Surfing Lessons and Surf Rentals in Tofino

Tofino's favourite surf school and rental company. Surfboard, Paddleboard, Wetsuit and Bike rentals plus all your beach needs at two locations in Tofino. Find us year round at Hotel Zed or May to September at Mackenzie Beach Resort.

Learn to Surf in Tofino

Join the best Surf Lesson in Tofino. Group surfing or private surfing lessons are available to book online.

Surf Lessons
Tofino surfboard rental

Rent Boards, Bikes and Gear

Surfboard, paddleboard, wetsuit, and bike rentals available. Book online or come by any of our two locations.

Tofino Surf Rentals

A passion for experiential learning

Emre Bosut, owner of Swell Tofino, is passionate about sharing his love for learning and the ocean. It's surfing that led Emre to Tofino, and his passion for lifelong experiential learning is the backbone of Swell Tofino, creating a friendly and positive environment for everyone to share a love of outdoor learning and stoke for playing and learning from the ocean.

2024 Rip Curl Nationals surfing competition

2024 Rip Curl Nationals Are Coming To Tofino

What is the Surf Canada Nationals comp? Rip Curl Nationals is a surfing competition, part of the CANAM Open series, where women and men compete over a 3 day period in official ISA (International Surfing Association) age categories and disciplines.   Where & When? April 19-21, 2024 at Cox Bay, Tofino BC   How it […]
Swell Tofino
Swell Tofino
5.0
Based on 191 reviews
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Derek HoDerek Ho
03:19 01 Mar 24
Appreciated the wide selection of hardtop and softop boards that were in good shape!
geri Lefaivegeri Lefaive
19:44 15 Feb 24
Had an amazing lesson with Ali and the weather was incredible. Aron at the shop was super helpful with getting us set up with our wet suits. Larger size selection would be nice. Otherwise it was an experience to forever brag and laugh about.
Grace LorigGrace Lorig
23:06 13 Feb 24
These guys were amazing! I took a private lesson and had very specific things I wanted to focus on. They made an effort to understand where I was in my surf journey, acknowledged where I wanted to grow and tailored my lesson with the appropriate instructor, approach, and boards to try out! I 100% came off the water a more skilled and confident surfer. Thanks, Swell!
Cassidy ChanCassidy Chan
06:56 11 Feb 24
I took one group lesson from Swell. We ended up going to Cox beach. My instructor was very helpful and explained all the safety of the beach and waves. Then throughout the lesson gave tips and tricks to help catch the waves. Super fun, I would 100% do it again.Came back Feb 2024 and it was amazing. This time I came with my partner. It was his first time surfing. Aaron was our instructor for our group lesson, it ended up being only us so we got a private lesson. He was great and allowed us to really learn and let us know if we were doing something wrong. Highly recommend this place.
Victoria GerelukVictoria Gereluk
18:55 07 Feb 24
Was really nervous about getting on a surfboard and hitting the waves, but my instructor really made me feel at ease and I had such a fun time out!! Every time I fell I laughed and felt empowered to get back on and try it again. So glad I had this experience. Can't wait to get out surfing again!!
Case OrionCase Orion
17:13 09 Jan 24
Such an awesome surfing experience! I'm a complete beginner and I was scared expecting the water to be freezing cold, but the wetsuits really do keep you warm in the water. Felt like wearing a superhero suit. Our instructor Ali was super cool. He guided us, starting with an acknowledgment of tribal land, safety & mindfulness tips for the ocean, and then taught us the "banana-cobra-chicken wing" technique for surfing waves. Very fun lesson.Then we got to get in the water and surf the next hour and half, which involved steady waves, plenty camera worthy wipe outs, low tides & high spirits. Ali was always there to give personalized tips, and by the end I successfully rode a few waves! Surfing in Tofino was definitely the highlight of my family's New Years Canada trip. I promise you'll have a blast no matter what level of surfer you are.Thank you Ali & Swell Tofino!
Mony MandelMony Mandel
22:42 21 Aug 23
We signed up our 14 year old son for lessons via Hotel Zed during our stay in Tofino. Danny was an excellent instructor and an overall great guy. By the time the session was done, my son was progressing very quickly and had an amazing time surfing at Cox Bay Beach. Would 100% recommend Swell for surfing lessons. The staff was stellar, as well.
Mia ŠimičákováMia Šimičáková
03:37 05 Jul 23
We came to Tofino to get a great surf lesson, and Swell definitely delivered. As a group of beginners we were guided by amazing instructors. We had a good introduction first on the shore, to get familiar with the moves and board and then they guided us to the shallow water. Instructors were helping us with tips and we all managed to ride the waves. We had a lot of fun and we definitely recommend Swell, if you want to rent a surf or get a lesson. We are coming back for more in the summer!
Carrie MacDonaldCarrie MacDonald
21:19 26 Jan 23
I'm a nervous newbie surfer who opted for a winter lesson and I am so glad I went for it! Randy was an incredible instructor - he took the time to explain everything thoroughly and helped ease any worries we might have. I felt safe, supported, and after a few waves I even built up some confidence! Thanks for a great experience 🤙
Arianne DicksonArianne Dickson
17:48 05 Aug 22
Fabulous experience! We booked a few weeks in advance and the day off was super cold wet and rainy even in late July and we were actually really dreading going. Once we got in the water we were SHOCKED how warm the wet suit keeps you! It was actually warmer in the water than sitting on the sand. A ton of fun, there was only 4 in our group so we got lots of 1 on 1 with the instructor and overall we were so happy we went!
Mark GreatrixMark Greatrix
00:24 01 Aug 22
This was my first time out in the waves and the staff and instructors were amazing! Very good equipment, training lessons and in water guidance made this a wonderful experience! Hotel Zed provides a relaxing after surf experience with a great Roaring coffee shop.
Haley RobinsonHaley Robinson
20:39 01 May 22
Amazing service from all the staff we met at Swell this past week.Easy gear rental (lots of sizes and options for wet suits, surf boards, and any accessory you could need), friendly staff, quick process. We were assisted by a lovely employee from Brazil and he was fantastic (wish I had his name to recognize more publically).I was able to find a size 16 women's wet suit (often not available) that they let me takehome to try on. I played in the waves with a body board and had a blast while my partner and his friend surfed with gear from them as well.Will absolutely recommend this shop to anyone looking to rent in the Tofino area!
Nestor KnellwolfNestor Knellwolf
02:39 01 Feb 22
First time on a surf ever, and that was truly a blast!! Thanks again very much to Felipe who did make us feel less stupid as we were real beginners, really nice experience with a great teacher!Great value for the price!!
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