Monkey Island in Nha Phu Bay

Published: 11:20 Friday - November 23, 2012

Nha Phu Bay, about 15km north of the famous city of Nha Trang , is beautiful and impressive with crystal clear water and romantic scenery. Not far out from the Bay is Monkey Island , an eco-tourist site that is home to up to 1,200 monkeys and attracts hordes of visitors each year.

There are three groups of monkeys living here, all under the control of a robust, powerful male considered their King. Tourists to this lush, green, tranquil island are transported by horse-drawn carriage along a path that passes through a cycad tree forest and on to a coconut tree forest where they encounter the first group of brown monkeys.

Soft-fur monkeys sit in a group and wait for handouts from tourists

Further along the trail visitors come across another group of monkeys that are two-toned in colour. Many of these primates are young mothers with babies suckling at their breasts. The tour guide is very knowledgeable and keeps the guests well informed about the personal characteristics of each group.

Taking photos with the monkeys playing on the tree branches

In the home of the third group of monkeys, visitors can interact with the animals. With this group, tourists can hold hands with the monkeys or feed and play with them while some members of the clan inquisitively look on from tree branches.

Visiting Monkey Island by boat.

After touring the island, visitors can purchase some refreshments and sit back under some shade trees before heading on to the monkey circus. Here the trained primates play catch, husk rice, pound rice, stand on their hands and do gymnastics. One old male pedals a cyclo that carries a pretty little female monkey, dressed in a skirt, in the front.

The monkeys are friendly with tourists.

Monkey Island offers some peaceful beaches where visitors can lay back or go for a trip in the tranquil sea. At present, apart from bringing into full play the potential of the sea and forests, managers of the Monkey Island are implementing positive measures to protect and multiply the monkeys under the international law on bio-diversity.

Watching monkeys’ performance.