What is the best beach on Con Dao?

Dat Doc Beach is the main beach — a long arc of white sand 3km from Con Son town with calm swimming conditions April-October. For the most secluded experience, Ong Dung Bay on the north coast is completely undeveloped and often empty.

Can I see turtles on Con Dao beaches?

Bay Canh Island has the most important turtle nesting beach in Vietnam. Green sea turtles nest from July to October. The national park arranges guided night visits to observe nesting. Day visits for beach use are also allowed.

When is the best time to swim at Con Dao beaches?

April to October is the main beach season with calm conditions. The northeast monsoon (November-February) brings choppy conditions to east and south-facing beaches. West-facing Lo Voi Beach is more protected during the monsoon.

Con Dao Beaches | The Vietnam Guides

Con Dao’s beaches are less developed than Phu Quoc’s and more remote — the national park status means no beach commercial development outside designated areas. The tradeoff is that reaching the best beaches requires more effort.

Dat Doc Beach

The main beach, 3km from Con Son town and the site of Six Senses resort. A long arc of white sand on the south coast. Calm conditions from April–October, rougher November–February from the northeast monsoon.

The beach is accessible to non-guests at Six Senses — public access to the sand is maintained, though the resort’s sunlounger area is private. The beach extends past the resort in both directions.

Swimming: April–October is best. Water clarity is good — the reefs offshore contribute to cleaner water than more developed coastlines.

Lo Voi Beach

A bay on the west side of the island, accessible by motorbike (8km from town). Less visited than Dat Doc. No facilities — bring water. The bay is sheltered with a smaller beach and good snorkelling on the reef at the south headland.

Bay Canh Island

The most important turtle nesting beach in Vietnam. Located on a separate island 3km from Con Son — boat transfer required (₫150,000–300,000 / $6–12 return). The beach itself is beautiful — white sand and clear water — but visitors come primarily for the turtle watching (July–October), not as a beach destination.

Day visit: The national park allows day visits to Bay Canh for beach use. The turtle watches are separate, evening-only events.

Ong Dung Bay

A small bay on the north coast, accessible by boat or a 3km trail through the national park from the east coast road. White sand, completely undeveloped, and often empty. One of the better wild beaches on the island. Pack for a full day — there are no facilities.

Dam Tre Bay

A sheltered bay with a mangrove-lined coast. Not a swimming beach — the interest is the mangrove ecosystem and the flat, protected water for kayaking. Accessible by boat from town (₫100,000–200,000 / $4–8 each way).

Beach conditions by season

The northeast monsoon (November–February) affects the east-facing and south-facing beaches, bringing choppy conditions and occasional large swells. The west-facing beaches (Lo Voi) are more protected in this period.

April–October is the main beach season. July–September is peak for both beaches and turtle watching — but also the busiest visitor period.

Snorkelling and diving

Con Dao’s marine park protects coral reefs around the main island and several offshore islets. The water clarity is better than most Vietnamese coastal areas — visibility of 10–20m is common April–October.

Snorkelling: Possible at Lo Voi Beach (south headland reef), Bay Canh Island, and several other islets accessible by boat. Equipment hire from dive operators in Con Son town costs approximately ₫100,000–200,000 ($4–8) per day as of 2026.

Diving: Two-tank dives cost approximately ₫800,000–1,500,000 ($32–60) as of 2026. The dive sites include soft coral gardens, reef walls, and occasional sightings of reef sharks and rays. Dive Dive Dive and Con Dao Dive Center are the main operators in town.

Practical notes

Beach access: All beaches on Con Dao are free to access. Boat transfers to Bay Canh, Ong Dung, and other island beaches can be arranged through the national park office or accommodation. National park entry fees apply for trail access: approximately ₫60,000 ($2.40) per person as of 2026.

What to bring: Sunscreen, water, snacks, and a towel for any beach beyond Dat Doc. The remote beaches have no facilities. A dry bag is useful for boat transfers to island beaches.

Turtle watching: Night visits to Bay Canh for turtle nesting (July–October) are managed by the national park. Book through the national park office or your accommodation at least one day ahead. The experience is controlled — limited group sizes, no flash photography, and a park ranger guides the visit. Approximately ₫400,000–700,000 ($16–28) per person including boat transfer as of 2026.

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