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Peak Season in Full Swing – March to September
Calm seas · 10–15m visibility · Daily boat dives operating · Limited to 8 divers per trip
Book Your Dive Now – booking@divecondao.com
Check available via Whatsapp: +84 975 947 685
Con Dao is one of Vietnam’s last truly untouched dive destinations, a protected archipelago of 16 islands where sea turtles return to nest and reefs are shared with fewer than a dozen divers at a time.
Con Dao Dive Center has been operating since 2013. Small groups, certified PADI instructors, and honest advice about conditions. That’s it.
Whether you’re a certified diver or looking for your next underwater experience, we have an offer for you.
| Season | Months | Weather & Seas | Visibility | Water Temp | Experience | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Season | Mar – Sep | Sunny, generally calm seas | 15 – 30m | 28–30°C |
|
Excellent |
| Low Season | Oct – Feb | Windy, rough seas | 5 – 15m | 27–29°C |
|
Limited / Variable |
Danny Coldrey, co-owner of Con Dao Dive Center, is based in Phu Quoc during this period while continuing diving activities there.
Joy – one of our instructors – remains based in Con Dao. He has a deep love for the island and a strong passion for responsible diving. He is highly rated by Con Dao Dive Center guests for his professionalism and extensive knowledge.
This allows us to stay flexible and continue supporting divers across different locations in Vietnam.
Flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Con Dao, operated by VASCO, a Vietnam Airlines subsidiary, are occasionally cancelled, especially during poor weather. Here is what we recommend.
Check in online via vietnamairlines.com as soon as check-in opens, usually 24 hours before departure. If online check-in is unavailable, it may mean the flight has been rescheduled or cancelled. Contact the airline directly if in doubt.
If a cancellation affects your booked diving days with us, please get in touch and we will reschedule with no penalty. We are happy to support you based on our local experience.
Con Dao is one of Vietnam’s premier scuba diving destinations. Located approximately 230 km south of Ho Chi Minh City, this protected archipelago of 16 islands is home to Con Dao National Park, established in 1993. The surrounding waters are home to more than 400 coral species and provide important nesting grounds for sea turtles, supporting a rich diversity of marine life. During the main diving season, underwater visibility often reaches around 20 to 25 metres, making Con Dao a remarkable destination for scuba diving and snorkeling in Vietnam.
Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) are among the sea turtle species found in the waters around Con Dao. The species is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Large schools are regularly encountered around offshore reefs, particularly near Hon Tre Lon.
Frequently seen around reef cleaning stations and shallow coral reefs.
Occasionally found resting beneath coral ledges and rocky crevices during daytime dives.
Con Dao’s main diving season runs from March to September, when sea conditions are generally more favourable for scuba diving, snorkeling and other ocean activities. Our team monitors wind and sea forecasts up to 7–10 days ahead through our Wind Forecast page to help visitors plan their diving trips. Actual underwater visibility is assessed closer to each trip, and all boat departures are subject to weather, sea conditions and Harbour Authority clearance.
Peak Season (March–September) generally brings sunnier skies and calmer seas, with water temperatures around 28–30°C. Under favourable conditions, underwater visibility can exceed 20 metres, although it varies throughout the season. This is generally the best time for diving, snorkeling and beach activities. From May to October, it also overlaps with Con Dao’s sea turtle nesting season.
Low Season (October–February) brings windier, rougher conditions. Visibility is generally lower, sometimes around 5–15 metres, while water temperatures cool slightly to 27–29°C. Our dive centre closes for the low season, although Con Dao remains a quieter destination for exploring the island’s historical sites and natural attractions.
Our dive trips regularly visit three main islands within Con Dao National Park: Hon Cau, Hon Bay Canh and Hon Tai. Each offers a different underwater experience, from shallow coral gardens and macro life to turtle habitats and fish-rich reefs.
Hon Cau – Shark Fin Dive Site
Hon Cau is a 20–30-minute speedboat ride from the harbour and is known for Co Van Temple. Its main dive site, Shark Fin, features shallow branching coral reefs at 2–8 metres, with nudibranchs and diverse hard corals. Divers may encounter giant barracuda, trevally, bamboo sharks and sea turtles. Visibility can exceed 20 metres under favourable conditions, making Shark Fin a rewarding dive site in Con Dao.
Hon Bay Canh – Horseshoe Dive Site
Located 10–15 minutes from the harbour, Hon Bay Canh is an important sea turtle nesting area, with nesting activity generally occurring from May to October. The Horseshoe dive site features branching and table corals, shallow snorkeling areas and deeper sections reaching 18–25 metres, offering different diving experiences depending on conditions and certification level.
Our Turtle Experience Tour also offers an overnight island experience hosted by Kallee Thu Huong, with opportunities to observe sea turtle nesting activity during the season.
Hon Tai (Lucky Island)
Just 5–10 minutes from the harbour, Hon Tai is known for its diverse marine life and relatively low tourist traffic. Divers may encounter batfish, giant pufferfish, barracuda, snappers, parrotfish and nudibranchs at depths around 10–15 metres. Visibility can occasionally drop to 4–5 metres, and currents may be strong. When conditions allow, Hon Tai also offers opportunities for drift diving in Con Dao.
Our team selects dive sites daily based on wind, currents, visibility, diver experience and group size, with safety always the priority.
From your first underwater experience to certified scuba diving, PADI courses and marine wildlife adventures, Con Dao Dive Center offers a range of experiences for every level of ocean explorer.
Explore Con Dao’s underwater world with guided scuba diving or snorkeling trips to sites selected according to daily sea conditions.
Curious about scuba diving but not ready for a full course? Try scuba diving in Con Dao, Vietnam, with Con Dao Dive Center. Our Try Dive and Discover experiences are guided by certified PADI professionals, giving beginners a safe and relaxed introduction to the underwater world.
With peaceful surroundings and clear waters, Con Dao is a great place to experience scuba diving for the first time before deciding whether to pursue a PADI course.
For more information and pricing on multiple dive trip packages and private speedboat trips please contact us.
We offer discounts for multiple dives, group bookings and our students. Contact us for more details on discounts and pricing.
*all prices include 10% tax and all marine park fees.
Con Dao Dive Center offers PADI diving courses in Con Dao, Vietnam, following internationally recognized training standards. From the PADI Open Water Diver course to professional-level training, students learn in uncrowded waters with good visibility and minimal boat traffic.
With small groups of no more than four students per instructor, we provide personalized guidance focused on safety, confidence, and marine conservation.
Since 2013, Con Dao Dive Center has been helping divers explore the protected waters of Con Dao through small-group scuba diving, professional PADI training and honest local guidance. Safety, personal attention and responsible diving are at the heart of everything we do.
Professional PADI training and guided scuba diving for beginners and certified divers, backed by over a decade of local experience.
Based on Con Dao Island since 2013, our team brings first-hand knowledge of local dive sites, seasonal conditions and marine life to every trip.
Recognised with the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award in 2024, 2025 and 2026, reflecting consistently positive guest experiences.
We keep our dive groups small, with a maximum of 8 divers per trip, allowing for more personal guidance, individual attention and a relaxed diving experience.
We assess wind, sea conditions and visibility before every trip. When conditions are unsuitable, we adjust dive plans, recommend alternative sites or communicate any schedule changes directly through our booking channels or WhatsApp.
Con Dao’s remote location makes running a dive centre more costly than in many other parts of Vietnam. Most supplies, from diving equipment and spare parts to fuel and food, must be transported from the mainland by cargo boats. Living costs and rental prices are also relatively high due to the island’s limited resources and remote location.
Our prices reflect the cost of operating in this remote destination and the privilege of exploring its pristine marine environment.
We don’t offer hotel pick-up because the town in Con Dao is very small. The Tourist Pier is 15-20 minutes from most hotels.
Round trip transfer for:
– Six Senses can be arranged with an extra fee of 400,000VND for a 4 seater and 800,000VND for a 16 seater.
– Poulo Condor or Orsen can be arranged with an extra fee of 600,000VND for a 4 seater and 1,000,000VND for a 16 seater.
The meeting point is at the Tourist Pier in Con Dao. For the exact location and meeting time, please check our Meeting Point Guide
Lunch is not included in the trip as our trip only takes half a day. We do have refreshment onboard (fruits, chocolate, snacks, drinking water).
We can offer Shore Dive and Night Dive.
Beyond diving, join our Turtle Laying Eggs Adventure to discover sea turtle conservation in Con Dao, or enjoy a Private Snorkeling Tour designed for families and couples seeking a more personal, relaxed way to explore the island’s marine life.
Booking Office: 25 Tran Phu Street, Zone 6, Con Dao Special Zone, Ho Chi Minh City 
WhatsApp / Zalo: +84 975 947 685
Email: booking@divecondao.com
Working Hours: 04:00 PM – 7:00 PM2026 © Con Dao Dive Center – a leading Vietnam diving center since 2013,
offering PADI courses, scuba diving, snorkeling and freediving with expert international instructors.
