Nha Trang is a coastal city and capital of Khanh Hoa Province, located on the south-central coast of Vietnam. It makes its home on the beautiful Nha Trang Bay. With 507 square kilometers, Nha Trang Bay includes a total of 19 islets and islands. If you’re curious what the weather is like and when to visit to make the most of your diving skills or even just your curiosity, check this article for more information.
Have you already visited every corner of Nha Trang City, but are still eager to explore more of the beauty of this land? A comprehensive guide to the best seven islands in Nha Trang is detailed below. Let’s check them out and discover your favorite islands!
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1. Yen Island
Yen Island is 25 kilometers away from Nha Trang. Because this island belongs to Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company, you can’t explore it by yourself, so buying a ticket from Cau Da Port in Nha Trang is the only way to get to Yen Island. Tourists can only stay in Yen Island for one day and the ticket price is 350,000 VND per person, including breakfast, edible bird’s nest drink, cookies, lunch, and fruit.
Yen is special because it features the only beach surrounded by ocean on both sides! When you stand on the beach and look out into the distance, every direction you turn is the endless ocean. Even more interesting, on one side of the beach is hot water and on the other is cold water. This is due to the ocean current, which creates an unforgettable experience for every tourist. After relaxing on the “double beach,” climb up to Du Hao Mountain, 90 meters high, and watch the beautiful scenery as you capture this peaceful moment.
Did you know that “Yen” means salangane in English? As you might have noticed, this island is named after the salangane, a small bird of the swift family which is found in Southeast Asia. Its nest is made of solidified saliva and used to make salangane nest soup, which is among the most expensive animal products consumed by humans. Learn how to make salangane nest products from the local people and you will experience all this island has to offer!
2. Tam Islet
Tam Islet is seven kilometers away from Nha Trang. From Hon Tam Port in Nha Trang, you can go by motorboat belonging to the Hon Tam tourist area, and it takes around 20 minutes to get to Tam Islet. There are 20 motorboats that make their way back and forth every day and boat services end at 10 PM. However, if you want to rent a motorboat after 10 PM, it’s possible and you only need to pay the extra fee. If you already booked a room in a resort in Tam Islet, the resort will cover the motorboat price for you.
Tam Islet is a great place to relax and get away from the noise and busy life of the city. Sit on the long beach, swim in cold sea water, play water sports, and stay in a relaxing resort. After all, it’s your holiday.
After playing on the beach and swimming in the water, go deep into the island, wallow in its ancient atmosphere, and discover the peaceful scene of Hoang Hoa Village. With 400 square meters, the village includes five ancient houses that are more than 100 years old. Many old types of furniture that reflect the ancient life of the past (rice-hulling mill, old gas lamps, tables, wardrobes, casket) can be found in the homes as well. Play local musical instruments, make pottery and brocade, and brew wine when you’re there. What an experience on this beautiful island!
3. Mun Islet
Mun Islet is ten kilometers away from Cau Da Port. It takes 45 minutes by motorboat, which costs 300,000 VND. There is no hotel on Mun Islet, so it’s better to visit and come back in one day.
The rough and dangerous cliffs combine and create grandiose caves on this mysterious island. The name even means dense black, “mun” in Vietnamese.
Mun Islet is evaluated as the richest area of marine biodiversity in Vietnam by World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF). Only ten meters deep, a variety of corals and colorful fishes are displayed before your eyes. Many activities such as floating bar, watching coral reefs from a glass-bottom boat, and scuba diving are available. If you go more than 18 meters deep, there is no coral, but many caves appear in the darkness. With a light, you can explore the marine life of shrimp, squid, ray, lobster, and many more inside these caves.
4. Tre Islet
This is the biggest islet in Nha Trang Bay and a little more than three kilometers from Cau Da Port. Tre Islet has the most touristy areas of all the islands in Nha Trang. Vinpearl Land gondola is the longest gondola across the sea in the world, 3,320 meters in length. It can also hold up to eight people in one cabin! You can bring your whole family! It takes around nine minutes to go from Nha Trang to Tre Islet by cable car. What a short time! It’s open from 8:30 AM to 9 PM and costs 880,000 VND at a two-way ticket.
Stay at Vinpearl Resort & Spa, explore Vinpearl Eco-Tourism, swim at Vinpearl Water Park, play at Vinpearl Culture Park, and play golf at Vinpearl Golf! Tre has it all.
If you want a more local experience, visit Con Se Tre Tourist Village. Con Se Tre Tourist Village is made mostly of bamboo architecture. Many ancient artifacts and products can be found here such as Bien Hoa pottery, ox cart from Cu Chi, etc.
5. Mieu Islet
Mieu Islet is the nearest islet to Nha Trang and known for its traditional fishing village. Local people make their living from catching seafood and seafood cultivation. Many seafood restaurants line the streets of the islet, and every restaurant has its own fish farm raft. You may not be familiar with a fish farm raft which is a simple floating structure on the sea used to raise fish. With a cage constructed on the middle floor that sits in the water, farmers can raise many kinds of seafood such as lobster, squid, fish, oyster, snails, crab, etc. You can choose which seafood you like by simply pointing. Then, the restaurant staff will weigh what you pick, bargain with you, cook it up, and serve you right there. Tourists then return to shore via a small boat, which is tied by a rope from the rafts to onshore.
The traditional transportation of fisherman in the village is basket boat. Nowadays, tourists can get on basket boat manned by local people to discover the sea. If you want to learn how to sail, the local people will be happy to teach you. The feeling of sitting in the basket boat n the open sea is remarkable and this might be your best chance to try it!
You can also enjoy your time on a beach. Go to Soi Beach to collect many kinds of stones and rocks, with different shapes and color, sparkling in the sunshine. Tranh Beach nearby is also a beautiful beach, suitable for swimming, water sports, and relaxing.
The most interesting place in Mieu Islet is Tri Nguyen Aquarium, in the shape of a fossilized ship. Inside is a miniature ocean, designed as a glass tunnel with marine creatures swimming about. Outside the aquarium is a giant lake, with seafood farms, and you can go fishing here too.
6. Mot Islet
Mot Islet is nine kilometers away from Nha Trang, and the smallest island in Nha Trang Bay. It’s less than one square kilometer! Only 200 people live here, and they make their living by farming and fishing. Upon your first step onto this islet, you will see green fruit gardens with coconut trees, mango, and cashews.
You will not only find beautiful farms of fresh fruit here, but Mot Islet is also home to beautiful coral reefs and is not inferior to Mun Islet. Moreover, the sea here is more shallow than that in Mun Islet. Therefore, it’s easier to observe coral reefs close to the shore, which is great for those of you who prefer to watch the water than swim in it. There are many activities available such as fishing, motorboat, scuba diving, watching coral from a glass-bottom boat, and even more.
7. Bai Bang Island
Bai Bang Island is 45 minutes from Cau Da Port in Nha Trang. You can rent a boat from Cau Da Port and visit the island by yourself. Bai Bang Island used to be a military training area for Nha Trang’s army.
The island is marked by mountains and long beaches. Mountains 20 meters in height are overgrown with trees and wild fruit. The beaches are sheltered by the mountain, and therefore really cool in the morning. Swim in the cool water, watch shells and stones through azure blue sea water, and relax on the beach. Bai Bang Island is quite new to tourists, so the scene and atmosphere are quiet and peaceful.
Many fish farm rafts, including a variety of marine fishes and seafood, are open to visitors. Go fishing and sit down for a local seafood meal. It’s a really good experience.
Many water sports services are also available like volleyball on the beach, kayaking, and scuba diving.
I hope I have inspired you to discover a few of these island gems. Each place has its own unique environment which will surely impress you. If you’re looking for more specific articles for more destinations in Nha Trang check these out:
One Day Itinerary for Nha Trang
What to See and Do in Nha Trang
A Complete Guide to Shopping in Nha Trang
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