Underwater paradise in Nhơn Hải

In Nhơn Hải, simply keep yourself afloat then dip beneath the surface to witness the marvels beneath the sea.

Exploring the underwater haven in Nhơn Hải during a trip to Quy Nhơn

Nhơn Hải Sea is approximately 10 km from Quy Nhơn City (Bình Định). Cross Thị Nại Bridge and ask the locals for directions to Nhơn Hải fishing village, it's easy to find. When it comes to snorkeling to admire coral reefs, many would typically opt for Cù Lao Chàm or the Nha Trang – Khánh Hòa region as the ideal diving spots. However, surely if you once immerse yourself in the crystal-clear waters of Nhơn Hải Sea, you'll have to reconsider your viewpoint.

Along the coastal concrete road leading to the quaint fishing hamlet lies the authentic livelihood of local fishermen: some mend nets, others gather a handful of fish for the family dinner, while some splash water for their children's bath time...

The scattered coracle boats lie sporadically on the sandy shore as if resting after a long day at sea. The small fishing hamlet is filled with the salty scent and the rich flavor of the ocean, always resonating with the rhythmic sound of crashing waves. The narrow road leading into the serene hamlet is strangely tranquil, providing a sense of relief and contentment upon escaping the hustle and bustle of urban life. Although paved with concrete, many sections of the road are still covered with white sand.

Nhơn Hải: A Tranquil Haven Away from the Bustle

Nhơn Hải isn't a bustling tourist spot, nor does it boast eateries with the clamor of buyers and sellers. Our friend, a family of seafood traders supplying restaurants here, took us to their home for a chat. The weather-beaten fisherman handed each of us a homemade pair of glasses. Dubbed 'homemade glasses' because locals fashion them from a finely sanded piece of glass, attach it to a piece of iron, and secure it tightly with rubber bands. When worn, it resembles a round box over the eyes, completely covering the nose, allowing one to go to the sea and dive. He boasted that none of the fishermen here had specialized diving glasses but they've been diving and going to sea for years. He advised us for a while, the gist being that you can dive even if you can't swim, no need to worry. The most remarkable thing is that diving here doesn't require flippers, instead, you must wear shoes. I think when going to the beach, you should bring a pair of toe sandals from home; the old fisherman saw this and told me to hold on tight so that the sandals don't float away.

Embarking on an Aquatic Adventure in Nhơn Hải

We, a few adults and children, climbed onto the coracle boat swaying out to sea. The feeling of sitting on the round basket for the first time was both exciting and frightening. Afraid that with just a slight movement, the boat would overturn because of me. About 15 minutes away from the shore, the fisherman told us to place the glasses on the seawater and look through them. Even from the boat, we could already see the incredibly beautiful coral reefs. I've dived at Cù Lao Chàm, admired coral reefs in Nha Trang but I've never seen such beautiful and diverse coral reefs before. Even without glasses, through that clear water, we could see each cluster of coral swaying with the water. What's more special is that at Nhơn Hải Sea, you don't need to dive deep like in Nha Trang; just sitting on the boat, you already feel like touching the coral reefs with your hands.

Discovering the Underwater Paradise of Nhơn Hải

The fishermen here live off the sea, living alongside it, so they cherish and love the sea intensely. The friendly fishermen are highly regarded by us but their faces turn stern whenever the issue of not damaging the coral or trying to collect them to take home is mentioned. The fruit bag we brought to eat while sitting on the boat must also be wrapped up and taken back to shore.

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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour