Review · DA NANG
Go Surfing In Danang AND Hoi An
Catching a wave on your first lesson is the point here, not mastering a long list of surf jargon. At Son Thuy Beach, Go Surfing keeps the session focused on practical instruction, with coaches showing you how to get onto the board and catch small waves safely.
I like two things right away: the small maximum group of eight, and the patient teaching style described by guests who worked with Rob and Tom. I also like that the lesson lasts about 90 minutes, long enough to make real progress without turning into an exhausting half-day commitment.
The main thing to check is location. The experience is promoted for Da Nang and Hoi An, but the stated meeting point is Bãi Tắm Sơn Thuỷ in Da Nang. If you are staying in Hoi An, confirm how you will reach the beach before you pay.
Key points to know before you book

- First-timer friendly instruction: The lesson is built around helping beginners catch waves, not simply handing you a board.
- A maximum of eight people: The group size should leave room for direct advice, though the exact amount of individual coaching can vary.
- Rob and Tom are named instructors: Rob is also associated with a mural project and art gallery near the surf school.
- A 90-minute beach session: This is a compact introduction, useful for a first try or a quick activity between sightseeing plans.
- Da Nang meeting point: You meet at Bãi Tắm Sơn Thuỷ, Trần Quốc Hoàn, Ngũ Hành Sơn.
- Weather can change the plan: Poor conditions may lead to a new date or a full refund.
Starting at Son Thuy Beach in Da Nang
Your session begins at Bãi Tắm Sơn Thuỷ, on Trần Quốc Hoàn in Ngũ Hành Sơn, Da Nang. The experience ends at the same meeting point, so you are not left arranging a second pickup location after getting wet and sandy.
That simple setup matters. Surf lessons are easiest when you can arrive, meet the instructor, and get to the beach without a long chain of transfers. The description does not include hotel pickup, so you should plan your own way to the meeting point.
The activity runs daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM during the listed operating period, from March 19, 2023, through November 26, 2026. The broad hours give you some choice, but surf conditions and the exact time available still depend on the booking you select.
If you are staying near Da Nang, this should be easy to fit around a morning walk, a beach day, or an afternoon in the city. If you are based in Hoi An, allow extra time for the ride and confirm the meeting point carefully. The name includes both Da Nang and Hoi An, but the supplied address is in Da Nang.
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What happens during the 90-minute lesson

The stated goal is straightforward: learn how to catch waves. Go Surfing says its coaches train people to do this every day, and that focus gives the lesson a practical shape.
You can expect instruction aimed at getting you moving on the board rather than a long classroom talk. The available details do not provide a minute-by-minute schedule, so I would not promise a set order of warm-up, land practice, and water time. Still, the teaching style is clear from the feedback: basic instructions, tips on the board, and repeated help with timing.
For a first lesson, that is the right priority. You need to understand how to position yourself, when to paddle, and how to rise from the board. A clean explanation at the right moment can matter more than a large amount of theory.
The session is also suitable if you have surfed before. One regular participant spent a week at the school and received advice on improving technique, while another person compared the lesson favorably with a recent class in Phuket. That suggests the coaches can offer more than a one-size-fits-all introduction, although your progress will depend on the sea and your own fitness.
Learning with Rob and Tom

The strongest personal detail attached to this experience is the teaching. Tom is described as calm, patient, and clear, with useful tips that helped a beginner make visible progress. That is exactly what you want from a surf instructor, since unclear advice can leave you paddling hard without knowing why the board is not moving.
Rob is also singled out as an instructor who can take a student from basic board skills to more advanced tips. A first-time surfer reported catching many waves during the first session with him, which points to a lesson built around quick, practical wins.
Rob’s role seems to extend beyond the water. After one Da Nang lesson, he showed the participants a mural project and art gallery. This is not presented as a guaranteed part of every booking, so treat it as a possible extra rather than part of the formal schedule. Still, it gives the school a personal, creative side that you will not get from a purely commercial beach setup.
The instructors are also described as foreign coaches who explain basic skills in an easy-to-follow way. That may help if you are nervous about learning in English, though the supplied information does not state the full language range of the staff.
Why the small group matters

The maximum group size is eight. That is not a private lesson, but it is small enough to make direct instruction possible, especially when the coach is actively watching each person’s attempts.
Surf lessons naturally include waiting. You paddle out, take a turn, return, and listen while someone else tries. In a very large class, your time on the board can shrink. A group capped at eight gives you a better chance of receiving corrections and trying again within the 90-minute session.
I would still keep expectations sensible. The description does not promise a one-to-one coach, and the actual experience can vary depending on how many people book your time. If personal attention is your top priority, ask Go Surfing if a private arrangement is available, rather than assuming the standard session includes it.
For couples and friends, the group format can be a good balance. You get the social energy of learning together without joining a crowded lesson. It also suits solo visitors who want a guided activity but do not need a full private booking.
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How much progress can you make?

The feedback points to an encouraging first session. Some beginners caught several waves, and one person felt they had improved a lot in only an hour and a half. That is useful evidence of what the lesson can deliver when the conditions and coaching line up.
You should read those results as a possibility, not a guarantee. Surfing depends on wave size, timing, balance, and fitness. One person specifically wished for bigger waves and more days of surfing, which is an important limitation. Son Thuy Beach may offer a pleasant learning session, but it is not being sold as a major surf destination with powerful breaks.
That can actually suit a beginner. Smaller waves are less intimidating and give you room to practice the basic movement. At the same time, experienced surfers looking for a strong ride may find the conditions too modest.
The best way to judge the lesson is by your goal. If you want to catch your first wave, understand the basics, and have a fun outdoor hour and a half, the format makes sense. If you want advanced coaching, large surf, or a full multi-day training plan, you may need to arrange more sessions.
The value of $43.47

At $43.47 per person, the experience sits in a reasonable range for a guided 90-minute activity, especially if you are starting from scratch and want equipment, instruction, and a planned session in one booking. The real value is not the time on the beach alone. It is the chance to avoid spending your first session guessing at technique.
A cheap board rental without coaching may cost less, but it may also leave you unsure why you are falling or missing waves. Here, the instruction is the main product. Clear guidance from someone like Tom or Rob can help you make better use of each attempt.
The price is less attractive if you already surf confidently and only want board time. The session is designed around teaching, so experienced surfers should check what level of coaching is offered before booking.
It is also worth considering the travel cost if you stay in Hoi An. Since the stated meeting point is in Da Nang, the total cost includes not only the booking price but also your transport and time getting to the beach. For a short lesson, that extra journey may matter more than it would for a full-day outing.
Who should book this surf session?

I would put this near the top of the list for a first-time surfer visiting Da Nang. The lesson is short, the group is limited, and the teaching is built around catching waves rather than watching a demonstration from shore.
It also suits couples and friends who want an active break from temples, food stops, and city sightseeing. One person can make progress while the other gets encouragement from the beach, and the shared nature of a small class keeps the mood relaxed.
A solo visitor can also fit in easily. The stated hours run from early morning to early evening, so you have a good chance of finding a session that fits around other plans.
You should think twice if you have poor fitness or are uncomfortable with physical activity. The booking information calls for a moderate fitness level. Surfing asks you to paddle, balance, get up from the board, and repeat the effort several times.
Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Those details may help with planning, but the information does not give a specific route or transport arrangement, so you should still check your own journey.
Weather, flexibility, and the Hoi An question

Surfing depends on the sea, so weather can affect the schedule. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.
You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, and all cut-off times use local time.
The Da Nang and Hoi An wording deserves special attention. The experience title refers to both places, and one description calls the school a good option near Hoi An. Yet the official start and end point supplied here is Son Thuy Beach in Da Nang. I would not assume that a Hoi An pickup or a separate Hoi An beach lesson is included.
Before booking, check the exact meeting point shown for your date. This is a small step, but it prevents a frustrating morning and helps you decide if the $43.47 price still works once transport is added.
Is Go Surfing worth booking?
I would book this if you want a friendly, focused introduction to surfing in Da Nang and care more about catching a few waves than chasing big surf. The strongest reasons are the clear coaching associated with Rob and Tom, the maximum group size of eight, and the useful 90-minute length.
I would skip it if your main goal is advanced surfing, large waves, or a lesson directly in Hoi An. The beach location, weather limits, and modest session length make it a better first taste than a full surf program.
For most beginners, the price is fair because good instruction can save you a lot of wasted effort. Just confirm the Da Nang meeting point, judge the travel time from Hoi An, and remember that your best session depends partly on the day’s conditions.
FAQ
Where does the surf lesson start and end?
It starts at Bãi Tắm Sơn Thuỷ, Trần Quốc Hoàn, Ngũ Hành Sơn, Da Nang, Vietnam. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.
How long does the experience last?
The surf lesson lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
How many people can join the session?
The activity has a maximum of eight travelers.
Is the lesson suitable for beginners?
Yes. The experience is designed to teach people to catch waves, and it welcomes people taking their first surf as well as people with some prior experience.
What fitness level do I need?
A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended.
What happens if the weather is poor?
If bad weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. A full refund may also be offered if the minimum number of participants is not reached.
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