One of the most popular attractions in Da Nang are its beautiful and quiet beaches. Stretching over 60 km from Hai Van Pass to Marble Mountain, Da Nang’s beaches specially with their white silky sand were voted 01 in 06 most luxurious beaches on planet by Forbes Magazine.
Best time to visit Danang’s beaches
The best time to travel to Da Nang is during the dry season, from March to September. In these months, the weather is hot and humid, with temperatures hitting around 30 degrees Celsius. The peak season is from June to August with a large number of public holidays.
The rain season, which starts from October to March, is when you should not travel to Danang. During this time, there is a lot of rain, sometimes typhoons, thunderstorms and even floods.
From January to March, the weather is more favorable, with the average temperature between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius.
The best city beaches
These two beaches make up the main city beach that stretches for over 10 km across the eastern coastline. Going from top to bottom, My Khe beach is in Phuoc My district which is the central area for tourists, while Bac My An is a little further south and a little quieter.
- Location: Walking distance from any hotel in the eastern districts. Boasts city vistas and Son Tra in the background. Palms trees line the boulevard.
- Services and Swimming Safety: Easy to access cafes and restaurants. Swimming is supervised and flags indicate safe areas.
- Cleanliness: Very clean, pristine, and well-kept.
- Activities: The rough ocean is great for surfing and other water sports while the beach has shady areas for picnics.
1. My Khe Beach – Bustling
Silky white sand squeaks beneath your feet and trash is a rarity that quickly gets snatched up by the lifeguard and other attendants. Gorgeous palm trees line the beach and provide glorious shade from the unadulterated sunshine. From here, a beautiful city vista is laid out in front of you with the Son Tra peninsula as a hazy backdrop to the shimmering city skyscrapers. There are many excellent restaurants at hand that have stunning views of the bay. Deckchair cafes for on-beach service can be found lining My khe beach.
The ocean is restless and the waves can get quite big as this long stretch of beach is located far away from sheltered coves. Swimming is safe but follow the rules set out by the beach’s management. Riptides are not uncommon and even strong swimmers should heed the advice of the lifeguard. My Khe beach is great for amateur surfers with many surf shops positioned nearby offering rental.
My Khe beach is often shared with Vietnamese locals and tourists alike. In the evening couples, families, and beach volleyball teams share the beach in sunset harmony and meditation groups sit listening to the ocean waves.
2. Bac My An Beach – Relaxed
Slap bang in the middle of the My An and Khue My districts is a small area known as Bac My An. Home to some upmarket hospitality including resorts, restaurants, and casinos.
This particular spot is open to the public but still retains the peacefulness and cleanliness of a private beach. Bac My An beach is a great choice for beachside picnics during the day with groves of lush palm trees for shade.
The best Southern beach
- Location: Close to Hoi An and the Marble Mountain.
- Services and Swimming Safety: Casinos and hotels have luxury private beaches with public access in parts.
- Cleanliness: Pristine to the max.
- Activities: VIP service in world-renowned hospitality.
3. Non Nuoc Beach – Exclusive and great for sunrise.
Non Nuoc beach faces east, so it is a great location to watch a beautiful sunrise over the clear blue sea. For those keen on an early morning adventure, sunrise is at roughly 6 am.
As you can imagine, the level of beach tranquility here is world-class. The busyness of the city is far away and the beach is not very busy. The fancy resorts have private areas but there is some space for public use too.
The best Northern beaches
These three beaches combine on the northern section of the city. A large and sleepy highway skirts along the seafront before disappearing into the Hai Van pass. A trip along this beachfront holds a spectacular view of the other side of Da Nang. Hammock cafes are sprung along the forested coastline and the landscape is raw.
- Location: Readily accessible to hotels and resorts in the north of Da Nang city. Views are of the Hai Van pass and local fishing life.
- Services and Swimming Safety: Hammock and deckchair cafes line the boulevard and lifeguards are stationed in the busier areas.
- Cleanliness: Less clean than on the eastern side but also there is a lot more local life.
- Activities: Fishing, boat trips, and swimming are all on the table.
4. Nam O Beach – Excursions into local life
Nam O beach is on the northern tip just before the Hai Van pass swallows up the highway. During the war, this area was known as Red Beach One by American forces. From here mountains tower above you and the ocean has reefs and rocky areas for activities. Many fishing boats engage in the tourist trade and holidaymakers can organize a fishing trip or gain access to hidden coves around the coastline. Other outdoor activities include windsurfing and surfing.
5. Xuan Thieu Beach- Local cuisine and coffee
Also known as Red Beach (two), this is the largest stretch of beach that is easily accessible from the northern districts of Da Nang. Many Vietnamese locals come to Xuan Thieu beach to unwind late into the evening. Therefore many exciting and interesting street food vendors await with beautiful deckchair cafes set up along the boulevard. Most of the lifeguarded areas are in the center of Xuan Thieu beach with a first aid station every 100 meters or so.
6. Thanh Binh Beach – No dangerous swirl water
Thanh Binh beach is the closest beach to the city center. It is on the far right of the northern coastline, near where the Han River meets the ocean. The beach is almost flat and rarely has big waves.
The best sunset beach
- Location: Further away from the city center and in a little cove on the Son Tra peninsula. One of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam with stunning mountain views.
- Services and Swimming Safety: A couple of upmarket hotels and resorts offer parking and a simple drinks service. Swimming is loosely supervised.
- Cleanliness: 5-star cleanliness from the white sand to the clear blue water.
- Activities: Amazing sunset viewing with a calm ocean.
7. Tien Sa Beach – Sunsets and white sand
Positioned on a small cove on the Son Tra peninsula, this beach has white sand and is a popular sunset viewing spot for tourists and Vietnamese locals. A handful of resorts and hotels have accommodation close to the clear blue waters.
Tien Sa beach is set in a beautiful cove and thus the ocean is very soft. The ambiance is very tranquil, and the beach and ocean are kept sparkling clean.
Holidaymakers to Tien Sa beach can enjoy amazing sunsets. Sunset is early in Vietnam due to its location near the equator with around 6 pm being a pretty dependable time. From the rocky outcrop on the far right side of the beach, it’s possible to watch as the sun sets over the cloud-capped Hai Van mountains. From this spot you will get an exploding vista with hues of orange, purple, and blue.
The best adventure beach
- Location: 50 kilometers north from Da Nang but incorporates the Hai Van pass into the experience. A great adventure with stunning views.
- Services and Swimming Safety: Cafes and restaurants are on the straight part of the beach. There are no flags nor lifeguards for supervised swimming.
- Cleanliness: Relatively clean. It’s a working beach with fishing boats and other elements of local life. The ocean is sparkling clean.
- Activities: Great for photography with on-beach tiki hut vibes. Hiking trails are found nearby.
8. Lang Co Beach – Hidden place
This beach is a two-part experience. While technically not being in Da Nang, Lang Co is an experience not to be missed when you visit this region of Vietnam. A very local and laidback beach awaits, but only after you travel an hour north through the lofty mountains of the Hai Van pass. On this route, a glorious highway twists and turns through raw mountainous terrain, overlooking blue water beaches down below.
Can you swim in Da Nang beaches?
Yes, you can. There are many beaches to choose from depending on your swimming skill level and confidence. Some beaches have onsite lifeguards and first aid facilities whereas others are unsupervised and isolated. There have been very rare reports of shark incidents over the years and the chances of this happening are so small that it is nothing to worry about. Here are some tips to ensure a worry-free time in the ocean:
- The Buddy System: Always have a buddy when you go swimming in the sea. Keep your eyes on them and they’ll watch over you too.
- Don’t worry about sharks: Sharks tend to stay away from humans and in these busy coastal waters, they have become extremely rare.
- Don’t swim at night: At this time visibility is poor and the success of a rescue at sea is unlikely. Also, dusk is prime hunting time for predatory fish and they too suffer from bad eye-sight.
- Stay away from jellyfish: Box jellyfish have been found in the coastal waters of Vietnam. Other species of jellyfish are more common and don’t pose any real threat, just a little discomfort.
- Beware of riptides: This is where the ocean current takes you further away from the beach. Riptides can be very strong and hard to spot. If you feel you are in a riptide then swim parallel to the beach until the current has weakened and then calmly swim back to safety.
There are so many beaches to choose from, each with their own character and charms, but choosing one or two of the best beaches in Da Nang won’t disappoint whether you have just a few days or a whole week to enjoy and explore.
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