Coconut Boat Ride on the Way to Hoi An!

I’ve tried the coconut boat ride before, but this time I skipped the "rocking" part. The "rocking" they talk about is when the boat spins wildly, like you see on TV. Since my health isn’t great these days, I decided to pass on that! Address: Cẩm Thanh, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam Known as Bay Mau Coconut Forest. Atmosphere/Facilities: Since it was June, the weather was extremely hot. However, the occasional shade and fans felt like an oasis. The coconut boats also have umbrellas, but my spouse and I came prepared with our own. June in Vietnam is like a heat endurance test... 😭 We used Grab through the Shilla Monogram. For some reason, it felt a bit farther than Hoi An. Anyway, we arrived at the entrance, opened our umbrellas, and checked our phones. Soon, someone from the place we booked came to meet us. They showed us their logo on their T-shirt to confirm they were from the company. Following them, we reached the dock within 100 meters. The facilities felt very local. When boarding the boat, someone offered their hand to help, but I missed it and almost fell. 😭 Make sure to hold their hand when getting on the boat! Key Highlights: 1. The tour lasts about 40–60 minutes. There are cool spots, but under the sun, it gets extremely hot. 🥵 2. There’s a spot where they take photos for you. They use a DSLR, and the location seems to vary by company. While they take photos, the rower often asks for your phone to take additional pictures for you. Afterward, they show you the DSLR photos on a monitor and let you select which ones you want. Each photo costs around 3,500 KRW. Unfortunately, there’s no discount for buying multiple photos. If you tip your rower a little, they’ll take more photos for you with your phone throughout the ride. (This depends on the rower.) Some rowers with high energy will sing songs like "What’s Wrong with My Age" or "Daehan Minguk" to entertain you and earn tips. It’s hard not to get caught up in the fun! 🇰🇷 3. Rocking the Boat Some rowers will rock the boat so intensely that it feels like your head might dip into the water. However, due to my musculoskeletal issues and medication, I skipped this part of the experience. 😵💫 4. Floating Karaoke In a wider area, you’ll find several floating karaoke spots. Some locals even sing Korean songs. In one spot, a lively lady danced and sang as part of the karaoke experience. All of this is connected to tipping. 💵 5. Tipping for Better Photos If you tip, they’ll take you to cooler spots and help you take better photos. I tipped $1 twice, totaling $2. For that, they took lots of photos, brought us to cooler areas, and even dressed us in life jackets for better-looking pictures. They also let us hold the oars for photos and encouraged us to rock the boat for fun shots. It’s a bit materialistic, but worth it! 💰💵 Average Cost per Person: Including tips, it’s about 6,000 KRW. If you add drinks or food like coconut juice, it’s an extra 2,000–5,000 KRW. Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ Despite the heat, the experience and colorful boats make for great photos. It’s especially enjoyable for older visitors! 😊