Hon Noi Island (Swallow Island) 2026: Double Beach Guide

Hon Noi Island (Hòn Nội), also called Dao Yen or Swallow Island, lies about 25 km north-east of Cau Da Port in Nha Trang Bay. It is famous for its “double beach”, where a sand bar splits the shore into two bays of different colours, and for its swiftlet-nest caves. Visits are by day tour only, run by the state bird’s-nest company, from about 490,000 VND.

Status (checked October 2026): Hon Noi can only be visited on the official day tour (no independent landings, no overnight stays), limited to about 100 guests per day. Tours run mainly in the dry season, roughly March/April to August/September; from October to February boats are often suspended because of rough seas and storms, so confirm before planning your trip.

Why Hon Noi Island is worth seeing:

The double beach: a white sand bar divides two small bays, one greener and calmer, one bluer and longer.
Vietnam’s bird’s-nest island: Hon Noi has one of the country’s largest colonies of edible-nest swiftlets.
Few visitors: the daily cap of about 100 people keeps the island quiet compared with the main bay islands.
Views from Du Ha hill: 220 steps lead to a 90 m viewpoint over both beaches.
Glass-bottom boat and clear water: tours include time to swim and look at the shallows.

Hon Noi Island at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Hòn Nội (Đảo Yến, “Swiftlet Island”); the beach is Bãi Tắm Đôi
Location	Northern Nha Trang Bay, Khanh Hoa province (Khanh Hoa merged with Ninh Thuan on 1 July 2025)
Distance	About 25 km from Cau Da Port; 30–45 minutes by speedboat, about 1–1.5 hours by wooden boat
Known for	Double beach, swiftlet-nest caves, Du Ha hill viewpoint
Managed by	Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company (Sanest), which runs the only tours
Tour times	Boats leave Cau Da Port in the early morning (about 7:30) and return mid-afternoon
Entrance fee	Day tour about 490,000 VND by wooden boat or about 790,000 VND by speedboat (about US$19–31), including meals and a glass-bottom boat ride; check current prices
Time needed	A full day
Best time	April to August for calm sea and sunny weather
Nearby	Hon Tam, Hon Mun, VinWonders Nha Trang, Monkey Island
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor

Is Hon Noi Island Worth Visiting?

Yes, it is one of the most beautiful and least crowded beaches you can reach from Nha Trang, but only in season. The fixed tour format, the early start and the open-sea crossing are the trade-offs. If you are in Nha Trang between about April and August and want a natural beach rather than a resort, Hon Noi is a top choice.

Best for: beach lovers, photographers, couples and active travellers who want something quieter than the classic island-hopping tours.
Skip if: you get seasick easily, visit between October and February, or want to come and go on your own schedule.
Short on time: choose the speedboat option to save an hour of sailing.

History of Hon Noi and Khanh Hoa’s Bird’s-Nest Trade

Swiftlets, not swallows

The birds that give Hon Noi its nickname are edible-nest swiftlets (chim yến), often translated as “swallows”. They build their nests from saliva on the walls of sea caves, and these nests are the prized bird’s nest used in Asian cuisine and traditional medicine.

Centuries of nest harvesting

Harvesting swiftlet nests on the islands off Khanh Hoa is a tradition several centuries old; local sources trace it back almost 700 years. Today the islands are protected and the harvest is run by the state-owned Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company, which is why visitors can only come on its tours.

The temple of the nest trade

Near the beach stands a temple honouring the founders of the bird’s-nest trade. Harvesters traditionally pray here for safety before climbing the cliffs, and the company holds an annual nest festival at the site.

What to See at Hon Noi Island

1. The double beach (Bãi Tắm Đôi)

A long strip of white sand and broken coral runs out from the island and splits the shore into two bays back to back. The water on one side looks green and on the other deep blue, and the temperature and waves often differ slightly between them. Both bays are shallow near the shore and good for swimming.

2. Du Ha hill viewpoint

About 220 steps climb to the top of Du Ha hill, roughly 90 m above the sea, where a national survey marker stands. From the top you see the full shape of the double beach, the best photo on the island.

3. Swiftlet cliffs and caves

The swiftlets nest in caves on the cliffs, mainly from about April to September. The caves themselves are off-limits, but on the boat ride you can see the cliffs and the birds wheeling above them.

4. Temple of the nest-trade founders

A small, peaceful temple near the beach explains the island’s working history and is a respectful stop before swimming.

5. Glass-bottom boat ride

Tours include a short glass-bottom boat trip over the shallow water near the beach, showing fish and rocks without getting wet.

Hon Noi Island Tour Prices (2026)

Option	Details	Price (approx.)
Wooden boat tour	About 1–1.5 hours each way; meals and glass-bottom boat included	About 490,000 VND (about US$19)
Speedboat tour	About 30–45 minutes each way; meals and glass-bottom boat included	About 790,000 VND (about US$31)
Departure	Sanest berth at Cau Da Port, about 7:30	No hotel pick-up on the standard tour
Daily limit	About 100 visitors	Book 3–5 days ahead in summer
Season	Mainly about March/April – August/September	Often suspended October–February

Tours and prices are set by the Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company (Sanest Tourist); book through it or a trusted local agency and confirm the price when booking.

Rules and Etiquette on Hon Noi

Visit only on the official day tour; independent boats and overnight stays are not allowed.
Do not enter the swiftlet caves or disturb the birds.
Dress modestly at the temple and keep voices low.
Take all rubbish back to the boat and do not collect coral from the sand bar.

How to Get to Hon Noi Island

From	How	Time
Nha Trang beach hotels	Taxi or Grab to the Sanest berth at Cau Da Port	About 15–20 minutes
Cau Da Port	Sanest speedboat	About 30–45 minutes
Cau Da Port	Sanest wooden boat	About 1–1.5 hours
Cam Ranh Airport	Car to Nha Trang the day before (tours leave early)	About 45–60 minutes

More on taxis and airport transfers in our Nha Trang transportation guide.

Best Time to Visit Hon Noi Island

When	What to expect
April – June	Calm sea, clear water, swiftlet nesting season; the ideal months
July – August	Hot and sunny, Vietnamese summer holidays; book well ahead
March and September	Shoulder months; tours depend on the weather
October – February	Rainy and windy season; tours often suspended

Local Expert Tips for Hon Noi Island

These tips come from years of arranging Nha Trang tours for international travellers.

Book at least three days ahead in summer; the 100-person cap fills fast.
Pay the extra for the speedboat if anyone in your group gets seasick.
Climb Du Ha hill early, before the midday heat, for the best light on the beach.
Bring cash, sunscreen, a hat and water shoes; facilities on the island are basic.
Read our Nha Trang travel tips for weather and booking advice.

Hon Noi Island vs Hon Tam Island

Feature	Hon Noi	Hon Tam
Atmosphere	Natural, quiet, capped at about 100 visitors	Developed resort, busier
Boat time	30–90 minutes	About 10 minutes
Highlights	Double beach, swiftlet cliffs, viewpoint	Mud bath, pools, water sports
Season	Mainly April–August	All year, weather permitting
Flexibility	Fixed day tour	Boats through the day

Our view: in season, Hon Noi is the more memorable beach; outside the season, or with small children, Hon Tam Island is the easier choice.

Nearby Attractions

Hon Tam Island: mud bath and resort beach.
Hon Mun Island: the protected reef in the south of the bay.
Monkey Island: monkeys and shows in Nha Phu Lagoon.
VinWonders Nha Trang: theme park on Hon Tre.
Po Nagar Cham Towers: Cham temple on the way back to the north of the city.
Diep Son Island: the “walk on the sea” sand bar in Van Phong Bay.

Sightseeing in Nha Trang for First-Time Visitors: Where Hon Noi Fits

Hon Noi takes a full day, so pair it with a lighter day of city sights such as Long Son Pagoda and Nha Trang Cathedral, and keep your evening for seafood using our guide to Nha Trang food. Stay near the city centre or the port for the early start; see where to stay in Nha Trang.

Plan your trip with our Nha Trang travel guide and Nha Trang tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.