Riyue Bay
日月湾
China's first surfing bay, with waves year-round. Surf clubs, hostels and beachside cafés cluster here. You can sign up for a 2-hour beginner lesson, and it is also the training base of the national surf team.
Riyue Bay lies in the south of Wanning City. The crescent-shaped bay stretches about 5 km and faces southeast to catch swells from the South China Sea, making it the most consistent surf spot on mainland China. Known as “China's First Surfing Bay,” it is home to the national surf team's training base, and international surfing competitions are held here every winter. The bay has several breaks: the main break near the northern river mouth suits intermediate and advanced surfers, while the gentle beach breaks along the southern stretch are ideal for beginners. Waves reach 1–2 meters in winter and 0.5–1 meter in summer. A 2-hour surf lesson (board and instructor included) costs about RMB 200–400. Many clubs, including local shops in Riyue Bay and chains from Sanya, let you sign up on the beach, and there are many advanced 7-day camps. Non-surfers can rent paddleboards and kayaks, watch the sunrise, or spend the day at a beachside café or hostel bar. In the evening, the night market and live music along the sand define the local lifestyle. There is no entrance fee, and the beach has outdoor showers. Accommodation is mostly hostels and surf guesthouses, with some resort hotels as well. Nearby Shimei Bay (10 km) and Xinglong (15 km) can be visited together. Getting there: Riyue Bay Station on the Hainan Ring High-Speed Railway is about 8 km from the bay, and a taxi from the station costs about RMB 20. Driving from Sanya takes about 1.5 hours, and from Haikou about 2 hours. Note: Winter waves are large and rip currents are present, so beginners must enter the water with an instructor and should not swim outside designated surf zones. Wear a long-sleeve rash guard for sun protection when surfing, and reef shoes in rocky areas. Surf schools suspend classes during typhoons, when conditions are dangerous. Please don't swim in the surfing zone where you might block surfers.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Fenjiezhou Island
- Xiangshui Bay
- Jiajing Island
- Shimei Bay
- Xinglong Tropical Garden
- Xinglong Coffee Valley
- Xinglong Tropical Botanical Garden
- Shenzhou Peninsula