Ranked on the facts
Best surf schools in Torquay, ranked
We list 8 surf schools in Torquay. On 18 October 2026 we checked every one of their websites and ranked the 5 that teach surfing and publish facts we could check. Nobody can pay to move up this list.
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1 Southern Exposure Surf School 7 out of 10
Lesson prices (from $85), kids lessons with ages, private lessons, a 1:8 coach ratio and board and wetsuit included, but no named accreditation on its site.
Sources
- Prices published: Group learn to surf from $85 per person; 2 hour private from $220, extra $50 per person source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
- Kids lessons with ages: "Age: From age 6 and above" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
- Private lessons: 2 hour private learn to surf lessons from $220 source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
- Group size or coach ratio (public lessons): "Ratio: 1:8, 1 Instructor to max 8 Students" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
- Board and wetsuit included: "Our 2 hour Learn To Surf lessons include board and wetsuit hire" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
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=2 Go Ride A Wave Torquay 6 out of 10 Chain store
Lesson prices (from $94), kids lessons for ages 6 to 12, private lessons, board and wetsuit included and running since 1987, but no group size or named accreditation on its site.
Sources
- Prices published: Introductory group lesson $94 (2 hours); The Surf Course $220; private $240 for 1.5 hours source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
- Kids lessons with ages: SurfGroms for children aged 6 to 12 ($280); kids only school holiday sessions for ages 5 to 14 ($79) source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
- Private lessons: Private surf lessons $240 for 1.5 hours, plus $50 per extra person source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
- Board and wetsuit included: "All Equipment Included" (private lessons); kids holiday program "All equipment and instruction included" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
- 5+ years operating: "We have been teaching learn to surf since 1987" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
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=2 Honu Honi Surf Camp 6 out of 10
A $480 six week program, groups of up to 8, gear included and a Surfing Australia qualified head coach, all on its own site.
Sources
- Prices published: 6 week surfing program $480 source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
- Group size or coach ratio (public lessons): "Max. 8 students per class with one instructor" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
- Board and wetsuit included: "We'll provide you with a wetsuit, surfboard, and sunscreen for all lessons" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
- Named licence or accreditation stated by the school: Head coach "a qualified Progressive Surf Coach with Surfing Australia" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
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4 SeaEarth Adventures 4 out of 10
Private lessons, board and wetsuit included, a named licence or accreditation and running since 2014, but no lesson prices or group size on its site.
Sources
- Private lessons: "private lessons available on request"; private session with a senior coach source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
- Board and wetsuit included: "Single lessons & multi-lesson packages are available, with all equipment included" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
- Named licence or accreditation stated by the school: "Licensed Tour Operator"; "All necessary Foreshore and Parks operator permits" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
- 5+ years operating: "formed in 2014 from two Great Ocean Road adventure businesses operating since 1993" source , checked 18 Oct 2026.
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5 Torquay Surfing Academy 2 out of 10
Private lessons and a named licence or accreditation, but no lesson prices or group size on its site.
We couldn't check these yet: Great Ocean Road Surf Tours .
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.
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