Hon Mun Island, Nha Trang: Discover a Snorkeling Paradise
Beach lovers must travel to Nha Trang and travelers to Nha Trang must visit Hon Mun Island for a reason. Get ready for a relaxing gateway, an adventure-filled vacation in this tropical snorkeling paradise.
If you search for the best things to do in Nha Trang, it is easy to find numerous articles mentioning Hon Mun Island snorkeling. So what is special about Hon Mun Island that is recommended as a must-visit destination in Nha Trang? Read on to find out some information and recommendations for your next joyful trip.
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What to know about Nha Trang’s snorkeling paradise?
Dubbed one of the four most beautiful islands in Nha Trang (besides Hon Tam, Hon Mot and Hon Tre), Hon Mun Island is blessed with crystal clear water, white sand beaches and rich marine ecosystems. This island has over 2,000 species of coral and 1,500 species of marine life. It is the only marine conservation area in Vietnam. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has ranked Hon Mun Island as Vietnam’s most marine biodiversity area.
How far is it from Nha Trang City to Hon Mun Island? About 14 km from the city center, it is in the south of Hon Tre Island, another tropical paradise with the prominent Vinpearl Nha Trang Hon Tre.
The name of the island literally means “the black island”. With a total area of 160 km2, it features strikingly black rock formations like ebony wood. When you are on the island, you will see steep cliffs rising to the sky.
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Best things to do at Hon Mun Island
Venture beyond your sunbed and you will be rewarded with amazing beach activities. Once you get ready for a real adventure, it’s time to be inspired with our picks for the best things to do at Hon Mun Island.
1. Explore the beauty of Hon Mun marine ecosystems
Hon Mun Island is one of the best places to visit in Nha Trang thanks to its natural beauty. Not only is this island a popular tourist attraction but it is also a conservation area. Featuring the most biodiversity in Vietnam, Hon Mun Island is protecting some of the world’s most threatened marine ecosystems.
This island has a diverse and healthy ecosystem because of its unique geographical location. The island is situated near a deep-water upwelling, which brings cold water rich in nutrients from the depths of the ocean to the surface. This creates favorable conditions for coral growth and fish reproduction.
There are several options for you to uncover the beauty of nature and local life. Why not rent a kayak or a canoe and paddle around the island at your own pace? You can also visit the local island communities and interact with the fishermen to know more about their traditional fishing methods.
2. Book a snorkeling tour at Hon Mun Island
Most tourists choose to visit Nha Trang and Hon Mun Island for snorkeling. Snorkeling allows you to glimpse the underwater world and witness wildlife in its natural habitat. Watching a turtle chopping on some coral or a school of fish move as a unified group opens a whole new world to snorkelers.
This activity costs around VND 300,000 to VND 400,000 with snorkels and and specialized swimming goggles provided. Don’t worry if you cannot swim. You will be guided carefully before diving. If you can swim, another option for you is scuba diving to see the corals more clearly at 6 – 8 meters under the sea.
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3. Enjoy sea walking
Phu Quoc, another Vietnam beach paradise, takes pride in sea walking tours, and so does Hon Mun Island. Sea walking is an underwater activity that involves wearing a helmet connected to fresh air while walking along the bottom of the seafloor. It is a good chance for those who don’t know how to swim but still experience the wonders of the sea.
For approximately 20 minutes, you can admire the beautiful coral reefs and tropical fish, such as clownfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, parrotfish, and lionfish. You can also meet other marine creatures, such as sea turtles, octopuses, squid, lobsters and sea urchins. Grab a chance to walk on the sea floor without getting your hair or makeup wet!
4. Try parasailing solo or with a friend
If you are attracted to the thrill and excitement of being lifted into the air, try parasailing at Hon Mun Island. This is a fun and unique way to experience the sea and the surrounding landscape while you are suspended above the water.
In this activity, you will wear a parachute with protective gears, pulled behind by a motor boat to sail through the air. The cost for parasailing ranges from VND 600,000 to VND 800,000. If you are looking for a new and exciting way to enjoy the water and the outdoors, Vung Tau is also worth considering for parasailing.
5. Take a glass-bottom boat trip
Still thinking about the best things to do at Hon Mun Island except for diving? Get rid of your worries because you don’t have to get soaking wet. Just calmingly sit on a glass-bottom boat and see the whole colorful marine life under your feet. During the voyage, you will travel with a variety of lively fish and other sea life cruising through what many consider to be one of the world’s healthiest marine environments.
The whole family can enjoy the scenic coral reefs and sea creatures while discussing some options to do after this activity. The price for experiencing a glass-bottom boat is VND 60,000, which is fairly cheap compared to other activities.
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Tips for your trip to Hon Mun Island
For your trip to Nha Trang or specifically to Hon Mun Island, keep in mind a few tips that help you get the best experiences. Avoid stormy months and find the best place to stay in Nha Trang before you decide how to get to the island.
Best time to visit Hon Mun Island
Thanks to Nha Trang’s pleasant weather, you can visit the city almost all year round. The summer usually starts in May, and it is the best time for ecotourism and marine tourism. Other months could be pleasing for culture and history lovers with an array of destinations including Ponagar Cham Tower, Bao Dai Villa or Nha Trang Cathedral.
According to many travel experts, the best time to visit Hon Mun Island and scenic beaches in Nha Trang is between July and September. This time of the year comes with warm sunshine, clear blue water and sweet breeze. These are favorable conditions for endless underwater sports, especially snorkeling and scuba diving.
On the flip side, the stormy months usually fall between October and December. Although traveling during Vietnam’s rainy season has something to offer, most tourists do not want their excitement to be dampened by unfavorable conditions. That’s why you should avoid visiting the island in these months.
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How to get to Hon Mun Island?
You can reach Hon Mun Island by boat or canoe. But first, make your way to Cau Da Port where hundreds of domestic and international tourists come and go every day. Here are the prices for a short trip from Cau Da Port to Hon Mun Island for group travelers.
- Small ship under 15 people: VND 800,000
- Large ship from 15 to 20 people: VND 1,300,000
- Large ship from 21 to 49 people: VND 1,500,000
- Canoe up to 10 people: VND 1,400,000
- Canoe from 11 to 24 people: VND 1,600,000
For individual travelers:
- Boat trip: VND 250,000/ person
- Canoe trip: VND 300,000/ person
The prices during Tet Holiday (Vietnam’s Lunar New Year) may be higher. When you arrive at Hon Mun Island, there are some options to enjoy yourselves. You can buy an entrance ticket to the island which costs only VND 22,000 for an adult and VND 11,000 for a child. If you are curious about basket boats, rent one at VND 20,000 for an adult and VND 10,000 for a child.
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Hon Mun Island accommodation
Take a look at the list of best beach hotels in Nha Trang. You may find an ideal play for your stay, ranging from luxury 5-star resorts to budget hotels. This island is perfect for a day trip and you can book hotels near Hon Mun Island aplenty. Take a look at these recommendations:
- Hon Tam Resort
- Vinpearl Resort & Spa Nha Trang Bay
- Mia Resort
- Novotel Nha Trang
- Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa
- DTX Hotel Nha Trang
- V Hotel Nha Trang
- Libra Nha Trang Hotel
- Le’s Cham Hotel
- Ruby Hotel
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The ‘don’t worry, be happy’ vibe of Hon Mun Island has attracted both domestic and international tourists to this tropical paradise. When you stand on the beach full of white untouched sand whilst the morning sun tickles your skin, you will know this is the right place.
No need to worry about time or transportation, book Nha Trang Fishing Village and Snorkelling Private Tour – Shore Excursion with us. Take the time to make the most of your experience. We always make sure that you return on time to board the cruise ship.
© Maika Tours
Written by Trinh Tran