Da Nang Beaches Guide

What to expect:

• Wide, clean sandy beach with gentle waves most of the year
• Lifeguards on duty during daylight hours along the main stretch
• Beach volleyball courts set up along the central section
• Spectacular sunrise views -- the beach faces east, making it perfect for early mornings
• Loungers available for 50-100K VND ($2-4 USD) per session, usually including an umbrella

Crowds:

• Gets packed after 5pm when locals finish work and come to swim, exercise, and socialize
• Early mornings (before 7am) are quiet and beautiful
• Weekday mid-mornings are the sweet spot for having the beach mostly to yourself
• The south end toward Non Nuoc is noticeably quieter than the central section near the Dragon Bridge

Nearby amenities:

• Dozens of seafood restaurants line the beach road
• Convenience stores within walking distance
• Showers and changing facilities at several access points

Why expats love it:

• Quieter than My Khe with fewer tourist crowds
• Close to the An Thuong neighborhood where most expats live
• More beach bars and Western-friendly restaurants nearby
• Generally cleaner and better maintained

Highlights:

• Paradise Beach Bar offers an outdoor cinema on the sand -- movies projected on a big screen while you sit in bean bags with drinks. A unique Da Nang experience.
• The best sunset spot in Da Nang -- while the beaches face east for sunrise, the view looking south along the coast during golden hour is stunning
• The Fusion Maia resort stretch is one of the most beautiful sections of coastline -- you can walk along the public beach in front of it

Access:

• Multiple access points from the beach road (Vo Nguyen Giap)
• Less developed infrastructure than My Khe, which is part of the charm
• Grab can drop you within a 2-minute walk of the sand

Surfing:

• The best surf in Da Nang from September to March when swells pick up
• T20 Surf School is the most popular option for beginners -- friendly instructors, small group lessons
• Board rental approximately 200K VND per hour ($8 USD)
• Waves are beginner to intermediate level -- not Bali, but enough to learn and have fun
• The surf community is small but growing, with a mix of locals and expats

Swimming considerations:

• Stronger currents than My Khe or My An -- this is not the calmest swimming beach
• Always check for red flags before entering the water -- they indicate dangerous conditions
• Best for confident swimmers or surfers

Character:

• Feels more remote and natural than the beaches further north
• Fewer beachfront restaurants and vendors
• Popular with Vietnamese families on weekends
• The Marble Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop

Lifeguards:

• Present at My Khe and My An beaches during daytime hours (roughly 5am to 7pm)
• Lifeguards use flags to indicate conditions -- green means safe, red means do not swim
• If in doubt, ask a lifeguard before entering the water

Seasonal conditions:

• Red flag days -- when red flags are posted, do not enter the water. The currents are dangerously strong and people drown every year ignoring this.
• Rainy season (September-December) brings rough water and undertow. The surf picks up but so do the hazards. Even strong swimmers should be cautious.
• Jellyfish occasionally appear after storms. They are usually not dangerous but stings are painful. If you see jellyfish washed up on the sand, expect more in the water.
• Best swimming months: March through August -- calmer seas, warmer water, better visibility, fewer hazards

General advice:

• Swim near other people, not alone on an empty stretch
• Do not swim after drinking alcohol
• If caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until you escape it, then swim back in. Do not fight the current directly.
• The water is warm enough year-round that wetsuits are unnecessary, though a rash guard helps with sun protection