Photo by Surfing Byron Bay
Sign up for surf school in Byron Bay, the coolest beach town in Australia.
Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia, is an ideal destination for newbie surfers. Surrounded by ocean and outstanding waves, Byron’s all-year-round warm climate and exceptionally friendly locals make learning to surf safe, comfortable and fun.
Despite the town’s thriving tourism industry, laws preventing over-development have helped Byron Bay maintain its breathtaking natural beauty. The locals are all extremely environmentally aware, and locally made environmentally friendly and organic produce are abundant.
Orientation
photo by Angie Takanami
Getting to Byron is very easy from either Brisbane International Airport or the Gold Coast’s Coolangatta Domestic Airport. From either airport Byron-bound shuttle buses take you right into the town center.
Finding a place to stay in Byron is equally easy. There are many backpacker’s resorts, motels, hotels and apartments available.
Remember that Byron Bay is a popular destination, so it’s always important to book in advance. Most of the accommodation is conveniently located adjacent to the main street, which is close to the beaches.
For those who want a little bit more privacy, there is also a wide range of accommodation available just out of town, among the shrubs and along the beaches.
Surf School
Byron Bay offers a range of surf breaks for all levels and conditions. Surf lessons with a registered school are the best way to get to know the basics of catching a wave.
photo by Angie Takanami
For expert coaching and unparalleled friendliness, Surfing Byron Bay is my top recommendation.
You don’t need any equipment; wetsuits/rash vests and beginner’s surfboards are all provided. Just take a big smile and you will have the time of your life!
Surfing Byron Bay boasts a wide range of learn-to-surf programs, from half day, full day, 2, 3 and 5-day programs, private lessons, women’s only lessons, group lessons, kids lessons, surf safaris and even ongoing private or small group coaching. All lessons are conducted by expert coaches in safe environments.
The school’s office is located right in the middle of town, next to the bus stop on Johnson Street. Coaches take you to the beach in one of the school’s vans.
You learn how to surf, but will also learn a lot about water safety, rips and currents, so that once your lessons are over you’ll be well qualified to get out and catch some waves on your own!
Surfing is by no means an easy sport, but by starting off with expert instruction in one of the world’s most pristine beach towns, you will be catching waves in no time. Soon you’ll find yourself planning all your future journeys to surf destinations.
Nightlife
By night, all the Byron Bay locals gather at the pubs and bars to knock back a few pints and chat about the day’s surf conditions. I encourage you to get to know the locals, and the best way to do so is to go out and drink with them!
As for food, you can find everything from organic wood oven pizza to sushi, kebabs and Thai food.
Other Activities
There are a lot of other adventure sport offerings in Byron, such as scuba diving off Julian Rocks, kayaking with dolphins, whale watching, and even skydiving over the cape. Tours can be booked at one of the many travel agents along Johnson Street.
I also suggest a day trip out to the stoner paradise village of Nimbin to blow your mind at the Marijuana Museum, or get captured on live web-cam at the hemp bar, where beer is not allowed
Enjoy the Waves!
Byron Bay is truly one of Australia’s most special places. When I have time off, it’s the first place I think of for a surfing vacation.
For further information regarding surf lessons with Surfing Byron Bay, visit their website or feel free to contact me for more details.
Community Connection!
There are a lot of surfers in the Matador lineup.
Rhys is a native Australian who knows some good waves in Vietnam. Surfergrl lists Australia as her top favorite place.
HawaiiBren can point you to the Top 10 South Shore Spots For Surfer Chicks, and over at the traveler’s notebook the inimitable Spencer Klein shares the Top 10 Surf Spots (For Mortals) In Hawaii.
Also check out whereisbowdo?’s definitive list of the top 10 beaches in Australia.
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15 Comments... join the discussion!
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Dude that bottom picture is killing me. Tight little pitching barrel and nobody even close to being in position. Get me out there!
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Ha ha, yeah nice little barrel hey! We'd been surfing all morning just to the other side of Main Beach, at a better little pitching shallow right hander called THE WRECK! So the only thing on my mind when i took that photo was getting food into my stomach and then getting back out there for the arvo sesh!
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Ha ha, yeah nice little barrel hey! We’d been surfing all morning just to the other side of Main Beach, at a better little pitching shallow right hander called THE WRECK! So the only thing on my mind when i took that photo was getting food into my stomach and then getting back out there for the arvo sesh!
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Another great surf school in Byron Bay is called Mojo Surf! They offer surf lessons in Byron Bay as well as other surf camps along the East Coast of Australia. The best part is that you can sign up in Byron or Sydney and they will drive you up or down the coast to stay, eat and learn to surf at their own surf camps in remote locations. They got all the gear and are really cool. It is a great way to meet other travelers, see the country side and surf! Look for Mojo Snow too. They will set you up with transport, lodging, gear and lift tickets. Mojo Surf and Snow information can be found in most hostels and on line at mojosurf.com. Check 'em out! You won't be bummed. Aloha.
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Another great surf school in Byron Bay is called Mojo Surf! They offer surf lessons in Byron Bay as well as other surf camps along the East Coast of Australia. The best part is that you can sign up in Byron or Sydney and they will drive you up or down the coast to stay, eat and learn to surf at their own surf camps in remote locations. They got all the gear and are really cool. It is a great way to meet other travelers, see the country side and surf! Look for Mojo Snow too. They will set you up with transport, lodging, gear and lift tickets. Mojo Surf and Snow information can be found in most hostels and on line at mojosurf.com. Check ‘em out! You won’t be bummed. Aloha.
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Byron Bay has had the most consistant swell this year, all breaks are working and lots of new surfers taking on the life style of surfing. Come and visit me at Surfing Byron Bay – school of surfing we are a licensed operator in Byron Bay and a Surfing Australia surf school, so we can take you surfing on Byron Beaches. My mate and surfing instructor buddy, Greg, can speak Japanese too and is local to Byron Bay and Lennox Head, Travel Safe and come surfing with us.
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Byron Bay has had the most consistant swell this year, all breaks are working and lots of new surfers taking on the life style of surfing. Come and visit me at Surfing Byron Bay – school of surfing we are a licensed operator in Byron Bay and a Surfing Australia surf school, so we can take you surfing on Byron Beaches. My mate and surfing instructor buddy, Greg, can speak Japanese too and is local to Byron Bay and Lennox Head, Travel Safe and come surfing with us.
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Hey, thanks for the tip Punchy! Thanks to you too, Serena, for checking out the guide – enjoy the waves.
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Hey, thanks for the tip Punchy! Thanks to you too, Serena, for checking out the guide – enjoy the waves.
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Learn to Surf in Byron Bay is a must. It has the easiest & safest waves at Clarkes Beach & along Belongil Beach. There are 4 great surfing schools that have access to these great waves. "Style Surfing School", run by me, Gaz, as well as "Surfing Byron Bay", who will get you out surfing with Serena & the Lads. "Black Dog Surfing", This is run by a great guy, Deano. As well as "Byron Bay Surf School", with Jamie at the helm, will get you up & surfing. These 4 schools are the only Surfing Schools that are licenced to surf in Byron Bay. Please note that Mojo surf & Kool Kats have to drive out of Byron Shire for at least 30 mins or 20 kms, as they are not licenced to surf the great waves of Byron Bay. Surf the Bay…dont go far far far away………….
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It’s easy to be confused about which surf school to sign up with because there are so many to choose from. But for your money and the guarantee you get with it, you can’t go past Kool Katz.
Kool Katz is owned and operated by Byron Bay’s original and best surf tour operator, Terry Hannon. Terry opened Byron Bay’s first surf school in 1993 and has been teaching on the beaches daily for the past 17 years. No other surf school or surf school owner has had near that coaching experience.
Terry and his team deliver a world exclusive suring guarantee: “Stand and ride a wave for 40 metres or your money back!” No other surf school comes close to providing a similar guantee.
Kool Katz takes you on a 4 hour lesson which includes a 20 minute scenic drive south. We see that as a positive. We take you well beyond the busy bustle of Byron’s crowded beaches. We take you to some of the best learning waves on the east coast of Australia. One such location is Shaw’s Bay in Ballina. This location is situated in a protected inlet and therefore is very safe and clean on a big swell. Kool Katz is also very privileged to hold a licence for the world famous beaches at Lennox Head, now a nationally declared surfing reserve and only 1 of 4 national surfing reserves in NSW.
Kool katz is also $49 for a 4 hour lesson including a scenic drive, pristine and uncrowded beaches, all your equipment and our world eclsuive surifng guarantee: “Stand and ride a wave for 40 metres or your money back!”
Most other surf schools in Byron charge $65 without the 40 metre stand up and surf guarantee and without the scenic tour.↵
