Surfing in Hainan: Where to Learn on China's Surf Coast (2026)
Last updated: June 2026
🏄 Where: Riyue Bay (Sun and Moon Bay), near Wanning on the east coast
🌊 Best for beginners: UECHAO HOTEL in Riyue bay
📅 Surf season: Bigger waves autumn–spring; flatter (beginner-friendly) in summer
🧑🏫 Lessons: Widely available
🌀 Bonus: A surf resort with its own artificial wave for easier learning
👨👩👧 Family-friendly: Yes — gentle waves and lessons for kids
Hainan is the easiest place in China to learn to surf. The east coast around Wanning, and Riyue Bay in particular, has become the home of Chinese surfing, with surf schools, board rental and waves that are forgiving enough for a first lesson.
This is a firsthand guide. My husband took his first ever surf lesson here, at a resort with its own artificial wave, and it changed how we think about Hainan as a destination.
In This Guide
Can You Surf in Hainan?
Yes — and more easily than most people expect.
Hainan is China's only tropical, the water is warm, and the east coast is the place to try surfing.
Riyue Bay has hosted international surf competitions, which tells you the waves are real, but day to day it's a relaxed, beginner-friendly spot rather than a heavy big-wave break.
If you've never surfed before, this is a good place to start – especially if you pick a resort with artificial waves. If you already surf, you can pick a resort directly at the beach and surf in the sea.
Where to Surf: Riyue Bay and Wanning
The heart of it is Riyue Bay (Sun and Moon Bay), just south of the town of Wanning on Hainan's east coast. This is where the surf schools, board rental and the small surf-town scene are concentrated. The bay has sandy beaches and a gentle, rolling wave that's ideal for learning, and there's a little cluster of cafés and surf shops behind the beach.
Riyue Bay
If you are just a beginner, I recommend staying in UECHAO HOTEL in Riyue bay – it is close to the beach, but most importantly – it has artificial waves and instructors on site, so it is perfect for staying with kids and setting your first steps in water.
This is the hotel where my husband stayed and he was amazed – not only the surfing facilities but the room itself and the on site bars were all you need to have relaxed holiday. It is a brand new hotel, so everything is very high quality. The breakfast and lunch is also really good.
My husband had his first ever surfing lesson and he loved it — after 1 hour lesson he was able to stand up!
Guests staying in the hotel can enjoy 50% discount on 2 x 1.5h surfing lessons per day during their stay!
Shimei Bay
Shimei Bay is bigger and more developed with resorts, and also sees surf. If you are already comfortable surfing in the bigger waves in the sea, you can stay in a beach front resort.
The Westin Shimei Bay Resort is located right at the beach, and some rooms even have direct access to the pool.
When to Go (Surf Season)
I am not a surfing expert so I will not pretend I know when is the best time to go surfing – according to this surfing website the most "surfable" season is autumn and winter, roughly from November to February. This is also the time of most mild temperatures, so you might need a wetsuit.
If you are a beginner, you should not focus on the forecast and rather stay in the mentioned hotel with the artificial waves – then you get consistent waves and whenever the waves are good for your weather, you can try your luck in the sea.
Summer is a hot and rainy season, so weather-wise might not be good time to visit Hainan.
Learning to Surf as a Beginner
A few things made this an easy place to start:
- The waves are gentle. Riyue Bay's rolling beach break is patient with beginners.
- Instructors are used to first-timers. You can book a single lesson without committing to a course.
- Everything's for hire. Boards, wetsuit tops and lessons are all available on the spot.
A typical first lesson starts on the sand — how to pop up, where to lie on the board — then moves into the white water, where the instructor pushes you onto small waves. Most people get to their feet, at least briefly, in their first session.
You can book your classes directly there.
What to Bring
- Swimwear and T-shirt — the sun is strong; a long-sleeve rash vest helps.
- Reef-safe sunscreen — reapply often.
- A change of clothes and a towel — most schools have somewhere to rinse off.
- Cash on your phone — set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arrive; smaller surf shops may not take cards. → Alipay setup guide
How to Get There
The east-coast surf area sits between Hainan's two main hubs.
- By train: The island's high-speed rail line stops near Wanning; from there it's a short taxi or DiDi to Riyue Bay. → Book Hainan trains
- By car/transfer: Roughly 1–1.5 hours from Sanya, a bit longer from Haikou. A pre-booked transfer is easiest with boards and luggage. → Book a transfer
For the full picture of getting around, see our Hainan travel guide.
What It Costs
Surfing in Hainan is affordable compared with most surf destinations.
- Group lesson: budget-friendly, usually including board and a wetsuit top.
- Private lesson: more, but worth it for a faster start.
- Board rental: some places include the board in the price of the lesson.
You can book surfing lessons in UECHAO Hotel on Trip.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you surf in Hainan?
Yes. The east coast around Wanning, especially Riyue Bay (Sun and Moon Bay), is the centre of China's surf scene, with surf schools, board rental and beginner-friendly waves. It's the easiest place in China to learn.
Is Hainan good for beginner surfers?
Very. The waves at Riyue Bay are gentle, instructors are used to first-timers, and you can take a single taster lesson. Some resorts also have an artificial wave, which makes those first stand-ups much easier to practise.
When is the best time to surf in Hainan?
The bigger, more consistent waves arrive with the autumn and winter swells, roughly September into spring. Summer is flatter, which actually suits total beginners. An artificial wave runs year-round.
Can kids learn to surf in Hainan?
Yes. The gentle waves and shallow, sandy beach at Riyue Bay suit children, and schools teach younger surfers. An artificial wave is also a controlled place for kids to try standing up.
Where to Go Next
🧭 Hainan Travel Guide — when to go, how to get around, where to stay and what to expect.
🗺️ Best Things to Do in Hainan — the full island highlights list.
🏨 Where to Stay in Sanya — if you're pairing surfing with a beach base.
Plan Your Hainan Surf Trip
🏨 Book the surf resort / east-coast hotels
🚄 Book high-speed trains
✈️ Compare flights to Hainan
🚕 Book a transfer
Thinking about learning to surf in Hainan? Drop a comment below — happy to help.
