Hon Ong Island, not-to-be-missed destination for relaxing.
I. Presentation
Hon Ong Island is also known as the whale island which is located in the Van Phong Bay of Van Ninh district, Khánh Hoa Province. This island is far from Khanh Hoa about 100 km.
Although the area of Hon Ong island is about 40.000 ha, there are 2ha used for building resorts, and the rest land of the island is still pristine and green all the year. On this island, there is a resort named “The Whale Island Resort” of a couple overseas Vietnamese from French for visitors staying overnight.
Immersing yourself in the crystal blue water -the most exciting experience on Hon Ong island
II. Transfer to Hon Ong Island
Firstly, we take a walk to the Dam Mon (Đầm Môn) pier in Van Thanh, Van Ninh, Khanh Hoa. After arrival to this pier, we contact the hotel reception by phone 0583.840.501 to take the timetable of the train to Hon Ong island. Usually, there is 2 trains at 11.00 a.m and 1.15 p.m going to this island. The ship of this resort named LA BALEINE. Actually, it takes about 15-20 minutes for this trip.
You can follow the road from Tuy Hoa city (Phu Yen) or depart from the coastal city Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa).
The pictureques prospect on Hon Ong island
Guidelines on how to go from Nha Trang to Dam Mon pier by road
Basic Information about the way, and you can search on google map
- Departure: Nha Trang
- Destination: Dam Mon pier, Van Thanh, Van Ninh, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam.
- Distance: 101km.
- Travel time: 3 hours.
- Description of the way:
Follow the Highway 1A to the north, through the Ninh Hoa district and Van Gia town, we will reach the foot of Co Ma (Cổ Mã) pass. Before boarding pass, we will see the signpost, which guides us turning right to go Dam Mon. It is about 83 km from Nha Trang to this bifurcation. From here, we continue travelling about 18km to Dam Mon pier. According to the updated information in May 2014, this road is still quite bad, especially, the road leading from Ninh Hoa to Van Gia. This trek is on process, and that is the reason why it is very bad and dust. Therefore, we should not travel quickly in this road.
- Estimated cost:
If we travel by motorbike, cost for gasoline or transfer about $ 12 during 2 days. Car rental is $ 10 for 2 days. Total cost of a trip and return to the pier for 2 people is $ 10 per person.
- Tips (travel tips):
If you have time for travelling, you should choose motorcycles, because the scenery along the road of 18km from the Co Ma pass on to the Dam Mon pier is very beautiful. This trail is a real coastal path. One side is high-untouchable white sand, one is the blue sea to the skyline, and the paved road goes smoothly as lulling our mind. Along this trail, we can stop for indulging the breathtaking scenery and taking some photographs to save these memorable moments pff this trip, while we travel through beautiful crooks with some shrimp farms and the white sand, the small sowback encroaching to the sea look like mine salt.
• Travel by Resort’s car
- Reservation:
After booking at the resort and get the confirmation of our reservation via email, you can contact the hotel reception by phone 0583.840.501 to book a car in the Nha Trang city with fee agreed at the time of call.
- Guideline:
Just get into the car coming to the harbor. Enjoy the cool air without dust in the car with conditioning.
- Estimated cost:
According to the updated information in May 2014 after confirmed with receptionist of the hotel, pick up fee from Nha Trang to the Dam Mon pier is about $20 per person for a trail.
- Tip:
If you have a strong budget and want to enjoy leisurely, this method is probably easier. Moreover, it is suitable for couples in honeymoon.
• Traveling by bus and combination with “xe om”, bus or taxi
- Guideline:
We go to the bus station in the north of Nha Trang city at 1, on the 2/4 Street of Nha Trang city. From here, take any vehicle going to the North and get off along the way. However, for sure, we should stop at Dai Lanh town and catch a cab or “Xe Om” (motorcycle taxi) to Dam Mon pier. It is about 23km from the Dai Lanh town to Dam Mon pier.
If you take a taxi or motorcycle taxi, make sure to ask the driver their phone number for our return in the dock, because there is not many people living around this dock, so it is quite difficult to take a cab or motorcycle taxi here.
- Time:
It takes about 2.75 – 3 hours for this trip.
- Estimated cost:
For transferring by this method, the bigger group we are, the cost will be cheaper. Estimated costs for 1 person by coach is about $ 5, by cab from Dai Lanh to Dam Mon pier with the distance of 23km is about 12 $. If we take the motorbike rider, the cost is cheaper. Estimated cost for one person in a 4 people team going by this way is about 19 $ per person for both departure and return.
- Tip:
If you go with your family, or with a group of 4 persons or more, you should choose this way, because it is not only easier, but also cost saving.
- Taxi:
If you go with a group over 7 members, you should choose going by taxi with 7 seats for 100km, it just takes $ 65 (about 9$ per person per trail)
- Other:
You can take a coach at the station in the north of Nha Trang city, get off at the Van Gia station, in Van Gia town. From this station, take a bus from Van Gia to Dam Mon pier. There are 3 buses per day, the last bus is at 10 a.m. This is a cost saving and quit safe method of transfer to Dam Mon pier.
Guidelines on how to go from Tuy Hoa to Dam Mon pier by road
If you take a train or coach to transfer from the northern province to Dam Muon pier, you should get off at Tuy Hoa city; because the distance from Tuy Hoa – Phu Yen to Dam Mo pier is just about 64 km. From this city, you can rent a bike, or take a cab, or stop in Dai Lanh and follow the above guideline from Nha Trang.
III. Lodging and food on Hon Ong island
1. Lodging
The only one choice for you on Hon Ong island is the Whale Island Resort. You can take a reservation online by credit card at the site booking.com, or make a phone call to the number of +84.583.840.501 to meet hotel receptionist.
Whale Island Resort - The wonderful resort
This resort is built based on the bungalow design under the green foliage of coconut tree near by the beach. It costs about $55 for one night room including breakfast of 2 persons, $70 for a family room and plus one possible, extra bed fee is about $7 per person. Check in time in the principle of this resort is at 14.00 p.m and check out time is at 12 a.m. However, you can come sooner, put your luggages at the receptionist’s regard, and enjoy a walk around the island.
Cute bungalow
The resort’s design is really natural except the fan. The bad room is quite simple with leaf roof. It’s quite cool at night, you should use a blanket to keep yourself warmer.
On Hon Ong island, there are about 31 bungalows for rent, as well as the areas for restaurants, bars, massages and diving services (Scuba Diving). All these services are in the center beach.
2. Foods
There are no other one supporting services on this island, so you have no choice to have breakfast as well as other repast at resort. You have to use set menu of this resort. Dinner set menu costs about $14 per person.
Suggestion menu for e person:
- A plate of peeled shrimp (8 shrimps)
- A plate of crunchy fried seafood spring rolls
- A plate of small roasted duck (6 pieces)
- A plate of sautéed common bean
- A plate of prawn
- A bowl of rice
- No Drinks and Soup
This expensive menu is a only weakness of this resort during the time staying there. The seafood of this menu is not really fresh, and a dinner without drinks and soup make this repast become worse.
However, drinks at bars in the beach are extremely different. Its price is quite good and reasonable. For example cost for a cup of lipton tea or coffee about $1-1.5, a cocktail about $4 per glass…
IV. Activities on Hon ong island
The area of Hon Ong island is quite small, that is the reason why all the entertainments are in the center of the island. You can enjoy walking around this island or pay a visit to explore this island by Kayak ship.
These are some main entertainments on this island:
1. Snorkerling:
Snorkeling in Hon Ong Island
- Description:
Facilities include a breathing tube, diving goggles and two propellers.
Diving location is right around the main beach.
- Cost: $3 per person
- Review:
In the main beach of Hon Ong island, the corals are not beautiful as well as diverse, but the water is pellucid. Although there are not many types of fishes here, there are many echinus, so it is careful to observe to defend from being hurt by this species. Being hit on your feet does not poison you, but it makes you have an itch on your skin later.
2 . Kayaking around the island
Kayaking on Hon Ong Island
- Description:
Facilities include a 2-seater kayak, a life jacket and a paddle for each person. You can paddle around the island.
- Cost: $ 5/2-hour per boat
3 . Exploration trekking by road around the island
Map for trekking on Hon Ong Island
- Description:
You can take a trek to discover this island by road with 3 points places where you can stop by for taking some memorable photos: Red&White trail, Blue trail và Yellow Trail. It takes about 2 hours for walking around this entire island.
- Cost: free of charge
- Review:
You should spend time on walking around this island to indulge the magnificent view from the top of mount to the sea.
4 . Scuba Diving
- Description:
You have to take a training course for diving here
- Cost:
No information.
- Review:
From reviews on Tripadvisor, it is quite suitable for diving in the beautiful sea on Hon Ong island.
- Advices:
To have a great vacation with the activities in the water, you should take these advised things:
+ Sunscreen
+ Hats
+ Waterproof cameras
(You can use the camera GOPRO hero 3 to record and take some underwater shoots)
+ Waterproof Bags to keep clothes or cameras during kayaking
+ The camera, lens, tripod and especially CPL filter for those who love photography and want to take the best photos of the sea.
+ Water enough to use on the island
+ A little snack to eat after swimming
+ Shampoos, because this thing is not provided in the resort.
+ The red T-shirt with yellow star looking like the flag to capture the striking images on blue background.
V. Summary
Overall, if you have the opportunity to arrive to Nha Trang, it is worthy to pay a visit to Hon Ong island.
Sunbathing on hon Ong island
1. Beach: Perfect (5 stars)
In this island, it is private beach, and the water is clear, nice and especially no garbage at all around the main beach, because it is preserved against catching up. You can enjoy playing, taking photos without fear of plastic bags during swimming.
The main beach of Hon Ong island
2. The accommodation: Good (4 stars)
The motels’ facilities are quite lovely and environment-friendly. All of them is made of wood or leaves under the foliage.
In the evening, it is quite cool because almost the bungalow is near by the beach. Especially, we just need a fan during daytime.
3. Foods
Maybe this is the only weakness of this resort. It takes about $14 per person.
4. Entertainment
Because the island is very small, there are not many exciting activities on this island. However, you can enjoy swimming, diving, as well as kayaking with a reasonable price.
5. Staff (4 stars)
The staff are friendly and professional, they guide carefully when you check in. However, staff of restaurants seems not as good as expected.
(Collection)
