Nha Trang islands: Monkey, Orchid, Hon Tam, Hon Tre (Vinpearl) and Hon Mun — which to visit and how to get there
Nha Trang's islands split into the north (Monkey, Orchid — Long Phu pier, half an hour by car) and the south (Hon Tam, Hon Tre with VinWonders — Cau Da port, 10 minutes from the centre). Hon Mun is for snorkelling and diving.
Nha Trang is on the mainland; its islands lie in the bay in front of the city and to the north in Nha Phu Bay. Boats to the northern islands — Monkey and Orchid — leave from Long Phu pier, half an hour by car from the centre. Boats to the southern islands — Hon Tam and Hon Tre, home of VinWonders (Vinpearl) — leave from Cau Da port at the end of Tran Phu, about 10 minutes from the centre. Hon Mun is a marine reserve for snorkelling and diving. The sea is calmest from February to August; from October boats are often cancelled because of storms.
| Island | Boat from | Crossing | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monkey Island | Long Phu pier, about 16–17 km north | about 15 minutes | monkeys, half a day |
| Orchid Island | Long Phu pier | about 30 minutes | garden, beach, open 7:30–16:30 |
| Hon Tam | Cau Da port, about 7 km south | 6–10 minutes | beach day |
| Hon Tre, VinWonders (Vinpearl) | Vinpearl terminal at Cau Da | boat; cable car when running | amusement park, resorts |
| Hon Mun | on a boat trip or with a dive centre | on the tour boat | coral, snorkelling, diving |
Sights and attractions: addresses and contacts Open in Telegram
How do you get to Monkey Island?
Boats to Monkey Island leave from Long Phu pier at Da Chong — north of Nha Trang on Highway 1A, about 16–17 km and half an hour by car from Nha Trang Center. The boat takes about 15 minutes and there's no fixed timetable: boats leave as they fill up. Tickets are sold at the pier or on the operator's website; hotline 0941 267 267 (7:30–21:00). The island is open 7:30–16:30. Details in getting to Monkey Island.
How do you get to Orchid Island?
Orchid Island is on the Hon Heo peninsula in Nha Phu Bay; boats leave from the same Long Phu pier as for Monkey Island, about 30 minutes across. It's open 7:30–16:30. Boats go out in the morning and come back a few times in the afternoon, so check the last boat back at the pier or on the hotline 0941 267 267. Many people do both islands on one tour. Details in getting to Orchid Island.
How do you get to Hon Tam Island?
Speedboats to Hon Tam leave from the Vinpearl port at Cau Da, at the southern end of Tran Phu, about 7 km from the centre; the ride takes 6–10 minutes. VinBus 23 runs along the seafront to the port (6:20–23:00, every 35–40 minutes), or it's about 10 minutes by Grab. There's free parking for motorbikes and cars at the pier. Sources give different boat timetables, so check the last boat back at the pier. Details in getting to Hon Tam.
How do you get to Hon Tre and Vinpearl (VinWonders)?
To reach Hon Tre island, with VinWonders and the Vinpearl resorts, you cross from the Vinpearl terminal at Cau Da port, about 10 minutes by car from the centre; VinBus 23 goes there too, and VinBus 16-2 runs from Cam Ranh airport. The cable car doesn't always run: it closes for maintenance and in strong wind, and then guests go by boat — check at the ticket office on the day. Details in getting to Vinpearl.
What is Hon Mun Island?
Hon Mun is a marine reserve in Nha Trang Bay: coral, grottoes and steep underwater slopes, visited for snorkelling and diving. Breaking or taking coral is banned: in July 2026 two tourists were fined for coral branches broken off as souvenirs. Dives here have been suspended before to let the reef recover, so the dive centre will tell you in advance where the boat is going. More in diving in Nha Trang and boat trips.
When should you visit Nha Trang's islands?
Visit Nha Trang's islands from February to August: little rain and a calm sea. From September to December it rains, and from October the monsoon and storms arrive — boat trips and island boats are cancelled on those days. The sea is usually calmer in the morning than after lunch, so set off early. More in when to go to Nha Trang.
FAQ
Which islands are there in Nha Trang? In the north, Monkey Island and Orchid Island (Long Phu pier); in the south, Hon Tam and Hon Tre with VinWonders (Cau Da port); in the bay, the Hon Mun reserve.
Is Nha Trang an island? No, Nha Trang is on the mainland. The islands lie in the bay in front of the city and in Nha Phu Bay to the north.
Where do boats to Monkey Island leave from? Long Phu pier at Da Chong, about 16–17 km north of the centre; about 15 minutes by boat.
How do you get to Vinpearl? From the Vinpearl terminal at Cau Da port at the south end of the seafront: by boat, or by cable car when it's running. VinBus 23 or a 10-minute Grab ride gets you to the terminal.
Where can you snorkel in Nha Trang? At Hon Mun, a marine reserve. Boat trips and dive centres go there.
When is it best not to go to the islands? October to December: rain, storms and frequent boat cancellations.