Nantucket Island Surf School

Nantucket Island Surf School offers private lessons, group lessons, surfboard rentals, boogie board rentals, and wetsuit rentals. Private lessons include one-on-one instruction and, for a first lesson, all equipment plus instruction on the beach and in the water; later lessons are mostly in the water with little or no beach time. Advanced reservations are required for lessons.

Programs

• Private Lessons — for any level student · One-on-one instruction. Includes all equipment and on the beach and in the water instruction for a first lesson. Subsequent lessons are conducted mostly in the water with little or no beach time.
• Group Lessons

At a glance

• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Facility hours: May-October / Call for Hours

About the provider

Nantucket Island Surf School started in the summer of 1999. Owner and founder Gary “Kona” Kohner is certified in lifesaving and CPR, and all instructors have a minimum of five years surfing experience and are certified in CPR and first aid. The school says it has been teaching students to surf at Cisco Beach on Nantucket since 1999.

• Surfboard Rentals
• Boogie Board Rentals
• Wetsuit Rentals

Located at the Cisco Beach Parking Lot in Nantucket, MA. Private and group lessons are offered. Instructor to student ratio is no more than one to four, usually one to three, for beginner surfers.

What families say

“My son takes private lessons and couldn’t be happier. He began at 6 years of age and whenever we are on island, he looks forward to lessons with Gary and his gang of awesome instructors. I couldn’t be happier with the services provided. Give Nantucket Island Surf School a try!” — Alexandra Leighton

“The best surf school on the island IMO. Gary and his instructors are great for any ability level or age. They have rental surfboards and wetsuits. They will get you or your kids up and surfing” — Peter D.

“Gary and his crew are great. I recently showed up for an intro surfing lesson with 4 friends and we had a great time. The instruction was on point and the surfing instructors got all of us up surfing in the first hour. The instructors put a ton of effort into the lessons which made the afternoon and experience a complete success.” — Joe Thomas

Last updated September 2, 2026.