Houhai Bay (后海湾) is the surfing heart of China. It is a small village near Sanya with a relaxed atmosphere. Originally, we planned for two days but stayed for six. This area offers a unique surf culture you will not find in the city. Use this guide to plan your first surf trip to this coastal gem.
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Is Houhai Bay good for beginner surfers?
The water at Houhai Beach (后海沙滩) is shallow and calm. Consequently, this makes it safe for people who are new to the ocean. You can walk out a long distance and still touch the sand.
Additionally, the waves are consistent and gentle. Dozens of surf schools operate on the sand every day. China loves organized activities and surfing is the main event here. However, be aware that the water gets crowded with other learners. Always practice caution and follow basic safety rules.
How much do surfing lessons cost in Houhai Bay?
Surfing here is affordable compared to Australia. For example, we found a package for 130¥ plus 5¥ for insurance. This covered a two-hour lesson in a three-person class.
The price includes:
- Surfboard rental until 7:00 PM.
- Wetsuit and face zinc.
- A GoPro video of your session.
Most instructors do not speak English. Therefore, they use hand signals to tell you when to paddle or jump. You will work it out quickly. If you want a private lesson, expect to pay around 320¥.
Where should you stay in Houhai Village?
We stayed at and loved Homecoming·Seascape Surfing Vacation (三亚归心海景冲浪度假店). Initially, we booked for two nights. It was so nice that we extended our stay for another four nights. Eventually, we had to leave because the hotel was fully booked for New Year’s Eve.
Specifically, the location is the biggest reason we suggest this spot. Our ground-floor room had a rear sliding door that led straight to the pool. From there, a small staircase took us directly onto the sand. Walking only 10 metres from your room to the beach is a convenience we have not found elsewhere.
The rooms are modern and comfortable. Ours included:
- Electric curtains and a projector TV.
- An automatic massage chair.
- A high-tech bidet with a heated seat.
- A private outdoor patio area.
Address: No. 93-1, Group 1, East Village, Tenghai Community, Haitang District, Sanya (三亚市海棠区滕海社区东村1小组93-1号).
What should you eat at Houhai Bay food street?
The village entrance becomes a street food market at night. It is located near the intersection of Tenghai Street and Yugang Road. Here, you will find fresh coconuts for 10¥ and coconut puddings for 20¥.
Furthermore, try the coconut chicken hot pot (椰子鸡). This is a famous dish in Hainan. Staff bring a gas stove to your table and cook chicken in fresh coconut water.
Meeting the “Bolo Aunties”
Look for the local women patrolling the beach selling bags of sliced pineapple (菠萝) for 10¥. We called them the “Bolo Aunties” as a term of endearment because Bolo means pineapple in Chinese. These women work hard in the sun and provide a great service. To ensure we had fresh fruit daily, we saved our favorite seller’s phone number. You can pay for everything using WeChat or Alipay.
How do you get to Houhai Bay?
Take the bullet train to Yalongwan station (亚龙湾站). This should be the closest station to the village. Tickets for a second-class seat from Haikou usually cost around 110 CNY (16 USD) and takes about 2 hours. If you are new to the country, read our guide on using high-speed trains in China to make booking easier.
Next, use the DiDi app to book a car. The drive takes 30 minutes and costs about 30¥. Having a reliable data connection is essential for booking rides and using translation apps. For this reason, we recommend setting up a China travel eSIM before you arrive.
The driver will drop you at the entrance of the food street. Most of the village is pedestrian-only. Therefore, you will need to walk 5 to 10 minutes to reach the beachfront hotels.
Hainan is an excellent destination if you are taking advantage of the China 30-day visa-free policy. For more travel inspiration, check out our Wanning day trip itinerary to explore more of the island’s coastline.
Our Experience in Houhai Bay
Overall, Houhai Bay was easily our favorite spot in China. We loved the transition from quiet mornings on the sand to the energetic street food markets at night. Furthermore, the convenience of living steps away from the water made it feel like a true vacation. Surfing here is fun and accessible for everyone. If you want to experience a different side of Hainan, then this surf village is the place to be.
As a result of our great time there, we highly recommend adding it to your itinerary. Are you planning to try surfing on your next trip to China?
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