Ferry and Small Boat Safety Checklist for Island Trips
You are boarding a boat with children or grandparents and want to know what to check first.
Before any island boat in Vietnam, check four things: life jackets in the right sizes, the weather and sea, the boat itself and your seats. Do it on the pier, in that order, in five minutes. If any answer is wrong, choose another sailing.
What do you check before you buy a ticket?
Ask four questions of the seller.
Is the boat covered? Are there life jackets for every passenger, including children’s sizes? What happens to the ticket if the sailing is cancelled for weather? Where exactly do we board?
A seller who answers clearly is a better sign than a low price.
What do you check at the pier?
- Life jackets: one for each person, in the right size. Put them on before the boat leaves, and fasten the straps.
- Sea and sky: look at the water. Rough water, a darkening sky or a warning from the crew means wait.
- The boat: stable on the water, uncrowded, with clear walkways and the exits not blocked by bags.
- Seats: a place for everyone to sit. Standing on deck in a crossing is a risk for children and the elderly.
Which weather days should you skip?
Vietnam is affected by 6 to 8 typhoons or tropical cyclones a year1. During a storm warning, rough water or heavy rain, skip the crossing and keep your plan flexible. A cancelled sailing costs time, not safety.
Our Ly Son sea conditions guide shows how to build spare days into an island trip.
What extra care do toddlers and seniors need?
For toddlers, keep them seated and within arm’s reach at all times. A baby carrier works better than a stroller on a pier. For seniors, ask about the height of the gangway and whether crew will help, and sit them near the middle of the boat.
Avoid long crossings with either group in rough weather. Read island access with seniors and small children for which islands are easy and which are hard.
What should you carry and save?
- Waterproof pouch for phones, passports and medication.
- Sun protection, water and a light layer for wind on deck.
- Seasickness remedies you have discussed with a pharmacist or doctor. See seasickness on Vietnam island boats.
- Emergency numbers saved on every phone.
In Vietnam, 115 is the ambulance or first-aid number2, and 114 is fire and rescue3. For Malaysian consular help, Wisma Putra lists +603-8000 80004.
Where to read next
Use our travel-day checker to see whether your boat day leaves room. More transport advice sits in Getting around Vietnam.
Tell us who is travelling and which island you have in mind, and we will mark the boat legs where extra care matters for children or older relatives.
Common questions
Should we wear life jackets on a Vietnam island boat?
Yes, for every passenger, and put them on before the boat leaves the pier. Check the size on each child, because an adult jacket can slip off a small body. If the boat has no jackets in your sizes, or the crew treats the request as strange, treat that as a reason to choose another operator.
How do I check the weather before boarding?
Look at the sky and the sea from the pier, ask the crew how the crossing is, and check a forecast the evening before. Cancel or delay if the water is rough or a storm warning is in place. Sailings are decided by the port and the operator, and a delay is better than a rough crossing.
Is it safe for toddlers and older relatives?
It can be, with preparation. Pick a covered boat, sit near the middle where movement is least, keep children seated and hold the rail on the pier steps. For seniors, ask about the height of the gangway and whether crew will help. Avoid the roughest weather.
Who do we call if something goes wrong?
In Vietnam, 115 is the ambulance and first-aid line and 114 is fire and rescue. Save both before you travel, and save your lodging's number too. Malaysians can also contact the consular line at Wisma Putra. Tell your travel insurer as soon as it is safe to do so.
Sources
- Vietnam is affected by 6 to 8 typhoons or tropical cyclones per year. Wikipedia
- Vietnam emergency number 115 is ambulance or first aid. Wikipedia
- Vietnam emergency number 114 is fire and rescue. Wikipedia
- Wisma Putra consular contact: +603-8000 8000, pro.ukk@kln.gov.my; after-hours duty officer +603 8887 4570, dutyofficer@kln.gov.my. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia
Keep planning
Tell us who is travelling and which island you have in mind, and we will mark the boat legs where extra care matters for children or older relatives.