Hon Kho Island: Where to visit, what experiences await, and how to plan your itinerary?

Emerging between emerald waters and the gentle rhythm of the ocean, Hon Kho Island captivates travelers with its pristine beauty and poetic scenery. The harmonious combination of unique terrain, expansive space, and natural colors creates a destination with distinctive character. This article will take you on a journey to explore this island through characteristic experiences and inspiring itinerary suggestions - opening up an unforgettable adventure in the heart of the blue sea!

1. 3 general information about Hon Kho Island

Hon Kho Island is one of the outstanding destinations in Quy Nhon (Quy Nhơn), attracting visitors with its pristine beauty and diverse marine ecosystem. Below are 3 pieces of general information to help you better understand this location:

1.1. Where is Hon Kho Island located?

Hon Kho Island is situated in Nhon Hai commune (xã Nhơn Hải), about 18-20 km from Quy Nhon city center. This island impresses with its arid terrain and large rock formations stacked upon each other, creating a unique natural structure. The beach at Hon Kho Binh Dinh (Hòn Khô Bình Định) boasts crystal-clear waters surrounded by colorful coral reefs, making it an ideal destination for travelers who love exploring the pristine beauty of islands and seas.

Where is Hon Kho Island? Hon Kho Island belongs to Nhon Hai commune, only about 20km from Quy Nhon city center (Source: Internet)

1.2. Hon Kho Island entrance fees

Visitors to Hon Kho Quy Nhon do not need to purchase entrance tickets, however, transportation costs by boat or speedboat from the mainland to the island will apply. Prices are calculated according to vehicle type and rental form as follows:

• Wooden boat: Boat rental price is about 100,000 VND/person/round trip.
• Speedboat: Ticket price is about 200,000 VND/person/round trip. Private speedboat rental costs approximately 1,200,000 VND/round trip.

Note: Prices may vary depending on tourist season, time of day, and service provider. You should contact in advance to update prices and book early, especially during peak season.

How much does Hon Kho Quy Nhon cost? This attraction is free to visit, tourists can explore the island by wooden boat or speedboat for costs from 50,000 VND/person (Source: Internet)

1.3. Transportation guide to Hon Kho Island

Below are 2 ways to get to Hon Kho Nhon Hai with clear routes, easy transportation, suitable for both independent travelers and tour groups.

• From Quy Nhon center to Nhon Hai fishing village: Travelers cross Thi Nai Bridge (cầu Thị Nại), continue along the road leading to Phuong Mai peninsula (bán đảo Phương Mai), turn right along the sand dunes to reach Nhon Hai coastal fishing village.
  
• From Nhon Hai fishing village to Hon Kho Island: From the boat pier, you can choose wooden boats, basket boats, or speedboats to reach the island with travel time of about 10-15 minutes (depending on vehicle type).

2. When should you visit Hon Kho Quy Nhon

Hon Kho Island is most beautiful during the dry season, lasting from April to September, when the sea is calm, the sky is clear, and the air is filled with sunlight. Especially from May to July, seaweed covers the seabed, turning the entire sea area golden, creating a scene that is both exotic and enchanting. Early mornings or late afternoons, when gentle light illuminates the crystal-clear water, are ideal times to experience the peaceful and poetic beauty of this small island in the open sea.

When is Hon Kho Quy Nhon most beautiful? From April to September and May to July are ideal times to visit Hon Kho Island (Source: Internet)

3. 7 experiences to try when visiting Hon Kho Quy Nhon

Hon Kho Quy Nhon not only attracts visitors with its pristine natural beauty but also offers unique and unforgettable experiences. Below are 7 activities not to miss to fully explore the beauty and attraction of this island:

3.1. Check-in at the "extremely popular" wooden bridge

Checking in at the wooden bridge at Hon Kho Island, built along the seafront and standing out amid crystal-clear waters, is a "must-try" experience when visiting Quy Nhon. Each step on the bridge brings a sense of peace, perfect for photography or leisurely strolls. Visitors can tour for free, however, avoid times of high tide or adverse weather (rain, strong winds) to ensure safe movement.

3.2. Admiring seaweed under the ocean floor - Nature's "masterpiece"

From May to July, Hon Kho Island takes on a mystical beauty with seaweed season, one of the special attractions drawing visitors here. Soft green-yellow seaweed strips sway with the wave rhythm, creating scenery like a golden field hidden in the ocean's heart. Visitors can glide boats through seaweed rows, admiring the pristine and peaceful beauty of the sea.

This experience usually costs nothing when going with fishermen, however, you need to prepare diving masks and follow marine ecosystem protection principles. Seaweed areas are typically at depths of 1-3m, very safe for beginners or non-swimmers (just need life jacket support).

Experience diving to admire the colorful seaweed reefs sparkling under the deep sea (Source: Internet)

3.3. Sea bathing - immersing in cool blue waters

Sea bathing at Hon Kho Island is a wonderful experience where you can immerse yourself in crystal-clear, cool seawater with coral reefs visible beneath your feet. The clear blue seawater not only brings relaxation and refreshment but also creates feelings of closeness and tranquility amid pristine nature. This experience is completely free, you just need to prepare swimwear, towels, and personal sunscreen. Note that each visitor must follow environmental protection regulations, avoid contact with coral, and maintain general hygiene.

Immerse yourself in the crystal-clear, cool waters of Hon Kho Sea (Source: Internet)

3.4. Coral reef diving

At a cost of about 330,000 VND/person, coral reef diving at Hon Kho Island offers an exquisite experience, taking visitors into a mysterious underwater world. Just 3-5 minutes by speedboat, you'll be immersed in crystal-clear waters, admiring colorful coral reefs spread across the ocean floor. The quiet and peaceful beauty of Hon Kho Island gives visitors the feeling of entering another world where time seems to stop.

When experiencing this activity, you should wear life jackets if you cannot swim to ensure safety and easy floating. At the same time, you need to maintain distance from coral to avoid harming the ecosystem, prepare waterproof equipment, and fully charge camera batteries before diving for smooth filming.

Coral reef diving at Hon Kho Island is an unmissable experience when visiting Hon Kho (Source: Internet)

3.5. Enjoying seafood at Nhon Hai fishing village

Nhon Hai fishing village is an ideal destination to enjoy fresh seafood with specialties such as grilled lobster, grilled squid with satay sauce, steamed grouper with ginger, or steamed crab with beer. The food here stands out for its freshness, prepared right after catching, many dishes are "seafood just netted" in the early morning, caught directly near the shore. Compared to many other tourist areas, seafood prices in Nhon Hai are very reasonable because they're caught directly from fishermen.

Visitors can enjoy seafood on floating houses in the middle of the sea, enjoying cool breezes and watching brilliant sunsets, or sit at small seaside restaurants to experience the simple rhythm of fishing village life. However, prices may change according to season and seafood type, so you should carefully check prices before ordering.

Fresh, attractive seafood menu prepared diversely awaits visitors at Hon Kho Island (Source: Internet)

3.6. One day fisherman experience

The one-day fisherman experience at Hon Kho Island offers opportunities to participate in activities such as joining boats to go offshore, squid fishing, fish angling, net pulling, diving, directly experiencing the work of seafaring people. Here, you'll blend into nature and the peaceful rhythm of fishing village life, bringing back memories hard to find at crowded tourist spots.

Trip costs range from 220,000 to 320,000 VND/person, including boat, diving equipment, and fresh seafood lunch. Note that visitors should prepare comfortable clothing and notify in advance of any special requirements related to taste or health.

One day fisherman experience in Hon Kho Island waters will bring you interesting and memorable discoveries (Source: Internet)

3.7. Testing water sports activities

When visiting Hon Kho Island, visitors shouldn't miss exciting water sports with diverse activities:

• Jet skiing combined with frog float pulling: Experience driving jet skis at high speed, pulling frog floats through strong waves, feeling ultimate excitement when thrown off the water surface for about 1,200,000 VND/person.
  
• SUP paddling: Hold the paddle and float on water, enjoying quiet moments and challenging balance ability as the SUP board glides through gentle waves, for just 200,000 VND/person.
  
• Banana boat riding: Float on banana boats, feeling each wave gently lapping, creating absolutely relaxing moments for 100,000 VND/person.
  

Note that visitors must follow guidance from training staff and always wear full protective equipment when participating in activities.

Experience water sports when visiting Hon Kho Island (Source: Internet)

Banana boat drifting amid azure waters at Hon Kho Island (Source: Internet)

4. 7 independent travel tips for Hon Kho Island

For a smooth and safe trip to Hon Kho Island, visitors should note these 7 travel tips:

• Prioritize comfortable clothing, bring essential items: Choose comfortable clothes like t-shirts, shorts, and sandals. Bring sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses to protect skin and eyes from sun exposure.
  
• Inquire about service prices before deciding: Before using services like boat rental or joining tours, confirm prices to avoid unexpected cost issues.
  
• Monitor weather forecasts before departure: Check weather forecasts 2-3 days before the trip to ensure the journey isn't interrupted by bad weather conditions.
  
• Maintain cleanliness at bathing beaches: Visitors should bring trash bags and not leave waste at beaches to protect the environment and preserve Hon Kho's natural beauty.
  
• Ensure safety when participating in water sports: Equip full protective gear like life jackets, diving masks, and snorkels when participating in underwater activities, while following safety guidance from instructors.
  
• Bring light snacks and drinks: Having adequate drinking water and light food (cookies, candy, etc.) helps maintain stamina and ensures endurance and spirit throughout outdoor activities.
  
• Seek advice from previous visitors: Consult reviews and feedback from people who have visited Hon Kho through Google Maps or travel forums to choose reliable services and destinations.
  

Save these 7 tips when visiting Hon Kho Island independently (Source: Internet)

5. One-day itinerary to fully explore Hon Kho Island

This one-day Hon Kho Island exploration itinerary is designed for travelers with limited time who still want to fully experience the island's activities:

07:30 - 09:00: Departure from Quy Nhon city center to Hon Kho Island

• Travel by car or motorbike across Thi Nai Bridge - Vietnam's longest sea-crossing bridge.
• Arrive at Nhon Hai fishing village to park vehicles and prepare to board speedboat to the island.
• Travel by speedboat to Hon Kho Island takes about 5-10 minutes, where you'll see crystal-clear blue sea and coral reefs from afar.

09:00 - 10:30: Explore the sea path and wooden bridge

• Check-in at the famous white sand path connecting the island to mainland, only appearing at low tide.
• Take photos at the curved wooden bridge - an unmissable Instagram spot when visiting Hon Kho.

10:30 - 11:30: Coral reef diving

• Participate in coral reef diving with diving masks and life jackets, exploring diverse marine ecosystems.
• If you like adventure, try SUP paddling around the island to experience pristine beauty from a different perspective.

11:30 - 13:00: Enjoy seafood lunch at local restaurant

• Enjoy specialties like squid pancakes, grilled shrimp, steamed fish with rice paper, seafood porridge, seaweed soup, and fruit dessert.
• Taste Bau Da wine - a famous Binh Dinh specialty.

13:00 - 14:00: Free rest time.

14:00 - 15:30: Participate in water sports and explore more beautiful spots

• Jet skiing or banana boating: After lunch, you can try water sports like jet skiing or banana boating, bringing relaxing and exciting moments.
• Explore other beaches: After sports activities, you can relax and continue exploring beaches around Hon Kho, enjoying peaceful natural scenery.

15:00 - 16:00: Return to Quy Nhon

After a day of fun, visitors will return to Nhon Hai pier to travel back to mainland. End the Hon Kho exploration journey.

One-day Hon Kho Island exploration itinerary for tourists (Source: Internet)

Hon Kho Island possesses pristine beauty and magnificent natural landscapes, a paradise harmoniously blending sea and blue sky. This place not only captivates visitors with crystal-clear waters and smooth sandy beaches but also offers mysterious coral reef diving experiences and exploration of local fishermen's simple life. With a reasonable itinerary, Hon Kho Island will certainly be an unforgettable destination, preserving wonderful memories in visitors' hearts.

If travelers are planning to explore Quy Nhon, Vietnam Airlines is an ideal choice to begin the journey. The airline provides 4-star international standard service according to Skytrax evaluation, committed to delivering premium and professional flight experiences. With a modern fleet and IOSA safety-certified operations, Vietnam Airlines ensures maximum peace of mind and comfort for passengers throughout the journey.