La Union
Surf lessons in La Union: school rates
Photo: Emman Asuncion Foronda, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
San Juan’s Urbiztondo Beach is where La Union’s surf schools cluster, and most of them price the same handful of things: a lesson with an instructor, a board by the hour or the day, and other water gear on the side.
Surf lessons
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| Lesson | Price per hour |
|---|---|
| With an instructor | ₱500 (₱600 at the higher tier) |
| With an advanced surf guide | ₱600 (₱700 at the higher tier) |
Ask which tier applies when you book.
Source: San Juan Surf Resort, surf school rates, checked 12 October 2026.
Board and gear rental
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| Item | 1 hour | Half day | Full day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surfboard, standard rate | ₱250 | ₱500 | ₱800 |
| Surfboard, higher tier | ₱300 | ₱700 | ₱1,200 |
| Stand-up paddleboard | ₱400-600/hour | — | — |
| Kayak (2-3 people) | ₱400-600/hour | — | — |
| Body board | ₱200-300/hour | — | — |
| Skim board | ₱100/hour | — | — |
Source: San Juan Surf Resort, surf school rates, checked 12 October 2026.
How other Urbiztondo surf schools compare
San Juan Surf Resort isn’t the only option on the beach. Sebay Surf School sells its one-hour lesson as a single all-in price, ₱400, covering both the board and the instructor together, a touch below San Juan Surf Resort’s ₱500 instructor rate for the same hour. Kahuna/La Union Surf School prices by package instead of the hour: around ₱949 for a 1.5-hour “Surfing 101” session, and around ₱1,599 for a full-day, 3-hour lesson. Packages and hourly rates aren’t directly comparable, confirm exactly what’s included (board, rash guard, photos, number of instructors) before booking any of the three.
Sources: PHBus, surfing in San Juan, La Union, last updated 26 March 2024; San Juan Surf Resort, surf school rates, checked 12 October 2026.
Basing yourself for this
Stay along Urbiztondo Beach in San Juan itself, within walking distance of the surf schools, hostels and beach cafes. See where to stay in La Union for how that compares with Bauang further south, or La Union in 3 days for how to split a first surf trip.
Before you go
A session with me is the fastest way to ask how a La Union trip fits around a wider Northern Luzon route.
Questions people ask
How much is a surf lesson in La Union?
₱500 per hour with an instructor at one San Juan surf school, rising to ₱600 per hour for a more advanced surf guide. A higher tier on the same price list is ₱600 and ₱700 per hour; ask which applies when you book.
How much does a surfboard rental cost in San Juan, La Union?
₱250 for an hour, ₱500 for a half day, or ₱800 for a full day at the standard rate on one surf school's list; a higher tier runs ₱300, ₱700 and ₱1,200 for the same periods.
Is surfing in La Union good for beginners?
San Juan's Urbiztondo Beach is where most of the surf schools and beginner-friendly breaks are, which is also why it's the default base for a first trip, see where to stay in La Union.
What other water gear can I rent in San Juan?
Stand-up paddleboards and kayaks cost around ₱400-600 per hour, bodyboards ₱200-300 per hour, and skimboards ₱100 per hour, at the same surf school.
When is La Union's surf season?
Roughly October to March, when the swell is most consistent and San Juan is busiest. Outside those months the water is flatter and the town quieter, see where to stay in La Union for more on timing.
Is San Juan Surf Resort the only surf school, or are there cheaper options?
No, several surf schools line Urbiztondo Beach. Sebay Surf School charges ₱400 per hour for an all-in lesson (board and instructor together), a touch below San Juan Surf Resort's ₱500. Kahuna/La Union Surf School prices by package rather than the hour, around ₱949 for a 1.5-hour Surfing 101 session, so the two aren't directly comparable, confirm what's included before booking either.
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