Monkey Island Vietnam Nha Trang offers a fun day tour priced 600,000–700,000 VND (36–42 AUD), with boat transfer, monkey shows, beach time, and island scenery.
I was really impressed with the Nha Trang Monkey Island tour because of the close-to-nature environment and the very real interactions with the wild monkeys. Compared to the cost, the experience was quite complete, fun, and completely worthwhile for a day trip.
Where is Monkey Island Vietnam Nha Trang?
Before my trip, I learned about Monkey Island in Nha Trang, Vietnam, through reviews from foreign tourists and tour suggestions from my hotel. For anyone planning a travel for Vietnam, Hon Lao was mentioned as a very special eco-tourism destination in Nha Phu Bay.
What made me decide to choose this place was its natural island model with thousands of monkeys living freely, offering both exploration opportunities and suitability for a short day trip.
From the city center, I traveled about 18 km towards Nha Phu Bay to reach Nha Trang’s Monkey Island, also known as Hon Lao. If you’re wondering how to get to Monkey Island Nha Trang, the first step is usually to drive to the pier.
From there, you continue by speedboat or ferry to the island, a journey that only takes about 10–15 minutes. The entire trip from Nha Trang city center to the island takes about 45–60 minutes, making it quite convenient for a day trip.
09 Must-Do activities at Monkey Island
During my trip to Nha Trang, I spent almost an entire day on the Nha Trang Monkey Island tour and found that it offered more activities than I had imagined. It’s not just about watching monkeys; the island combines eco-tourism, performances, and entertainment, making it suitable for various groups of tourists.
#1. Discover the life of monkeys
As soon as I set foot on the island, I easily encountered monkeys everywhere, from pathways and grassy areas to tourist attractions.
According to my research, the island currently houses over 1,500 monkeys living in their natural habitat. I could observe them climbing, eating, and going about their daily lives in groups, feeling very close to nature. Although the monkeys were quite tame, I was still reminded to keep my distance and carefully safeguard my personal belongings.
#2. Enjoy the spectacular monkey shows
I spent time watching shows like monkey circus, monkey motorcycle racing, monkey swimming competitions, and even monkey dog racing – fun, lively activities that are often highlights of a monkey island tour Vietnam, especially for visitors traveling with family or kids.
The performances were scheduled at fixed times, making it quite convenient to plan a visit. The shows weren’t too long but were fun enough, creating a lively atmosphere suitable for both adults and children.
#3. Watch an impressive seal circus
Besides the monkey performances, I also watched the seal circus show, which is a highly anticipated activity on the island. The seals performed simple but rhythmic movements and coordinated well with their trainers.
The atmosphere of the show was relaxed and easy to watch, perfect for resting after traveling and visiting many other areas.
#4. Play with friends at the inflatable water park
The inflatable water park is where my friends and I spent a lot of time because of its relaxed atmosphere. It’s a large area with many interconnected water activities such as climbing, balancing, and water slides. It’s quite tiring but very fun, especially suitable for groups of young friends or anyone who enjoys physical activity.
#5. Play exciting games at Monkey Island
At Monkey island Vietnam Nha Trang, besides the main activities, there are many other optional games on the island. I tried mini F1 racing and found it quite fun because the track had many curves.
Some other tourists chose paintball, ostrich riding, or snorkeling to see coral reefs. These activities suit many different interests and help keep the trip from being monotonous.
#6. Stroll the pedestrian street & seafood market
After having fun, I strolled around the pedestrian street on the island, which was designed in a fishing village style, quite spacious, easy to take photos, and a relaxing stop often included in a monkey island tour Vietnam.
If you’re wondering what to do on the island, I also visited the seafood market, where fresh seafood caught that day was sold. The seafood here was very fresh; you could buy it to enjoy immediately or have it prepared to your liking..
#7. Check in at the flower garden park
The flower garden park on the island isn’t very large, but it’s impressive because of the models made from recycled materials, mainly plastic bottles.
I found this area quite suitable for stopping to rest and taking some souvenir photos. The space is neatly arranged, creating a relaxing feeling amidst a rather busy sightseeing schedule.
#8. Visit Hoa Lan stream tourist area
I combined my visit with a trip to the adjacent Hoa Lan Stream tourist area, which offers a quieter and greener environment compared to the central area of Monkey Island.
It features a small stream, an orchid garden, and several nature-based activities. After having a lot of fun on Monkey Island, visiting Hoa Lan Stream helped me relax.
#9. Explore Nha Phu Bay
At the end of the trip, I sat on the boat admiring Nha Phu Bay, with its many small islands and diverse natural landscapes. The peaceful sea, the blue water, and the cool breeze made the journey end quite relaxingly. This was the moment I felt my trip to Monkey Island, Vietnam, in Nha Trang was truly complete.
What to eat when visiting Monkey Island in Nha Trang?
One of the things I was most interested in during the Nha Trang Monkey Island tour was what to eat, because after a whole day of sightseeing and activities, refueling was essential. On Hon Lao Monkey Island, the main and most outstanding dish is fresh seafood—all caught on the same day, so the freshness is undeniable.
I started by visiting the seafood market right on the island, where tourists can choose from a variety of seafood such as squid, clams, shrimp, oysters, sea urchins, etc., and have the vendors prepare them on the spot.
Most dishes are simple, such as steamed, grilled, or stir-fried, but they retain the natural sweetness of the seafood. Prices at the market range from about 80,000 to 150,000 VND per dish (approximately 4.4–8.5 AUD).
If you prefer a more relaxed dining experience, I also recommend Huong Su Restaurant. It’s quite popular on the island with a more extensive menu of seafood and other Vietnamese dishes.
The restaurant has a spacious, shady atmosphere, perfect for relaxing after a day of sightseeing. Here, a basic lunch consisting of several seafood dishes and rice usually costs around 150,000–250,000 VND per person (approximately 8.5–14 AUD).
Personally, I think both options are worth trying:
- Eat at the seafood market if you want to try fresh seafood, a simple, affordable option, and a local experience.
- Eat at Huong Su Restaurant if you want a relaxing seating area, a diverse menu, and dishes suitable for families or groups.
Considering the price and quality of seafood on the island, I feel that eating at Monkey Island in Nha Trang is quite reasonable, especially when traveling all day, as you’ll have both a culinary experience and relaxation amidst nature.
How much does a one-day Monkey Island tour cost
Based on my personal experience, the ticket price and cost of a one-day Nha Trang Monkey Island tour are generally not too expensive, especially when compared to what you get in a full day of sightseeing and fun.
The current price for a package tour to Monkey Island in Nha Trang is around 660,000 VND per person (approximately 42 AUD), including transportation, speedboat to the island, entrance fees, and some main activities.
Children between 1.0 m and under 1.3–1.4 m are usually charged about 50% of the adult price (approximately 330,000–350,000 VND per child, or about 20–21 AUD). Infants under 1.0 m are usually free of charge (transportation and entrance fees included).
For that price, I got to tour the island, watch monkey shows and animal circus performances, stroll around the island, and enjoy the natural atmosphere of Nha Phu Bay. Personally, I feel the tour price is worth it, especially if you go with family or a group of friends because the itinerary is concise, and you don’t have to worry about transportation or buying individual tickets for each leg of the journey.
Besides the tour ticket, the main additional costs come from recreational activities on the island if you want to experience more. According to the price list on the island, some typical services include:
- Paragliding: From 700,000–900,000 VND/person (approximately 43–55 AUD), for small or large rings.
- Water motorbike: Approximately 700,000 VND/10 minutes (approximately 43 AUD).
- Kayaking: 100,000 VND/30 minutes/2 people (approximately 6 AUD).
- Floating water park, Prokart racing, horseback riding, taking photos with animals: The price ranges from 30,000 to 200,000 VND per trip (approximately 2–12 AUD).
In my opinion, these services are not mandatory; you can choose to participate or not depending on your budget. If you only go on a basic tour, there will be almost no additional costs. However, if you like activities, photography, or thrill-seeking experiences, the total cost may increase, but it will still be manageable.
In summary, at around 660,000 VND (approximately 42 AUD) for a one-day Nha Trang Monkey Island tour, I consider this a reasonable and accessible price for both Vietnamese and foreign tourists, especially when compared to the number of experiences and the amount of time spent on the day.
05 things to note when visiting Monkey Island in Nha Trang, Vietnam
When visiting Monkey Island Vietnam Nha Trang, besides enjoying the scenery and animal shows, visitors should prepare for a safe and fun trip. Whether heading to Monkey Island or Nha Trang Whale Island, here are 5 key things to keep in mind.
- Avoid carrying food, plastic bags, or small items in your hands while traveling: The monkeys on the island are quite tame and very quick to spot food. Holding food, water bottles, plastic bags, or dangling objects can cause the monkeys to approach, snatch the items, or scare them, especially young children.
- Keep your phone, wallet, and valuable personal belongings safe: It’s advisable to wear a closed backpack or a zippered bag and avoid holding your phone unnecessarily. Monkeys can snatch belongings very quickly, especially in areas crowded with tourists.
- Wear athletic shoes or sandals with good grip, and avoid slippery shoes: Monkey Island has many steep paths, steps, and slippery cement surfaces, especially after rain. Soft-soled shoes with good grip will help you move more safely and comfortably throughout your journey.
- Do not tease, hug, or take photos of monkeys too closely without permission: Even though they are accustomed to humans, monkeys are still wild animals. Teasing, staring at, or getting too close can cause them to react unexpectedly, resulting in scratches or minor bites.
- Keep a close eye on children throughout the visit: Children are often curious and approachable to monkeys. Parents should always accompany their children, preventing them from running around alone, and remind them not to give monkeys their hands, food, or toys.
Conclusion
The Monkey Island Vietnam Nha Trang tour is an easy and affordable one-day trip, perfect for families or groups of friends. You can visit the island, see monkeys up close, enjoy fun activities, and savor fresh seafood, making it a great option for exploring beyond Nha Trang city center.
