Fun Surf Lessons & Tacos

The best part of this Cabo outing is that it turns a surf lesson into a full beach day. Max from Good Trips Baja drives you to a beginner-friendly beach, often Cerritos on the Pacific side, then teaches you how to paddle, catch a wave, stand, and stay in control. Afterward, you can relax under an umbrella and head for tacos.

I like the private format, since Max can work with a nervous first-timer, a family with children, or a mixed group with different skill levels. I also like the practical setup: boards, wetsuits, water, snacks, chairs, a cooler, and shade are supplied. The main drawback is the drive. Depending on the beach and season, you may spend 30 minutes to an hour each way in the van, and lunch is not included in the $180 price.

Quick points to know

• Cerritos is often the main surf stop: The beach is described as sandy, warm, and beginner-friendly, with room to swim, rest, and practice.
• Max teaches in the water: You get a beach safety briefing and sand practice before he helps you catch waves inside the break.
• The lesson lasts about 1.5 hours: You then have extra time to surf on your own or rest by the water.
• The day is private: Only your group participates, making it a good fit for couples and families.
• The taco stop is optional: Barracuda Cantina and other local spots have been used, but lunch costs extra and restaurant hours can change.
• The package is well supplied: Surfboards, wetsuits, bottled water, snacks, transport, chairs, a cooler, and umbrellas are included.

Why this works well for first-time surfers

Surfing can look simple from shore. Once you are holding a board in moving water, it is a different story. You need to know where to sit, how to paddle, when to turn, and how to pop up without losing the board.

This experience handles those first hurdles in the right order. Max begins with safety instructions and basic surf theory on the beach. You practice the movements on land before getting wet, including how to lie on the board, paddle, rise to your feet, and keep your balance.

That short sand lesson matters. You are not trying to remember everything while a wave rolls toward you. By the time you enter the water, you have already rehearsed the main motion.

The lesson is designed for beginners, but it also suits someone who has surfed once or twice and wants more help. Max can adjust the pace to the group. Parents and children can take turns, and stronger members of the group can continue practicing after the formal lesson ends.

I would keep your expectations realistic. You may stand on your first wave, as several guests have, but you may also spend much of the lesson falling off. That is normal. The value here is not a promise of instant surfing skill. It is having an instructor nearby who helps you choose manageable waves and gives you a safe way to learn.

The drive from Cabo to the Pacific side

Pickup begins at about 8:00 a.m. Hotel pickup and drop-off remove one of the usual annoyances of an active outing: finding an unfamiliar meeting point with boards and beach gear in tow.

The drive itself is part of the day. The route takes you away from the busy hotel zone and through coastal and inland scenery. Max also shares information about the area, towns, and natural features along the way.

The stated drive is about 30 minutes to the best beach for the season. Trips to Cerritos described by participants took roughly 45 minutes to an hour, so plan for a longer morning than the lesson time alone suggests. That is not a problem if you want a change of scene, but it is worth knowing before you book.

The private van or vehicle makes the trip easier for families. You do not need to carry surfboards, chairs, umbrellas, or a cooler yourself. Max handles the equipment and sets up your beach area after arrival.

Cerritos and other beginner-friendly beaches

The exact beach depends on conditions and the season. Cerritos is the most frequently described stop, and it is a strong choice for new surfers. It offers a sandy bottom, space to move, and waves suitable for learning when conditions are right.

Some outings have taken place at quieter beaches near La Fortuna or other Pacific-side locations. The point is not to visit one fixed beach every time. Max chooses a site that fits the weather, surf, and ability level of the group.

That flexibility helps the lesson. Surf conditions change, and the beach that looks perfect in a brochure may not be the best place for a first lesson on a particular morning. You benefit from having the instructor make that call.

The beaches also give non-surfers something to do. You can sit under the umbrella, swim where conditions allow, watch the lesson, or simply enjoy a less developed coastal setting. Families with mixed interests should find this more comfortable than an outing that keeps everyone in the water all day.

Bring sun protection and clothes that can get wet. The tour supplies shade, chairs, water, snacks, and wetsuits, but it does not list sunscreen or towels among the included items.

The 1.5-hour surf lesson

Once the chairs, cooler, and umbrella are set up, Max gives the group its safety talk. He explains how to handle the board, how to get through the inside waves, and how to avoid creating trouble for other surfers.

On the sand, you practice the basic pop-up. This is where Max’s individual attention becomes important. He can watch your stance, correct your foot position, and simplify the instructions if you are feeling overwhelmed.

In the water, he assists you as you catch your first waves. The teaching approach begins with support, then gives you more independence as you improve. You may start with Max helping position the board and push you into a wave. Later, you can paddle, choose a wave, and attempt the ride yourself.

That progression is especially useful for children and nervous adults. Several family outings included children as young as seven, while older first-timers also managed to get on their feet. The experience is not presented as a high-adrenaline surf session. It is a patient introduction with safety at the center.

The formal lesson lasts about 1.5 hours. This is enough time for instruction without making the day feel like a short activity squeezed between hotel plans. If you are still eager, you can use the board afterward and continue practicing. If you are tired, the beach setup is ready for a proper break.

What is included at the beach

The gear list is one of the strongest parts of the package. You receive a surfboard, wetsuit, bottled water, snacks, and an instructor. Max also brings beach chairs, a cooler, and umbrellas.

The soft boards used on some outings were about nine feet long. A larger soft board is forgiving for a beginner and easier to balance on than a small performance board. You will not be learning on advanced equipment that demands perfect technique.

Wetsuits are useful when the water feels cool or when you want to stay in longer. Conditions can vary, so having one available removes some guesswork. The snacks are also welcome because surfing works up an appetite quickly.

The beach chairs and shade change the feel of the day. You can rest between attempts without sitting directly on hot sand. If one person in your group does not want to surf, that person has a comfortable place to wait.

Some participants have used personal cameras or GoPros and had Max help with photos. That is not listed as a formal inclusion, so bring your own camera if you want pictures, and confirm any photo help directly before departure.

Tacos after the waves

After the lesson and extra beach time, you can stop for lunch. The taco portion is optional, and lunch is not included in the $180 price, so bring money or a payment method for the meal.

Barracuda Cantina near Cerritos has been a frequent choice. Fish, shrimp, tuna ceviche, vegetarian tacos, fresh juices, drinks, and casual outdoor seating have all been part of the experience at different times. The meal gives you a chance to sit down, dry off, and enjoy the local side of the outing instead of heading straight back to the hotel.

The taco stop is not guaranteed in exactly the same form every time. Restaurant schedules can change, and one outing could not include lunch because the shop was closed. I would treat the tacos as a welcome finish, not the main reason to book.

Still, the food adds real value. You are eating near the beach after a morning in the water, rather than returning to a hotel restaurant for a routine meal. Ask Max about the current lunch plan when you book, especially if your group has dietary needs or a strong preference for fish, shrimp, or vegetarian options.

Is $180 a good value?

At $180 per person, this is not the cheapest way to try surfing in Cabo. The price makes more sense when you add up what is included: private transportation, a private group, an instructor, boards, wetsuits, snacks, water, chairs, a cooler, umbrellas, and several hours away from the resort zone.

A private lesson also changes the value calculation. You are not sharing the instructor’s attention with a large class of strangers. Max can spend more time with the person who needs help and let the stronger surfer move ahead.

Families should compare the price with the cost of arranging transportation, renting equipment, paying for a separate lesson, and organizing a beach setup on their own. Couples may find the price harder to justify if they only want a brief introduction and do not care about the longer beach outing.

The included transport is particularly useful if you are staying in a large resort area or do not want to rent a car. The price does not include lunch, and the tour does not promise professional surf photos, so keep those extra costs in mind.

Who should book this Cabo outing?

This is best for first-time surfers, families with children, couples, and small groups that want an active day with plenty of support. It also works for a group where one person surfs better than the others, since the lesson can adjust to different abilities.

The private setup is a good match if your children need patience or if one member of the group feels uneasy in the ocean. Max has worked with families, teenagers, older beginners, and people taking their first surf lesson.

You should have a moderate level of fitness. Surfing requires paddling, getting on and off the board, balancing, and repeated attempts in shallow water. You do not need prior experience, but you should be comfortable with a physically active beach day.

This is less suitable if you want advanced reef breaks, a short activity close to your hotel, or a guaranteed restaurant meal. The surf location changes with conditions, and the drive can be lengthy.

Service animals are allowed. Confirmation normally arrives at booking, though a reservation made within 12 hours of departure is subject to availability. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather forces cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

My take: book it if you want a full day, not just a lesson

I would book this experience if you want to learn the basics of surfing and see a quieter side of the Cabo area. The combination of patient instruction, private transport, beach gear, and a casual taco stop makes the $180 easier to defend than a bare-bones surf class.

Book it especially if you are traveling with children, have mixed surf abilities, or want Max’s local help choosing a beach and planning the day. Just allow for the drive, budget extra for lunch, and remember that your first successful ride may be brief.

If all you want is a quick activity near the marina, choose something shorter. If you want a relaxed Pacific-side escape with a real chance to stand on a surfboard, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

What time does the experience start?

The stated start time is 8:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The full outing lasts about six hours. The formal surf lesson takes about 1.5 hours, followed by extra time to use the board or relax at the beach.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered, so you do not need to find a separate meeting point.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Are surfboards and wetsuits included?

Yes. Surfboards and wetsuits are included, along with an instructor, bottled water, snacks, private transportation, chairs, a cooler, and umbrellas.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price. The outing may stop at a local taco restaurant after surfing, but you pay for that meal separately.

Can beginners take part?

Yes. The experience is designed for first-time surfers as well as people who want to improve their skills. You should have a moderate level of physical fitness.