Cat BaIsland & Lan Ha Bay guide

04Beaches

Xuan Dam beach

On the island's west coast, facing the channel towards Cat Hai, Xuan Dam is where locals go for a quiet swim and where scooter riders stop to watch the sun go down.

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Fact sheet

Location
West coast, Xuan Dam area
From town
≈ 20–30 min by scooter
Character
Local, quiet, tidal
Facilities
Few, small shops in the village
Best time
Sunset
Stay nearby
Eco-lodges and bungalows

Short answer

A peaceful, local beach best combined with the island loop and a sunset stop. Do not expect resort facilities.

01The beach

A long, open stretch rather than a cove, with sand and patches of rock and mud that emerge at low tide. Fishing boats moor offshore, and the hills of Cat Ba rise behind. It is not the most beautiful beach on the island, but the atmosphere is genuinely local and the west-facing sunsets are excellent.

02Getting there

Ride north from town towards the national park, then take the western branch through the Xuan Dam area. Combine it with the island loop and the eco-lodges in the countryside.

03Tips

  • Check the tide: swimming is best around high tide
  • Bring a torch for the ride back after sunset and drive slowly
  • Support the small village shops for drinks and snacks

Where it is

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Pins mark approximate locations.

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?Questions people ask

Is Xuan Dam good for swimming?

Around high tide in summer, yes. At low tide the water recedes over mud and rocks.

Read next

  1. Scooter loopA full-day ride: national park, caves, northern piers and the west coast.
  2. Sunset spotsCannon Fort, the Cat Co coves, the west coast and the deck of a boat.
  3. Bungalows & eco-lodgesGarden bungalows with pools in the valleys, for peace and value.