Nha Trang is not a wave you fly across the world for, and I will be honest about that up front. This beach-resort city on Vietnam’s south-central coast picks up small, wind-driven surf during the northeast monsoon, usually knee to shoulder high, over sand, in bath-warm water. What it is, is a genuinely fun place to learn or to log easy longboard sessions as part of a wider Vietnam trip, with cheap lessons, empty lineups by international standards, and a long beach at Bai Dai made for first waves. Set your expectations to mellow and it delivers. This spot features in our guide to surfing in Vietnam. Here is where to surf, when to go, and what to expect.
Quick surf guide to Nha Trang
- Best season: the northeast monsoon (November to March), peaking December to February
- Best for beginners: Bai Dai (Long Beach), soft sandy peaks, the main learn-to-surf beach
- Best for a better wave: Hon Chong reef when there is size
- Wave type: small, wind-swell beach breaks, plus one reef point
- Water temp: 24 to 29°C, boardshorts and a rash vest, a shorty at most on winter dawns
- Crowds: low for surfers, busy with general beachgoers
- Getting there: Cam Ranh airport (CXR), about 15 minutes to Bai Dai
- Budget: $20 to $70 a day, lessons and rentals are cheap
Where to surf in Nha Trang
Nha Trang’s surf splits between the long beginner beach south of the city and a couple of options closer in. Tap a marker to preview a break, then click its name to jump to my full rundown below.
The breaks
One long beginner beach, a small city option, and one reef that needs some size to shine.
Bai Dai / Long Beach
Bai Dai, or Long Beach, is the heart of Nha Trang surfing, a five-kilometer sweep of sand about 15 to 20 minutes south of the city near the Cam Ranh peninsula. It peels soft and forgiving over sandbars, breaking both ways, and it is where nearly every lesson happens and where the surf schools are based. It works best on a mid tide over the banks with an offshore westerly, and the long beach spreads people out even on the better days. This is the beach to learn on and to cruise a longboard.
Nha Trang Beach (Tran Phu)
The in-town Tran Phu beach picks up small, sheltered surf right in front of the city hotels, handy if you are staying central and just want a quick paddle. It is smaller and more protected than Bai Dai, fine for beginners on a mid tide with a light offshore, but it is shared with plenty of general beachgoers and rarely offers much shape. Useful as a convenience option more than a destination in its own right.
Hon Chong
Just north of the city near the Cai River mouth, Hon Chong is the pick for a better wave, a reef-and-sand point with a fast, pitching left and a mellower right on the outside. The inside stays beginner to intermediate friendly, but the outer reef only wakes up on the bigger monsoon days, when it offers the most quality in the area for confident surfers. It breaks over reef, so mind the rocks and urchins, and time it for a mid to high tide with an offshore.
When to surf Nha Trang
Shoulder
Off (mostly flat)
Nha Trang surf lives and dies by the northeast monsoon. The season runs roughly November to March, when NE winds blow across the South China Sea and generate the wind swell that reaches this coast. December, January and February are the peak, and the second half of the season tends to be drier and cleaner, so if surfing is your priority that is the window to aim for. Even then, expect small waves and the odd bigger day when a strong monsoon pulse or a distant typhoon lines up.
From about April to September the coast is usually flat and the surf all but disappears, which is why nobody comes to Nha Trang to surf in summer. The water stays warm all year, roughly 24 to 29°C, so you surf in boardshorts and a rash vest, with a shorty at most for comfort on a cool winter dawn. Mornings are cleanest before the wind adds chop, and a rash vest also helps against the sun and the occasional jellyfish.
Where to stay and surf Nha Trang
Nha Trang is a full-blown resort city, so accommodation is plentiful and cheap, from budget guesthouses to beachfront hotels along Tran Phu. If surfing is your main aim, staying south toward Bai Dai and Cam Ranh puts you closest to the best beach and the airport, while staying central gives you the city, the food and the nightlife with a short ride to the waves. There are no big residential surf camps here, but real surf schools like the local operators at Bai Dai run lessons, rentals and pickups, and shuttle you to whichever spot is working. For the wider country, see our guide to surfing in Vietnam.
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What to pack for Nha Trang
Warm water, small waves and strong sun are what to plan for. My Nha Trang checklist:
- Boardshorts and a rash vest, no wetsuit needed in 24 to 29 degree water; a shorty at most for a cool winter dawn
- A longboard or a bigger, high-volume board suits the small, soft waves; if you are learning, check your board volume and rent a soft-top
- Spare leashes and fins, plus booties if you plan to surf the reef at Hon Chong
- Reef-safe SPF, a surf hat and a surf watch for the tides; the tropical sun here is strong
Getting to Nha Trang
Nha Trang is served by Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR), which sits on the same peninsula as Bai Dai, so the main surf beach is only about 15 to 20 minutes from the terminal. Central Nha Trang is roughly 40 to 50 minutes north of the airport. Taxis, ride-hailing apps like Grab and hotel shuttles all cover the route, and it is easy to base yourself near either the beach or the city and reach the surf. If you are planning a wider trip, pair this with surfing in Vietnam.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nha Trang good for surfing?
Nha Trang offers small, fun, beginner-friendly surf during the northeast monsoon rather than world-class waves. It is a great place to learn or to cruise on a longboard in warm water, but experienced surfers chasing size and power should keep expectations low. Think of it as a bonus on a wider Vietnam trip.
When is the best time to surf Nha Trang?
The best time to surf is the northeast monsoon, roughly November to March, with December to February the peak. The second half of the season is usually drier and cleaner. Outside that window, from about April to September, the coast is generally flat.
Can beginners learn to surf in Nha Trang?
Yes, Nha Trang is one of Vietnam’s better places for beginners to surf. Bai Dai (Long Beach) has soft, waist-deep, rolling waves over sand and several surf schools offering lessons, board rental and transport. Early-morning classes give the cleanest, calmest conditions.
Where are the main surf spots in Nha Trang?
The main surfing beach is Bai Dai (Long Beach) about 15 to 20 kilometers south of the city near Cam Ranh, where most lessons happen. Hon Chong, just north of the city, adds a reef-and-sand break with better-quality waves for stronger surfers, and the in-town Tran Phu beach picks up small surf.
Do I need a wetsuit to surf in Nha Trang?
No. The water stays warm, roughly 24 to 29 degrees Celsius year-round, so most people surf in boardshorts or a swimsuit with a rash vest. A shorty spring suit is optional for a cool winter dawn, and a rash vest also guards against the strong sun and the occasional jellyfish.
How do I get to the surf from Cam Ranh airport?
Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR) is only about 15 to 20 minutes from Bai Dai (Long Beach), so it is very convenient for surfing. Central Nha Trang sits about 40 to 50 minutes north of the airport. Grab, taxis and hotel shuttles all serve the route.
Nha Trang will never headline a surf trip, but it earns its place as a warm-water, low-cost spot to learn or to keep the stoke ticking over while you see Vietnam. Come in the monsoon months, keep your expectations mellow, get out early before the wind, and enjoy a long empty beach and cheap waves. Surf it for what it is, not what it is not. See you in the lineup.
