Bai Dai Beach
Nha Trang, Vietnam
Nha Trang's unspoiled northern beach — 3 km of white sand, crystal-clear snorkelling water, and blissful peace away from the city.
Nha Trang, Vietnam
Nha Trang's unspoiled northern beach — 3 km of white sand, crystal-clear snorkelling water, and blissful peace away from the city.
Location
Nha Trang, Vietnam
Best For
Quiet, Snorkeling
Water Temp
25–29°C peak season
Crowds
Very quiet, low development
Parking
Free roadside parking
Facilities
Minimal — a few local restaurants
Bai Dai Beach ("Long Bay Beach") offers the peace and seclusion that many visitors seek after experiencing the busy energy of central Nha Trang. Located 20 km north of the city on the Cam Ranh Peninsula, Bai Dai is a 3 km arc of brilliant white sand backed by casuarina trees and natural dunes, with clearer and calmer water than the city beach due to the peninsula's sheltered bay position. The beach remains mostly undeveloped, with only a few local seafood restaurants and a handful of rustic beach huts operating from the treeline.
The water quality at Bai Dai is where it surpasses its famous city sibling. The shallow inshore waters are crystal clear, and the small reef formations just offshore from the northern end of the beach shelter a population of angelfish, parrotfish, and sea turtles that make it one of the better snorkelling spots accessible from the greater Nha Trang area without a boat. Snorkel equipment can be rented from the beach kiosks for a very nominal fee.
Bai Dai is particularly wonderful in the mornings before 10 am, when the sea is glass-calm and local fishing boats can be seen returning with the night's catch to the small harbour at the beach's southern tip. The drive to Bai Dai from Nha Trang takes you through the Cam Ranh Peninsula's remarkable dune landscapes and past salt-evaporation ponds, making the journey itself part of the experience. The beach also faces east, delivering spectacular sunrise views over the South China Sea.
About 20 km south of Nha Trang city (40 min by motorbike). From the city, head south towards Cam Ranh Airport and turn east at the Bai Dai signs on the peninsula. Taxis cost approximately 250,000–350,000 VND each way.
March to August for calm, clear water and optimal snorkelling conditions. Sunrise visits (6–9 am) offer the most serene experience. Avoid October–December when northerly monsoon swells can make the sea rough and murky.
Bring your own food and water — facilities are very limited. The northern end of the beach (past the casuarina grove) has the best snorkelling patches. Wear reef shoes as there are occasional sea urchins near the reef sections at the northern tip.