Not only famous for its mangrove forests, Ca Mau also has Hon Khoai with impressive beauty and delights visitors with delicious dishes that make many people remember when thinking about it.
Overview about Hon Khoai
Hon Khoai is the name of an island cluster located in the southeast of Ca Mau cape, Dat Mui commune, Ca Mau province. Hon Khoai is more than 6 nautical miles (14.6km) from the mainland and has an important position in terms of national defense and security. This place is considered a forward station guarding the airspace, sea and the southwestern strip of land of Vietnam.
There are five islands in extremely close proximity to another, including: Hon Khoai, Hon Tuong, Hon Sao, Hon Doi Moi, Hon Da Le. Of which, Hon Khoai is the largest island with an area of about 4km² and is also the highest island above sea level at 318m.
Hon Khoai located in the southeast of Ca Mau cape, Dat Mui commune, Ca Mau province
Hon Khoai is known as the pearl island of the cape, surrounded by mountains and forests, calm blue sea and time-stained relics. This place has become an attractive destination that tourists cannot miss when coming to Ca Mau province. In September 2013, Hon Khoai Island Cluster was recognized as the island cluster closest to the equator.
How to get here and what’s the best time to go?
From the center of Ca Mau, visitors can travel to Nam Can port or Rach Goc port, then continue to find a local boat to Hon Khoai, the travel time is about 3 hours by boat. Because the island currently does not have an official tourist wharf, the main way to travel is to rent a private fishing boat or ask for a ride on local fishermen’s boats.
A boat to Hon Khoai.
The cost of renting a private boat usually ranges from 2.5 to 4 million VND. If traveling in a large group or joining a group, the price divided for each person will be more reasonable and save significantly on the trip.
The ideal time to visit Hon Khoai is during the dry season from November to April because during this period Hon Khoai has a mild, dry climate, so you can easily visit.
Explore Hon Khoai in Ca Mau
Hon Khoai is an island of rocks, hills and primeval forests that are almost intact with many precious woods and a rich flora and fauna, which has captivated many tourists. According to the latest research, the flora in Hon Khoai has more than 1,400 species including fruit trees, timber trees, medicinal plants… The fauna is also quite rich with monkeys, jungle fowl, flower pythons, monitor lizards, white-bellied squirrels… and especially the Hon Khoai squirrel and the psychedelic rock gecko.
Primary forest in Hon Khoai.
On the island, there are 2 beaches, including Bai Lon (Big Beach) in the southeast and Bai Nho (Small Beach) in the north. Visiting Hon Khoai, the tourist boat will stop at Bai Nho, from there take a small boat about 50m to shore.
The first time setting foot here, visitors will be overwhelmed by the beautiful scenery. The most unique feature of this island is the beaches with many strange round pebbles like goose eggs, Mother Nature also favors this place with shady maple trees, casuarinas swaying in the cool wind. When spring comes to Hon Khoai, apricot flowers bloom brightly yellow all over the island.
Hon Khoai has a long, wind-sheltered coastline, is a place for fishermen to anchor and take shelter from storms and is a breeding ground and shelter for many marine species. From small plankton to aquatic species with high economic value such as: squid, lobster, mantis shrimp, grouper, cobia, … Hon Khoai sea has wide sandy beaches. When the tide is low and the sea is calm, visitors can walk on the sand to learn about the life of marine creatures and breathe the fresh air of the forest and the sea.
Hon Khoai beach has wide sandy beaches.
The main road on the island from Bai Lon to the top of the island, about 3 km long, has been paved flat, shaded by cool green trees. There are many streams on the island. Among them, there are 2 large streams with fresh water flowing all year round, which are the source of water for the island, providing fresh water all year round for the units stationed on the island and fishermen fishing around the area. Because the island has few residents, there are only a few small grocery stores, mainly border guards guarding the island. Because of that, Hon Khoai still retains its wild beauty that is rare anywhere else.
The most prominent structure is probably the 100-year-old lighthouse – a place you cannot miss when coming to Hon Khoai. This tower is located on the highest peak of Hon Khoai, built by the French colonialists in 1920, this is considered one of the earliest lighthouses in Vietnam’s waters. From this place, tourists can enjoy the panorama view of Doi Moi Island and Ca Mau Cape by telescope.
panorama view fro the lighthouse in Hon Khoai.
In addition to its wild beauty, Hon Khoai is also a famous revolutionary achievement. Here, on December 13, 1940, Phan Ngoc Hien commanded the rebel army to occupy Hon Khoai, marking a brilliant milestone in the history of the struggle against foreign invaders of the army and people of the southernmost land of Vietnam. In 1990, Hon Khoai island was recognized as a National Historical – Cultural Relic.
stele recording the uprising beside the lighthouse in Hon Khoai.
Coming to Hon Khoai, tourists should not miss seafood specialties with extremely attractive dishes such as: fish, cobia, lobster, crab, mantis shrimp, … The delicious and nutritious flavor has made the seafood dishes here become an interesting highlight and leave an unforgettable impression in the hearts of tourists.
Source: collected by An
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