Hoi An Beaches: An Bang, Cua Dai & Where to Swim

Hoi An's coastline offers everything from lively beach bars at An Bang to quiet, resort-lined sand at Cua Dai and offshore snorkeling at the Cham Islands. Every spot is just a short cycle, scooter, or taxi ride from the Old Town. (Staying city-side in Da Nang instead? Check out our guide to the best beaches in Da Nang.)

By the Go-Da-Nang local team · Last updated June 2026

Hoi An beaches at a glance

Here is the whole coast in one quick view. Find the vibe you want, then read the details below.

An Bang Beach: The lively main stretch

An Bang is the main beach in Hoi An. You get a wide stretch of soft golden sand, calm water for swimming, and a highly sociable atmosphere. A small village of cafés, restaurants, and bars sits right behind the sand. You are never far from a cold drink, a plate of grilled seafood, or a shady spot to escape the midday sun.

Soft white sand and clear turquoise water on a beach near Hoi An.

The beach changes completely throughout the day. Mornings are quiet and bright, making it the best time for a swim before the heat peaks. By late afternoon, the beach bars wake up and the whole strip settles into a relaxed holiday rhythm. Grab a sunbed, order a cold drink, and watch the sun go down. The water is usually gentle enough for a proper swim. Since the village is so walkable, you can easily wander between spots until you find a favorite.

This is also a great place to eat with your feet in the sand. The seafood is fresh and simple. Expect plates of grilled fish, clams, and prawns that pair perfectly with a slow beach lunch. (For more on coastal cooking, see our local food guide.)

Morning swims and sunset drinks

Catching both moods of An Bang in a single day is a great plan. Early morning is incredibly peaceful. The water is glassy, the sand is freshly raked, and the light is soft. You will often have a wide stretch of sea to yourself, sharing the beach with a few joggers, fishermen hauling nets, and café owners opening up. Arrive before 8am and the strip feels like a private coast.

By late afternoon, An Bang becomes a social hub. Music drifts across the sand and umbrellas fill with people settling in for the golden hour. The sky turns warm pink and orange while the air cools down. This is the classic An Bang sundowner experience: bare feet in the sand and a plate of grilled prawns on the table. Come for the calm morning swim, then return for the lively evening scene.

Beach clubs and sun loungers

You do not need to spend much to enjoy An Bang. The sand is lined with welcoming beach restaurants and stylish beach clubs. Shore Club and The DeckHouse are two popular spots for a swim and a cocktail. The unwritten rule here is simple: many places give you a free sun lounger and umbrella when you order food and drinks. This is the easiest way to settle in for the afternoon. If you prefer to just rent a lounger, expect to pay around 50,000–100,000đ per day. Pick a spot with a menu you like and make yourself at home.

Cua Dai Beach: A relaxed resort-side swim

Cua Dai is the easygoing alternative. Lined with resorts and located about 5 km from the Old Town, it is the natural choice for a low-key beach afternoon. The water is gentle, the sand is soft, and the whole stretch has a restful feel that suits a slow swim and a nap in the shade.

Calm water and palm trees at Cua Dai Beach near Hoi An.

Because it sits so close to the Old Town, Cua Dai is very easy to fit into a Hoi An itinerary. You can swim in the morning and head back into town for lunch. This is also where you catch boats out to the Cham Islands. If you want a peaceful, palm-lined afternoon close to town, Cua Dai is a great pick.

Other beaches near Hoi An

The coast stretches far beyond the two main beaches. A couple of spots are well worth the short extra ride.

Ha My Beach: Quiet and scenic

Head north from An Bang toward Da Nang and you will reach Ha My. This is a long, wide, beautifully open beach lined with a handful of resorts and plenty of empty sand. Ha My rarely feels crowded. The water is clear and good for swimming, and the sheer length of the beach means you can always find a patch to call your own. If An Bang is the social beach, Ha My is the serene one.

It is also highly photogenic. You will find pale sand, casuarina trees swaying behind the dunes, and a clean horizon. The resorts keep their own tidy patches, but there is plenty of open public sand in between. Sitting roughly halfway between Hoi An and Da Nang, Ha My is a natural pause if you are cycling or driving up the coast. Pull over, swim, and enjoy the quiet space.

Cham Islands (Cù Lao Chàm): Snorkeling and day trips

For a memorable beach day, look offshore. The Cham Islands (Cù Lao Chàm) are a cluster of islands a short boat ride from the mainland. They are ringed by some of the clearest water in the region, making this the top snorkeling trip from Hoi An. Below the surface, you will find colorful fish and coral gardens in warm, shallow water. Above it, you get quiet bays, white-sand coves, and a slow island pace.

Clear turquoise water at the Cham Islands off Hoi An.

The main island still feels wonderfully laid-back. The small fishing village features wooden boats in the harbor, nets drying in the sun, and a market selling local honey and herbal teas. Lunch is a highlight. Most trips include a fresh seafood spread of grilled fish, squid, prawns, and clams pulled in that morning. After eating, you can swim in the bay or doze under a tree.

A typical day trip involves a morning boat out from Cua Dai port, one or two snorkeling stops over the reefs, beach time, a seafood lunch in the village, and a return boat in the afternoon.

Boats leave from Cua Dai port. The fast speedboat takes roughly 20–30 minutes, while the traditional wooden ferry takes an easy 50–60 minutes. A round trip costs roughly 450,000đ by speedboat or 350,000–400,000đ by wooden ferry. You will also pay a small marine-conservation fee of around 90,000đ to help protect the reefs. Most visitors book a half-day or full-day tour that bundles the boat, snorkeling stops, and lunch. Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a little cash for the boat and fee.

How to get to the beaches

The beauty of Hoi An's beaches is their proximity to the city. From the Old Town, you have three easy options:

• Bicycle: The local favorite. It is a flat, breezy 10–15 minute ride out to An Bang through the rice paddies. Most hotels lend or rent bikes cheaply. Pedaling back at sunset is a highlight.
• Scooter: Quick and flexible if you are confident on two wheels and have the right license. Always wear a helmet. Parking near the beach is easy and cheap.
• Grab or taxi: The no-fuss choice. It is only about a 10–15 minute drive to An Bang, with a low fare — roughly 30,000đ by GrabBike or 50,000–80,000đ by car. This is perfect if you are carrying beach gear or traveling with kids.

Coming from Da Nang rather than Hoi An? It is an easy trip down the coast. See our guide to getting from Da Nang to Hoi An for the best routes. You will pass close to Ha My on the way.

Best time to swim

Hoi An's beaches are at their best in the dry season, roughly February to August. The sea is calmest and clearest, and the beach days are long and sunny. February through May is a lovely sweet spot with warm water, gentle surf, and fewer crowds than peak summer. These dry months are the easy choice for swimming, snorkeling, and booking a Cham Islands trip.

For a full picture of what each month looks like on this coast, see our dry vs wet season breakdown.

Based in Da Nang?

If you are staying in Da Nang rather than Hoi An, you do not need to travel far for sand. Da Nang's own beaches are right on your doorstep. My Khe and Non Nuoc are long, soft, and easy to reach. For the full rundown, read our guide to the best beaches in Da Nang.

How to plan a perfect beach day

Want to make the most of a day by the sea? Here is the simple formula locals follow:

• Go early for calm water. The sea is smoothest and the sand is quietest in the morning. This is perfect for a long swim before the day warms up.
• Pack light. Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a towel, and a refillable water bottle are all you need. A light cover-up is nice for the walk to lunch.
• Bring a little cash. A small amount pays for a fresh coconut, a lounger, or a cold drink at a beach bar.
• Settle in at a beach restaurant. Order food and drinks and you will often get a free sunbed for the day.
• Eat fresh seafood. Grilled fish, prawns, clams, and squid taste even better with your feet in the sand.
• Stay for sunset. As the afternoon cools, the light turns golden and the beach bars wake up. Have a drink on the sand before cycling back into town.

FAQ

Which is the best beach in Hoi An? For most visitors, An Bang. It has the best mix of good swimming, beach bars, a walkable village, and lovely sunsets, all a short ride from the Old Town.

How do I get from the Old Town to An Bang? It is only about 3–4 km. Cycle for a flat 10–15 minutes, take a scooter, or grab a taxi or Grab car (also around 10–15 minutes).

Are the sunbeds at An Bang free? Often, yes. Many beach spots give you a free lounger and umbrella when you order food and drinks. If you just want to rent one, it is usually a small daily fee of around 50,000–100,000đ.

How far is Cua Dai from the Old Town? About 5 km. This is roughly a 10–15 minute drive or an easy cycle.

When is the water calmest for swimming? In the dry season, roughly February to August. February to May is an especially pleasant window.

Can you visit the Cham Islands from Hoi An? Yes. Boats leave from Cua Dai port, taking about 20–30 minutes by speedboat or 50–60 minutes by wooden ferry. It is the area's top snorkeling day trip.

The easy plan: spend your morning at An Bang, then head back for a lantern-festival evening in the Old Town. If you are mapping out a longer trip, our 5-day Da Nang itinerary shows exactly where a Hoi An beach day fits.