Nha Trang Whale Island, located in Van Phong Bay, is famous for its peaceful scenery, clear turquoise waters, and soft white sandy beaches. It’s an ideal spot to relax, swim, and explore the pristine natural beauty of the area.
Ever since I heard about Nha Trang Whale Island, I imagined a quiet, isolated place in the middle of the ocean, a place where I could temporarily escape the hustle and bustle of the city. When I boarded the small boat leaving Dam Mon wharf, I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by the emerald green water, the undulating mountains in the distance and the strangely peaceful atmosphere.
Where is Hon Ong (Whale Island) Nha Trang?
When I first heard about Hon Ong, also known as Whale Island, I was curious to explore a small, peaceful and pristine island in the middle of Van Phong Bay, Khanh Hoa Province. This place is nearly 100km from the center of Nha Trang, considered a real resort paradise, once ranked by CNN in the top 9 most beautiful sea paradises in Southeast Asia.
What makes me even more excited is that during the whale breeding season, you can see whales frolicking close to shore hunting, just like the name “Whale” that local fishermen gave to the island. Unlike many other tourist islands, Hon Ong is completely uninhabited.
The scenery on the island really fascinated me: fine white sand, clear blue sea reflecting schools of small fish, wooden houses close to the sea, lush green primeval forests and many rare birds. Walking through the forest trail, then walking to the beach, I clearly felt the peace, friendliness and complete moments of relaxation that could not be found anywhere else.
The road to Whale Island (Hon Ong) – Journey to paradise
From Nha Trang city center, Whale Island (Hon Ong) is about 100km to the Northeast. I had three options to get to the island: traveling by motorbike, by bus, or using the shuttle service of Whale Island Resort. Finally, I chose to travel by motorbike to fully enjoy the sea view and the feeling of freedom on the road.
The journey begins along Highway 1A to the North, passing through Ninh Hoa and Van Gia, reaching the foot of Co Ma Pass after about 80 km. Then turn right and go about 20 minutes to reach Dam Mon wharf. From here, the resort’s boat will take visitors to the island for free, usually with two trips: 11:00 and 13:15, with a travel time of only 15-20 minutes.
The cost for the trip is also quite reasonable: if you go by motorbike, renting a motorbike costs about 150,000 – 200,000 VND/day, and gas costs about 100,000 – 150,000 VND for the round trip. If you choose the resort’s shuttle service, the cost is about 20 – 25 USD/person/way, but in return it is very convenient and you don’t have to worry about finding your way.
By bus, the total cost is only about 100,000 – 150,000 VND, plus a taxi or motorbike taxi from Co Ma intersection to Dam wharf — a great choice for anyone planning to travel for Vietnam on a budget while still enjoying comfort and convenience.
The road was truly amazing: towering white sand dunes on one side, the blue sea on the other, smooth paved roads and interesting curves. Along the way were shrimp farms, sandy beaches and undulating sand dunes that looked like newly mined salt mines. I couldn’t help but stop to take photos a few times because the scenery along the road was so impressive.
In my experience, the ideal time to explore the island is from March to August, when the sea is clear and the weather is sunny; avoid October to December as storms and rough seas can affect the trip.
Whale Island Resort: Relax in the middle of pristine nature
When I stepped onto Whale Island Resort, I immediately felt the difference compared to any other place I had been to. On the whole Hon Ong Island, the resort is the only accommodation option, so all the tourist services on the island are concentrated here.
I was warmly welcomed by the resort staff right at Dam Mon pier, quickly checked my reservation information and gave detailed instructions on the island, from the entertainment areas, beaches to the forest trails.
The resort only uses about 2 hectares of the island’s total area of nearly 40,000 hectares, the rest is blue sea and primeval forest, giving a truly wild and isolated feeling. Whale Island Resort has 31 traditional bamboo bungalows, designed minimalistically to blend in with nature.
Each bungalow has a bed with mosquito net, ceiling fan, private bathroom with shower, and no TV, air conditioning or refrigerator, allowing visitors to enjoy a quiet and cool space all year round.
In terms of price, I found the average room rate to be around 1,000,000 to 1,400,000 VND/night (about 60 – 90 AUD), including breakfast. The resort also serves a Vietnamese – European set menu, around 14 USD/person/meal, and drinks such as cocktails, coffee, tea. Everything is geared towards the experience of being in harmony with nature, quiet, without noise.
Walking around the resort, I noticed that the room layout was very reasonable: the wooden houses were placed separately, separated by trees, creating a feeling of absolute privacy. In front of each room was a small yard or porch to sit and watch the sea, listen to the sound of the waves and breathe the fresh air.
The surrounding scenery was completely natural, blue sea, white sand, primeval forest, and a few other small wooden houses made me feel like I was living in a real paradise. At Whale Island Resort, I not only got to relax but also enjoy the peace, be one with nature and feel an “off the grid” experience that is rare on other islands.
Activities and experiences at Hon Ong Island
On Hon Ong Island, most activities are concentrated aroundmain beach, where the water is clear, calm and the beach is white sand. I started byswimming in the sea, enjoy swimming in the clear water, watching schools of small fish frolicking on the seabed. Sunset on the West Beach is also a great experience for taking pictures.
Next, I triedsnorkelingwith a set of goggles, snorkel and fins, the cost is about 60,000 VND/person. The coral on the main beach is not very diverse, but the clear water and small fish still make the experience very interesting. For those who want to explore deeper,scuba divingis the ideal choice, although it requires a whole session of training.
I also tried kayaking around the island — each trip takes about 2 hours and costs around 100,000 VND. The feeling of freedom in the middle of the blue sea is great. On land, I went trekking to explore the island, following trails such as the Red & White trail, Blue trail, and Yellow trail.
It only took about 2 hours to complete, allowing me to exercise while enjoying the panoramic view of the beach and primeval forest from the island’s capes. If you love outdoor exploration, the experience feels as detailed and immersive as following a Hoi An Old Town tourist map, where every path leads to a new and beautiful discovery.
Simple but flavorful cuisine on the island
On Hon Ong Island, all meals are served at Whale Island Resort’s restaurant, where guests cannot find any other dining services.
The menu is prepared by the resort and changes daily, each meal has only one set menu applicable to all guests, both Vietnamese and international guests. Breakfast is served free of charge, and for lunch and dinner you will eat from a set menu for about 14 USD/person, not including drinks.
I found the seafood quite fresh but the portions were a bit small and sometimes not really “full of flavor”, dinner only had a set menu so there was no soup and drinks, making me feel a bit hungry after eating. However, the drinks at the beach bar made me satisfied: from Lipton tea or iced milk coffee for only 20,000 – 30,000 VND, to luxurious cocktails priced at about 80,000 VND/glass, enjoyed right on the windy beach, both cool and relaxing.
Overall, the cuisine at Whale Island Resort is simple and has some limitations on the set menu, but is still full of flavor thanks to the quiet space, beautiful sea view and refreshing drinks on the white sand beach.
Who should go to Whale Island Nha Trang?
When I set foot on Hon Ong, I immediately understood why this place is called a peaceful paradise. If you are like me, wanting to temporarily leave the noisy city, see the blue sea, white sand and immerse yourself in the wild nature, this is the ideal destination. I find it perfect for honeymoon couples, those who need to relax, read books or meditate in a quiet space.
For me, the most special thing is the feeling of escaping the digital world: limited wifi, simple bungalow but basic facilities, helping me to relax completely. Those who love outdoor activities such as swimming, diving, kayaking or trekking around the island will also find Hon Ong an unforgettable experience. I left the island feeling peaceful, full of energy and wanting to come back again.
Conclusion
Leaving Hon Ong, I still cannot forget the feeling of absolute peace here. From thoseFrom simple bungalows close to the sea, to long stretches of white sand and crystal clear water, everything makes me feel completely at one with nature. Whale Island Resort is the only option on the island, offering a complete resort experience, from simple dining to outdoor activities such as swimming, snorkeling, kayaking or trekking.
If you are looking for a placeEscape the noise, enjoy the blue sea, golden sunshine and wild space, Whale Island Nha Trang is a destination not to be missed. For me, this trip is not just a vacation, but also a real journey to calm down, recharge and preserve unforgettable peaceful moments.
