Kiteboarding & Windsurfing in Mui Ne Bay

Mui Ne is quickly becoming a South East Asian Mecca for kiteboarding and windsurfing. Mui Ne has the best conditions in all of Asia for water sports because it has Asia's strongest and most consistent cross-onshore winds and the lowest rainfall in Vietnam. Every day is a perfect day. You may ask why you haven't heard of it, if it's so great? The reason is the tourism industry has only existed for about 10 years in this province. The development is new, and this best-kept secret has only just been discovered.

The area is often referred to by the water sports industry as "Mui Ne Bay," although the bay is more correctly the "Bay of Phan Thiet" (Phan Thiet is the provincial capital of Binh Thuan Province and lies in the center of the bay). Depths in the bay are irregular, and a bank with depths of less than 5.5 m, extends 1.5 miles west of Mui Ne. The true name of Mui Ne Beach is actually "Rang" but the tourist industry refers to it as Mui Ne, after the village on the point.

There are currently 5 certified Kitesurfing schools* at Mui Ne, and the competition is fierce. Resorts have taken note of the popularity of the sport, and new teaching centers are bound to pop up all over the beach. Just a few years ago you might see just a couple of kites and sails on the water during an afternoon. These days it can be quite a spectacle.

Mui Ne Kite Centers

Airwaves. Australians Campbell and Tricia Derrick opened Airwaves Kitesurfing and Water sports in 2002. Campbell is a certified IKO Kitesurf instructor and AYF windsurf instructor. Airwaves offers kitesurfing, windsurfing, sailing, surfing and water skiing. Airwaves is located at The Sailing Club Resort, near Good Morning Vietnam Restaurant.

C2Sky. C2Sky is operated by Philip (British/Irish)and Liz (Dutch). C2Sky specializes in Kitesurfing. It is an IKO Kitesurf Center with qualified IKO instructors and beach boys. The center is located at Sunny Beach Resort in the center of Mui Ne. C2Sky has been operating in Mui Ne since 2006, but used to have a Kitesurf school and shop in Northern Ireland for 5 years. So lots of experience! They provide Beginner courses, up to Instructor courses in English, Dutch, and Vietnamese (from October till May also German, Swiss, and French). They teach with Ozone kites from trainer kites to the latest bow kites and also provide Ozone demo kites. You have the option to rent kite equipment. The facilities on the beach include showers, toilets, storage area and a restaurant/bar. C2Sky has a lovely shaded chill out area, where you can lie in your hammock watch other kiters, listen to music, watch the latest kite movies and/ or socialize with other kiters.

S.I.K. Center. The S.I.K. Center is operated by Skatoor at the Mellow Hotel. Skatoor also teaches in The Hamptons, New York. Skatoor is Master Instructor and K.I.S.S. certified. The center offers surfing or kitesurfing and is conveniently located near the Coco Internet Cafe.

Wind Chimes. Wind Chimes was opened by Trang Tran in 2004, and is located at the Saigon-Mui Ne Resort in central Mui Ne Beach, as well as the Swiss Village and Pandanus Resort at Suoi Hong . Trang's background in wind sports includes 17 years windsurfing and 4 years kiteboarding. He was the first instructor teaching in Mui Ne, in 2002. Trang has been a PASA certified instructor since 2004. Trang's partner Tien is IKO certified. Both are Vietnamese Americans and use both foreign and Vietnamese instructors.

Vietnamkitesurfingtours. In their own words: We are the first tour company that focusses on exploring the vietnam coast! We have found a spot in Vietnam that offers flat water, reef-break, a beautiful downwinder and beautiful surroundings! Vietnamkitesurfingtours is the only one with a permit for this spot! Wind is average of 20 knots + all the time due to a local windy system! So wind is guaranteed in the months November to April, even when Mui ne is not windy! Come and visit us at our bookingoffice at Hot Rock bar/reastaurant or check our site www.vietnamkitesurfingtours.com.

Jibes/Full Moon Beach. Jibes opened in 2001 and is first and the best known Kitesurfing school in Mui Ne. Jibes and Full Moon Beach Resort are owned by Frenchmen Pascal Lefebvre and his wife, and have appeared in numerous articles in Vietnam and internationally. Jibes was the first real bar on the beach and thus drew the backpacker crowd. The Full Moon Beach Kitesurfing school is IKO certified, and boasts that its instructors can teach in nine languages. Jibes is famous for the annual Kiteboarding-Windsurfing Vietnam Fun Cup competition held at the club. The center offers a variety of water sports and is conveniently located near the Coco Internet Cafe and both Hanh Cafe and TM Brothers tour companies.

*A seventh school now operates at the Tropico (Rach Dua) Resort, catering mainly to Russians.

A Note on Safety & Mui Ne Conditions

Medical Emergencies. The nearest hospital is in Phan Thiet, which is about 20 minutes from Mui Ne. Keep in mind, the further away you go to play, the further you are from medical facilities. There are no medical airlifts or speedboats. Kite centers may not have insurance or adequate first aid supplies and training. Don't assume you "they got you covered." Ask questions before you sign up! Serious injuries do happen here.

Swimming. Unfortunately some water sports enthusiasts are careless and ignore the safety of swimmers. Swimmers should not assume that kitesurfers can see or avoid them. Stay clear of launch and landing areas for your own safety. The best time to swim is early hours of the morning or early evening (usually when there are no windsurfers or kiteboarders in the water).

Caution: It should be noted that Mui Ne is otherwise a very safe beach for watersports. However, some other out-of-the-way beaches in this province, that are being recommeded by certain tour companies, are not safe for certain types of activity. An area near Khe Ga island is reported to be mined. Visitors should also not wander in the bush or canyons at the abondoned airstrip (the LZ Betty) on the way to Khe Ga, as it is known to contain unexploded ordnances and quicksand. Ganh Beach (near Mui Ne Village) has notoriously strong rip currents. Phu Quy Island is dangerous for water sports due to coral reefs, shallow water, and high populations of sharks.

More Info on Mui Ne Beaches & Sports

• Beaches North of Phan Thiet (including Mui Ne)
• Beaches South of Phan Thiet (including Doi Duong)
• Sports in Mui Ne and Binh Thuan
• Mui Ne Tides and Full Moon Schedule
• Mui Ne Weather

More Information (Off-Site)

• SeaSpecs4U.com - floating sunglasses designed for water sports, filters 100% UVA and UVB rays - sold in Mui Ne.
• Bernie Schmieding - Photos, Kitesurfing and Travel Info