Every afternoon during the dry season, locals descend on the breezy beaches of Hoi An to swim, play, eat and unwind by the water. Quang Nam province has more than 120 kilometers of coastline, but the beaches near Hoi An are where most of the action happens. Here there are tempting restaurants to choose from, SUP and surf boards to ride, coconut coffees to sip, and plenty of opportunities for everyone to get in the water.

Vietnamese hit the beach in the early mornings and late afternoons. At sunrise, locals jog and stroll on the sand, or swim laps in the calm water. In the late afternoons, the beaches come to life again: families spread mats and have picnics, games of football spring up, and everyone takes to the water as the sun drops behind the mountains.

Read on for an easy guide to enjoying Hoi An’s best beaches.

Pick your spot on the sand

If you’re not sure which beach to check out, we recommend picking between An Bang Beach and Tan Thanh Beach. An Bang is Hoi An’s biggest beach hotspot, with an array of restaurants and watersports activities, and a warren of homestays, bars, and spas on the roads just behind the shore.

Tan Thanh is a smaller and quieter beach community down the road from An Bang. Here, boutique resorts offer rooms overlooking the waves, and local restaurants rent loungers and serve cold coconuts to sunseekers. The two beaches are just a short stroll from each other, so if you like you can easily check out both in a single day.

Join activities and watersports

While there’s nothing wrong (at all!) with sticking to your daybed or sun lounger, if you want to try water sports, you have multiple options on Hoi An’s beaches. Rent jet skis, go parasailing, or try kitesurfing on An Bang Beach. If you love getting on a board, surf boards and stand up paddleboards are available to rent at Soul Kitchen and Salt Pub and Restaurant.

Yoga lovers can join morning classes on the beach led by local instructors. Drop by Salt Pub at 5:30am on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for Sivananda Yoga, or visit the ‘Yoga in Hoi An’ Facebook group to see special retreats and class schedules. For a memorable experience, book a basket boat ride or sail boat ride at sunset with .

Sample local dishes and flavors

Some of Hoi An’s best restaurants are sprinkled along the beach. Claim a daybed or cabana at Shore Club or The Deckhouse, where the menu is strong in Western breakfasts, leafy salads, and seafood platters. Also in An Bang, you can dine on delicious pizzas and pastas at Luna d’Autunno, vegan fare at The Fisherman, and amazing seafood at local restaurants.

On Tan Thanh Beach, Sound of Silence Coffee is a favorite spot for in-the-know expats and locals. Apart from excellent coffee, the cafe serves simple breakfasts of omelets and crepes at tables in a tropical garden. Walk a few steps down to the sand for a swim, or over to Gieo Cafe for Vietnamese vegetarian meals or Western fare at Salt Pub.

TIP: While you can rent a sun lounger or just spread a towel on the sand, most of the restaurants on Hoi An’s beaches offer free sun loungers, bathrooms and showers for customers. As a plus, the staff will usually keep an eye on your belongings while you swim.

Stay in style near the water

Staying by the beach in Hoi An gives you easy access to the water at any time, plus the Ancient Town is only a short ride away when you want to explore. The narrow, sandy roads in An Bang are full of tucked away homestays, bungalows and resorts. Look for private bungalows with leafy gardens, outdoor pools and comfy daybeds, or rent a villa for the whole family.

Sustainable and eco-conscious travelers might prefer staying on Tan Thanh Beach, where a handful of low-key accommodations are working toward zero-waste operations. Enjoy family-style hospitality at Tan Thanh Garden Homestay, artsy decor and design at Dechiu Hotel, and modern comforts at Sea’lavie Boutique Resort or Sol An Bang Beach Resort.

Enjoy nightlife on the beach

After the sun goes down, the cool evening breezes off the East Sea call for dinners of grilled seafood, refreshing cocktails, and nights of music. Several beach clubs on An Bang, including Veranda Food and Drink, Soul Kitchen and the Deckhouse host live music acts or DJs on the weekends. Local musicians gather on Sundays at Salt Pub for open mic night.

Tips for travelers

Transport to the beach in Hoi An

You can reach An Bang Beach and Tan Thanh Beach by bicycle or taxi from the Ancient Town. If you have Grab on your phone, you can also call for a motorcycle ride or Grabcar. Although the beach is only five to seven kilometers from anywhere in Hoi An, in the simmering summer months you might prefer getting there by car instead of on a bicycle. If you choose to cycle to the beach, be sure to wear a hat, stay hydrated, and wear sunscreen.

Best time to visit the beaches in Hoi An

Hoi An’s storm season lasts from October to December. In January and February, skies are often gray and it rains regularly, with the wet days gradually decreasing toward March. The beaches in Hoi An will have rough waves and are not safe for swimming during storm season. By mid-March the water is warm again and by April the weather is perfect for beach days.

Exploring other beaches in Quang Nam

If you want to see more of the beach in Quang Nam you can book a resort on Ha My beach, where the beaches are a wide stretch of soft sand and are usually empty. There’s also a small beach in Cua Dai, right next to the , where locals love to go in the afternoons. Further south, Tam Tien Beach and Tam Thanh Beach have soft powdery sand and local fishing communities. Of course, the best beaches in Quang Nam are on the Cham Islands – don’t miss them!

Read more: A traveler’s guide to the best of the Cham Islands

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