Binh Ba, a pearl island nestled in Cam Ranh Bay, Khanh Hoa, has long been a dream destination for sea lovers and adventure seekers. This island captivates visitors with its untouched, tranquil beauty, a stark contrast to the bustling city life. Join “Du lịch khắp thế gian” as we unveil the secrets and fully experience the beauty of Binh Ba Island through this detailed self-guided travel guide!
1. Where is Binh Ba Island? The Mysterious Gem of Cam Ranh Bay
Binh Ba Island belongs to Cam Binh commune, Cam Ranh city, Khanh Hoa province. This charming little island is nestled in Cam Ranh Bay, about 15km east of the mainland and 60km south of Nha Trang city. With an area of just over 3km², Binh Ba offers a private, peaceful space, separate from the noisy pace of urban life.
Aerial view of Binh Ba Island, a green pearl in the vast blue sea
In the past, Binh Ba was a military area with restricted access for tourists. However, in recent years, the island has opened its doors to visitors to explore its hidden beauty. Nevertheless, the policy of limiting large-scale tourism development is still maintained, helping Binh Ba preserve its inherent pristine and natural beauty. This makes Binh Ba a “mysterious gem,” a unique destination for those seeking something different.
2. The Best Time to Explore Binh Ba Island
Weather plays a crucial role in every trip, especially for island and beach tourism. To fully enjoy the beauty of Binh Ba, the best time to plan your exploration is from March to October. During this period, Binh Ba puts on its most beautiful coat with:
- Calm seas, gentle waves: Ideal for swimming, snorkeling, boating, canoeing, etc.
- Bright golden sunshine: Perfect for fun activities, taking check-in photos, and enjoying the tropical sea atmosphere.
- Clear blue skies: Providing expansive views, allowing you to fully admire the beauty of the ocean and the surrounding islands.
Bai Nom beach in Binh Ba with crystal-clear turquoise water, inviting visitors to explore
However, if you plan to travel to Binh Ba during the peak season (May to September), be prepared for potentially higher service costs. To save money, you can consider choosing the early season (March, April) or late season (October). Don’t forget to check the weather forecast before your trip to ensure your Binh Ba Island exploration goes as smoothly as possible!
3. Guide to Getting to Binh Ba Island
To reach Binh Ba Island, you need to go through two main stages of transportation:
Stage 1: Getting to Cam Ranh
You can choose the following means of transport to get to Cam Ranh city:
- Airplane: This is the fastest and most convenient option, especially if you are from afar. Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR) is the main air gateway to the region.
- Bus: Buses are a popular and cost-effective choice. Many high-quality bus companies operate routes to Cam Ranh from major cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, etc.
- Train: If you want to experience a leisurely journey and enjoy the scenery along the way, the train is an interesting suggestion. Cam Ranh Station is one of the major stations on the North-South railway line.
- Private vehicles (car, motorbike): For young people who love backpacking and freedom to explore, driving to Cam Ranh is also a worthwhile experience. The road to Cam Ranh is quite easy to navigate and can be looked up on Google Maps.
Stage 2: From Cam Ranh to Binh Ba Island
After arriving in Cam Ranh, you need to get to Ba Ngoi Port (also known as Da Bac Port) to take a boat to Binh Ba Island. At Ba Ngoi Port, you can choose:
- Local ferry: This is a popular means of transport for locals and tourists. Ferries have a fixed schedule (7:00 AM – 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM from Ba Ngoi to Binh Ba, and 5:00 AM – 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM from Binh Ba back to Ba Ngoi). Travel time is about 30-60 minutes, ticket prices range from 25,000 – 40,000 VND/person.
- Speedboat: If you want to save travel time, a speedboat is a suitable option. Speedboats are faster than ferries, but ticket prices are also higher.
Ferries transporting tourists from Ba Ngoi Port to Binh Ba Island
Once you arrive at Binh Ba Island, you can walk or rent a motorbike to explore the island. With a small area, you can fully explore most of the island’s highlights in a day. If you want to experience sightseeing at sea, you can rent a boat or small ship at the pier for about 50,000 VND/person. In addition, don’t miss the opportunity to join night fishing tours, swimming with boat rentals ranging from 800,000 – 1,000,000 VND/boat (or join a group to save costs).
4. Accommodation on Binh Ba Island: Homestays and Hotels
Although large-scale tourism development is not encouraged, Binh Ba Island still has enough accommodation options from guesthouses and hotels to homestays to serve tourists. Room rates in Binh Ba are quite affordable, ranging from 200,000 – 400,000 VND/night for a double room. However, the number of rooms is limited, especially during peak season or holidays, you should book your room in advance to ensure you have satisfactory accommodation.
Some suggested hotels and guesthouses in Binh Ba:
- Blue Anchor Lodge Hotel & Café: A hotel nổi bật with a fresh blue color scheme, close to the sea. Phone: 0902 971 768
Blue Anchor Lodge Hotel & Café with its signature blue design, bringing a relaxing feeling
- Tôm Hùm Hotel – Lobster Palace: Hotel with a beautiful location, near the sea, clean and comfortable rooms. Phone: 0909 775 091
- Bai Nom (South Beach) Hotel: Hotel located right at Bai Nom beach, convenient for swimming and recreation. Phone: 0903 332 418
- Beach Pearl Hotel: Hotel with beautiful sea views, quiet space, suitable for relaxation. Phone: 096 688 17 18
If you want a closer experience to the local life, homestay is a great option. Homestays are usually renovated houses of local residents, offering a cozy, simple space. Staying at a homestay, you have the opportunity to learn about local culture, enjoy warm family meals, and even participate in daily activities of the locals such as going to sea, fishing, squid fishing… Homestay room rates are usually flexible and negotiable, often cheaper than hotels.
5. Discovering the Paradise of Fun on Binh Ba Island
Binh Ba Island, though small, hides countless interesting things for you to discover. From stunning pristine beaches to peaceful fishing villages, from fresh seafood dishes to majestic viewpoints, Binh Ba will surely bring you unforgettable experiences.
5.1. Bai Nom – The Turquoise Gem of Binh Ba
Bai Nom is known as the most beautiful beach in Binh Ba, a must-visit destination on your island exploration journey. Bai Nom is located on the south side of the island, surrounded by two mountain ranges forming a graceful arc. Thanks to this special location, Bai Nom is always peaceful, with gentle waves, very suitable for swimming and relaxation.
Picturesque Bai Nom beach with smooth white sand and clear blue sea water
The best time to come to Bai Nom is in the afternoon, around 4:00 PM, when the sun has softened. At this time, you can freely swim, participate in water sports activities such as jet skiing, banana boating, or simply fly kites on the beach. Along Bai Nom, there are many affordable seafood stalls serving fresh and delicious dishes at reasonable prices.
5.2. Bai Nha Cu – The Magical Coral Reef World
Bai Nha Cu is famous for its crystal-clear water, but due to many submerged rocks, it is not suitable for swimming. In return, this place is a “sanctuary” of coral reefs with countless colorful coral reefs. You just need to rent a basket boat or glass-bottom boat to go offshore, without diving deep, you can admire the shimmering beauty of the coral world under the sea.
Peaceful Bai Nha Cu with clear water, an ideal place for coral viewing
5.3. Bai Chuong – Welcoming Sunrise on the Sea
Bai Chuong has a pristine, tranquil beauty, an ideal place for you to welcome the first rays of sunrise on the sea. In the early morning, when fishing boats return, Bai Chuong becomes bustling and crowded with the atmosphere of buying and selling fresh seafood.
5.4. Bai Sa Huynh – Crescent Moon in the Heart of Cam Ranh
Bai Sa Huynh has a unique shape like a crescent moon embracing the ocean. The long white sand beach, gentle slope, and majestic ancient rock formations create a beautiful natural landscape. The sea water at Bai Sa Huynh is crystal clear, very suitable for snorkeling and coral viewing.
Bai Sa Huynh with pristine beauty and clear blue water, inviting visitors to snorkel and see corals
However, it should be noted that Bai Sa Huynh is not located on Binh Ba Island but belongs to Cam Ranh peninsula, in a military area. To get to Bai Sa Huynh from Binh Ba, you need to travel by boat or speedboat.
5.5. Binh Ba Market – Food and Souvenir Paradise
Binh Ba Market is where you can explore the local culinary culture and shop for souvenirs. The market is run by the islanders themselves, so prices are very affordable. Here, you can find countless types of fresh and dried seafood, local specialties, as well as attractive snacks.
Bustling Binh Ba Market with a variety of fresh seafood and local specialties
Don’t forget to enjoy famous Binh Ba specialties such as grilled lobster, sea urchin, banh can squid, and fish vermicelli soup right at the market to fully experience the taste of the sea.
5.6. Reed Hill – Romantic Check-in Spot
On Binh Ba Island, there is a small rocky hill jutting out to the sea, shaped like a turtle. Here, you will encounter a beautiful reed hill with a gentle pink hue. Reed Hill is an ideal destination for you to admire the sea view, take “virtual living” photos, and enjoy a romantic, peaceful space. The best time for reed flowers is around March.
Binh Ba reed hill with gentle pink color, a great background for check-in photos
Conclusion: Binh Ba Island – A Must-Visit Destination for Sea Lovers
Binh Ba Island with its pristine, simple beauty and unique travel experiences will surely be an ideal destination for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse themselves in beautiful nature. Hopefully, the self-guided Binh Ba Island exploration experiences that “Du lịch khắp thế gian” shared above will help you have a truly complete and memorable trip. Don’t forget to follow “Du lịch khắp thế gian” to discover more attractive destinations across Vietnam and the world!