Snorkelling the reefs
Clear water and coral.
Robert Quan — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Kok Leng Yeo — CC BY 2.0 · yeowatzup — CC BY 2.0
A group of eight small islands 18 km off the coast of Hoi An, part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve and a marine protected area. Only the largest, Hon Lao, is inhabited, by about 3,000 people in fishing villages around its sheltered bays. Speedboats from Cua Dai pier reach Bai Lang, the main village, in about 20 minutes. Day trips usually combine a walk through the village and its small market, snorkelling over the coral reefs, a lunch of fresh seafood and a few hours on a beach such as Bai Chong or Bai Huong. The islands are known for having banned plastic bags years ago. The crossing is only possible in the calmer months, roughly March to September; from October the waves often stop the boats for days at a time. Bring sunscreen and cash, since card payment is rare on the island.
Clear water and coral.
A small market and fishing life.
Bai Chong and Bai Huong.
18 km off the Hoi An coast; speedboats from Cua Dai pier
In the calmer months, roughly March to September; from October the waves often stop the boats for days at a time.