Xiamen is a subtropical port city on the Fujian coast facing Taiwan, known for car-free Gulangyu Island (UNESCO), Nanputuo Temple, a beachfront ring road and Minnan seafood.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Xiamen.
-
- lively village beach with evening food stalls and cafes
- Public showers and toilets nearby
- Cafes and seafood restaurants
- Guesthouses within walking distance
- Sunset viewing on the Huandao coastal path
Zengcuoan Beach (曾厝垵)
A small sand beach beside Zengcuoan, a former fishing village now packed with cafes, seafood stalls and guesthouses. Swimming is possible in summer; most visitors come for the evening street food and sea view.
Editor’s tip. Arrive in the afternoon and stay for sunset, as the lanes are liveliest after dark.
-
- easygoing urban beach beside the university, with cafes and cyclists
- Changing rooms and showers
- Lifeguards in summer
- Beachfront cafes and a Huandao Road cycle path
- Bike rental nearby
Baicheng Beach (白城沙滩)
A long city beach in front of Xiamen University with a gentle gradient, a lifeguard post in summer and views of Gulangyu and the harbour. It is the most convenient place to swim from the city.
Editor’s tip. Go early or late in the day to avoid the midday heat and the summer crowds.
-
- family-friendly, calm bay with seafood restaurants and sunrise walkers
- Showers and toilets
- Beach restaurants and seafood stalls
- Sunbed and umbrella rental in season
- Walking and cycling path
Huangcuo Beach (黄厝海滩)
A quieter stretch of sand on the south-east tip of Xiamen Island with a calm bay, beach cafes and fish restaurants. It is popular with families and locals for sunrise walks and swimming.
Editor’s tip. Visit at sunrise or late afternoon for the best light and cooler temperatures.
-
- sheltered island cove among old villas, calm and scenic
- Changing rooms and showers (seasonal)
- Rock pools and sea platforms
- Cafes on the lanes above
- Lifeguard in summer
Gangzaihou Beach, Gulangyu (港仔后海滨浴场)
A sheltered sand-and-rock cove on the south-east of Gulangyu, backed by the Haitian Tang area and old Western villas. It suits a short swim or paddle in summer after sightseeing on the island.
Editor’s tip. Take an early ferry from Dongdu cruise terminal to avoid weekend and holiday queues.
-
- quiet, undeveloped shoreline with strait views and cyclists
- Cycle and walking path
- Roadside cafes
- Toilets near Wutong terminal
Huandao East Road shore near Wutong, Huli District
A less developed beach and rock shore along Huandao East Road facing Kinmen, with views across the strait and a quiet coastal cycling path. It suits a calm picnic and sunrise visit.
Editor’s tip. Visit at sunrise for the best light and the calmest atmosphere.
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Family
Family-friendly
Baicheng and Huangcuo have gentle gradients, lifeguards in summer and cafes close by, making them the easiest swim spots with children.
Sport
Active & sporty
Huandao Road is a long cycling and jogging route, and Xiamen's beaches offer paddle-boarding and bicycle rental in season.
Scenic
Scenic
Zengcuoan and the Huandao Road coastal path give sea views and sunsets, with Gulangyu's villas across the strait.
Remote
Remote
The Huli District shore near Wutong and Gulangyu's Gangzaihou cove are quieter than the city beaches except on summer weekends.
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Xiamen memorable.
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
Swimming runs roughly May to October, warmest July to September; typhoon season is July to September, so check the weather bureau and Amap warnings before going.
Beach Type
Xiamen's city beaches are sand and granite shores of the Taiwan Strait with calm water inside the bay and mixed rock; Gulangyu has small rock-and-sand coves.
Getting There
Take Huandao Road buses or Didi from the city (about ¥20-70 (~$2.9-10)); the Gulangyu beach needs the ferry (about ¥35 (~$5.1) return).
Water Quality
Water near the city is usable for swimming but not tropical-clear; check local beach flags and avoid swimming after heavy rain or when red flags are up.
Facilities Note
City beaches have showers, changing rooms and nearby cafes; remote stretches have few facilities, so carry water and cash, and use Alipay or WeChat Pay where accepted.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Xiamen’s coast.
Can visitors swim at Zengcuoan Beach?
Swimming is possible in summer, but the beach is small and most visitors come for the food and views. Check for lifeguard cover and warning flags on arrival.
From the Zengcuoan Beach (曾厝垵) editorial.
How far is Zengcuoan from central Xiamen?
It is about 8 km south-east of Zhongshan Road, roughly 20 minutes by taxi. A Didi ride costs about 25 to 35 yuan.
From the Zengcuoan Beach (曾厝垵) editorial.
Is Baicheng Beach good for swimming?
Yes. The gradient is gentle and lifeguards are posted in summer, making it the most convenient swimming spot from the city. Water clarity is moderate.
From the Baicheng Beach (白城沙滩) editorial.
How do visitors get to Baicheng Beach?
Take a city bus to the Xiamen University stop or a Didi for about 20 to 30 yuan. The beach is roughly 15 to 20 minutes from Zhongshan Road by taxi.
From the Baicheng Beach (白城沙滩) editorial.
Is Huangcuo Beach suitable for families?
Yes. The calm bay and nearby facilities make it popular with families and local residents, particularly in summer.
From the Huangcuo Beach (黄厝海滩) editorial.
How far is Huangcuo Beach from central Xiamen?
It is about 12 km east of Zhongshan Road, around 30 minutes by taxi. A Didi costs roughly 35 to 55 yuan.
From the Huangcuo Beach (黄厝海滩) editorial.
How do visitors get to Gangzaihou Beach?
Take the Gulangyu ferry (about 35 yuan return) from Dongdu cruise terminal to Neicuoao pier, then walk about 20 minutes. Gulangyu is car-free.
From the Gangzaihou Beach, Gulangyu (港仔后海滨浴场) editorial.
When is the swimming season?
June to September is best, when changing rooms, showers and a lifeguard are available. Services outside summer should be checked locally.
From the Gangzaihou Beach, Gulangyu (港仔后海滨浴场) editorial.