Tam Hai Island

Tam Hai sits between the Truong Giang river and the sea in southern Quang Nam, reached by a small ferry that takes people and motorbikes across in a few minutes, and it is a working island of fishing, aquaculture and casuarina windbreaks with a few hundred households. Its feature is Ban Than, a cape on the seaward side where the shore is black volcanic rock worn into shelves and columns, standing against pale sand - which is unusual on a coast that is otherwise sand and low dune. There is little development, no resort, and almost no foreign visitors; it is a quiet half day.

What you actually see

• An island between river and sea - reached by a small ferry.
• Ban Than cape - black volcanic rock against pale sand.
• Fishing and aquaculture - the island's working economy.
• Almost no development - and very few visitors.

When to go

February to August; the monsoon closes the coast from about September. Half a day.

Honest expectations

The ferry is small and runs on demand rather than a timetable. There is essentially nothing for visitors - no restaurants to speak of and no accommodation. The rock at Ban Than is sharp and slippery.

Nearby

Nui Thanh is on the mainland; Tam Thanh mural village is north.