Riyue Bay is China's flagship surf destination—a consistent beach break on tropical Hainan Island that hosts WSL Championship Tour events. The Chinese government has invested heavily in surf infrastructure here, building world-class facilities and promoting the sport. Typhoon swells and NE monsoon winds create regular waves during autumn and winter. China's surf culture is exploding, and Riyue Bay is ground zero for the mainland's wave-riding revolution.
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Water temp
26°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
3/10
Crowd level
5/10
Riyue Bay is a beach break in Wanning, China, with peaks that run both left and right.
Riyue Bay picks up swell from the E round to the S, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the ESE. It starts working at around 0.6m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.5 to 2m. Period matters too: aim for 10s or longer, as anything under 7s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
A WNW wind is dead offshore at Riyue Bay, and anything from the W round to the NNE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
Riyue Bay has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.3m to 1.5m on the local chart.
The most reliable run of swell at Riyue Bay comes Sep to Dec. There's a second window in Jan to Mar too. Typhoon and NE monsoon season best. WSL CT venue.
The water at Riyue Bay averages around 26°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Yes, it's one of the friendlier waves around, rated 3/10 for difficulty. Expect a moderate crowd (5/10) when it's on. Strong currents during typhoon swells.
The nearest airport on our list is SYX, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive.
Peak: Sep-Dec
Secondary: Jan-Mar
Typhoon and NE monsoon season best. WSL CT venue.
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.