Nha Trang Shore Excursion from Cau Da Port — Ponagar Towers, Long Son Pagoda & Beach
Difficulty
easy
Duration
5–6 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most travelers with basic mobility; expect short walks, paved approaches, and one long stair climb to the White Buddha.
Overview
Step off at Cau Da Port and into six hours that track Nha Trang’s coastal life: Cham towers at Ponagar, the 24-meter White Buddha at Long Son Pagoda, the Stone Church’s viewpoints, and granite promontories that frame the sea. This shore excursion offers history, viewpoints, and a fresh seafood lunch all within a shore-friendly schedule.
Nha Trang Shore Excursion from Cau Da Port — Ponagar Towers, Long Son Pagoda & Beach
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You step off the tender at Cau Da Port and the sea greets you like a dare — warm, salty air pushing at your sunglasses, the channel of Nha Trang Bay glittering under bright light. The day unfurls as a sequence of high viewpoints and low, intimate moments: a Gothic stone church perched above the city, a hillside pagoda reached by 193 stone steps, the carved faces of 7th-century Cham towers, and granite promontories that look as if the ocean itself arranged them for drama.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Mind the steps to Long Son Pagoda
There are 193 steps to the White Buddha; take them slow, use handrails where present, and wear good grip shoes.
Sun and rain protection
Bring high-SPF sunscreen and a brimmed hat for sun, plus a lightweight rain jacket in the summer monsoon months.
Cash for small purchases
Bring small denominations of Vietnamese dong for souvenirs, extra snacks, or temple donations — many stalls are cash-only.
Respect religious sites
Dress modestly at Ponagar and Long Son (shoulders covered, no short shorts) and follow local customs when photographing worshippers.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Brown booby and other coastal seabirds
- Monitor lizards sunning on temple perimeters
History
Ponagar Towers date to the Cham kingdom (7th century) and reveal Hindu-influenced architecture; the Stone Church reflects French-colonial religious architecture built in 1928.
Conservation
Nha Trang’s coastline faces pressures from tourism and development; choose providers who limit waste and avoid feeding wildlife to reduce human impact.
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Adventure Hotspots in Nha Trang
Recommended Gear
Comfortable walking shoes
Sturdy, closed shoes handle temple steps, coastal pathways, and occasional slick stone.
Sun protection (hat & sunscreen)
Strong coastal sun and reflective water make high-SPF sunscreen and a hat essential.
summer specific
Light rain jacket
A packable rain layer helps during sudden showers, especially in the tropical shoulder seasons.
spring specific
Swimwear & quick-dry towel
If you plan to take a post-tour dip at the beach, lightweight swimwear and a towel speed a shore-side change.
summer specific