Vietnam Surf Camp: Learn to Surf on Bai Dai Beach

Cam Ranh Surf Camp operates out of Bai Dai beach in Cam Ranh, roughly 45 minutes south of Nha Trang. It's the first professional surf school in Vietnam and has been running lessons since before surfing really took hold in the country. The setup is straightforward: certified instructors, a quiver of soft-tops and hard boards, and a beach break that works for most of the year.

The coaching starts with the basics — how to lie on the board, where to put your hands, how to paddle without burning your arms out, and how to pop up without face-planting. Beginners spend the first session in waist-deep water with an instructor holding the board steady. By day two or three most people are catching their own white-water waves. Intermediate and advanced surfers get video analysis, line-up positioning, and sessions at Phan Rang Bay when the swell justifies the drive.

Conditions vary by season. The south-central coast of Vietnam gets consistent waves year-round, but Bai Dai is at its best from roughly November through April when the northeast monsoon pushes clean swell onto the beach. In the shoulder months, the camp shifts to Nha Trang beach or Phan Rang depending on where the waves are. Instructors check the forecast each morning and decide the day's plan based on what's actually working.

What sets this camp apart is the group dynamic. It's a small operation, so you're surfing with the same handful of people all week. That means you're not just getting coached — you're watching other people figure it out, which is often how you learn fastest. The 6,500+ lessons and 1,200+ five-star reviews are mostly from people who'd never touched a surfboard before arriving.

Evenings are low-key. There's no enforced schedule after the second session. Some people walk into Cam Ranh for seafood, others stay at the camp and eat together, and a few just pass out early because surfing twice a day is genuinely tiring. The camp sends out surf updates and offers to its email list, so if you're thinking about a specific week it's worth checking conditions ahead of time.

What's included

- Accommodation at Cam Ranh Surf Camp - Daily surf lessons with certified instructors - Surfboard and equipment hire - Daily breakfast - Most meals depending on package - Video analysis sessions - Beach access and camp facilities

What's not included

- International and domestic flights - Travel insurance - Airport transfers (can be arranged for an extra cost) - Private surf lessons (available on request) - Excursions to Nha Trang and Phan Rang - Personal expenses - Alcohol and drinks outside meal times