Hon Mieu and Hon Tam Islands Day Trip with Mud Bath, Nha Trang

Hon Mieu Island and Bai Tranh Beach

Hon Mieu is the closest of the inhabited islands to Nha Trang, just a short boat ride from Cau Da port at the southern end of the city. With its fishing village and the long-established Tri Nguyen aquarium, it has a laid-back feel very different from the city's busy main beach. On its sheltered side lies Bai Tranh Beach, a curve of sand backed by coconut palms and shady huts, with calm, clear water that is ideal for swimming.

You spend about two hours here, swimming, resting in the shade or exploring the shoreline. Optional water sports such as banana boats and water scooters are available at an extra cost for those who want more excitement. For families with young children, Bai Tranh is one of the gentlest places in Nha Trang Bay to swim.

Seafood lunch at a floating fishing village

Lunch is served at a floating restaurant built on rafts in a fishing village around Hon Mieu, where local families raise fish, shellfish and lobsters in cages under the water. You eat surrounded by the sea and the colourful wooden boats of the fishermen, with views back to the city and the mountains.

Expect a generous selection of local seafood dishes with rice, vegetables and fruit; about two hours are set aside for lunch and rest. Bottled water is included. Halal-certified food is limited on Nha Trang's islands, but seafood and vegetarian dishes are easy: tell us when booking if you need vegetarian or no-pork food, and we will pass your request on to the restaurant.

Hon Tam Island and its hot mineral mud bath

After lunch a speedboat takes you to Hon Tam, a green island south of Hon Tre known for its resort and its mud bath centre. Here you soak in warm, mineral-rich mud, which is said to soften the skin and ease tired muscles, then rinse off under showers and relax in pools of hot mineral water and beside an artificial waterfall.

Is a Nha Trang mud bath worth it? It is one of the city's most typical experiences and a relaxing way to end a day at sea. Allow about two hours on Hon Tam for the mud bath, the pools and a walk along the beach. Bring a dark swimsuit, as the mud can leave light marks on pale fabrics; mud bath tickets are included.

Crossing Nha Trang Bay by speedboat

The speedboat ride between the islands is one of the highlights of this Nha Trang islands tour. Nha Trang Bay is a member of the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World, and from the water you see the green ridge of Hon Tre, the long cable car line crossing to it, fishing villages, and the rocky outline of Hon Mun further out.

The guide points out the islands along the way and explains how fishing and aquaculture shape life in the bay. The crossings are short, and the boats carry life jackets for every guest. On calm mornings the water is a deep turquoise, perfect for photos from the deck.

How to get there and the best time to visit

How to get to Hon Mieu and Hon Tam from Nha Trang: boats leave from Cau Da port, about 15 to 20 minutes by road from the beach hotels, and this day trip includes hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle. Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR) is about 35 to 45 minutes from the city.

The best time to visit the Nha Trang islands is from February to August, when the sea is calm and the sky clear. The rainy season from September to December brings rougher seas, and the programme may change or the trip may be cancelled for safety; we will contact you if that happens. Mornings are usually calmer than afternoons.