Surf Lessons

My Khe Beach is a friendly place to learn surfing, with fine sand and usually manageable waves. This two-hour lesson starts on land, then moves into the water, where an instructor helps you turn practice into your first ride. You do not need to bring a board or wetsuit.

I like the small groups, capped at six people with a one-to-four instructor-to-student ratio. I also like the practical setup: qualified instructors, beginner boards, safety guidance, and photos and video captured during the lesson. The main drawback is that wave size and quality can vary, and one participant found some equipment old.

Key points

• My Khe Beach setting: A broad sandy beach close to the meeting point at 35 An Thuong 5.
• Beginner-first teaching: Learn paddling, balance, the pop-up, and water safety before entering the waves.
• Small class size: Groups are limited to six, with no more than four students per instructor.
• All equipment included: Boards, wax, rash vests for warmer months, and wetsuits for cooler weather are supplied.
• Personal instruction: Owen, Tien, and other experienced instructors help you adjust your technique in the water.
• GoPro memories: Photos and video are taken during the lesson and sent later by email.

Why My Khe Beach works for a first surf lesson

Da Nang is better known for its long beaches, seafood, and easy city life than for surfing. That is part of the appeal here. You can spend the morning in town, walk to a beachside surf school, and try a new sport without giving up half a day to transport.

My Khe Beach has fine sand and, according to the supplied experience details, conditions suitable for lessons throughout the year. The waves are not always large. That may disappoint an experienced surfer, but it is useful when you are learning to lie on a board, paddle straight, and push yourself upright without being knocked around.

The beach is also described as free of jellyfish and other dangerous hazards by one participant. You should still follow the instructor’s safety advice, but a sandy bottom and moderate waves can make the first attempt feel less intimidating.

The meeting point is at 35 An Thuong 5 in the Ngu Hanh Son district. From there, you walk a short distance to My Khe Beach. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, and the location is near public transportation, so you do not need to arrange a private transfer.

Your first 30 minutes: board skills on land

The lesson begins with the basics on shore. This is not wasted time. Surfing looks simple from the beach, but the order of your movements matters. If you rush the pop-up or place your feet poorly, even a small wave can send you sliding off the board.

You learn how to paddle, balance, and move from lying down to standing. The instructor also covers water safety before you enter the waves. That early explanation gives you a few simple rules to follow once the board starts moving.

The exact teaching style can depend on your instructor. Owen is praised in the supplied comments for being a good instructor, while Tien is described as patient, passionate, and especially strong at helping first-timers. The school says its instructors have more than 20 years of experience, so you can expect the lesson to be guided rather than left to trial and error.

The land practice also gives you a chance to ask questions. If you are nervous about falling, say so. If you have never handled a surfboard, tell the instructor. The lesson is designed for beginners, and the early coaching is where you gain the confidence to try the real thing.

Into the water at My Khe

Once the basics are clear, the instructor demonstrates how to catch a wave. Then you take your board into the water and practice. The goal is not to turn you into a polished surfer in two hours. The goal is to give you enough control to catch small waves and understand the movements that make surfing work.

You should expect to fall. That is normal, and it is part of learning to judge timing. The useful measure of success is not how long you stay upright on the first attempt. It is whether you begin to recognize a wave, paddle at the right moment, and get your feet underneath you with better control each time.

The instruction is active rather than purely theoretical. You spend the rest of the session trying to catch waves, while the instructor offers corrections and encouragement. Several participants were able to stand and ride for at least a few seconds during their first lesson. One person said they could independently ride waves after receiving the right instructions.

That result is possible, but it is not guaranteed. Your progress depends on balance, fitness, timing, and the conditions that day. If the waves are small, the session may feel gentle and safe, but you may not get the dramatic rides shown in surf videos.

Small classes make a real difference

The group limit is six people, with a one-to-four instructor-to-student ratio. That number matters more than a generic promise of personal attention. Surfing is difficult to learn if you are waiting a long time between attempts or if the instructor cannot see what you are doing.

A small class lets you spend more time practicing. It also makes it easier for the instructor to notice simple problems, such as paddling too slowly, standing too early, or placing your feet too close together.

The experience may be shared with other beginners, but the cap keeps it from feeling like a large beach class. You should still expect some waiting while other people take their turns. Surfboards need space, and instructors need to keep the group together for safety.

If you are traveling with friends or family, the maximum of six makes it easier to take the lesson as a group. The one-to-four ratio is also reassuring if you are trying surfing for the first time and want more guidance than a large class can provide.

Equipment, clothing, and sun protection

Everything needed for the lesson is included. You receive a beginner surfboard, wax, and either a rash vest or wetsuit. Rash vests are supplied in summer, while wetsuits are available in winter, allowing the school to operate through the year.

The boards are intended for learning, not for experienced surfers chasing speed. That is the right choice for a first lesson because a stable beginner board helps you focus on balance and getting upright.

Equipment quality is one area to keep in mind. One participant described the equipment as old, while still praising the instructor and the care provided. That does not mean your board will be unsuitable, but you should expect functional beginner gear rather than premium new equipment.

Bring water-resistant sunscreen. Two hours on the water can expose your face, shoulders, and back to strong sun, even when the air feels comfortable. One participant badly underestimated the sun. A rash vest helps cover your upper body, but it does not replace sunscreen on exposed skin.

The supplied information does not specify changing facilities, towels, or storage, so do not assume those are included. The clearly stated inclusions are the board, wax, rash vest or wetsuit, instruction, and the photos and video taken during the lesson.

The value of a $44 lesson

At $44 per person, the price is fair if you want a guided introduction rather than simply renting a board and guessing what to do. You are paying for two hours of instruction, safety guidance, equipment, a small class, and access to an instructor who can correct your technique in real time.

The value is strongest for a complete beginner. A board rental alone might get you onto the beach, but it will not explain how to read a wave, paddle efficiently, or pop up without losing balance. A lesson can shorten the frustrating stage where you repeatedly fall without knowing why.

The price also includes seasonal clothing and GoPro photos and video. Those images are a nice extra, especially if standing on a wave becomes one of your favorite memories from Da Nang. The files are sent later, so you should not expect them immediately at the end of the session.

There is a half-day surfboard rental option at a separate rate for beginner boards. That can be useful if the lesson gives you enough confidence to practice on your own. I would take the lesson first rather than rent a board immediately, since the instruction helps you use the rental time more effectively.

What the waves may be like

The supplied details describe My Khe as a good place for lessons all year, but the individual experience can change with weather and sea conditions. One participant found only a few small waves. For a first lesson, that can be a benefit, but it also means you should keep your expectations realistic.

You may catch several small waves rather than one powerful ride. That is enough to learn the basics. A smaller wave gives you time to focus on paddling and standing, while a larger wave demands faster decisions and can make a beginner lesson harder.

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. This protects you from being sent into uncomfortable conditions, but it means you should leave some flexibility in your Da Nang schedule if surfing is important to you.

The experience is booked an average of 12 days ahead, so I would not wait until the last morning if you have a fixed travel plan. Booking early also gives you more room to move the lesson if the weather changes.

Photos, video, and the small details that matter

The instructors use a GoPro to take photos and video during the water session. These are sent to you later by email. That is more useful than it may sound. When you are learning, you cannot see your own posture, foot placement, or timing. A short clip can show you what worked and what needs attention.

The files may not arrive immediately. One participant was still waiting for the footage after the lesson, so treat the media as a later extra rather than something you will receive before leaving the beach.

The strongest part of the experience is still the teaching. The supplied comments repeatedly praise the instructors for being friendly, funny, positive, patient, and encouraging. Those qualities matter in surfing because beginners spend plenty of time falling. A calm instructor helps you try again instead of treating each fall as failure.

Safety is also singled out as a strength. The lesson covers water safety before you begin, and the small class helps the instructor keep track of the group. You should listen closely, especially if you are not a strong swimmer or have limited experience in the sea. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not provide a separate swimming requirement or detailed medical guidance.

Who should book this Da Nang surf lesson

This lesson suits you if you have never surfed, have tried once or twice, or want a structured introduction during a beach holiday. It is especially useful if you like active experiences but do not want an all-day tour.

It also works for people who prefer encouragement over a hard-edged sports lesson. The instructors are described as enthusiastic and patient, and the small group size gives you a reasonable chance to receive direct help.

You may want something else if you already surf confidently. The beginner boards and smaller waves are built for learning, not advanced turns or fast rides. Likewise, if you need guaranteed large waves, conditions at My Khe cannot promise that.

The two-hour length is a good fit for most itineraries. You can surf, return to the meeting point, and still have time for lunch, sightseeing, or a quiet afternoon by the beach. The meeting location near public transportation adds to the ease, especially if you are staying in Da Nang and do not have a car.

Booking, cancellation, and practical planning

You receive confirmation at booking, and the experience uses a mobile ticket. The activity begins and ends at 35 An Thuong 5, with a short walk to My Khe Beach.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather cancels the session, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Plan to arrive ready for the beach, with water-resistant sunscreen and drinking water. The stated inclusions do not cover personal items, so bring only what you need and do not assume towels or other beach supplies are provided.

The experience has a 4.8 out of 5 rating and a 93 percent recommendation rate from 42 ratings. Those numbers match the pattern of feedback: strong praise for the instructors, safety, and first-time success, with smaller cautions about changing waves, delayed media, and some older equipment.

Should you book it?

I would book this lesson if you want your first surf experience in Da Nang to be simple, social, and properly taught. The best reasons are the small class size, experienced instructors such as Owen and Tien, included equipment, and a beach setting with generally manageable beginner conditions.

Book it with sensible expectations. You may stand up on your first lesson, but you may also spend much of the time falling and trying again. The waves may be small, the equipment may show some age, and the photos and video may arrive later.

For $44, you get more than a board rental. You get a clear introduction to surfing, safety instruction, repeated attempts in the water, and a fair chance to catch your first wave. If that sounds like a good use of two hours in Da Nang, this is an easy activity to add to your schedule.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson take place?

The lesson takes place at My Khe Beach in Da Nang, Vietnam. You meet at 35 An Thuong 5, Ngu Hanh Son, Da Nang, and walk a short distance to the beach.

How long is the lesson?

The surf lesson lasts approximately two hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $44 per person.

Is equipment included?

Yes. The lesson includes a surfboard, wax, a rash vest for summer conditions, and a wetsuit for winter conditions.

Is the lesson suitable for complete beginners?

Yes. The lesson covers paddling, popping up, balance, and water safety before you practice in the waves. Most people can participate.

How large is the group?

The activity has a maximum of six participants. The stated instructor-to-student ratio is one instructor for every four students.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. Instructors take photos and video with a GoPro during the lesson and send them to you later by email.

Does the activity operate in all weather?

No. The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.