DIVING IN COn Dao
With more than 25 dive sites to explore, Con Dao Dive Center has spent the past nine years diving across the islands and reefs of the Con Dao archipelago. This extensive local experience allows our team to recommend the most suitable Con Dao dive trips based on conditions during your stay.
Weather patterns and the time of year can influence which dive sites are visited. Some guests prefer a relaxed Con Dao day dive, while others plan multiple dives to experience a wider range of underwater environments. Our pricing remains the same for all islands, and we are always happy to advise on the best dive sites to visit throughout the year.
Most Con Dao dive trips feature depths of up to 21+ meters for certified divers, along with shallow reef areas ideal for snorkeling in Con Dao and beginners. We operate a daily two-dive trip, departing the harbour at 8:00 AM, with travel times ranging from 15 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes. For greater flexibility, we also offer multi-dive days and private speedboat trips, and can customize any fun dive experience to suit your preferences.
seasons
The high season for diving in Con Dao runs from March to September. During July, August, and September, the island experiences its rainy season; however, rainfall typically comes in short bursts, usually in the late afternoon or evening, and rarely affects daytime diving.
The low season from November to February can bring stronger winds, but with so many dive sites available, there is often a sheltered location suitable for safe and enjoyable diving. This seasonal variation is part of what makes diving in Vietnam such a diverse experience.
the dive sites
There are three main islands regularly visited on our Con Dao dive trips: Hon Cau, Hon Bay Canh, and Hon Tai. While all three feature healthy coral reefs and abundant marine life, each island offers its own unique underwater character.
Hon Cau:
The furthest of the three islands, Hon Cau is reached in 20–30 minutes by speedboat. The island is also known for the Co Van Temple, a popular pilgrimage site for Vietnamese visitors.
Underwater, Hon Cau features extensive shallow reefs with branching coral between 2–8 meters. The main dive site, Shark Fin, allows scuba dive Con Dao guests to explore shallow coral areas, nudibranch-rich zones, and structured hard coral gardens. Divers may encounter larger marine species such as giant barracuda, trevally, bamboo sharks, and sea turtles. Visibility here is often the best of all best dive sites in Con Dao, frequently exceeding 20 meters.
Hon Bay Canh:
Located 10–15 minutes from the harbour, Hon Bay Canh is the most important turtle nesting area in the archipelago. Turtles lay eggs here year-round, with the main nesting season from late May to October. The southern nesting beaches are protected by the marine park, and boat access is restricted.
Diving takes place on the northern side at the Horseshoe site, which offers shallow areas for snorkeling and deeper sections up to 18–25 meters for divers. Two distinct reef structures—branching coral on one side and table coral on the other—support a wide range of reef fish. Calm conditions and good visibility make this site ideal for beginners and those new to scuba diving Vietnam.
Hon Tai (lucky island):
Hon Tai is the closest island, just 5–10 minutes away, and is often the team’s favourite. With minimal tourist and fishing traffic, the reefs here remain highly productive, with noticeably higher fish density than surrounding sites.
Divers frequently encounter batfish, giant pufferfish, schools of barracuda, snappers, and parrotfish. Deeper areas between 10–15 meters are home to many species of nudibranch. Conditions at Hon Tai can change quickly, with visibility sometimes dropping to 4–5 meters and occasional strong currents—making it well suited for relaxed drift dives when conditions allow.
Each day’s dive plan is selected based on wind, currents, visibility, diver experience, and group size, ensuring safe, enjoyable, and well-balanced Con Dao dive trips, whether your focus is diving, snorkeling, or a combination of both.
The itinerary will be:
1/ We will meet you at 7.45AM at the TOURIST PIER https://maps.app.goo.gl/VzqssW88JDBpNCSN9
2/ Heading to the snorkeling/dive sites (2 different sites)
3/ Spend approximately 1 hour at each site
4/ Back to the tourist pier from 12.30pm-1.00pm
_Towel
_Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Hat
*Time in the schedule might change due to various reasons (weather/boat/…).
*We can also provide afternoon speedboat dive starts from 1:30pm to around 5:30pm.
**Lunch is not included in the trip as our trip only takes half a day. We do have refreshment onboard (fruits, chocolate, snack drinking water).
Please note that when diving in Con Dao, we highly recommend divers to be covered via insurance for diving, and emergency evacuation due to the remoteness of the island and limited medical facilities. If this is not already covered by your travel insurance policy, we recommend DAN (Divers Alert Network) for their cover.
Visit www.danasiapacific.org for more information.
Divers should not ascend to a high altitude within 12 hours of completing a single dive or 18 hours after doing multiple dives (whenever possible, wait 24 hours).
Prices
We offer Private trips, Multiple-day packages, 3-tank-dives, 4-tank-dives, Shore dives, Night dives.
We offer:
- 10% off for the 2nd day onward.
- 5% off for the 1st dive day for divers having own computer and regulators.
- 10% off for the 1st dive day for divers having own full gears: computer, regulators, bcd.
- Kids age 6 and below will snorkel for free and parents must take care of the kids.
* All prices include VAT tax and marine park fees.
2 FUN DIVES
For certified divers-
Scuba Diving Equipment
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Speedboat from the harbor
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Snack and drinking water
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Professional dive guides
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A complimentary buff (head-scarf)
Snorkeling
Join on the same boat with divers-
Full Snorkeling equipment
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Speedboat from the harbor
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Snack and drinking water
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Snorkeling guide (depends on availability)
Frequently Asked Questions
Till now, Con Dao is connected to mainland by flights and passenger boats. There is no Ferry. All equipments, spare parts, fuel, food… must be transported by cargo boats which is quite pricy.
Con Dao is well reserved which makes renting and food more expensive than main land and other islands.
Very few late night entertaining possibility also makes our staff bored (and therefore it’s kind of hard and expensive to recruit).
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.
We will meet you at 7.45AM at the TOURIST PIER https://maps.app.goo.gl/VzqssW88JDBpNCSN9
Our team will wear Con Dao Dive Center rash guards https://divecondao.com/shop-t-shirt/
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).
Do you have other trips?
We can offer Shore Dives and Night Dives.
You can consider to do Shore Dives.
Try Dive and Discover Scuba Diving
Ever wondered what it’s like to breath underwater? Thinking about becoming a diver, but not sure?
Con Dao is an ideal place to start! Peaceful, quiet and picturesque. No roaring jet skis to worry about or hordes of tourists – just a few lazy fishing boats heading out for their catch. Explore Vietnam’s underwater heritage in the country’s premier marine park. We offer introductory dive experiences and scuba dive beginner courses, with an experienced PADI professional. From try dives to certified open water divers, we have something start you on your underwater adventure.
BOOK NOW
Con Dao Dive Center
Booking Office: Tran Phu Street, Zone 2, Con Dao Island
Whatsapp/Zalo: +84 975 947 685
Email: booking@divecondao.com
Working Time: 07:30am to 8:30pm
We aim to reply to you within 24hrs of receiving your inquiry – if you have not had a reply please check your spam folder. If you still haven’t had a reply from us then please re-send or contact us via facebook or any of the contact numbers shown above.
