginners

Lanzarote’s north coast, especially the Famara area, is a classic setting for beginner-friendly surfing because you’re surfing a real spot with consistent conditions. For a first lesson, that matters. You want waves you can approach without feeling like you’re fighting chaos from minute one.
The lesson is built around progress you can feel fast. You’re not thrown into the deep end of trial and error. Instead, you get a structured start: a bit of theory, time to warm up, and then guided practice where the instructor can correct what you’re doing while you’re in the process.
Also, the session format helps you learn without turning into a group spectacle. You’re working in a small setting with a close instructor presence, which keeps the focus on your turns, your timing, and your confidence.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Lanzarote.
Price and Value: What $60.34 Buys You in 2.5 Hours

At $60.34 per person for about 2 hours 30 minutes, you’re paying for more than “someone giving you a board.” You’re paying for coached time, equipment use, safety coverage, and media capture.
Here’s what makes the value feel real:
- Pickup and drop-off from selected Puerto del Carmen hotels (so you’re not negotiating bus routes with gear)
- Certified instructors in the water, which is usually the part you can’t fake with a quick beach briefing
- Full insurance coverage during the activity, which takes some stress out of the equation
- Videos of the day when weather allows, plus a day plan that includes snacks and water
If you’ve ever done a casual lesson where you spend most of the time waiting, this one is designed to avoid that. The teaching approach pushes you to take your first waves, but still keeps an eye on safety. For beginners, that balance is often the difference between a fun day and a frustrating one.
From Puerto del Carmen to the Beach: Pickup, Timing, and What You’ll Do First

Most days start with hotel pickup in Puerto del Carmen from selected hotels, then you head toward Famara. The drive is about half an hour. In practice, that means you’ll spend less time thinking about logistics and more time thinking about your stance and your first attempts.
A couple of practical notes matter:
- Pickup sometimes runs a little late, so it helps to be ready and patient at the start time.
- If you’re staying outside the pickup zone, you’ll likely get a meeting point closer to the pickup area rather than a door-to-door trip.
Once you arrive, the lesson doesn’t waste energy. You go down to the beach with the material, and then you start with the basics: a bit of theory to give you a roadmap, followed by a warm-up so your body is ready before you start paddling.
Theory, Warm-up, and the First Waves: The Coaching Style That Helps

This lesson follows a clear flow:
1) Theory first, so you understand what you’re trying to do
2) Warm-up, so you’re not guessing with cold muscles
3) Practice time, guided by your instructor in the water
The theory isn’t meant to be a long lecture. It’s there to set you up for the real goal: getting on the board, catching a wave safely, and understanding the basics of control and balance.
Then comes the warm-up. That’s important because surfing punishes bad timing. If you’re stiff or uncertain with your paddling and stance, you’ll spend the whole session falling or losing energy. Warm-up helps you use your time better once the waves show up.
When you move into practice, the coaching style becomes the heart of the experience. Your instructor stays attentive, close to each person, and encourages you to try those first waves. For many first-timers, that push—paired with safety guidance—makes the difference.
In-Water Instructors and Safety: The Real Difference on the Water

I love this part because it’s where most beginner lessons either shine or fall flat. Here, you get certified instructors who stay in the water with you. That means corrections happen in real time while you’re learning, not after the fact from shore.
It also changes how safe you feel. Your instructor can respond quickly if a wave knocks you off, if you’re struggling with positioning, or if you need help with the board. You’re not left figuring everything out solo.
The instructor also acts like a guide for learning pace. You’ll be pushed to take your first waves, but in a way that’s meant to build skill, not just adrenaline. That close coaching is exactly why this setup works for people who have never surfed before.
And yes, it’s not just about safety. It’s also about learning efficiency. When someone is close enough to notice your paddling rhythm or stance, you correct faster. You spend less time repeating the same mistake.
Your GoPro Moment, Snacks, and Break Time

Part of the fun is proof you did it. Your instructor captures photos and videos with a GoPro setup, so you can actually review your attempts later. The key detail: videos are provided when weather conditions permit, so don’t plan your day around guaranteed perfect media.
You’ll also get small comforts that keep energy up. After the main practice block, there’s a short break—about 10 minutes (not an hour-long reset). You’ll get water, and the team can offer more suggestions based on what you’ve been doing.
Snacks are included, and a review specifically mentioned things like bananas alongside the usual bottled water and gear. That’s practical. When you’re paddling and balancing all day, a quick snack helps you stay steady instead of crashing halfway through.
Then you head back into the water for more attempts until the time is up.
How the Session Ends: Tired, Happy, and Back on Track

When time runs out, you don’t just rush away mid-effort. Sometimes the session ends a bit earlier if people are getting very tired, and you’re asked whether you want to continue or stop. That matters because beginner fatigue can turn safety risk into a bad day quickly.
After you agree on what to do, there’s a smooth wrap-up:
- You help collect the material
- You return to the van
- You change
- Then you head back toward the meeting point in about half an hour
The whole cycle is designed so you end the day with energy left for the rest of your vacation—not wiped out and stuck figuring out how to get home.
Price Includes More Than Gear: The Often-Forgotten Extras

A surf lesson can look cheap, but the hidden costs show up fast: transport, insurance, gear, water, and instruction quality. This one includes the essentials that actually reduce friction.
From what’s included, the best “real vacation” value comes from:
- Small groups for personalized attention
- Bottled water and snacks
- Full insurance coverage during the activity
- Constant support and guidance
You also get friendly customer service and dedicated support before and after your lesson. One detail I like from the experiences shared by others: instructors and coordinators (including Paolo, Diego, and Andrea in past experiences) are described as proactive and hands-on—especially with things like wet suit sizing and pickup location checks.
That kind of communication helps you feel less like a number and more like a person who’s about to learn something new.
What to Expect in a Mixed Group (Kids and Adults)
This is a good lesson for mixed groups because it’s not purely a “watch me surf” demo. It’s structured coaching. In one experience, the instructor worked with kids around ages 7 and 9 and helped them stand up on the board, even when language needs differed. That suggests the coaching method is practical and adaptable.
For families, the key advantage is that kids aren’t stuck waiting too long. You go through theory, warm-up, and practice with enough active time to feel progress. Adults get the same attention—just with adult-level coaching for balance, paddling, and wave timing.
Who This Lanzarote Surf Lesson Is Best For
You’ll get the most out of this if:
- You’re a complete beginner and want structured teaching
- You want an instructor who is close enough to correct what you’re doing
- You care about safety and coverage, not just the thrill of standing up
It’s also a good match if you’re traveling with kids who want a real chance to catch waves under supervision. The lesson is designed to work with mixed abilities rather than requiring advanced skill.
If you’re someone who hates being managed at all, there may still be some coaching direction. But the goal here is not micromanagement. Reviews point to lots of time to try it yourself with guidance nearby, which is usually the sweet spot for first-timers.
What to Bring and Wear for All-Weather Surf Lessons
The activity runs in all weather conditions, which is great for avoiding disappointment. It also means you should dress for the day’s reality, not the forecast optimism. The lesson says you should dress appropriately, and you’ll be working in and around water.
You’ll likely use supplied gear (like wetsuits and boards), but wear what lets you move comfortably and stay warm. If you have sensitive skin, consider what you typically do for wetsuits.
And because you’re changing afterward, bring a small towel or plan on using what the facility provides.
Should You Book School3S Surf Sup y Soul at Famara?
If your goal is to learn surfing without chaos, I think this is a smart pick. The biggest reasons are practical: in-water certified instructors, a clear beginner-friendly structure, and included extras that make the day feel complete (water, snacks, insurance, and media capture when possible).
Book it if:
- You’re new to surfing
- You want close coaching rather than a shore-only lesson
- You value safety and smooth logistics from Puerto del Carmen
Think twice if:
- You’re very sensitive to schedule slippage, since pickup can run a little slow sometimes
- You specifically need guaranteed video delivery regardless of conditions, since media depends on weather
Overall, this feels like good value for a focused, coached day at Famara. You’ll come away tired in the best way, with a better sense of what to do next time.
FAQ
Where does the surfing take place?
The surfing session takes place at Famara Beach on Lanzarote’s North Coast.
How long is the Lanzarote surfing session?
The activity lasts about 2 hours 30 minutes.
Is hotel pickup included?
Pickup is offered from selected Puerto del Carmen hotels. If you’re farther away, you may be given a nearby meeting point.
Do I need surfing experience?
No experience is necessary. It’s suitable for first-time surfers.
Are the instructors in the water with you?
Yes. The lesson includes certified instructors who stay in the water with you.
What media do I get from the session?
You get videos of the day (when weather conditions permit). Photos and videos are captured using a GoPro setup.
What happens during the lesson?
You start with a short theory session, then warm up, and then do guided practice in the water. There’s also a short break with water and suggestions if needed.
What if I get too tired to continue?
The session may end earlier if you’re very tired. You’ll be asked whether you want to continue or stop.
What’s the lesson like in bad weather?
The activity operates in all weather conditions. Dress appropriately for the day.
Who is this best for?
It works well for people who want beginner instruction, including mixed groups of adults and kids. Small groups help keep attention personal.
If you want, tell me your hotel area in Lanzarote (and whether you’re traveling with kids). I can help you sanity-check whether the pickup setup will be smooth for your exact route.






















