Vung Tau Back Beach (Vũng Tàu)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Vung Tau Back Beach is a long sandy, exposed coastal area in Vũng Tàu, used for multiple water sports. The coastline offers a sand-bottom setup with easy access along the main road and ample space for setup along the beach. Surfing is described as an exposed point/beach-break environment with multiple peaks along the beach. Winter monsoon brings the best swell options (commonly working with easterly and NE swell directions), while onshore wind periods can reduce cleanliness—so earlier sessions before winds strengthen (or times when winds shift slightly offshore) tend to be preferable. Wave quality is generally good/average, with mixed shapes and moderate power. For wind sports, winter monsoon winds are a major advantage, with wind described as highly consistent during the season. Kite and windsurf conditions are commonly cross-onshore with wind-chop and small waves, which suits freeriding and freeride-to-wave progression. Wingfoiling is also possible, particularly on cleaner days, with the sandy bottom and moderate shore-break context making it workable once past the immediate shore zone. Safety is a central consideration: strong rip currents are common, especially when the swell is up, and swimmers can require rescue by local authorities. Additional hazards include fishing nets/debris near shore and restricted designated swimming zones for water-sports equipment. Water quality is repeatedly described as poor/turbid—monitor conditions and consider timing around rain events.
- Long sandy coastline with easy launching and lots of space
- Winter monsoon season provides the most reliable wind and swell options
- Surf and wind sports both benefit from careful timing of wind direction and morning/early-day conditions
- Long sandy launch stretch with easy setup and generally suitable access
- Consistent winter conditions for surfing and wind sports
- Multiple peaks along the beach and an overall exposed, reliable setup when timing wind and swell
- Poor water quality is a recurring concern (including after heavy rain)
- Strong rip currents are common, especially when swell is up
- Onshore monsoon winds can make surf and riding messy/choppy at times
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, E, SE
- Offshore directions
- W
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Winter monsoon trade-wind pattern; best for wind sports in/around the winter monsoon season.
- Reliability
- High during the winter monsoon season; very consistent during the best months.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Described as having moderate gusts.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, October, November
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Golden sand / white sandy back beach descriptions.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size described as medium.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Cross-onshore monsoon winds can create wind-chop, especially when the wind picks up.
- Launch
- Big — A long, wide sandy beach spanning roughly 3 kilometers (also described as about 8 kilometers) with ample setup space.
Through the year
Weekends are extremely crowded; weekdays are much quieter.
May to October (rainy season with afternoon thunderstorms).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Winter monsoon conditions for kitesurfing; commonly cross-onshore with wind-chop and small waves, suited to freeriding and entry-level wave riding.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Good for bump-and-jump and freeride windsurfing; long beach allows for long tacks, though chop can increase when wind picks up.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–6.5 m²
Suitable for wingfoiling, especially on cleaner days; sandy bottom generally makes it a safer learning environment after the shore break.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil friendly is explicitly noted.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed point/beach break with multiple peaks along the long sandy coastline; often a safe bet but conditions can be tougher. Winter monsoon brings the best swells, but also onshore wind periods.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- E, NE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Better at mid to high tide (rideable at most depths).
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed coastline (limited shelter from wind/swell).
- Wind Effect
- Best surfing occurs earlier in the morning before onshore winds pick up or when winds shift slightly offshore; works best in offshore winds from the west. NE monsoon winds can create messy, choppy conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and disorganized with strong currents during large NE swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good/average depending on conditions.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Mixed wave shape.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Mixed takeoff/peel characteristics; described as medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Short to medium beach-break peaks; ride length typically short to medium.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves are typically short to medium length beach-break peaks; typical ride length described as about 50–100 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Vung Tau Back Beach (Vũng Tàu) in the full forecast view.
Vung Tau Back Beach (Vũng Tàu) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–13 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- E94°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2713 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.4 m3s period
- Temperature
- 26–32 °C
Over the next 7 days, Vung Tau Back Beach (Vũng Tàu) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.1–0.4 m with a period of about 3s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Strong rip currents (especially when swell is up)
- Rip currents and lateral drift during stronger monsoon swells
- Fishing nets and occasional fishing debris near shore
- Swimmers in designated areas
- Poor water quality (including after heavy rain)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Local lifeguards are present along the main tourist sections, described as seasonal; no dedicated motorized wind-sports rescue service.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is primarily via local authorities/lifeguards; no dedicated rescue service for wind sports.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest formal emergency response is in central Vũng Tàu (hospital within about 10–15 minutes by car). Emergency number: 115 (medical).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism concerns noted.
Rules of the spot
Avoid using water-sports gear in designated swimming zones marked by flags. Surf only when conditions match your skill level.
- Designated swimming areas are off-limits for water sports gear.
- Assess wave size and currents before entering the water.
- Watch for local fishing boats and nets that may be positioned close to shore.
- The northern end of the beach often has slightly cleaner waves and fewer crowds than the central tourist section.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Vũng Tàu
- Nearest Town
- Vũng Tàu
- Parking
- Abundant parking for motorbikes and cars along Thuy Van Street and in various paid parking lots near beach clubs.
- Public Transport
- Bus and taxi access from major cities; express buses and a high-speed hydrofoil ferry service from Ho Chi Minh City. Direct public transit to the beaches can be limited.
- Access
- Extremely easy access via the main coastal road (Thuy Van Street) running parallel to the beach; also described as being accessed near the beach clubs on the white sandy back beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Vietnamese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Hundreds of hotels and guesthouses across the street or along the nearby area.
- Food & Drink
- Beach club and restaurant options along the coastal road; numerous seafood restaurants and street food vendors are also described.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available at several beach clubs and surf shops along Thuy Van Street; rental also noted via schools/clubs.
- Gear Storage
- Offered by some beach clubs and surf schools for daily or monthly fees; otherwise described as limited.
- Gear Repair
- Basic sail and kite repairs can sometimes be arranged through local schools; major repairs may require travel to Ho Chi Minh City.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Vũng Tàu coastline combines a beach culture with nearby coastal and hillside sightseeing, making it a practical weekend trip alongside wind-and-surf sessions.
Beaches, islands, and coastal temples.
Historical lighthouse and coastal shrines; built by the French and known for panoramic views.
Coastal sailing and windsurfing.
Offshore wind energy tours.
Trails offering scenic views of the coastline and city.
Local seafood restaurants and beachfront bars.
A well-known local spot for fresh seafood and coastal views.
Beach parks and shallow water play.
A hilltop theme park accessible by cable car with various rides and attractions.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Vung Tau Back Beach (Vũng Tàu)?
The best overall months at Vung Tau Back Beach (Vũng Tàu) are January, February, March, November, December. The best wind months are January, February, March, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Vung Tau Back Beach (Vũng Tàu)?
Vung Tau Back Beach (Vũng Tàu) works with NE, E, SE winds. Offshore directions are W.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Vung Tau Back Beach (Vũng Tàu)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Vung Tau Back Beach (Vũng Tàu): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Vung Tau Back Beach (Vũng Tàu) suitable for?
Vung Tau Back Beach (Vũng Tàu) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.