Reviewed · HOI AN DAY TRIPS FROM DA NANG
Go Surfing In Danang AND Hoi An
Catching a wave in Vietnam is the heart of this experience. At Son Thuy Beach, Go Surfing focuses on helping you get upright, read the water, and have fun rather than turning a short lesson into a stiff technical drill. Rob and Tom are named instructors, and both are praised for calm, clear teaching.
I like the small maximum group of eight, which gives you a better chance to receive useful corrections. I also like the practical, beginner-friendly approach: one student improved sharply in 90 minutes, while another caught several waves on a first lesson. The main consideration is the surf itself. Conditions can be gentle, and one student wished the waves were bigger.
Key points before you paddle out

- 90-minute lesson: A short session with enough time to learn the basics and try them in the water.
- Son Thuy Beach meeting point: The activity starts and ends at Bãi Tắm Sơn Thuỷ in Ngũ Hành Sơn, Da Nang.
- Up to eight people: The group limit should make instruction more personal than a large beach class.
- Patient coaching: Tom is praised for calm explanations, while Rob is noted for teaching beginners from the ground up.
- Suitable for first-timers: The lesson is built around catching waves, not just standing on a board on shore.
- Weather dependent: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.
Starting at Son Thuy Beach in Da Nang
Your meeting point is Bãi Tắm Sơn Thuỷ, on Trần Quốc Hoàn in Ngũ Hành Sơn, Da Nang. The session begins and ends here, so you do not need to keep track of several stops or arrange a separate return point.
That simple setup matters. A surf lesson already asks you to manage a board, listen for instructions, and watch the water. Returning to the original meeting point keeps the outing easy to follow. The listed operating hours run from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Sunday, from March 19, 2023 through November 26, 2026.
The name of the experience includes both Da Nang and Hoi An, and the school is also described as being near Hoi An. The confirmed meeting point, however, is in Da Nang. If you are staying in Hoi An, check the pickup and meeting details carefully before booking, since the supplied information does not promise transport between Hoi An and Son Thuy Beach.
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What the 90-minute surf lesson covers

The lesson is built around one clear goal: catching waves. That sounds obvious, but it changes the feel of the session. You are not signing up only for a land-based talk about surf safety or board parts. You should expect instruction aimed at getting you moving on the water.
The exact minute-by-minute schedule is not provided, so I would not expect a fixed show with several formal stops. Instead, think of the session as a compact coaching block. You meet the instructor, receive detailed guidance, and then put the advice into practice as you work on waves.
The school says it trains people to catch waves every day. The useful part for a first-timer is the emphasis on repeat attempts. Surfing is learned through timing, balance, and small corrections. A short lesson becomes much more useful when the instructor explains what went wrong and gives you a clear point to fix on the next try.
That is where the teaching style matters. Tom is praised for being patient and calm, with clear instruction and practical tips. Rob is described as teaching from the basics through more advanced board pointers, and one first lesson produced several successful waves. Those details suggest a session that adjusts to ability instead of giving every person the same speech.
Why the small group size matters

The maximum group size is eight people. That is not a private lesson, but it is small enough to make a real difference, especially when several beginners are learning at once.
Surf coaching depends on seeing what each person is doing. You may need help with your position, timing, or the moment you try to stand. A smaller class gives the instructor a better chance to notice those details. It also means you are less likely to spend the full session waiting behind a very large line of boards.
The group limit does not guarantee that every person receives equal one-to-one time. Surf conditions, class ability, and the number of people actually booked will affect the pace. Still, eight is a reasonable ceiling for an introductory activity, and it supports the school’s focus on hands-on attempts.
If you are traveling with a partner, the lesson can work well as a shared activity. One couple took an afternoon session with Tom, and the instruction helped one partner make clear progress. That kind of result is useful to keep in mind: you do not need to arrive as a confident athlete to get something from the water.
Learning from Rob and Tom

The strongest part of this experience is the instruction. Several named details point to a school where the human side of the lesson matters as much as the surf.
Tom is described as patient, calm, and easy to follow. Those traits are valuable when you are trying to coordinate several actions at once. Surfing can feel awkward at first, and a rushed instructor can make the process harder. Clear guidance gives you a simple next step rather than a pile of corrections.
Rob is praised for helping beginners start with the basics and then adding useful board tips. Another session with Rob included several good waves, while a first-timer learned from the beginning and caught many waves in the first lesson. That does not promise the same result for every student, since water and ability vary, but it shows the kind of progress the lesson aims for.
An unusual extra detail is that Rob showed one couple a mural project and art gallery after their lesson. This is not listed as a formal part of the 90-minute activity, so you should not book expecting an art visit. Still, it gives the school a more personal feel than a purely transactional beach class.
The instructors are also described as foreign, with an ability to explain surfing at a basic level. That may help if you are learning in English and want direct instructions without technical jargon. The available information does not identify every instructor or list languages, so it is best to confirm language needs when booking.
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The real variable: wave conditions

The biggest factor outside the school’s control is the surf. One student loved the instruction but wished the waves were larger. That is an important point for anyone comparing this lesson with a serious surf destination.
Da Nang can offer a fun introduction, but this experience should not be sold as a high-powered surf trip. The focus is on learning to catch waves and enjoying the process. If your main goal is large, powerful surf, you may find the conditions modest on the day you visit.
For a beginner, smaller or gentler waves can be useful. They may give you more manageable attempts and reduce the pressure of handling fast water. For an experienced surfer, the same conditions may feel limited. One person who had already taken a lesson in Phuket found the instruction here much better, but that praise was aimed at the coaching, not at wave size.
Weather also affects the booking. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. This is sensible for an outdoor water activity, but it means you should keep some flexibility in your schedule if surfing is important to your trip.
Is $43.47 a fair price?

At $43.47 per person, the value depends mainly on how much water time and personal coaching you receive. The lesson lasts about 90 minutes and has a maximum of eight people. For a first taste of surfing, that is a reasonable format if the instructor gives you repeated attempts and useful corrections.
The price is more attractive for a beginner than for a seasoned surfer looking for a full day of ocean time. You are paying for instruction and a guided introduction, not simply access to a board or a long independent session. The better you use the coaching, the more value you get.
I would also judge the price against your goal. If you want to say you tried surfing in Vietnam, learn the basic motion, and see if you enjoy the sport, 90 minutes is a practical commitment. If you already surf regularly, ask yourself if a short lesson is worth it for local advice. The positive experience from a surfer who had taken a Phuket lesson suggests that even an improving surfer may benefit from the tips, though no advanced program is described.
The small group cap helps support the price. A class of eight can offer a better balance than a large commercial group, but it is not the same as private tuition. If you are paying for a couple or family, remember that the cost is per person.
Who should book this experience?

This lesson suits first-time surfers, casual beachgoers, and anyone who wants an active morning or afternoon in Da Nang. It also fits people who learn best through direct, simple instruction rather than watching a long demonstration.
You may especially like it if:
- You have never stood on a surfboard.
- You want a short activity that fits into a larger Da Nang itinerary.
- You value patient corrections over a large group and a quick equipment handoff.
- You are staying near Da Nang and can reach the Son Thuy Beach meeting point.
- You want to try surfing without committing to several days of lessons.
It may be less suitable if you expect large waves, advanced coaching, or a full-day surf program. The available details describe a beginner-friendly lesson, not a progression course with several sessions. Experienced surfers may still enjoy the local guidance, but should keep expectations focused on instruction and fun rather than challenging surf.
The activity requires a moderate level of physical fitness. Surfing involves paddling, balancing, getting up from the board, and repeated attempts in the water. The information does not give a specific age limit, swimming requirement, or equipment list, so ask the operator if any of those points affect you.
Timing your session in Da Nang

The listed hours run from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM every day. That gives you a wide window for planning, though the information does not identify which time has the best waves or the calmest water.
I would choose a time that leaves you unhurried before and after the lesson. You will get more from the coaching if you are not watching the clock. Since the experience takes about 90 minutes and ends where it begins, it can fit neatly into a day near the beach.
The mobile ticket is convenient, and confirmation is provided at booking. You should still keep the meeting address handy: Bãi Tắm Sơn Thuỷ, Trần Quốc Hoàn, Ngũ Hành Sơn, Da Nang. The school operates in an outdoor setting, so weather can change the plan.
Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The information does not provide a transport route or pickup service, so you should plan your own way to the starting beach unless the operator confirms something different.
Cancellation and weather protection
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.
The cut-off follows local time. That detail matters if you are booking from another country or changing plans while moving around Vietnam.
The experience also requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you can choose a different date or experience, or receive a full refund. This policy gives you some protection, though it does not remove the need for flexibility during a beach trip.
My call: book it for the coaching
I would book Go Surfing if I wanted a friendly first lesson, a manageable 90-minute activity, and a genuine chance to catch a few waves in Da Nang. The strongest reasons are the small group limit, the repeated praise for calm and clear instruction, and the specific progress described under Tom and Rob.
I would not book it expecting Bali-sized surf or an advanced training camp. The waves may be modest, and the lesson is short. But if your aim is to learn the basics, get useful board advice, and have a good outdoor experience near Da Nang, $43.47 is a fair price to consider.
Before paying, confirm that Son Thuy Beach in Da Nang works for your plans, especially if you are based in Hoi An. If the location fits and you can accept weather-dependent conditions, this is a practical way to test surfing without giving up a full day.
FAQ
Where does the surfing lesson start and end?
The activity starts at Bãi Tắm Sơn Thuỷ, Trần Quốc Hoàn, Ngũ Hành Sơn, Da Nang, Vietnam. It ends back at the same meeting point.
How long does the experience last?
The surf lesson lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
What is the maximum group size?
The activity accepts a maximum of eight travelers.
What are the operating hours?
The listed operating hours are Monday through Sunday, from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Is the activity suitable for beginners?
Yes. The experience is designed to teach people to catch waves, and the instruction covers first-time surfers as well as people who have surfed before.
What happens if the weather is poor?
If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.
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