REVIEW · LANZAROTE
Lanzarote: Famara Beach Surfing Lesson for All Levels
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Red Star Surf · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Famara Beach is your fast track to standing up. I love how this surf lesson matches you with the right skill group, and I especially like the video feedback option for seeing what to fix. One catch: there’s no hotel pickup, so you’ll need to make your own way to the surf camp near the beach.
The vibe at Famara is hard to beat—sandy shoreline, ocean noise, and those dramatic cliffs watching you like they’re rooting for your takeoff. If you’re new, you’ll get the basics in plain steps (paddling, timing, popping up). If you’re already surfing, you’ll get coached on techniques that help you move smarter, not just harder.
You don’t need to be athletic, but you should go in ready to work your way through wipeouts. Wear the right gear, use sunscreen early, and plan on taking breaks when your arms start bargaining with you.
In This Review
- Key things I’d bank on
- Famara Beach: where your first wave makes sense
- Meeting at the surf camp and getting to the best spot
- The core of the lesson: paddling, standing, and building control
- 2 hours vs 4 hours: when video analysis helps you learn faster
- What’s included (and what it saves you from)
- The instructors: clear coaching makes the difference
- What to bring to Famara so you don’t lose time
- Who this surf lesson is best for
- Practical value: is $57 a good deal?
- Should you book this Famara surf lesson?
- FAQ
- How long is the surfing lesson?
- How much does it cost?
- Is this lesson for beginners?
- Will I get video analysis?
- Is surf equipment included?
- Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?
- Is food or drink included?
- What languages do the instructors speak?
- Is this activity suitable for children?
- Is medical insurance included?
Key things I’d bank on
- All levels grouped by ability so you’re not stuck waiting or rushing
- Pro instruction focused on the fundamentals: paddling and standing up
- Stunning Famara views from a sandy beach framed by cliffs
- 4-hour option includes video analysis and expert feedback
- Rental surf equipment included so you can travel light
- Medical insurance included for extra peace of mind
Famara Beach: where your first wave makes sense
Famara Beach is the kind of place that makes you want to stand up the moment you hear the water. You’re surfing in a wide sandy area with cliffs in view, and the water has that roar-and-pace feeling that makes the ocean feel real, not theoretical.
Why this matters for your lesson: surfing is timing and body positioning. When the beach is open and the environment is dramatic but readable, instructors can teach you clear cause-and-effect—what happens after you paddle, what happens when you turn your shoulders, and what changes when you commit to standing.
This is also a spot where you can notice progress quickly. Even if you don’t nail it right away, you’ll understand the rhythm of the waves much faster than if you were learning in a confusing setup.
Other Famara tours and surf experiences in Lanzarote
Meeting at the surf camp and getting to the best spot
You’ll meet at a surf camp by Famara Beach. The exact meeting point can vary depending on the option you book, and the activity ends back at the meeting point—so keep that in mind when you plan your day.
After you check in, you’ll transfer to the best surfing spot on the beach for your session. That’s a smart move: it saves time and helps instructors put each group in the right conditions for learning (rather than everyone wandering around the shoreline hoping for the best).
You’ll also get a short warm-up first. That matters because cold saltwater + sudden effort is a fast way to lose energy, and surfing needs you to stay relaxed and coordinated. Warm-up is where you get your body ready to paddle, turn, and pop up without feeling like a beginner flailing for points.
The core of the lesson: paddling, standing, and building control
The lesson is designed for all levels, but the structure is practical. You’ll be sorted into a group based on your skill level, then coached step-by-step.
If it’s your first day on a board, expect the basics in focus:
- how to paddle effectively
- how to position yourself for the right moment
- how to stand up and stabilize on the board
If you’re more experienced, you’re not just there to “get more waves.” Instructors demonstrate more advanced techniques for you to try out, and coaching is geared toward improving what you already know instead of starting over.
The best part is how the ocean becomes part of the teaching. You’ll feel the waves beneath you and the sea crashing around your board, but you’ll also get the logic behind what to do next. That combination—sensory experience plus coaching—turns guessing into skill.
2 hours vs 4 hours: when video analysis helps you learn faster
You can choose either a 2-hour or 4-hour session. If you pick 2 hours, you’re getting a focused lesson aimed at getting you moving on the board and understanding the basics.
The 4-hour class is where the learning gets extra concrete. You’ll get footage of you surfing recorded during the session, then you’ll analyze your technique at the end with feedback from the surf camp pros.
That video piece is valuable because surfing is hard to judge in real time. You might feel like you’re doing everything right, but your body position may be slightly off. Footage gives you something objective to work from—so your next attempt isn’t just another try, it’s a targeted adjustment.
If you’re serious about progressing, the 4-hour option is the best value play in the set. It turns your session into both practice and a feedback loop.
What’s included (and what it saves you from)
This experience includes the essentials:
- 2 or 4-hour surfing lesson
- professional instructors
- rental of all surfing equipment
- video analysis (for the 4-hour class)
- medical insurance
Equipment rental is a big deal here. It means you can show up without hunting for a board, leash, or wetsuit setup that fits your trip. It also means the surf camp is matching equipment to your level, which is what you want on a first lesson.
The medical insurance inclusion is also a quieter win. Surfing has wipeouts—sometimes spectacular ones—so having that coverage built into your booking reduces stress.
What’s not included is just as important:
- hotel pickup and drop-off
- food and drink
So you’ll want to plan a snack or full meal around your lesson time. Bring water if you’re prone to getting hangry after time in the sun (the lesson itself doesn’t list water or meals as part of it).
A few more Lanzarote tours and experiences worth a look
The instructors: clear coaching makes the difference
Instructors are a major reason this lesson gets such strong marks. Names that come up include Jerry, Gabo, Mariano, and the wider pro team. More than just being friendly, they’re described as teaching in a way that’s clear, supportive, and focused on results.
One great thing I’d look for in any surf lesson is whether you can understand what to do even if you’re not naturally “good” at balance. The coaching here is built for that. You’ll get help getting into the right position and learning how to stand with guidance, even when you start off feeling a bit hopeless.
If you want a lesson that feels structured, not chaotic, this setup is the right fit.
What to bring to Famara so you don’t lose time
Plan to bring:
- swimwear
- a towel
- sunscreen
- flip-flops
Keep it simple and functional. Sunscreen is non-negotiable with sun + reflective water. Flip-flops help you move around before and after without messing around with wet shoes.
Also, you’ll be in saltwater and sand, so think about comfort once you’re done. A towel and flip-flops mean you can warm up and reset quickly after your last attempts.
Who this surf lesson is best for
This is made for all levels, with grouping by skill so you’re learning at the right pace. That means:
- beginners can focus on paddling, takeoff, and standing up
- intermediate/advanced surfers can work on technique and try more complex ideas
It’s not suitable for children under 8, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments. If any of those apply, you’ll want to look for a different activity that matches your needs.
Best match:
- You want to learn surfing on Lanzarote without renting gear or figuring out logistics.
- You like structured instruction and feedback instead of “just go get waves.”
- You’re okay planning your own way to the meeting point near the beach.
Practical value: is $57 a good deal?
At $57 per person, you’re not just paying for time in the water. You’re paying for coaching, equipment rental, and—if you choose the 4-hour option—video analysis with professional feedback. That’s the kind of package that can feel like a bargain if you value learning over simply getting wet.
The value drops only if you need hotel pickup or you’re relying on food being included. Since pickup and meals aren’t part of the deal, you should treat this as a half-day surf activity where you handle your own start and fuel.
If you can get to the surf camp easily and you’re ready to work hard for a couple hours, $57 is a reasonable price for a real instruction-focused lesson.
Should you book this Famara surf lesson?
Book it if you want a clear path to standing up at Famara Beach, with instructors who teach in a way that fits your level. The big deciding factors are the group system and the option for video analysis—especially if you’re the type who learns best by seeing exactly what you did wrong.
Skip it if you need hotel pickup, you’re planning to travel with kids under 8, or you want an activity that’s compatible with pregnancy or mobility limitations based on the stated restrictions. Also skip if you hate sun exposure and don’t want to manage sunscreen and post-surf cleanup.
FAQ
How long is the surfing lesson?
It’s offered as either a 2-hour or a 4-hour session. Starting times depend on availability.
How much does it cost?
The price is $57 per person.
Is this lesson for beginners?
Yes. It’s designed for all levels, and beginners learn the fundamentals like paddling and standing up.
Will I get video analysis?
Video analysis is included for the 4-hour surfing class. You receive footage and can review your technique with expert feedback.
Is surf equipment included?
Yes. Rental of all surfing equipment is included.
Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
Is food or drink included?
No. Food and drink are not included.
What languages do the instructors speak?
The instructors speak English and Spanish.
Is this activity suitable for children?
It’s not suitable for children under 8 years old.
Is medical insurance included?
Yes. Medical insurance is included.
