Why visit Ky Co beach?
The east coast of Vietnam has some gorgeous natural scenery and beautiful coastlines. A hidden treasure not far from Qui Nhon in the Binh Dinh Province is Ky Co Beach. This secluded inlet and stretch of golden sand (which features on our 14 day Coastal Cruise motorcycle tour) offer the perfect location for a day trip on your bike.
Although the beach does get busy, mainly at weekends and on public holidays, it is still relatively undeveloped and wild. It’s a refreshing change and gives you the chance to relax and explore in relative peace.
The natural landscape is simply stunning – the beach is in a secluded bay surrounded by the rising headland which offers natural cover from the wind. Furthermore, there is a long stretch of amazing golden sand and picturesque turquoise waters.
There are several blocks of sun loungers and parasols, but other than that, the beach is mainly empty. In the centre, a piece stretches out that you can dive from, and take boat rides from.
Looking out to the sea, on the left-hand side, there is a wooden coastal walking path that is great to explore and offers brilliant photo opportunities. On the right, there are some hidden coves and rock formations that are amazing to explore when the tide is out.
So why visit? It has something for everyone and is a beautiful place. Those who want to explore can trudge along the coastal paths. Alternatively, if you enjoy swimming, the clear waters are inviting. Maybe you prefer to simply sunbathe and relax – it’s all possible!
What can you do at Ky Co?
We have touched on what to do at Ky Co Beach above, but we have listed some of the activities below:
– Swimming
– Snorkelling
– Sunbathing
– Coastal walks
– Boat trips
When swimming or snorkelling, check the weather conditions and tide – the seas can be choppy so caution is advised.
Sunbathers can take advantage of one of the parasols, or simply stretch out on the golden sands with a towel.
There is also a limited number of coastal boat tours available, and boat or canoe rentals. Renting a canoe or boat can add a whole new level of adventure to your Ky Co Beach trip and allow you to see more of this gorgeous area.
Sunbathers can take advantage of one of the parasols, or simply stretch out on the golden sands with a towel.
How to make the most of your trip
As you can see, visiting Ky Co Beach offers an action-packed trip. But how do you get the most out of your adventure and ensure you pick the right time to go? We have provided some info on when to visit Ky Co Beach, packing advice, and weather trends below:
What to Take With You
As with any day trip, you must be prepared. Take a small backpack and the following essentials – sun cream, a sun hat, swimwear, flip flops, a towel, and water. Sun cream, water, and a hat are advisable to stay safe and hydrated when relaxing at Ky Co Beach.
If the sea is calm, you have to take a dip in the stunning turquoise waters, so swimwear and a towel are must-haves too. You could take a few snacks or a packed lunch, but the food served at the Ky Co restaurant and beach bar is fantastic – something not to miss out on.
When is the Best Time to Visit?
To make the most of this epic hidden retreat, you should visit Ky Co Beach during the dry season. For Qui Nhon, this is between April to September. During these months, temperatures are fantastic, and the sea tends to be calmer and more suitable for swimming and snorkelling.
When is the Best Weather?
The best weather depends on your own preferences. If you want to sunbathe and enjoy the hottest weather, June through to August offers the highest average temperatures. Alternatively, if you prefer cooler temperatures, but still great weather to explore, April, May, and September are great months to visit Ky Co Beach.
Food and Drink
Facilities are limited at this beach – it is still quite undeveloped which is a refreshing change from some of the tourist-centric beaches in Vietnam. That being said, there is a brilliant beach bar and restaurant that you have to try!
The restaurant is reasonably priced and has a laid-back atmosphere. You can enjoy some delicious seafood here whilst relaxing and gazing at the gorgeous beach and sea. The beach bar also serves snacks and drinks, and you can enjoy fresh coconut water too.
How to get to Ky Co Beach?
Ky Co is located near Qui Nhon in the Binh Dinh province of eastern Vietnam. It is quite a distance from any major airport but is still easily accessible from various locations within the country. The closest airport to Ky Co Beach is Phu Cat Airport which is approximately 30km from Qui Nhon – for air travel, this is the best location to travel too.
Hanoi to Ky Co Beach – approx. 1086km
Ky Co Beach is located near Qui Nhon in the Binh Dinh province of eastern Vietnam. It is quite a distance from any major airport but is still easily accessible from various locations within the country. The closest airport to Ky Co Beach is Phu Cat Airport which is approximately 30km from Qui Nhon – for air travel, this is the best location to travel too.
Ho Chi Minh City to Ky Co Beach – approx. 668km
Phu Cat Airport also accepts internal flights from Ho Chi Minh City from Tan Son Nhat International Airport – this is a slightly shorter flight time of just over 1h.
Da Nang to Ky Co Beach – approx. 326km
If you prefer a little adventure, a coastal road trip from Da Nang could be a great choice. The route mainly travels down the QL1A and without stops would take approx. 5h30. There is, however, a host of stop-off locations on the way and some other brilliant beaches to break up the journey.
Map of Directions
Qui Nhon to Ky Co Beach
The main starting point for most day trips to Ky Co Beach is the city of Qui Nhon. To access the Nhon Ly commune in which Ky Co Beach is located, you can take a bike, car, taxi, or even an organized tour.
If self-driving, head to the northern edge of Qui Nhon City to the famous Thi Nai Bridge. This epic construction is the second-longest cross-sea bridge in Vietnam at 7km in length. The drive across this bridge itself is something to behold.
Once across the bridge, turn left onto the QL19B and continue on this until you see signage for Ky Co Beach – from here you turn right off of the QL19B and follow the road which eventually leads to the main parking area.
You can only travel to Ky Co itself via the electronic car service that is stationed at the main parking area. The fee is 60,000 VND per person for a return trip – this car service takes you down the mountainside directly to the beach and is a convenient way to travel.
Where to stay?
There are a host of options in Quy Nhon city, ranging from hostels to resort hotels. Our choice would be the Nhon Hai Beach Hostel. This is because it is far away from the crowds in Quy Nhon, but also relatively accessible under your own steam.
Nhon Hai Beach Resort
The hostel is set right on the beach and the ocean view is fantastic. As well, it is a very busy fishing village so you can watch the daily activity and even purchase some of the catch directly from the locals.
You can opt for the more traditional seafood buffet type dishes, but you will likely get bored with that quickly. Luckily, you can get some more western style food at the Nhon Hai. The kitchen can cater for both so you will not get tired of eating here. There are a few other eateries in the bay but they lack quality and you try them at your own risk.
As well as cheap dorms the Nhon Hai Beach Resort also boasts some lovely private rooms with air con. They are just the thing if it is scorching hot or if you fancy a little luxury during your trip. They also have a great view out to the ocean as are very peaceful at night.
There is a great little restaurant and bar with a pool table for entertainment. You can spend the morning in bed or on the beach and the afternoon hanging out with friends or exploring the rugged cliff trails. Evenings are likely to be spent telling tales in the bar.
All in all, this is a real gem of a place and you will find yourself wanting to stay just a little bit longer for sure.
