Olympic surfing made its debut in 2021 at Tsurigasaki Beach in Chiba, an hour and a half from central Tokyo. That sums up surfing in East Asia: real waves within reach of some of the largest cities on earth, plus quieter coasts in Taiwan, Korea and southern China for anyone who heads further out.
The Pacific coasts of Japan and Taiwan pick up typhoon groundswell from late summer into autumn, while the winter northeast monsoon powers waves on Taiwan’s east coast, Korea’s Sea of Japan shore around Yangyang, and Hainan’s Riyue Bay. Beginners have easy breaks all year near Tokyo, Seoul and Sanya.
Water temperature drives the planning. Summer is boardshorts weather almost everywhere, but a winter session at Yangyang or Shonan means a 5 mm wetsuit, gloves and boots, while Kenting and Hainan stay warm.
At a Glance#
- Near Tokyo: the Shonan coast at Kamakura, Enoshima and Chigasaki, and the more consistent beaches of Chiba.
- Warm-water Japan: Miyazaki on Kyushu, the Pacific coast of Shikoku and the reefs of Amami Ōshima.
- Taiwan: Jinzun Harbor near Taitung, home of the Taiwan Open of Surfing, the village breaks of Dulan, and winter waves in Kenting.
- Korea: Yangyang on the east coast, two to three hours from Seoul, plus Jeju Island and Busan.
- China: Riyue Bay in Wanning on Hainan, the country’s surf capital, and beginner waves near Sanya.
- Seasons: typhoon swell from August to October; winter monsoon swell from October to March on Taiwan’s east, Korea’s east coast and Hainan.
Japan#
The Shonan coast, from Kamakura past Enoshima and Kugenuma to Chigasaki, is where Japanese surfing began, about an hour from Tokyo by JR or Odakyu train. Waves are usually small and the line-ups crowded at weekends, but on a clear winter morning you surf with Mount Fuji behind you. Shops along the coast road rent boards and wetsuits and run lessons for beginners. The little Enoden railway runs along the shore between Kamakura and Enoshima, so you can check several breaks in a morning without a car, and the quieter beaches lie west of Enoshima towards Chigasaki.
Chiba, east of the capital, faces the open Pacific and picks up swell far more often. Ichinomiya, with Tsurigasaki Beach and its Olympic legacy, is the centre, and the long sand of Kujukuri and the reefs further south around Minamibōsō spread the crowd. The Wakashio limited express runs from Tokyo Station to Kazusa-Ichinomiya in about an hour, but most local surfers drive so they can move between breaks as the wind and tide change, and a rental car pays off if you plan more than a day.
For warmer water, fly to Miyazaki on Kyushu, where the Kuroshio current keeps the sea mild and beach breaks such as Kisakihama and Aoshima work most of the year; the city hosted the ISA World Surfing Games in 2019. On Shikoku, the coasts of Kōchi and Tokushima have river-mouth and point breaks that light up in typhoon season. Far south, Amami Ōshima has uncrowded reef breaks in subtropical water, best for intermediate surfers.
Taiwan#
Taiwan’s east coast, between the mountains and the Pacific, is the island’s surf heartland. Jinzun Harbor north of Taitung hosts the Taiwan Open of Surfing, a World Surf League qualifying event held each November, and its rights peel along the harbour wall when typhoon or monsoon swell arrives. Dulan, a short drive south, is a laid-back village of surf hostels, cafes and reef and river-mouth breaks.
From Taipei, the nearest surf is on the northeast coast at Fulong and Wai’ao, about an hour by train, which work best from autumn to spring. At the southern tip, Kenting has warm water, surf schools and beginner waves: Jialeshui works in the winter northeast swell, Nanwan in summer.
Korea#
Korea’s surf boom is centred on Yangyang, on the east coast near Sokcho and Gangneung, where more than 30 surf shops line Jukdo and Ingu beaches. Two-hour beginner lessons cost about 50,000 to 80,000 won (about 35 to 55 USD) with a board, and summer weekends turn into a beach party for Seoul’s young crowd. The best waves come from autumn to spring, when northeast winds build swell in the Sea of Japan, but winter water drops to about 5 to 8°C.
On Jeju Island, Jungmun’s beach catches summer typhoon swell, while Woljeong and Iho Tewoo on the north coast suit beginners in winter. Busan’s Songjeong Beach is the big-city option, a gentle break with lesson shops by the subway line.
China and Hong Kong#
Riyue Bay (Sun and Moon Bay) in Wanning, on Hainan’s east coast, is China’s surf capital, with a reef point, a beach break and a cluster of surf hostels. The prime season runs from about October to March, when winter swell arrives, and the World Surf League held a qualifying event there in late 2025. Near Sanya, Houhai Bay has dozens of surf schools and soft waves for first-timers in warm water. In Hong Kong, Big Wave Bay near Shek O has a small but loyal scene in winter.
When to go and what to bring#
August to October brings the most powerful typhoon swell to Japan and Taiwan, but storms can also close beaches and harbours, so watch the forecasts. From October to March the northeast monsoon is the main engine for Taiwan’s east and northeast coasts, Korea’s east coast and Hainan. Spring is often small and calm, which suits learners.
For wetsuits, think 3/2 mm in spring and autumn around Tokyo and Korea, 5/4 mm with boots in winter, and boardshorts or a rash vest in Kenting, Hainan and Amami for most of the year. Rentals are easy at the main beaches, and most Japanese and Korean surf towns have shops that store boards for visitors.
Typhoons and rips
Typhoon swell is powerful and the harbour and river-mouth breaks it lights up have strong currents. Check the local warnings, never paddle out when a typhoon is close, and ask shops about rips and reef depth before your first session at a new break.
Best surf spots in East Asia#
More Things to Do#
East Asia surfing FAQs#
Where is the best surf in East Asia?
Chiba and Miyazaki in Japan and Taiwan’s east coast around Jinzun Harbor are the most consistent. Shonan, Yangyang and Hainan’s Riyue Bay are the easiest to combine with a city trip.
When is surf season in Japan?
Japan’s Pacific coast is best from late August to October, when typhoons send groundswell. Chiba picks up waves all year, and winter brings clean conditions but cold water.
Can you surf near Tokyo?
Yes. Shonan around Kamakura and Chigasaki is about an hour by train, and Chiba’s Ichinomiya, home of the 2021 Olympic surfing event, is about 90 minutes away.
Is Taiwan good for beginner surfers?
Yes. Kenting and the beach breaks around Wai’ao near Taipei have surf schools and gentle waves, and Dulan has hostels that run lessons. Jinzun Harbor is better for experienced surfers when swell is big.
Do I need a wetsuit to surf in Korea?
In summer a rash vest or thin suit is enough. From late autumn to spring you need a full wetsuit, and in winter, when water at Yangyang falls to about 5 to 8°C, a 5 mm suit with gloves and boots.
Where can you surf in China?
Hainan Island is the centre: Riyue Bay in Wanning for the best waves from October to March, and Houhai near Sanya for lessons. Hong Kong’s Big Wave Bay has small winter surf.