Tips for visiting beaches in Da Nang
Before exploring the best beaches in Da Nang, it helps to understand a few things about the coastline, beach seasons and where to stay. The beaches around Da Nang are often mentioned under different names in travel guides, which can sometimes be confusing for visitors.
Understanding the beach names of Da Nang
When reading about the best beaches in Da Nang, you might come across many different beach names. Some guides mention ten or even more beaches, and occasionally you may try to look them up on Google Maps only to find that they are difficult to locate.
In reality, Da Nang has one long continuous coastline that is simply divided into different sections. The most famous beach, My Khe Beach, stretches for several kilometres and passes different neighbourhoods. Because of this, parts of the same beach are sometimes referred to by different names such as My An or Bac My An, even though they are all part of the same long sandy coastline.
Best time to visit the beaches of Da Nang
The best time to visit the beaches of Da Nang is during the dry season, which generally runs from February until the end of August.
February can still be windy, and the waves are sometimes too strong for swimming. From March onward the wind usually decreases and beach conditions improve. The official beach season in Da Nang typically runs from April to August, when the sea is calmer and lifeguards and beach facilities are fully operating.
May, June and July are the hottest months of the year. Temperatures can easily exceed 35°C, but the sea breeze and the ocean make the beach a great place to cool down.
From September onward the rainy season gradually starts. Storms and rough seas become more common during October and November when typhoons occasionally affect the central coast.
For a detailed monthly breakdown of weather and beach conditions, see our guide to the best time to visit Da Nang.
The afternoon shade
One advantage of the city beaches in Da Nang is the shade that appears in the afternoon. Along My Khe Beach and the surrounding neighbourhoods, the tall buildings along the coastline cast shadows over parts of the beach later in the day.
This makes the beach much more comfortable during the hot summer months. In the late afternoon many locals come here to swim, exercise or relax by the sea, creating a lively atmosphere as the temperature begins to drop.
Where to stay near the beaches
If you want to stay near the beach in Da Nang, there are several areas to choose from.
The My An area is the most popular neighbourhood for travellers and expats. Here you will find many cafés, restaurants, beach bars and hotels within walking distance of the beach.
Further north, the Son Tra neighbourhood is a bit more local and generally slightly cheaper, while still being only a few kilometres from the main beach area.
If you prefer a luxury beachfront resort, the area south of the city around Non Nuoc Beach is the best choice. This stretch of coast is lined with large five-star resorts set directly on the sand.
Beaches of Hoi An
Less than 30 km south of Da Nang lies Hoi An, one of the most beautiful towns in Vietnam. Besides its historic streets, temples and countryside, the area also has several pleasant beaches.
The atmosphere at the beaches of Hoi An is quite different from those in Da Nang. An Bang Beach has a relaxed, trendy village vibe with small restaurants and boutique hotels, while Cua Dai Beach has more resorts and a quieter atmosphere.
If visiting Hoi An is the main reason for your trip to central Vietnam and you also want some beach time, staying near one of Hoi An’s beaches can be a good alternative. You can read more in our guide to the best beaches in Hoi An.
1. My Khe beach
My Khe Beach is the main city beach of Da Nang and the most famous stretch of coastline in the city. It runs along the eastern side of Da Nang with a wide strip of sand lined with hotels, restaurants, cafés and apartment buildings. The beach continues for many kilometres toward Hoi An, although different sections have different names.
My Khe is often considered the best city beach in Vietnam. The sand is soft and light in colour, the beach is wide and clean, and the water is usually calm outside the windy season. In the nearby My An neighbourhood you’ll find many expats, travellers and popular beach cafés.
The beach gained international attention when it appeared in several films and television shows during the Vietnam War era, when American soldiers stationed in Da Nang came here to relax. It has also been listed by Forbes as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
During the windy months the waves can become strong enough for surfing, while in the calm summer season activities such as parasailing are common. With its lively atmosphere, sunrise views and long promenade, My Khe is the beach most visitors in Da Nang will spend time at.
2. Non Nuoc beach
Non Nuoc Beach is the southern continuation of My Khe Beach, stretching past the Marble Mountains toward Hoi An. While it is technically the same long coastline, the atmosphere here is very different.
This section of beach is known for its large beachfront resorts. Luxury hotels such as Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa, Sheraton Grand Danang Resort and Melia Danang Beach Resort line the coast with long stretches of landscaped beachfront.
Unlike My Khe, there are almost no public restaurants or beach bars directly on the sand. Most facilities belong to the resorts themselves. Although the beach is technically public, it often feels private because access points are limited and many areas are managed by the hotels.
For travellers, Non Nuoc Beach is less a place to visit for the day and more a place to stay if you choose one of the luxury beachfront resorts.
3. Son Tra Peninsula Beaches
Just north of My Khe Beach you can see the forested mountains of the Son Tra Peninsula rising directly from the sea. This peninsula forms a dramatic backdrop to the city and contains several small beaches scattered along the coastline.
Unlike the wide open beaches along the city, the beaches here sit at the foot of jungle-covered hills and feel much more secluded. Some have small restaurants or simple facilities, while others are completely undeveloped and you may have the beach almost to yourself.
One of the beaches on the peninsula belongs to the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort and is not accessible to the public. Other beaches such as Bai But, Bai Nam or Bai Rang can be visited while driving the scenic coastal road around the peninsula.
Because these beaches are more exposed to wind and currents, they can sometimes have debris or rougher water during the windy season. Still, the combination of jungle, mountains and sea makes Son Tra one of the most beautiful coastal areas around Da Nang.
4. Tien Sa Beach
Tien Sa Beach sits on the opposite side of the Son Tra Peninsula, hidden in a small bay beyond the port of Da Nang. Because it lies away from the main city beaches, relatively few visitors come here.
The beach itself is beautiful with soft sand and calm water. Thanks to the sheltered bay, the waves are often smaller than on the open coastline, which makes it a good place for swimming. There are a couple of simple beach restaurants where you can sit, eat seafood and enjoy the view.
Some water activities such as banana boats and jet skis are available here. For some people this adds a bit of fun, while others prefer the quieter beaches elsewhere.
There is also accommodation nearby, but it is generally outdated and the location close to the port means you may hear container trucks at night. For most travellers, Tien Sa is better as a short visit rather than a place to stay overnight.
5. Northern Da Nang Beach (Thanh Binh – Nguyen Tat Thanh – Xuan Thieu)
On the northern side of the city you’ll find another long stretch of coastline that runs along Nguyen Tat Thanh Street. This beach starts near Thuan Phuoc Bridge with Thanh Binh Beach, continues along Nguyen Tat Thanh Beach, and ends around Xuan Thieu Beach.
This side of the city has a very different atmosphere compared to the tourist beaches in the east. The beach is narrower and more local, with apartment buildings, neighbourhood parks and a long seaside promenade where residents walk, exercise and relax in the evenings.
People do not usually come here to spend the whole day sunbathing. Instead, it is a pleasant place to watch the sunset, stroll along the waterfront, try local street food or simply enjoy the view.
The scenery is actually one of the highlights of this coastline. From the beach you can see the mountains of the Hai Van Pass to the west and the forested slopes of the Son Tra Peninsula across the bay to the east.
Along this coastal road you will also find the large Da Nang Mikazuki Water Park 365.
6. Nam O Beach
Nam O Beach lies further north along the coast near the traditional fishing village of Nam O Village. It is technically a continuation of the same coastline as Nguyen Tat Thanh Beach, but the landscape changes here.
Unlike the sandy beaches in the city, Nam O Beach is rocky and not really suited for swimming or relaxing on the sand. Instead, the area is known for its scenery and local culture.
The village itself is famous for producing traditional Vietnamese fish sauce, and you can sometimes see fishermen and boats along the shore. From the beach you also get impressive views toward the mountains of the Hai Van Pass.
For most travellers, Nam O Beach works best as a short stop rather than a beach destination. If you are planning to ride or drive the Hai Van Pass, it is a good place to pause, explore the village and enjoy the coastal views before continuing your journey.
Bonus: 8. Lang Co Beach
Although Lang Co Beach technically belongs to Hue province, it lies only about 30 km north of Da Nang and is easy to visit on a day trip. In fact, the best part of visiting Lang Co is often the journey itself.
To get there from Da Nang you drive over the famous Hai Van Pass, one of the most scenic coastal roads in Vietnam. As you descend the northern side of the pass, you’ll already see the long stretch of Lang Co Beach, the fishing village and the lagoon below.
The beach itself stretches for around 10 km and is much quieter than the beaches in Da Nang. Because it is so long, it is easy to find sections where there are very few people.
Many travellers stop here for lunch at one of the local seafood restaurants, relax for a while on the beach, and then continue their trip back toward Da Nang or onward to Hue.
There are also a few resorts along the beach, but staying here means being far away from cities and nightlife. For most visitors, Lang Co works best as a scenic stop during a drive over the Hai Van Pass.
If you have time, it is also worth visiting nearby Lap An Lagoon and the small fishing village next to the lagoon, which together create one of the most beautiful coastal landscapes in central Vietnam.
