Happy Surfing Okinawa

Happy Surfing Okinawa is a surf school and beachfront guesthouse in Toya, in the town of Yomitan on the main island of Okinawa. It has been running since 2009 and mainly caters to beginners, first-timers and families; children are welcome.

The founder and head instructor, Danny Melhado, is a former ASP/WSL World Tour surfer and former US National Surf Team member. Lessons are mainly taught in English, and the coaches are also fluent in Japanese. The in-water session typically lasts about two hours, after a short introduction and equipment fitting.

Matched surfboards, wetsuits or rashguards and reef booties are provided. When the waves at Yomitan are not working or it is too windy, the school drives students to another spot on the island, up to two hours north. The guesthouse has two double rooms, with a sister guesthouse next door for groups and non-surfing companions.