TYDAL SURF CO TYDAL SURF CO.

Ranked on the facts

Best surf schools in Byron Bay, ranked

We list 12 surf schools in Byron Bay. On 18 October 2026 we checked every one of their websites and ranked the 8 that teach surfing and publish facts we could check. Nobody can pay to move up this list.

  1. 1 Soul Surf School 9 out of 10

    Lesson prices (from $89), kids lessons for ages 7 to 12, private lessons, a 1:6 coach ratio, board and wetsuit included, a named licence or accreditation and running since 2009, all from its own site.

    Sources
    • Prices published: Kids group lessons: 1 lesson $89, 2 lessons $170, 5 lessons $375 source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Kids lessons with ages: Kids lessons for ages 7 to 12 source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Private lessons: Private lessons offered source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Group size or coach ratio (public lessons): Group lessons ratio "1 instructor to 7 surfers as a maximum"; kids 1:6 source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Board and wetsuit included: Kids group lesson: "All equipment provided" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Named licence or accreditation stated by the school: "All of our instructors are upper level qualified ASI/ISA surf coaches" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • 5+ years operating: "AWARD WINNING SURF LESSONS SINCE 2009" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.

  2. =2 Blackdog Surf School Byron Bay 6 out of 10

    Lesson prices (from $89), private lessons, board and wetsuit included, a named licence or accreditation and running since 2001, but no group size on its site.

    Sources
    • Prices published: Group lesson $89 for 1 day (3 hours); 2 days $170; 3 days $225 source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Private lessons: Private lessons from $190 for 2 hours source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Board and wetsuit included: "we provide all the specialist equipment that is required, including a wet suit" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Named licence or accreditation stated by the school: States it is "one of a few privileged schools licensed to teach on the beautiful beaches of Byron Bay"; instructors "fully qualified lifeguards" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • 5+ years operating: "Blackdog Surfing, est 2001" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.

  3. =2 Byron Bay Surf School 6 out of 10

    Lesson prices (from $89), kids lessons for ages 11 to 17, private lessons, a named licence or accreditation and running since 1994, but no group size on its site.

    Sources
    • Prices published: Group lesson $89 (2.5 hours); 3 day package $215; private $190 for 1 person source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Kids lessons with ages: School holiday surf camps "ideally suited for kids between the ages of 11-17" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Private lessons: Private tuition: 1 person $190, 2 people $280, 3 people $370 source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Named licence or accreditation stated by the school: "one of the few surf schools licensed to teach on the local Byron Bay beaches"; "accredited surf coaches" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • 5+ years operating: "Since 1994, Jayme and his team of coaches have taught..." source , checked 18 Oct 2026.

  4. =2 Kool Katz Surf School 6 out of 10

    Lesson prices (from $49), private lessons, groups of up to 20 and a named licence or accreditation, all from its own site.

    Sources
    • Prices published: Group lessons $49 per person; private of 3 $180, of 4 $230, of 5 $280 source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Private lessons: "we are the private lesson specialist" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Group size or coach ratio (public lessons): "group surf lessons of up to 20 people" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Named licence or accreditation stated by the school: Lessons "inside our licensed area of Ballina NSW"; "accredited surf instructors" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.

  5. =2 Lets Go Surfing Byron Bay 6 out of 10

    Kids lessons for ages 7 to 16, privates, groups of six per instructor, gear included and 10+ years running, but no lesson prices or named accreditation on its site.

    Sources
    • Kids lessons with ages: "dedicated kids' program for children from 7 to 16 years" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Private lessons: Byron family private lessons source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Group size or coach ratio (public lessons): "six people in one group with an instructor for Byron Bay" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Board and wetsuit included: "Our lesson price includes everything you need; wetsuit, surfboard, rash-vest and sunscreen" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • 5+ years operating: "Byron Bay's longest-running surf school has been part of the Lets Go Surfing family for over 10 years" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.

  6. =2 Mojosurf Surf School Byron Bay 6 out of 10

    Lesson prices (from $79), private lessons, board and wetsuit included, a named licence or accreditation and running since 1998, but no group size on its site.

    Sources
    • Prices published: Byron Bay lessons from A$79 per person; private surf lessons from A$330 source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Private lessons: Private surf lessons from Byron Bay source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Board and wetsuit included: "Equipment is provided for your lessons on every option" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Named licence or accreditation stated by the school: "ASI accredited" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • 5+ years operating: "since 1998" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.

  7. 7 Style Surfing Byron Bay 5 out of 10

    Lesson prices (from $90), private lessons, board and wetsuit included and running since 1999, but no group size or named accreditation on its site.

    Sources
    • Prices published: $90 per person for a 3 hour small group session; $300 private for 2 hours source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Private lessons: $300 private for 2 hours source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Board and wetsuit included: "Surfboards, Wetsuits, Rash Shirts, Sunscreen & Wax included" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • 5+ years operating: "Family Owned & Operated since 1999" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.

  8. 8 Rusty Miller Surf 2 out of 10

    Private lessons and board and wetsuit included, but no lesson prices, group size or named accreditation on its site.

    Sources
    • Private lessons: Personalised lessons for individuals and families, 1.5 to 2 hours source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
    • Board and wetsuit included: "Provide all surfing equipment (boards, wetsuits, wax etc.)" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.

How we ranked these

Each fact below is worth the points shown. A point scores only when the business's own website publishes it.

  • Prices published: 2
  • Kids lessons with ages: 1
  • Private lessons: 1
  • Group size or coach ratio (public lessons): 2
  • Board and wetsuit included: 1
  • Named licence or accreditation stated by the school: 1
  • 5+ years operating: 1

Only public lesson group sizes count. Ratios that only apply to school groups or camps are not scored.

We only give 1 of the 2 points, for a licence or body the school names, until we've confirmed it with the issuing body. Vague claims like "qualified instructors" score 0.

Active listings in this town and category are eligible. A listing is out if it is flagged, or if its own site shows it does not teach surfing. Duplicates are merged.

Equal scores share a rank, shown as =2. Within a shared rank we list businesses alphabetically.

Facts checked 18 October 2026 from each business's own website.

Businesses can't pay to change their position. Premium listings appear only in the Featured section, which is separate from this ranking.

Chain stores are ranked on the same facts and labelled Chain store. They're never Featured.

See a mistake? Tell us on the help page.

All surf schools in Byron Bay · Surf Schools in New South Wales