Whale Island Resort

The staff here are smiling, easygoing, always ready to help but never intrusive. Some speak limited English, but their warmth says more than words ever could. I loved chatting with the bartender about island life. He said, “Here, time is slower.” I couldn’t agree more.

I stayed in Whale Island on a stopover along a very long railway trip which led me from Shanghai to Saigon by way of Kunming and Hanoi. I staid in all kinds of accomodations along the way, from mountain huts and congenial homestays in the countryside to boutique hotels in historic city districts. Almost all of these places were nice and welcoming, but Whale Island was by far my best and most memorable overnight stay in this whole trip. In fact, in view of the massive development that Vietnam is engaged in to expand its tourist industry, it is almost a miracle that such a place does still exist, a haven of peace and preserved nature amidst a spectacular seascape, where you can sit on a palm-fringed cove, itself enclosed in a bay surrounded by mountains on all sides, from where the high-rises that have sprung up everywhere along the vietnamese coast are nowhere to be seen. The founder who created the resort is now retired, and we have to hope that the new owners will keep it the way it was meant to be, maintaining the spirit of this place as being different and special. Just seeing the mega-resort of Nha Trang further to the south, with its madness of 40-storey buldings and constant trafic noise, makes one understand why a place like Whale Island is infinitely precious, a gem to be preserved for those who look for something more than just a poolside sunlounger with wifi and vodka. Everything is to be commended in Whale Island , from the design of the thatch-roof huts that disappear under the trees, with an interior decor that is tastefully understated, to the common area where you can eat al fresco or have a drink along the sea. The team who work here are all very nice and friendly, and the service and cuisine are perfect in spite of the practical difficulties of working on an isolated island

There is in truth nothing I did not like, but there are a few caveats for those who would come here and would expect exactly the same amenities as in a traditional resort : there is no AC, nor wifi nor TVs in the rooms, which I think is a very courageous choice not only because it is environmentally-conscious, but also because it deters the kind of people which you would prefer not to meet here, like the russian "nouveaux riches" who patronize the five-star skyscrapers of Nha Trang...

The breakfast area overlooks the sea, and every morning I sat there with coffee watching the fishing boats go by. Simple food — fresh fruits, bread, omelette — but everything tastes better with that view. The only “problem” was I stayed too long, always missing the start of snorkeling trips.

Every afternoon, a few guests and staff gather for beach volleyball. I hadn’t played in years, but somehow the mix of laughter, sea breeze, and friendly competition made me feel like a kid again. We ended up playing until sunset — sweaty, sandy, and perfectly happy.

Le dîner à Whale Island est devenu mon rituel préféré — fruits de mer frais et lumière des bougies. Le menu change chaque soir, toujours quelque chose de simple mais délicieux. Le calamar grillé était incroyable. Les portions pourraient peut-être être un peu plus grandes, mais honnêtement, la vue fait oublier tout le reste.

The snorkeling here is unreal. Just five minutes from the beach and you’re surrounded by corals and schools of colorful fish. The water is crystal clear — it’s like swimming inside an aquarium. The staff are always around to help. I spent hours in the water, came out sunburnt but couldn’t stop smiling.

One morning I joined the little trekking path behind the resort. It takes you through dense forest, and after an hour of walking, you reach a viewpoint that looks over the whole island. The trail is not marked perfectly, but that’s part of the adventure. I met a local guide halfway — barefoot, smiling, showing me the way like it’s his backyard.

The best part of my stay was kayaking early in the morning, before breakfast. The sea was so still it looked like glass. I did forget sunscreen once — rookie mistake — but I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

I came here expecting simple bungalows, but I didn’t expect this kind of peace. There’s no Wi-Fi in the room and only fans to cool you down — but somehow, it’s exactly what I needed. The sea breeze, the sound of waves at night. I ended up reading three books, napping in a hammock, and forgetting what time it was.

Nous avons adoré l’endroit, le personnel et tout le concept écologique. Le lieu est propre et l’eau est d’une clarté cristalline, grâce aux patrouilles régulières qui retirent les déchets plastiques flottants. La nourriture est composée de plats vietnamiens simples mais délicieux, servis en abondance dès que vous vous asseyez. Les boissons sont à prix très raisonnable, et le personnel se montre toujours prêt à aider en cas de régime alimentaire particulier.