Carolina Beach & Kure Beach, NC

Odysea Surf School
& Ocean Lab

Not instructors. Educators.

Over 75% of our instructors are NC-certified school teachers who bring the same professional standard to the water as they do to the classroom.

Request a Lesson Explore Offerings
20+
Years Teaching
75%
Certified Teachers
NC-Certified Teachers 20+ Years on Pleasure Island UNCW MarineQuest Partner Buy a Wave, Give a Wave Two-Time Keys to the City NC-Certified Teachers 20+ Years on Pleasure Island UNCW MarineQuest Partner Buy a Wave, Give a Wave Two-Time Keys to the City
What We Offer

On the Water & In the Lab.

On the Water

Surf. Paddle.
Dragon Boat.

Professional instruction on Carolina Beach and Kure Beach — from your first wave to advanced technique.

Private Lessons From $100/hr
Small Group Lessons $80/person
Summer Surf Camps $350/week
Paddleboard & Dragon Boat From $25/person
All Water Offerings
In the Lab

Science based. Hands on learning.

Ocean Lab is an environmental ocean education program for children ages 6–10, led by Lizz Howard at our Carolina Beach facility.

Ages 6–10 Daily Sessions
Max 10 per Session $50/child/day
Marine Biology & Ecology Hands-on
Explore Ocean Lab
Odysea surf instructor with student
21+ Years in the Classroom
Who We Are

Educators from the classroom to the water.

Odysea was built on the idea that learning to surf deserves the same care as any great classroom. Kevin Murphy and his team bring structured, intentional instruction to every lesson on Pleasure Island.

“There is nothing we enjoy more than seeing a new surfer catch their first wave.”

Over 75% of our instructors are NC-certified school teachers who know how people learn.

Request a Session
Beach surf lesson
Surfing on Pleasure Island
Dragon boat on the water
The People Behind It

Meet our founders.

Kevin Murphy
Kevin Murphy
Owner & Director, Odysea Surf School

Kevin is a physical education teacher at Carolina Beach Elementary with over 21 years in the classroom. A St. Bonaventure University graduate, he moved to North Carolina, fell in love with surfing, and built Odysea around the belief that great instruction — on land or water — changes lives.

A two-time recipient of the Key to the City of Carolina Beach and recognized with numerous educator and community awards, Kevin also founded Ocean Cure, a 501(c)3 that has served thousands of individuals through adaptive surfing and accessible beach programs.

In 2026, Kevin was named a Travel + Leisure Global Vision Award honoree, recognizing his commitment to inclusive and community-driven coastal experiences.

Lizz Howard
Lizz Howard
Director, Ocean Lab

Ms. Lizz is an enthusiastic educator, scuba diver, and overall ocean expert. She has taught environmental education for the past 15 years, traveling the world surfing, scuba diving, and volunteering. She dives locally at the Fort Fisher Aquarium and volunteers with Ocean Cure. Some say she gives off mermaid vibes — but we don’t want to start any rumors.

Our Nonprofit Partner

Buy a wave.
Give a wave.

Every Odysea lesson supports Ocean Cure — a 501(c)3 providing adaptive surfing and accessible beach programs to people with disabilities, at-risk youth, cancer survivors, and Wounded Veterans.

Learn About Ocean Cure
Ocean Cure