Jamie O'Brien Surf Experience - North Shore — Attraction in Hawaii

We recently took our son (18) and daughter (19)—both former surfers from Puerto Rico who’ve been living in Florida—to Oahu for a family vacation, and signing up for the Jamie O’Brien Surf School at Turtle Bay couldn’t have been a better decision. From the moment we arrived, the entire experience felt like home: Hawaii’s warm, welcoming vibe reminded us so much of Puerto Rico that it was hard to believe we were on the other side of the Pacific.

First Impressions Pulling up to Turtle Bay, we were greeted by Jamie’s crew with genuine Aloha spirit. Our kids hadn’t carved waves together in a while, so we weren’t sure how they’d adapt to Oahu’s legendary breaks—but from the first paddle out, it was clear that Jamie’s instruction really unlocked something special. The instructors tailored everything to the kids’ previous experience, helping them quickly dial in on Turtle Bay’s unique currents and wave patterns.

Meeting Jamie O’Brien As a longtime fan, I was absolutely thrilled to learn that Jamie himself would be on the beach. He spent time chatting with us about watching him compete at the Masters and reminiscing over his early videos. That personal connection made a huge difference—our kids felt like they weren’t just students in a lesson, but part of a community that shares a deep respect for the ocean. Jamie’s passion for surfing and his dedication to teaching was evident in every word he shared.

Instruction & Progression Within our first hour, both of our kids were confidently dropping into waves they never thought they could conquer. Jamie’s crew excels at breaking down every component—pop-ups, wave selection, trim, and stance—with patience and clear demonstrations. They made sure our son and daughter understood how to read sets at Turtle Bay, how to time their takeoff, and how to position their boards for maximum speed. By the end of the day, they were catching clean rides all the way to the sandy shore. Watching their faces light up as they rode wave after wave was priceless.

Atmosphere & Community What truly set this surf school apart was the welcoming atmosphere. Jamie and his team treat every surfer—from complete beginners to advanced riders—with equal respect. There was a genuine sense of camaraderie among the group: high-fives on the beach, tips shared between surfers in the lineup, and encouragement to push beyond comfort zones. That positive energy flowed from Jamie himself down to the newest kid on a soft-top.

Memories That Will Last Our time with the Jamie O’Brien Surf School at Turtle Bay was nothing short of magical. It wasn’t just a lesson—it was an immersion into Hawaiian surf culture, a bridge between our Puerto Rican roots and this incredible island, and a bonding experience for our family. Our kids have gone home with not only stronger surfing skills, but a renewed sense of passion for the ocean. We created memories on those waves that will stay with us forever.

Final Recommendation If you find yourself on Oahu, do yourself (and your family) a favor—stop by Jamie O’Brien’s Surf School at Turtle Bay. Whether you’re a seasoned surfer looking to refine your technique or a family eager to experience Hawaiian waves for the first time, Jamie and his crew deliver beyond expectations. We can say without hesitation: 200 percent recommended.

Mahalo nui loa to Jamie, his entire team, and the spirit of aloha that made our vacation truly the best we’ve ever had. Our hearts (and surfboards) will always...

While staying at Turtle Bay Resort my 8 year old son decided he was up for a surfing lesson. He’s not the best ocean swimmer yet and tends to be nervous, so I had my doubts, but he absolutely LOVED the experience.

This was a five star experience from start to finish. It was easy to schedule the lesson and when we arrived at the shop, everyone was so warm and encouraging to my son. His teacher was a young guy named Kaleo who was born on the island and was so chill that my son reported that Kaleo “understood” him and allayed his fears.

Since we visited in late November I worried that the North Shore surf would be waaaaay too big for our little grom, but we were transported via golf cart to a nice cove (surrounded by trees and full of giant sea turtles) that had waves perfect for beginning surfers of all ages.

I was stoked that we (parents) got to go too and were dropped at a perfect viewing spot to watch our kiddo in the water while still giving him the freedom to focus on Kaleo’s lesson without us distracting him.

Kaleo could not have been more chill or kind. He suggested that our son share a board with him, saying, “that’s how we all learned” so there was no shame.

Seeing the joy on our son’s face while he caught wave after wave with Kaleo was the highlight of my trip. We opted in for the photo package (which I highly recommend) and will treasure the photos forever. I was impressed by how high quality they were thanks to Cheyne our photographer. We got them via Dropbox in just a few hours.

At the end of the lesson, my son was eager to book another. So, today we were back for round two and this time he had his own board and the calm, kind instruction of Hunter who was gentle and encouraging every step of the way and even after a little wipeout, our little guy was ready for more and improved with each ride. We’re so glad photogs Matt and Chiara captured it on film for us again, because it was super fun for me to just enjoy watching my kid bond with the ocean.

There were a few adults and teens doing lessons as well and each had their own instructor and got to move at their own pace.

It’s a really well run operation —friendly and professional. We felt super safe and comfortable every step of the way.

I wanted to send a big thank you to everyone at Jamie O’Brien SE for helping our kid have a blast while he gained confidence in the ocean. We’ll see...

I would like to share my feedback regarding the surf experience I recently participated in. I chose to invest in this project because I have admired their work for a long time and had high expectations of improving my surfing skills. Additionally, this was a significant investment, not only financially but also because it required me to travel to the other side of the world.

One key point I’d like to mention is that during the registration process, I was asked about my surfing level, and I made it clear that I am not a beginner. However, the experience provided felt more tailored to someone new to surfing, which did not align with my goals of technical improvement.

Moreover, the ocean conditions during the sessions were quite weak, with very few waves and extremely shallow water, increasing the risk of falling onto coral. The day before the session, we visited the location to check the conditions and were told they were good. However, I believe it’s important to clarify what kind of experience those conditions were considered suitable for. In my case, as someone aiming for progression and a more advanced challenge, the choice of location and conditions was far from ideal. I left feeling quite disappointed, as I had hoped the experience would take into account participants' stated goals and skill levels, providing the best possible conditions to support those objectives.

I believe that aligning participants' expectations with the experience offered, while ensuring the conditions are well-suited to their skill level and goals, could greatly enhance the quality and impact of...