On one of the days I spent in Con Dao archipelago, I decided to visit Hon Ba or Ba island, an island just next to the main one, the one with the iconic pointy mountain peak. This is not a destination where lots of people go, not even Vietnamese, even less, foreigners. That’s why the previous day I attempted to visit on my own and I didn’t find any help to make it. On this day I will have a local’s help so I’m confident I will finally be able to go to Ba Island.
So, on the day before, the Con Dao National Park worker selling tickets said he would help me to get to Hon Ba because he knows the captain of the boat that takes people there. It is a fishing boat, not a tour boat. Probably a fisherman that occasionally helps people get to Hon Ba because the island is very near and within 5 min by boat it is reachable.
How to get to Hon Ba
Once at the Port where the Phu Quoc ferry docks in Con Dao archipelago, my friend guided me to the correct spot to hop on the boat, through a video call. He was so nice OMG. He stayed with me on the phone as I walked and showed him where I was. He directed me and told me which boat it was because there were 3 docked ones. I had no clue. Once he spotted the captain, I handed my phone to the captain and they talked. The round trip should be 100K dong or 150K, maybe the latter for me as a foreigner. But, as I was the only passenger on that boat, the guy charged me 100K 1 way. Ok never mind, I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to get the view I want of Con Dao archipelago. It was fun the process, haha the captain didn’t say a word and we were just passing the phone between one another for translations. I have all this boat for myself, I’m on my way to Hon Ba Island and I’m very happy about it. It was funny to see the other fishermen’s faces of surprise spotting me on that boat haha hilarious. It was fun. That boat is this man’s home. He told me to sit inside this small compartment and I saw it. There was everything there, tableware, cooking ware, a huge water jug, food, clothes hung to dry, a picture of Jesus… that’s a home! His home is a 2mx1 m area. Insane! It made me think…
Anyway, not long after departure we were docking in Hon Ba Island. Another call to the National Park guy and we agreed that I would tell him what time I wanted to leave. I thought of asking what time would be the last possible because usually, the boats can never leave too late, but I left this detail for later to see how the day goes.
The beach where the boat docks is beautiful and the only one on Hon Ba island to lie on. There aren’t many places where to go on Hon Ba Island. There are two trails, a house where there lives a local charging the 50k National Park fee and that’s it. No accommodations, no restaurants, nothing. I knew it so I brought plenty of water with me and some food too.
Love Peak Hon Ba
There are two possible trails and I’ve done them both. One of them was the reason why I really wanted to come to this island: the love peak. From Google pics, this place seems worthy and beautiful. I hoped for at least 5 min of sun once at the top, otherwise, I know very well that it will not be as amazing. Islands without sun are not the same…
The hike to Love Peak is very steep! I mean it! I came across 1 family during my hike, no one else, and they told me good luck once they saw me haha. And also: you can always turn around. By their words, I thought this would be a tough hike, but I didn’t find it that hard. It is steep and slow indeed, but there is a proper cemented path easy to walk on. Therefore anyone can do this hike, in my opinion. The hike will take around 40 min each way, I thought it would be longer… I kept asking the gods for a bit of sun while at the Love Peak, I asked the trees too. In fact, I saw one very beautiful big tree, a powerful tree! I felt goosebumps when touching it. I don’t know if it was the tree, the truth is that on this day, there were only 10 minutes of sun and they happened when I was at this viewpoint. I had to thank the gods for this one.
So, at the end of the trail, I’m obliged to whisper a WOOOOOW as my eyes lay on what’s in front of me. What a view!!
It wasn’t sunny when I first saw it but was still beautiful and impressive. I was very happy that I decided to go on this hike. I could see the iconic mountain peak right next to me and the main island as well as smaller ones. I could see much of Con Dao archipelago really. The clouds were over the mountain in front of me which made the scenery more whimsical. What a view. I loved it. I stayed there for more than 30 min just waiting for the sun. I was confident it would show up for me.
I rejoiced when it did. The colors became vibrant and the shades of blue were now many and stunning. Lovely! Once I got enough of the view I went down to follow the other trail that leads to a rocky beach and a mangrove forest.
Mangrove forest and beach
It is on the opposite side of where the boats dock and still quite a walk, but easily done as there is also a cemented path. There is no name on the map or a marked trail, but it exists. The weather became really moody and the colors never shone again on that day. The rocky beach wasn’t special, had no sand at all, just a swing and a peaceful surrounding. Not amazing. There was also another trail leading to a Vietnamese maritime something which I didn’t follow. This island seems to not have more reachable beaches and I was already tired of walking for hours and hours.
How to get to Con Dao archipelago HERE!
Tram Kiem Lam Hon Ba
I went back to the main beach where the boats dock to rest for a while before going back to Con Dao main island. This beach has no name but is the one at this spot marked as Tram Kiem Lam Hon Ba. I was back at the beach at 3 pm by then I saw a group of Vietnamese leaving the island. There were only 2 groups of Vietnamese people on Hon Ba island and I didn’t know if the other one had left already. I know that usually, people leave the islands early, which sucks for me cause I like to enjoy it longer. This way, I decided to ask the guy who helped me to get there if 4.30 pm was too late to ask for a boat. He immediately said it was ok, so I assumed he didn’t ask the captain of the boat… which he should have because he is the one who knows. I had the feeling that I should have left at 3 pm with those people, but I decided to stay and enjoy this beach even though it was sprinkly. I was tired and just wanted to rest for a while in the pleasant water. Plus, this beach is beautiful. I loved the fact it had mountain views 360º. As it was sprinkly, I stayed all my time in the water. It was cold outside under that moody weather.
Getting out of Hon Ba island
Approaching 4.30 pm I asked my friend to send the boat, but at the same time, there was the last group of Vietnamese leaving Hon Ba island. I was wondering, should I go with them? But I had just called for a boat on my own so I thought it wouldn’t be fair to “ghost” the captain. The tide was very low and I was wondering how the hell the boat was going to pick me up. I had to make a decision because these Vietnamese people were telling me I should go with them because it was late and boats would not come to Hon Ba island anymore. I thought it was wise to go with the locals instead so I told my “ friend” that I would go with them instead.
I told him there was a group leaving. Meanwhile, he was asking me if I could see the boat. No, I saw nothing!! And the truth is that boat would have never come for me I realized it later.
To leave this island was an adventure. These local people were kinda drunk, they were very nice but their English was very basic. They kept walking and walking to the right side of the beach and I wasn’t understanding why. At some point, we were already walking on rocks as the tide was too low. Only later I realized that we would have to walk far into the water to be picked up by a boat OMG. They kept on walking and walking… I saw the first guy ahead with water on his chest. I was cold! It started to pour down for a few minutes and all I could think of was my camera and phone getting wet. My clothes would definitely be wet and I couldn’t do anything about it. I was just so happy that this group of people showed up. I realized that if they weren’t there, I would have had no way out of Hon Ba Island that day.
There was this very nice young girl hugging me, making me feel safe haha so cute. They were so nice to me! We were all laughing at the very peculiar situation. They said a memorable day haha. Walking into the sea with a foreigner who doesn’t understand very well why are we walking so far. I have hopped on boats in way shallower water than this before, I was confused about why we kept on walking so far into the sea. How are we getting on that boat? This is not a tourist boat with a ladder. It stands way taller than me. Why is it so far? Omg, I didn’t see a reason why the boat wouldn’t get closer to us. Anyway, I just had to follow the pack and make sure my stuff was dry. That was all I WORRIED ABOUT. BETWEEN MANY LAUGHS, WE FINALLY GOT ON THE BOAT and my worry was that I was just wearing a thong under a scarf haha. How outrageous would be to have my ass on these people’s faces. Oh my, I was embarrassed but it had to happen. They had to push me up by the butt and there was even a guy who slapped it!! OMG, what a shame. I hope they didn’t see too much haha, but what could I do? I had to hop on that boat somehow. They were all fully dressed, so my butt was the only one out there. Haaa shame.
Anyway, more laughs, we are all safe and sound and can finally head to land. It’s cold and I’m wet from my waist down which makes it even colder. They ended up inviting me to have beers with them lately, and usually, I would accept, but I just wanted a hot shower and a cozy spot after this. It kept on raining that evening and very hard. So I was happy I refused the invitation. But, one more obstacle to finish my day… The boat docked at a different port haaa. At least my motorbike was less than a 10-minute walk away, but still was a miserable walk in the rain, very wet and tired and cold. People I came across on this short walk were obviously staring like what on earth is this mad lady doing haha.
That was a hell of a day. It was the funniest one of all after all. I loved it and would do it all again. I ended up being very lucky to have found these people, so, for you not to jeopardize your return to Con Dao island, I think you shouldn’t leave the island much later than 3 pm. I think 3 pm would be the best time. 3.30 pm might put some challenges already. Anyway, all worth it for me!
Read about more places I have visited in Con Dao Island HERE!
