Hoi Anβs beaches are 4β7km east of the old town. An Bang Beach is the primary recommendation - Cua Dai has suffered significant erosion damage and is no longer the beach it once was.
An Bang Beach
The best beach accessible from Hoi An. 4km east via a bicycle-friendly road through rice paddies. The beach has wide, clean sand, consistent wave conditions for swimming, and a good selection of beach bars and restaurants with sun loungers.
Swimming: Good AprilβOctober. The Pacific-facing beach receives consistent surf. In the summer months, a beach patrol operates flag warnings - observe them; rip currents are present.
Atmosphere: An Bang is slightly more local in feel than the fully resort-developed beaches north of Da Nang. The beach restaurants are casual and the prices are lower than beachfront resort prices. Vietnamese families mix with the international tourist crowd.
Getting there: Bicycle from the old town (25β30 minutes, flat route). Grab or taxi β«60,000β100,000 ($2.40β4). Most Hoi An hotels provide free bicycles - this is the ideal way to travel.
Sunbeds: β«30,000β60,000 ($1.20β2.40) per set at the beach restaurants. Free if youβre ordering drinks and food.
Cua Dai Beach
2km north of An Bang. Historically the main Hoi An beach, but coastal erosion since 2014 has significantly damaged the beach - large sections have concrete erosion barriers that partially replace the sand. Not recommended as a primary beach destination anymore.
The beachfront hotels (Victoria Hoi An, others) are still operating and the beach in front of resort properties is partially maintained. If staying at one of these resorts, the beach is fine. For independent beach visitors, An Bang is the better choice.
Ha My Beach
10km south of Hoi An. Less visited and less developed than An Bang. The beach is long and relatively clean. Getting there requires a motorbike or taxi. Better for those wanting a quieter beach experience without the An Bang beach bar atmosphere.
Cham Island beaches
The Cham Islands (Cu Lao Cham) lie 15km offshore from Hoi An. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the islands have several beaches with good snorkelling. Day trips from Hoi An: β«350,000β700,000 ($14β28) per person by speedboat (45 minutes) including snorkelling, guide, and lunch. Worth doing for the marine environment rather than the beaches, which are not significantly better than the mainland.
Beach and boat trip options at a glance
| Option | Distance from old town | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| An Bang Beach (bicycle) | 4km, 25β30 min | Free bike from hotel | Best all-round beach, easy half-day |
| An Bang Beach (Grab/taxi) | 4km, 10 min | β«60,000β100,000 ($2.40β4) | Quick access if you donβt have a bike |
| Ha My Beach (motorbike) | 10km, 20 min | Motorbike hire β«150,000/day | Quieter, fewer tourists |
| Cham Islands day trip | 15km offshore, 45 min speedboat | β«350,000β700,000 ($14β28) pp | Snorkelling, UNESCO reserve, marine life |
Cham Islands best AprilβAugust (calm seas). Trips include snorkel guide and lunch. Book through accommodation or the Hoi An pier.
Beach and old town combined day
The most efficient Hoi An day for first-time visitors: morning in the old quarter (07:00β11:00 before peak heat and crowds), then bicycle to An Bang Beach for afternoon swimming and lunch, back to town for evening riverside walk and dinner. This covers both the heritage and beach elements without feeling rushed.
Useful links:
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