Boat trips

Nha Trang’s famed (and infamous) activity

Anyone and everyone sells the “four island” boat trip to Mun, Mot, Mieu and Tam islands. A full day trip on a packed boat is as cheap as US$7, including lunch, transport and stops for sunbathing at beaches and an aquarium but no admission fees – expect to shell out dong for every optional stop: Tri Nguyen Aquarium 90,000 VND, Mun Island 22,000 VND, Tranh Mini-Beach 30,000 VND. Though snorkelling is one the touted activities, these cheap boat trips have rundown equipment and don’t go into the Hon Mun Marine Protected Area reef as it incurs park fees. If snorkelling is the main reason for your trip, you’re far better off joining a dedicated snorkelling excursion (see our section on diving and snorkelling). 

“Boat trip” in Nha Trang is actually a synonym for “booze cruise” as the trip is more about drinking like a fish (and getting fried) than seeing fish. The Funky Monkey boat tour is extremely popular with backpackers. The trip runs from 8:30-17:00 and it includes stops at the floating bar and very memorable and fun live entertainment from the Funky Monkey Boy Band. It costs 200,000 VND per person; book through your hotel or visit their office at 75A Hung Vuong St (T: (058) 352 2426).

For an upscale, family-friendly experience, Emperor Cruises offers both overnight and day trips on their luxury junk exploring Nha Trang bay. The day trip is from 08:30-16:30 and all-inclusive, with seafood lunch, alcohol and snorkelling equipment, US$127 per person. Slightly more affordable but still a splurge is their sunset cocktail and dinner cruise from 17:00-21:00. We were quoted US$85 person and it includes unlimited cocktails, beer, wine and a five-course seafood dinner. They're at 8/6 Dinh Tien Hoang Street (T: (058) 352 7779).

We aren’t including coverage of boat trips to Orchid Island or Monkey Island (north of Nha Trang in Nha Phu Bay) because animal shows with elephants, monkeys, dogs and dancing bears are used as attractions.

Last updated: 11th September, 2015