Hon Kho Island

Hòn Khô - literally 'Dry Island' - is a small uninhabited island approximately 4km off the coast of Nhơn Hải commune, northeast of Quy Nhơn city in Bình Định province. The island is characterised by dramatic granite boulder formations, clear turquoise water, and coral reefs accessible by snorkeling and SUP. At low tide, a tidal path emerges between the island's two sections - one of the most photographed features of Hòn Khô.

From May to July, the surrounding sea floor transforms with rong mơ (golden seaweed) that carpets the shallows in vivid yellow and amber, creating what visitors describe as a 'golden ocean field' - a seasonal spectacle unique to this stretch of Bình Định coast. The island is the most popular day trip from Quy Nhơn and pairs naturally with Kỳ Co and Eo Gió on a northeast coastal loop.

Hòn Khô is accessed from Nhơn Hải fishing village, approximately 18km northeast of Quy Nhơn city centre via Thị Nại Bridge. By motorbike, the drive takes around 30-40 minutes. From Nhơn Hải, hire a boat directly from local fishermen: 200,000-300,000 VND return per boat depending on group size and boat type, 10-15 minute crossing. Most visitors also join organised boat tours from Quy Nhơn that include Hòn Khô alongside other stops. Island entrance fee: 80,000 VND/person (from 2025).

The island has a main landing beach with calm shallow water for swimming and snorkeling over nearshore coral. Rocky boulder formations cover much of the coastline and provide photogenic terrain at low tide. The tidal path between the two island sections is the signature visual - it only appears when the tide goes out and disappears as it comes back in.

SUP is available for exploring the island perimeter and the rong mơ seaweed fields in season (May-July). The floating seafood raft area nearby has some rubbish accumulation - part of the working fishing context. Basic toilet facilities on the island; no restaurants or shops. Morning hours have the best light and calmest water.

Hòn Khô works best as part of a full northeast Quy Nhơn coastal day combining Nhơn Hải, Hòn Khô, and either Kỳ Co or Eo Gió. The rong mơ window (May-July) is the most distinctive seasonal reason to visit - the golden seaweed visible from above while SUPing is a different experience from the standard island visit. September is the quietest month with still-good conditions and significantly fewer visitors than the June-August peak. The Lễ Hội Cầu Ngư in the 3rd lunar month adds cultural depth for visitors who can time around it.