Surf lessons

Sicily is a fine place to learn to surf because this lesson keeps the first steps simple: small waves, close instruction, and a 90-minute session. You are not being sent out to figure out the sea alone. An instructor stays with you and works through the basics of surfing or stand-up paddleboarding.

I like two things right away. First, this is a private activity for your group, so the lesson can feel more personal than a large beach class. Second, the instructors Andrea and Veronica are praised for patience, safety, professionalism, and their genuine love of surf culture and nature. The main consideration is that the price does not clearly list a wetsuit, so ask what moulting means in the booking details and what clothing you need to bring.

Key points

• 90-minute beginner lesson: Enough time to learn basic movements without turning the session into a full-day commitment.
• Small waves for safety: The beginner format is designed around manageable conditions.
• Surfing or SUP: You can learn the basics of either activity, depending on your choice and the conditions.
• Andrea and Veronica lead the teaching: Their approach is described as patient, prepared, professional, and safety-minded.
• Private group format: Only your party participates, which can make questions and corrections easier.
• Marina di Ragusa meeting point: The activity begins and ends at the meeting point, with Punta Secca also connected to the local surf sessions.

A gentle start on Sicily’s water

This is a lesson for people who want to try surfing without making it a major production. You meet at Marina di Ragusa, in southeastern Sicily, then spend about an hour and a half learning the fundamentals of surfing or SUP. The activity returns to the same meeting point when it ends.

The lesson is built around small waves. That matters. Beginners need time to understand balance, timing, and how the board responds. Larger surf may look more exciting from the shore, but it gives a first-timer less room to learn calmly. Here, the instructor remains present and keeps the focus on basic skills and safe participation.

The lesson also has a nature-first spirit. The description presents water as a source of fun, well-being, and connection with the natural world. That may sound broad, but it gives the activity a useful tone. You are not simply checking off a beach attraction. You are learning how to move with the water and how to respect the setting around you.

What happens during the 90 minutes

The exact order of the session is not spelled out minute by minute, so you should expect a practical introduction rather than a fixed performance. The central promise is clear: you learn the basics of surfing and, if selected, SUP, while the instructor stays nearby.

For surfing, the early work will focus on getting comfortable with the board and learning the basic motions needed to catch and ride a small wave. The available information does not promise a particular number of rides or a guaranteed stand-up, so keep your expectations sensible. A good first lesson is about learning the right habits and enjoying the process.

For SUP, the same water awareness applies, but the skill set is different. You will be working with a board and paddle rather than trying to catch waves in the same way as a surfer. Ask when booking how the school divides time between surfing and SUP if you are interested in both.

The instructor is always described as present for teaching and safety. That is especially valuable for a first session. You can ask questions as they arise, receive corrections, and avoid guessing your way through unfamiliar equipment.

Small waves make the first lesson more useful

The use of small waves is one of the best details here. A beginner lesson should give you repeated chances to try, adjust, and try again. Smaller surf generally makes those attempts less intimidating and gives the instructor a better setting for explaining the basics.

This does not mean the lesson will feel effortless. Standing on a board takes balance, and the sea does not follow a script. You may spend part of the session learning how to position yourself, recover after a fall, or understand when a wave is suitable. That is normal progress, not a failed lesson.

Weather still matters. This is an outdoor water activity, and poor conditions can lead to a cancellation. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy protects your safety, but it also means you should avoid building an immovable schedule around this one activity.

Andrea and Veronica’s teaching style

The strongest human feature of this experience is the teaching. Andrea is repeatedly described as prepared, available, professional, and passionate about surfing. One account of a first lesson at Punta Secca highlights his patience and the care he puts into explaining the sport.

Andrea and Veronica also teach together. A pair of sessions with them helped complete beginners reach a good basic level and enjoy the activity safely. That is a useful clue about the pace. The lesson is not aimed only at people who already know how to handle a board. It is set up for someone starting from the beginning.

The emphasis on patience matters more than flashy technique. A first-time surfer needs simple instructions, calm corrections, and encouragement after a clumsy attempt. The comments about these instructors point to exactly that approach.

You should also expect some attention to the culture around surfing. Andrea is described as someone who communicates both the pleasure of surfing and respect for nature. For you, that may turn a basic lesson into a better introduction to the sport, especially if you care about learning the right attitude along with the physical skills.

Marina di Ragusa, with Punta Secca to clarify

The official meeting point is Marina di Ragusa, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. Marina di Ragusa is also near public transportation, which makes the appointment easier to reach if you are staying nearby and not driving.

Punta Secca appears in the supplied details as a location connected with a surf lesson. Because both Marina di Ragusa and Punta Secca are named, I would confirm the exact beach before setting out. Do not assume that the listed meeting point and the water entry point are interchangeable.

That small check can save you needless confusion. Ask where you should physically meet, how early to arrive, and whether the group travels between the meeting point and the water. The mobile ticket is convenient, but it does not replace checking the precise local instructions.

The return to the meeting point is helpful if you are planning another activity afterward. Still, allow some breathing room. Water conditions and beginner instruction do not always run with the precision of a museum appointment.

Equipment, clothing, and the one unclear inclusion

Surfboards and SUP boards are included. That is important because boards are awkward to transport, especially if you are moving around Sicily by train, bus, or rental car. You can book the lesson without arranging your own board.

The details do not clearly confirm every item of clothing or safety gear. The not-included section contains the word moulting, which appears to be an unclear translation or product term. I would contact Onda Fenicia Surf School before the lesson and ask directly if a wetsuit is supplied, rented, or excluded.

This is the main practical gap in the information. Do not arrive assuming that board inclusion means all water clothing is included. Ask about the clothing you need, especially if the sea or weather is cool on your chosen date.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. No special athletic level is stated. Even so, you should be comfortable taking part in a water-based physical activity and follow the instructor’s directions closely.

Is $35.26 a fair price?

At $35.26 per person, the lesson is reasonably priced for a 90-minute private-group introduction, especially since the surfboards or SUP boards are included. You are paying for instruction, equipment access, and supervision rather than simply renting a board and being left to manage alone.

The value improves if you are new to surfing. A poor first attempt can cost more than money if you are unsure where to go, how to use the board, or how to read the conditions. An instructor gives you a safer starting point and may help you build enough confidence to book another lesson.

The price is less compelling if you already surf well and only want casual board time. This is a beginner lesson, with small waves and a strong focus on basics. Experienced surfers may prefer independent access to the water, if available.

For families or friends, the private format may also make the cost feel more worthwhile. Your group shares the session, and the instructor can focus on your party rather than a mixed class of strangers at different levels. The exact group size is not provided, so confirm how many people can join under one booking.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this activity for a first-time surfer, a beginner SUP participant, or a small group that wants an active morning or afternoon near Marina di Ragusa. It suits people who value instruction and safety more than a long session or advanced waves.

It is also a good match for anyone curious about surf culture. The instructors place clear importance on respect for nature, not just on standing up quickly. That broader approach gives the session more meaning than a simple equipment rental.

The lesson may suit children or mixed-age groups, but the supplied details do not state a minimum age or specific child policy. Ask before booking if younger participants are involved. The same applies to anyone with mobility, medical, or swimming concerns, since the available information only says that most people can participate.

Weather, cancellation, and timing

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted for a refund, and all cut-off times use local time in Sicily.

Bad weather is handled separately. If conditions force the school to cancel, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That is a sensible arrangement for an activity that depends on safe sea conditions.

I would avoid booking this as the final fixed appointment before a flight or train. The session itself lasts about 90 minutes, but a weather decision or local timing change can affect your plans. Give yourself room, especially if you have another reservation across town.

What to ask before you book

A few direct questions will make the experience easier:

• Is my lesson for surfing, SUP, or can I choose on arrival?
• Is the exact meeting point in Marina di Ragusa, or will I be directed to Punta Secca?
• What does the listed term moulting refer to?
• Is a wetsuit supplied?
• How many people can join my private booking?
• Are there age requirements for children?

The supplied details answer some questions well, particularly the duration, board provision, private format, and weather policy. They leave clothing and the exact relationship between Marina di Ragusa and Punta Secca less clear. A short message to the school should settle those points.

Should you book Onda Fenicia Surf School?

Book it if you want a friendly, beginner-level introduction to surfing or SUP in Sicily, with small waves, an instructor close by, and boards supplied. The strongest reasons are the private-group format and the repeated emphasis on Andrea and Veronica’s patience, professionalism, safety, and love of the sport.

Skip it if you are looking for advanced surf, a long open-water session, or a simple board rental. Also pause until you confirm the clothing arrangements and exact beach location. At $35.26, this is a sensible buy for a first lesson, provided you want instruction rather than independent time on the water.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson start?

The activity starts at Marina di Ragusa, in the Free Municipal Consortium of Ragusa, Italy.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the lesson last?

The lesson lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Is the lesson for beginners?

Yes. Beginner surf lessons use small waves, and the instructor remains present to teach and help keep participants safe.

Can I choose SUP instead of surfing?

The experience teaches the basics of surfing and/or SUP. Ask the school to confirm your preferred activity when booking.

Are surfboards or SUP boards included?

Yes. Surfboards and SUP boards are included.

Is a wetsuit included?

The supplied details do not clearly confirm this. The not-included section uses the term moulting, so ask Onda Fenicia Surf School what clothing or wetsuit arrangements apply.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.

What happens if bad weather cancels the lesson?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the activity to be canceled.