Top 5 islands in Nha Trang

Nestled just about 5 kilometers southeast of Nha Trang, Hon Mieu Island is one of the most well-known and closest spots in the region for a day trip. There is quite a large population here on the island, concentrated mainly along the coast. Hon Mieu Island has many beautiful beaches and is an ideal destination for those seeking both relaxation and adventure on the beach.

How to get there

By boat:

• Depart from: Vinh Truong Port
• Duration: 15 – 20 minutes
• Price: 20,000 VND ($0.8)/adult; 10,000 VND ($0.4)/child

By canoe:

• Depart from: Vinh Truong Port or Cau Da Port
• Duration: 5 – 10 minutes
• Price: 1,200,000 – 2,000,000 VND ($47 – 79) for 6 – 12 people/canoe (cost is divided equally among passengers)

Things to do on Hon Mieu

Relax on the beaches

Hon Mieu Island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Nha Trang. Just a short walk from Cau Da Tri Nguyen Pier is the private Paradise Beach, which is a fantastic spot for a quiet picnic. On the other side of the island, you’ll first come to Soi Beach, famous for its fine gravel instead of the common sandy shore. Further down is Bai Tranh Beach, praised as the most stunning beach on Hon Mieu Island for its soft sand and serene surroundings. Don’t skip Mini Beach, which is still off the radar. Resting against scenic mountains overlooking the ocean, Mini Beach is perfectly secluded. The tranquil and relaxed atmosphere here makes it perfect for couples or those who enjoy peacefulness.

Visit the Tri Nguyen Aquarium

This building is so strikingly absurd that you’re unlikely to miss it. Designed to resemble a large, fossilized ship, the Tri Nguyen Aquarium is not only an architectural attraction but also home to a large variety of aquatic species, especially sea turtles. This is an excellent spot for families with kids.

Take part in water sports

Bai Tranh Beach on Hon Mieu Island is a lively and organized spot for all kinds of adventurous activities, such as parasailing and jet skiing.

Explore the fishing village

Consider stopping by a local fishing village on the island to get a taste of local life. With a guide, you can even learn how fishermen weave their fishing nets, paint their boats, and make fish sauce.

Hon Mun gets its name from the jet-black color of its rocks, as “Mun” means black. The island’s renowned calm and crystal-clear waters offer excellent visibility for underwater activities. Hon Mun Island is also a well-known destination for eco-tourism thanks to its rich biodiversity and strictly protected status.

How to get there

Each boat or canoe has a capacity of 6 – 12 people. If you’re traveling independently, you’ll have to wait until the boat is full before it departs.

By boat:

• Depart from: Cau Da Port
• Duration: 20 – 30 minutes
• Price: 250,000 VND ($10)/pax

By canoe:

• Depart from: Cau Da Port
• Duration: 15 – 20 minutes
• Price: 300,000 VND ($12)/pax

Things to do on Hon Mun

Go underwater

Hon Mun Island is the ultimate destination for snorkeling and scuba diving in Vietnam. Compared to Con Dao Island and Phu Quoc Island, Hon Mun offers much easier logistics. The island is also renowned for its coral gardens, with more than 2,000 species and an abundant marine life of around 1,500 species. You’ll have a chance to dive in the Marine Protected Area, which is set up to preserve regional coral reefs and tropical fish. The Madonna Rock, or Saint-Hardy Rock, is a highlight, adding an impressive landmark to the dive site. The waters around Hon Mun cater to all levels of divers, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced one. You can rent snorkeling gear or book a diving trip with one of the local dive centers.

Party on the sea

A fantastic way to have fun with friends while enjoying the cool waters and morning sun is to have a floating bar set up on the water for you. The local guide, aka your bartender, will serve you cocktails and all the drinks you can imagine on the buoyant minibar while you swim in the clear blue water with other partiers. It’s like having a pool party in a boundless pool.

Go boating and fishing

You can rent a wooden boat and fishing equipment and try your luck at catching some tropical fish (or experience some extreme thrills on the sea). Local fishermen will show you traditional fishing methods, which also contribute to maintaining the balance of the surrounding waters. Visitors will have a taste of their own catch, cooked fresh on the boats.

Hon Tre is the largest island in Nha Trang Bay and home to the Vinpearl Resort Complex, which spans a vast portion of the island. The island features various entertainment facilities, such as VinWonders Park and Vinpearl golf courses, as well as luxurious accommodations, including hotels, resorts, and villas. Hon Tre Island is the optimal choice for resort-goers and theme park fans.

How to get there

By Vinpearl Cable Car

• Depart from: Vinpearl Cable Car Station on the mainland
• Duration: 10 minutes
• Price:
  • 950,000 VND ($38) / return trip/adult
  • 710,000 VND ($28) / return trip/child
  • Free for children under 1 meter

By private boat or yacht

• Depart from: Ana Marina Port
• Duration: 10 – 20 minutes
• 1,200,000 VND ($48)/adult; free for children under 7 years old

Things to do on Hon Tre

Ride the over-sea cable car

The Vinpearl Cable Car not only takes you to Hon Tre Island in the most exciting way but also offers majestic panoramic views of Nha Trang Bay. During a breathtaking 10-minute journey, you’ll have a chance to marvel at the scenic beauty from above, with lush hills on one side and the deep blue sea on the other. The cable car will drop you off at the Vinpearl Land (now rebranded as VinWonders) theme park on the island, where you can choose to spend a day having fun in the park or exploring the island.

Explore VinWonders and Vinpearl Safari

At VinWonders, visitors will find everything from water parks with thrilling slides to mystical botanical gardens and extraordinary musical performances. Every day, the park greets visitors with colorful parades and cheerful carnival shows, spreading joy to people of all ages. The complex also serves as a wildlife sanctuary with over 3,000 species of animals, making it perfect for nature lovers. Vinpearl Safari, with open-air enclosures, offers visitors a chance to observe animals in a more natural habitat and from a closer distance. These are must-visit attractions for families, where kids can have endless fun and educational experiences while adults enjoy a wide range of entertainment.

Splurge on luxury escapes

Unlike Ninh Van Bay (Ninh Hoa), Hon Tre Island is home to both luxurious and more affordable resorts and villas, making it an ideal destination for a relaxing retreat. You can spend a day or two pampering yourself by lounging by the pool, indulging in a spa treatment, and dining at a romantic sea-view restaurant.

Besides its picturesque beaches, Hon Tam Island is home to elegant spas offering world-class facilities and wellness programs, making it a rising destination for wholesome relaxation among both locals and international tourists.

How to get there

By charter speedboat

• Departure from: Hon Tam Port
• Duration: 10 – 15 minutes
• Price: 1,500,000 – 2,000,000 VND ($60 – $80)/boat

By tour package

Most resorts and spas on Hon Tam offer transportation to and from the island so that guests can enjoy their wellness services with peace of mind. You can look up resorts and spas on Hon Tam Island and contact them directly for pick-ups.

Things to do on Hon Tam

Retreat to a mud bath

Visitors can soak in therapeutic mud while surrounded by tropical nature and the soothing sound of ocean waves. The young, natural mud, which is incredibly rich in minerals, is known for its benefits, including exfoliating dead skin, improving skin elasticity, reducing stress, and detoxifying the body. This healing experience is perfect for those seeking a unique way to rejuvenate the body and refresh the mind.

Shower in the hot mineral water

One of the lesser-known services on Hon Tam Island is hot spring hydrotherapy. Modeled after Phong Nha Cave – a majestic natural wonder in Quang Binh Province, Vietnam – the water jets and small waterfalls flowing down from the rock walls cleanse the body before and/or after the mud bath, providing a continuous, comforting sensation of a thermal massage.

Hon Noi Island is a cluster of islands located about 25 km from the mainland. The island is famed for its majestic cliffs and lush greenery, which are ideal habitats for swiftlets. With the growing population of swiftlets, Hon Noi Island gradually became known as Dao Yen, or the Island of Swiftlets. Hon Noi also stands out from dozens of islands in Nha Trang for its one-of-a-kind double beaches. Under the exclusive administration of Khanh Hoa Bird’s Nest Company, Hon Noi Island only allows a maximum of 100 visitors per day to prevent disturbance to the swiftlet population.

How to get there

Currently, boats between the island and the mainland only operate on tours run by Sanest – Khanh Hoa Bird’s Nest Company.

By boat:

• Departure from: Sanest Pier, Cau Da Port
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Price: 490,000 VND ($20)/adult; 300,000 VND ($12)/child

By speedboat:

• Departure from: Sanest Pier, Cau Da Port
• Duration: 30 – 45 minutes
• Price: 790,000 VND ($31)/adult; 550,000 VND ($22)/child

Notes:

• Boats return to the mainland at 4 p.m. daily, so make sure to plan your travel carefully.
• Boat tickets include transportation on Hon Noi Island, two meals per day, drinking water, and entrance to island attractions.

Things to do on Hon Noi

Go bird-watching

For bird enthusiasts, this is truly heaven on earth. As soon as you arrive at the island, a wooden bridge will lead you through winding and breezy paths along striking cliffs, taking you to the swiftlet caves. You’ll have a chance to observe innumerable little birds perched on rocks and swarms of nests clinging to the cliffside. Exiting from the caves, you will be greeted by seagulls and swallows soaring in the blue sky.

Dive in the Double Beach

The tranquil beach of Hon Noi Island is divided by a stretch of soft white sand, creating two unparalleled (but equally stunning) beaches. Make sure to dive into both to experience the interesting differences between the two: one is deep blue and chilly, while the other is turquoise and warm. The waters in both are crystal clear, allowing perfect visibility of the shallow sea floor.

Conquer Du Ha Peak

Rising 90 meters above sea level, Du Ha Peak offers breathtaking panoramic views of Hon Noi Island, with rugged mountains on one side and the vast ocean – especially the unmatched Double Beach – on the other. The trail is well-marked with 220 stone steps and a solid handrail, ensuring a safe and enjoyable hike.