What is Son Tra Peninsula?
Son Tra is both a residential neighborhood and a vast natural area in Da Nang, though most travelers associate it with the Son Tra Peninsula and its protected forests. While it’s not officially classified as a national park, it is a protected nature reserve, home to diverse wildlife, dense jungle, and spectacular coastal views. The peninsula plays a vital role in maintaining Da Nang’s ecosystem, earning it the nickname “the green lung of Da Nang.”
The residential area of Son Tra is a mix of local homes, modern villas, and a few hotels. It’s a quieter alternative to the busy My An Beach and Han River districts, but most visitors stay in these central areas and visit Son Tra on a day trip.
The protected area of Son Tra is what attracts nature lovers, motorbike riders, and photographers. The peninsula is covered in thick rainforest, home to rare animals like the endangered red-shanked douc langur, and surrounded by some of the best beaches in Da Nang. The winding coastal roads lead to hidden viewpoints, pagodas, and secluded beaches, making it an exciting place to explore.
How to get there
There are several ways to explore Son Tra Peninsula, depending on your budget, comfort level, and interest in adventure. Below are the best options for getting there and making the most of your visit.
1. Renting a scooter
The most popular and flexible way to explore Son Tra is by renting a scooter. This allows you to stop at viewpoints along the coastline, visit hidden beaches, and take in the breathtaking scenery at your own pace. Scooters are widely available for rent in Da Nang, typically costing 150,000 – 200,000 VND per day.
If you’re coming from Hoi An, keep in mind that it’s about an hour’s ride to Da Nang before you even start exploring Son Tra, so it adds about two extra hours round trip to your journey.
Pro Tip:
- Most visitors only ride the main coastal road, but for the full experience, you can do a complete loop around Son Tra, passing through dense jungle, mountain peaks, and remote areas where there’s a higher chance of spotting the endangered red-shanked douc langurs.
- Important: To do this full loop, you must have a semi-automatic or manual motorbike (automatics are not allowed).
- The entrance to the loop is near Da Nang Port, not the main coastal road. It’s a one-way route, so plan accordingly.
2. Cycling
Son Tra is a great place for cycling, but only if you’re an experienced cyclist. The roads are steep and hilly, making it a challenging ride. You’ll need a proper mountain bike, not the free bicycles that many accommodations offer. If you enjoy long uphill rides and scenic coastal cycling, this could be an unforgettable experience, but it’s not suitable for casual bikers looking for a leisurely ride.
3. Renting a car with driver
If you don’t want to ride a motorbike, a private car with a driver is a comfortable and convenient way to explore Son Tra. Since the peninsula is relatively small, the trip itself doesn’t take long, so it’s best to combine it with other nearby attractions like:
- Marble Mountains
- Hai Van Pass
- My Son Sanctuary
- Hoi An
By planning ahead, you can create a full-day itinerary and get a fixed price before the trip, making it a hassle-free option.
4. Joining a Tour
A tour is a stress-free way to explore Son Tra, especially if you don’t want to drive. There are different types of tours available, depending on your interests:
- Hoi An to Son Tra Sunset Tour: This popular option combines a visit to Marble Mountains before heading to Son Tra for sunset, which is one of the best times to visit.
- Trekking & Wildlife Tour: If you want to see more than just the main coastal road, a trekking tour will take you into the jungle, where you have a higher chance of spotting rare wildlife, including the famous red-shanked douc langurs.
While Son Tra is easy to explore on your own, a tour ensures you don’t miss any hidden spots and allows you to experience more than just the scenic drive.
5. Taking a taxi or Grab
Taxis and Grab (ride-hailing app) are not the best options for visiting Son Tra. They are meant for point-to-point travel and don’t allow for stops along the way. Most taxi drivers don’t know the best viewpoints or where to drop you off for beaches or hiking spots.
However, if you’re short on time, you can take a taxi to the end for the views and return the same way. If using Grab, consider asking your driver to wait for you for an extra fee, as finding a ride back from Son Tra can sometimes be difficult.
Son Tra Peninsula highlights
1. Scooter or motorbike trip
Exploring Son Tra Peninsula by motorbike or scooter is one of the most exciting ways to take in its stunning landscapes. Many roads, such as those leading to the Banyan Tree and Lighthouse, are difficult to access by car, making a motorbike the best option.
Important: This is only recommended for experienced riders with a valid motorbike license. The roads are steep and winding, so you need a semi-automatic or manual motorbike for the full loop (automatics are not allowed).
Pro Tip:
- Not comfortable riding yourself? You can hire a motorbike guide who will drive you while you enjoy the views.
- If you just want a scenic coastal drive, an automatic scooter is fine for the main road.
- If you want to ride the full loop, including Son Tra Peak and deep jungle areas, you must start from the harbor area and use a semi-automatic motorbike.
2. Look at the Douc Langur
Son Tra Peninsula is home to two main types of monkeys: the Macaques and the rare Red-Shanked Douc Langurs. While both species live in the forested areas of Son Tra, their behavior and where you can spot them are very different.
Macaques – Common but mischievous
The most common monkeys on Son Tra are the long-tailed macaques. They are often seen along the main coastal road, especially near the entrance of the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort. There is a parking area before the hotel entrance, and macaques are almost always present there. You may also spot them at different points along the coastal road.
Be cautious! These monkeys are used to people and may try to grab food or drinks, so keep your belongings secured.
Red-Shanked Douc Langurs – Rare and hard to spot
The Red-Shanked Douc Langur, also known as the Queen of Primates, is one of the rarest and most beautiful monkeys in the world. Unlike macaques, they are shy and avoid human interaction. You are unlikely to see them along the main road, but if you take the scenic loop through the mountains, you have a better chance.
In some areas, special ropes are hung over the road to help the langurs cross safely without coming into contact with vehicles. Even with careful searching, spotting them remains a rare and lucky experience.
3. Beaches on Son Tra
The beaches on Son Tra are a lot less touristy than the beaches that are right next to Da Nang. Combine a day with driving around on Son Tra with relaxing on their quiet beautiful beach. Please note that there are a number of beaches that are owned by a resort.
- Tien Sa Beach: Offers a beautiful stretch of beach with virtually no tourists, and especially some local fishermen.
- Bai Rang: It is quiet and beautiful beach. A great place for a Vietnamese lunch in the restaurant with a nice location in a small hut above the sea.
- Da Den Beach (Black Stone Beach): It is a secluded beach and unique in the area thanks to the many large black stones. Relax here after all your discoveries and go swimming before returning to Da Nang.
- South Beach (Bai Nam): A small bay with sandy beach surrounded by rocks that is the exclusive property of the Son Tra Resort. It is possible to use the beach here during the day if you also eat at the resort’s restaurant. The view of the sunset is spectacular.
- Bai But: The first beach on the south side of the peninsula. It is not quite the pristine paradise since the opening of the Buddha Beach Resort, but a nice place to visit on a quiet day.
- North Beach (Bai Bac): Because of the beautiful scenery here, SunGroup has chosen to build a 5-star resort called InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula.
4. Linh Ung Pagoda
At the beginning of the Son Tra peninsula, you see a long white female Buddha statue facing the sea. This image protects the local fishermen and gives them the strength to fight against the waves and the wind. This Buddha also marks the entrance to the Son Tra Linh Ung Pagoda, one of the most beautiful temple complexes in this part of Vietnam. You will find here various statues, temples and a gate with multiple arches.
5. Ban Co Peak
Both literally and figuratively, Ban Co Peak is the highlight of Son Tra. From this point you have a great view of the peninsula and Da Nang. Admission here is free, but you have to pay 2000 VND for parking. Ban Co Peak is also famous for the statue of Confucius. This bronze statue of the great chess philosopher is a tribute to the man, who has greatly influenced Eastern culture.
6. The thousand year old tree
The giant banyan tree is a nice stop for a short break. The tree is estimated to be nearly 1000 years old. Its root assembly has grown into new trunks that support massive structures from the center. This banyan tree has a circumference of 10 meters with 26 new trunks that are approximately 25 meters high.
7. Cape Nghe
You can go snorkelling in Cape Nghe (Mui Nghe or Hon Nghe). You can see the bottom through the clear blue water. During snorkeling you can see different fish, shrimps and squid. Scuba diving is also available here, as there are more than 40 rare corals. Son Tra lighthouse
8. The eye of Indochina
This is another name for Radar Station 29. Today, Son Tra is still used as a radar station for civil aviation, air force and the navy. Since this is a military area and is still used to protect territorial sovereignty, you cannot go to the radar location, but there are still many places on the mountain roads where you can see it.
9. Man Thai Fishing Village
Man Thai isn’t actually a separate village, but rather a fishing area within the Son Tra neighborhood of Da Nang. Despite being part of the city, it has a distinctly local and traditional feel. Here, you’ll see plenty of fishing boats in the water and round bamboo basket boats lined up along the beach. The fishermen supply many of Da Nang’s seafood restaurants, keeping age-old fishing traditions alive.
Pro Tip: Visit early in the morning (around 6-7 AM) to watch the fishermen hauling in their nets. Sometimes, tourists even lend a hand! The fresh catch is often sold right on the beach to local restaurants, making it a great spot to experience the authentic fishing culture of Da Nang.
10. Son Tra lighthouse
Named as one of the most beautiful lighthouses in Vietnam and built in French architecture. It is one of the eight oldest lighthouses in Vietnam. The lighthouse offers you the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the sea, mountains and forests from above.
11. Paragliding at Son Tra
For adventure seekers, paragliding over Son Tra Peninsula offers an unforgettable experience with breathtaking aerial views of Da Nang’s coastline, lush mountains, and the vast ocean. This thrilling activity allows you to glide from the heights of Son Tra, enjoying a unique perspective of the peninsula’s stunning landscape.
The best time for paragliding in Son Tra is typically from April to August, when the weather is more stable, with clear skies and light winds, ensuring safer and smoother flights. Outside of this period, wind conditions can be unpredictable, and flights may not be available.
There are several paragliding operators in Da Nang that offer tandem flights with experienced pilots, making it accessible even for beginners. If you’re looking for an exhilarating way to see Son Tra from above, this is an incredible option to consider!
Travel tips for visiting Son Tra Peninsula
These travel tips will help you make the most of your visit to Son Tra, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.
1. Best time to visit
The late afternoon is the ideal time to explore Son Tra. The heat is less intense, making it more comfortable to enjoy the scenery. Plus, if you time it right, you can catch a beautiful sunset on your way back—Son Tra offers some of the best sunset views in Da Nang.
2. Fill up your gas tank before you go
If you’re riding a scooter, make sure to fill up your tank in Da Nang before heading to Son Tra. There are no official gas stations on the peninsula. You might find a local selling petrol along the road, but it will be at a higher price and not always available.
3. Sun protection is essential
If you’re riding a scooter, the cool breeze while driving can make you forget how strong the sun is. Sunburn happens quickly, so apply sunscreen, wear sunglasses, and consider a cap if you’re not wearing a helmet. Long sleeves can also be a good idea to protect yourself from the sun.
4. Carry some cash
While you won’t find many shops in Son Tra, there are some small vendors selling snacks and drinks along the way. These are often locals selling from their motorbikes or setting up makeshift stalls with plastic chairs at scenic spots. Since they only accept cash, it’s a good idea to bring some small bills.
5. Should you stay in Son Tra?
You don’t need to stay overnight to enjoy Son Tra, as it’s just a short ride from Da Nang. That said, accommodation options are very limited. There is a small glamping site on one of the beaches, but other than that, your only option is the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort—a stunning luxury resort, though it may not fit every traveler’s budget.
6. Where to eat and drink
There are very few cafés or restaurants in Son Tra, but one of the most well-known spots is Sơn Trà Marina, located near the entrance of the peninsula. This café is built in a Santorini-style design and is a popular place to relax with a coffee. In the late afternoon, many locals also come to Son Tra to sell snacks and drinks, often directly from their motorbikes.
7. Bring your own snacks and drinks
Because food and drink options are limited, especially during day time and at the more remote beaches, it’s a good idea to bring your own. Just remember to take all your trash with you—unfortunately, some of the less-visited beaches on Son Tra suffer from litter problems due to lack of maintenance.
Route map
View a map with an example route below or view the sights you want to visit on the map to determine your own route.
