Cua Dai Beach: The Famous Beach of Hoi An

What is Cua Dai Beach in Hoi An?

Cua Dai beach (Bai bien Cua Dai) is one of 2 most famous beaches in Hoi An (the other is An Bang beach). It has a 8-kilometers long strip of white fine sand fringed with crystal-clear seawater and tall coconut trees in the back. On the map, its northern tip is Tan Thanh beach and it stops at the estuary of Thu Bon river. To the south, a highway and a river run parallely it. From Cua Dai beach, offshore islands of the Cham archipelago are also seen, making the scenery absolutely more picturesque. This breezy beach is famous for sunrise lovers due to its sense of peacefulness and a gorgeous piece of nature. Hotel accommodations and seafood restaurants are many in the area.

The name – Cua Dai means ‘the large estuary’ because it’s close to the mouth of the Thu Bon river where it flows into the sea. A ward, a bridge, a street, and other public buildings are named after it.

Note: Be aware when you search ‘Cua Dai beach’ or ‘Bai bien Cua Dai’ on maps. There is a ‘faked’ one that is 600 meters from ‘real’ Cua Dai beach (at the end of Cua Dai road).

Read also: The Best Things to Do in Hoi An

The Best Time to Visit Cua Dai Beach

The best time to visit Cua Dai beach is from January to the end of September when it’s sunny. Meanwhile, the sea is warm, the waves are not too strong and the rainfall is low. Not only going swimming, this weather is perfect for other water activities, like surfing, kitesurfing, kayaking or jet skiing. When the temperature is high (midday), locals don’t go to the beach. Instead, early morning and late afternoon are their favourite times, and sure, the coast is busy. If like to get tanned, please avoid these strong heat hours, to protect your skin. Keep in mind to bring sun cream, sun glasses, swimsuit, personal towels, extra clothes and bottles of water once leaving the hotel. 

During the rest of the year, it’s rainy and wet, so it’s not perfect to go swimming or get tanned. Typhoons also potentially hit the area, causing strong waves and winds, and the water is cold. Of course, for safety, water sports and activities aren’t seen.

Read also: Monthly Weather in Hoi An

Accommodations in Cua Dai Beach Area

Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa

Victoria Hoi An resort has a prime location: between the river and the sea, and between two sandy beaches. It opened in April 2001, making it one of the very first beachside resorts in Hoi An. Its sister hotels are located in Chau Doc city (riverside and Nui Sam mountain), Can Tho city in Vietnam and Luang Prabang heritage town in Laos.

At the present, Victoria resort Hoi An provides 109 accommodation options, including superior and deluxe guest rooms, and suites. All are well furnished, featuring a chic design that is inspired by local traditional architecture and crafts. Other facilities are a swimming pool with a coconuts and sea view which opens from 6 am to 10 pm (great to see sunrise from here!), a spa, a fitness center, a tennis court, a football course, and indoor entertainments (billiards, card games, etc). During the day, the guests can use its private beach or walk to the public beach (so called ‘Cua Dai beach’).

For eating and drinking, there are 3 bars and 1 restaurant to go. L’Annam restaurant serves both Asian and European dishes, in an elegant ambience and excellent table service.  

Sunrise Premium Resort Hoi An

With a glamorous coastline, Sunrise Premium resort is one of the first beachside resorts in Hoi An. Its business started from February 2012, and now, is a 5-star recreation and leisure venue.

Accommodation option in Sunrise Hoi An resort is huge. There are 222 well-equipped guestrooms, suites and private villas, all surrounded by forest-like gardens. Sure, oceanfront choices are available to book and enjoy the azure sea from the balcony whenever. At the guest’s doorstep, it provides two infinity swimming pools, with 200 sun chairs and bars for snacks and cocktails, and one pool exclusive for kids. Other facilities to use are a spa center, a gym center, and a ballroom for meetings and conventions.

During the day, guests can go to Sunrise’s private beach with free lounges to laze on. It’s a little piece of paradise on earth. In a walking distance, it’s possible to see local life in a fishing village. After it’s dark, in-house chiefs are ready to cook delicious Vietnamese foods at its fine dining restaurant, and bartenders will serve stunning beverages at their minibars then. 

Palm Garden Resort

The Palm Garden resort is the largest seaside hospitality complex in Hoi An. Its ground extends up to 5 hectares, between a highway and a lengthy good-quality beach.

At the moment, there are 216 guest room and bungalow options to choose from. All are spacious, furnished with full amenities and have balconies/terraces providing a view to coconut gardens or the sea. A large swimming pool is in the heart of the Palm garden. Guests can choose one from so many sun chairs and lounges to be lazy and have a slower pace of life.

Amongst three restaurants, seaside Colibri restaurant has a creative design that is like a ship. It serves up Vietnamese and international dishes (especially Italian), seafood barbecues, alcohol and non-alcohol beverages. Hoi An’s first teppanyaki Japanese restaurant is here too. There are 2 bars where guests can go for drinking, one with live music and one sitting on the sand. Other facilities are a spa (free-of-charge sauna, steam bath or jacuzzi), fitness center, halls for meetings and weddings.

Vinpearl Resort and Spa Hoi An

At the southernmost point of Cua Dai beach, Vinpearl resort & Spa Hoi An is an escape from hustle and bustle. This location gives it a sense of calmness and a fantastic view to offshore islands and distant mountains.

Vinpearl resort & spa in Hoi An provides 193 guest rooms in the main building and 25 private villas in the surroundings. Each villa has its own swimming pool, and is spaced from each other by luxuriant trees. Those who book a guest room can jump into the largest infinity pool of Hoi An that is up to 1,344m² square. By water edges, there are numerous sun chairs and beds to relax, and bar stations to call for cold drinks. It’s used for either adults or children.

To dine out, the Cham serves both Asian and international foods, and both buffet and a la carte. In the ground floor of the main hotel building, it opens from 6 to 10:30 am, 12 pm to 2 pm, and 6 to 10 pm everyday. Not far away, at Cua Dai tourist harbour, guests can book a tour to explore Cham islands and experience snorkeling or diving.

The Hoi An Beach Resort

Opened in 2000, this is the first beachside resort in Hoi An. For that reason, it’s privileged called the ‘Hoi An beach resort’. Overally, its location is very ideal because it lies between Cua Dai beach and the river. Guests just need to go across the road in the front, to see the beach. It’s described as ‘an oasis of peace where the river meets the sea’.

The Hoi An beach resort is a collection of 121 deluxe rooms and suites. All are spacious, well-furnished, tidied up, and embraced by lush gardens and coconut palms. Other facilities and guest services of the resort are 2 outdoor swimming pools with many lounges, restaurants, poolside bar, fitness center, a spa, billiards, money exchange, laundry, bicycles for rent. Free shuttle bus is provided to go to Hoi An’s old town daily.

KOI Resort & Spa

This 5-star resort is embraced by a peaceful river, but not far away from Cua Dai beach. Guests just need to go across the resort’s wooden bridge to the public stretch of sand.

KOI resort features an elegant design which is perfectly fusioned between local traditional architecture and modern amenities. It has 186 upscale and luxurious rooms, and pool villas, all placed in a large tree-filled ground. Guests can choose a well-furnished accommodation with a private balcony opening to the gardens, rice fields, the river or the pools. If don’t stay in the villa with an indoor plunge pool, a large all-ages pool is available near the reception, to take a dip and play with kids. Another water activity here is kayaking on the canal in the heart of the resort. 

There are 2 restaurants to dine out at KOI restaurant, one for Vietnamese authentic foods and one for fusion cuisine. At the rooftop bar or poolside, tapas and snacks are served daily. Other facilities include a spa center (a bar here too), gym room, and halls for meetings and special occasions (like weddings).

Silk Sense Hoi An River Resort

Aside from a river, this gardeny resort has 60 hotel rooms, 18 suites, 2 villas with a private pool, and 1 presidential suite. All are well sized, and full of amenities that guests need during the stay. The largest swimming pool here is of many sun lounges around, and opens up to the serene river. Its restaurant serves Vietnamese and international foods, from morning to 10 pm. Both indoor and outdoor seats are available, and up to 150 in number. From 6 am to 6 pm, guests can enjoy yummy Hoi An’s local delicacies prepared by self-grown fresh ingredients at the Naman village, just 1 mins walk from the reception. It’s necessary to make a reservation in advance. Silk Sense Hoi An resort also has a fitness center, a spa, kid’s club, and halls for meetings.

Muong Thanh Holiday Hoi An

Muong Thanh Holiday hotel is close to both the river and a private beach. It’s 160 deluxe guest rooms and suites equipped with full amenities and 24hrs service. There is also an outdoor swimming pool, restaurant on the first floor (named after Tra Que vegetable village), a bar, a gym room, and a spa in its grounds. This 4-star venue is a part of ‘Muong Thanh hospitality’ chain which is available across Vietnam and in major cities of Laos.  

The River Beach Resort & Residences

1 minute walk from Cua Dai beach, this riverside resort has 124 guestrooms and suites. There is an all-ages swimming pool near the river, and a cocktail bar aside. Additionally, a Vietnamese restaurant, gym room, a spa, free bicycles, laundry are other facilities and services.

Bellerive Hoi An Hotel & Spa

This hotel is 5 mins walk from the private beach next to the Sunrise resort. It has 170 spacious guest rooms and 8 villas, with full amenities and a stunning infinity swimming pool overlooking the river.

Wyndham Garden Hoi An Hotel

This boutique hotel is not by the coast, but guests just need a short walk to see the beach. It has a 6-floors building, and all rooms have a private balcony. During the day, guests can use the swimming pool and call for a cold beer at the poolside minibar, spa for special treatments, gym room or savour tasty foods at in-house restaurant.

How to Get to Cua Dai Beach in Hoi An

Location of Cua Dai Beach

Cua Dai beach is in the east of Hoi An centre, south of An Bang beach and Da Nang city. Its main swimming spot is at the end of the Cua Dai road/street. The average distance to this spot from Hoi An ancient town is 4,5 km, Cam Thanh coconut village is 4 km, from Tra Que vegetable village is 4,5 km, from Thanh Ha pottery village is 7,5 km and from Hoi An memories island is 4 km.

Walking to Cua Dai Beach

Cua Dai beach is a walking distance from hotels in the Cam Chau area (around Ba Le market) or Tan Thanh beach area. The quickest way to get there from Cam Chau is the Cua Dai road, and after Phuoc Trach bridge, visitors just need to go for 400 meters more. If stay around the town’s centre, the distance is less than 4 km, so it’s possible to go by foot too.

Hoi An to Cua Dai Beach

From Hoi An ancient town, the distance to Cua Dai beach is 4,5 km. So, it takes travelers 15 minutes if travel by car, and will be longer for motorcycles and bicycles. The taxi price is around 100,000 VND for one way. Once again, the shortest road to get there is Cua Dai street (that’s why it is named after!). Just outside the beach, by the highways, there are some taxi or shuttle bus drivers to reach the other places or return to the Old town.

Some hotels (especially 4 star and above), a free shuttle bus is available to Cua Dai beach. Please check the availability and reschedule at your hotel’s reception. 

Da Nang to Cua Dai Beach

To get from Da Nang city center to Cua Dai beach, the drive will be 30 km long. Travel time by car is between 40 and 60 minutes, depending on traffic. The fastest route is the coastal highway (named Vo Nguyen Giap or Truong Sa in Da Nang). Travelers just need to follow it until the crossroad with Cua Dai St. It’s easy to ride. After visiting, go on Cua Dai street to come to the Old town.

If need a private car to Hoi An from Da Nang, please text/call us in whatsapp number +84968009827. We also have good prices for the Hoi An memories show and the Bamboo circus show.

Cua Dai Beach vs An Bang Beach

For now, Cua Dai beach is more peaceful than An Bang beach due to less people. One of the reasons is that tourists are still thinking that it’s ‘devasted’ and unsafe to go swimming. After the erosion, this beach seems to be no longer in the bucket list of visitors. Online travel sites and bloggers recommend going to An Bang beach too. 

On the same coastline, Cua Dai beach boasts the same qualities as An Bang beach. There is soft sand, clean and moderate water, gentle waves, and lovely scenery. While going swimming in busy hours, safety is guaranteed. A safe swimming ground is set and enclosed in each beach and local lifeguards are always willing to help.

About the accommodation, it’s possible to seek a room in Cua Dai beach with all budgets. Hostels, hotels, homestays, Airbnb hosts, and luxury resorts are available. In case of resorts, both riverside and seaside venues are found around this famous beach area. Please see the best places to stay in the below section.

On the other side, An Bang beach has more dining options, including Vietnamese, fusion, international, family styles and seafood. Only-vegetarian eateries are also seen here. When the darkness falls, it’s more fun. Local beach clubs provide live music on some selected nights, awesome cocktails from bartenders, festivals on the beach and more.

What to Eat at Cua Dai Beach?

Cua Dai Beachside Restaurants

Along Cua Dai beach, there are a dozen seafood restaurants. They have many tables and sun chairs in the front, and inner seatings in the shade of the coconut trees. These venues open all day, but become busy in late afternoon and dinner time when the temperature goes down. Visitors can select favourite dishes from their huge menu or pick living seafood right from on-site aquariums. In the second option, it’s possible to tell the kitchen to prepare by the way guests like. Interestingly, fresh seafood is catched by local fishermen who live in the village. Waters and the waitress know basic English to communicate, and the price is known on the menu. If not, please ask directly and before saying yes to cook anything, to avoid overpriced services.

If look for a fine dining experience by the pool, Hoi An Silk Beach Club is an option. The last order should be made before 10:30 pm here. For more luxury, restaurants inside beachfront resorts are top notch.

Local Vendors

Under the coconut trees of Cua Dai beach, local vendors sell foods and drinks at an affordable price. Visitors can sit on plastic chairs and savour delicious local seafood dishes placed on a low table. The experience is like trying street foods in town. While eating, visitors also enjoy a picturesque scenery, always-blowing cool breezes, and watch the world go by.

Restaurants in the Village

Along Cua Dai street or the riverside near Phuoc Trach bridge, visitors will see some cozy family-run restaurants. They serve seafood dishes and Hoi An’s local specialties, such as chicken rice, cao lau, pho noodle soup or vegetarian.

What to Do in the Cua Dai Beach Area?

Go Swimming in Cua Dai Beach

After many years from local authorities, Cua Dai beach is safe for swimmers now. The most popular spot is the stretch of sand at the end of the Cua Dai road, behind coconut trees. This ‘restored’ expanse is 400 meters long, from seafood restaurants to Victoria resort. Its ground is edged by sandy bags and dykes which protect it during the typhoon season. In the front of the restaurants, there are plenty of sun chairs under the talapas, to relax and enjoy cool breezes blowing. For one chair, the fee is about 50,000 VND but free to use if eat something.

The water here is not deep, unpolluted, warm and clear, and the safe swimming area is enclosed by rope and warning flags. To keep all swimmers free from dangers, lifeguards are always around and attentive. They understand this place well because they’re borned in the village and sure, they experienced training courses. For that reason, Cua Dai beach is ideal for families with kids. Round floats are sold or for rental right on the shore. Parents can hire one to give the little ones extra safety. When finish bathing in the sea, visitors can use the fresh water shower service with a price of 10,000 VND.

If don’t have or don’t bring a swimsuit, visitors can buy it at a shop right on the beach or pay for the rental. Here, sun cream, towel, slippers, life vest, kid toys, bottled fresh water, and snacks are also for sale.

Cham Islands Tour with Snorkeling Experience

All hotels in the Cua Dai beach area are near Cua Dai tourist harbour where Cham island tours depart. Their guests can go directly to this depot to see tour options and book. Items which visitors need for the trip are also for sale here, such as swimsuit, waterproof phone cover, sun cream, sun glasses, hat/cap. You can see the itinerary in Cham island tour from Hoi An.

All guided Cham island tours from Cua Dai harbour include two-ways transfer by speedboat to the islands, snorkeling experience, and lunch in a beachfront restaurant. From October to January, local companies close the tours due to typhoons and bad weather.

Watching Sunrise in Cua Dai Beach

At sunrise, Cua Dai beach is such tranquil and fresh. This is one of the best times during the day to visit it. Sunrise watchers enjoy breath-taking natural scenery while walking on the sands by barefoot. There is light blue seawater dressed in orange-red color from the sunshrine, purple islands, and clear sky with white clouds. In addition, also have the chance to see the laid-back life of local people. They come to this beach to catch cool breezes, do exercise, go swimming or play sports.

If don’t stay in a hotel nearby, visitors should check the sunrise online on the night before. Sometimes, people ask to pay for parking, and the fee is about 5,000 VND.

Tours from Cua Dai Beach Hotels

We have guided tours from any hotels and resorts in the Cua Dai beach area. Our car/bus will pick you up in your place to stay, and then our professional English-speaking guide will show you every main attraction in the area. To know our recommendations, please text/call us in whatsapp number +84968009827.

– List of accommodations we pick up for free: Palm Garden Resort, Silk Sense Hoi An River Resort, Wyndham Garden Hoi An, the Hoi An Beach Resort, Hoi An River Beach & Residences, Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa, KOI Resort & Spa, Muong Thanh Holiday Hoi An, Sunrise Premium Hoi An Resort, Vinpearl Resort & Spa Hoi An

– List of attractions we show you: Hoi An old town, the Golden hands bridge, Ba Na hills, the Marble mountains, My Son sanctuary, the Lady Buddha and Linh Ung pagoda, Am Phu cave, Than Tai hot springs park, Vinpearl Nam Hoi An waterpark, Thanh Ha pottery village, Tra Que vegetable village, Hue ancient capital city, the Asia park & Sun Wheel, Bach Ma national park

– List of activities we include in the tour: basket boat ride in palm forest, Hoi An memories show, the Bamboo circus show (The Dar show), lantern boat ride in Old town, Vietnamese cooking class, river cruise on Thu Bon river, local food tasting tour