Green hills and bay on the Con Dao islands, Vietnam

Diving in Con Dao: Vietnam's wildest reefs

A remote archipelago and national park off the south coast, Con Dao has the quietest reefs in Vietnam – and a short season you need to plan around.

Photo: Lam Tr Th, CC BY-SA 3.0

By VietnamDiving.com editors · Updated

Con Dao is a remote archipelago off Vietnam’s south coast, much of it protected as a national park. Its reefs are far quieter than Nha Trang’s. The season runs roughly March to September; sources report visibility from about 15 m up to 20–30 m in good conditions. From October to February rough seas mean frequent cancellations.

Why dive Con Dao

  • Fewer boats and divers than the mainland dive towns.
  • Protected waters inside a national park.
  • A slower island stay – most visitors come for several days.

Plan around the season. Outside March–September, many trips don’t run. Build a flexible day into your plan and confirm conditions with the dive centre before you travel.

Getting there and staying

Con Dao is reached by short domestic flights or by boat from the mainland coast. Book accommodation early in the main season: there are far fewer rooms than in Nha Trang or Phu Quoc.

No time for Con Dao?

The easiest alternatives are Nha Trang on the central coast (same season) or Phu Quoc in winter.

Compare hotels on Con DaoLimited rooms in season – book early

Frequently asked questions

When can you dive in Con Dao?

Roughly March to September. From October to February the sea is rougher and dives are often cancelled.

Is Con Dao good for beginners?

It can be, but it suits divers with some experience best: the islands are remote and conditions vary more than in Nha Trang's sheltered bays.

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