Con Dao has some of the healthiest coral reefs in Vietnam, much of it protected inside Con Dao National Park, and the water is warm all year. Visibility is better than on Phu Quoc but rarely crystal-clear, currents can be strong, and reef health varies from site to site; on a good day you will see hard corals, reef fish, giant clams and, with luck, a green turtle.
Coral is a living animal and breaks easily, and the turtles here are endangered, so do not stand on the reef, touch anything or chase the turtles. Leave only bubbles and take only pictures.
When to go
Con Dao’s calm season is the opposite of Phu Quoc’s. The dive centres on the island rate March to September as the best time: calmer seas and the best visibility, usually 10–15 metres. From October to February the north-east wind makes the sea rough, visibility drops to 5–15 metres, and boat trips are cancelled when the harbour closes. June to September is also the turtle nesting season — see our Con Dao sea turtles guide.
Beach (shore) snorkeling
Ong Dung Beach
Ong Dung Beach (Bai Ong Dung) on Con Son island is reached by a 20–30 minute walk through the national park (park ticket required; see our Con Dao hiking guide). The reef lies offshore, about 700 to 1,000 metres out. At low tide you have to wade through knee-deep water over rock and old coral before it is deep enough to swim, so bring reef shoes.
Some of the marine life you will find here includes clams, parrotfish, hard coral and crabs. The current can be strong at times, so take care. Visibility is not the best and the reef is moderately healthy.
Photo: le minh hoang, via Google Maps
Dam Trau Beach
Dam Trau Beach, next to Con Dao Airport, is the most-reviewed beach on Con Dao (4.3 on Google Maps from over 1,400 reviews) and has an offshore reef about 800 metres from the beach. As at Ong Dung, visibility is not the best and the current can be strong. The easiest way to reach the reef is to swim or wade along the banks and, once you reach the point, swim out about 100 metres. Dam Trau is where you have the best chance of spotting green turtles while snorkelling.
Photo: long vo, via Google Maps
Spots you need a boat for
Dam Tre Bay on Con Son Island
At the very north of Con Son island is Dam Tre Bay, ringed by mangroves, with plenty of coral in the bay. The national park runs a full-day trip there that combines a forest hike with a boat trip on the bay; otherwise you need to hire a boat.
Bo Dap Beach on Bay Canh Island
On the north side of Bay Canh island is Bo Dap Beach, with coral reefs about 100 to 200 metres from shore. Many people on the national park’s turtle tours land here and have a chance to snorkel.
Duong Beach on Bay Canh Island
On the western side of Bay Canh island is Duong Beach (Bai Duong). About 300 metres from shore there is a good snorkelling spot.
Bay Canh Lighthouse on Bay Canh Island
There is a shallow reef in front of the Bay Canh lighthouse with a large number of giant clams. At low tide in the morning, the clams are exposed and can be seen without snorkelling.
The offshore islands
There are many offshore snorkelling sites around the 16 Con Dao islands, best explored on a boat trip. The most popular are around Bay Canh island (Hon Bay Canh, “Seven Point Island”) and Hon Cau (Betel Island). Visibility is variable, but in good conditions these are some of the healthiest reefs in Vietnam.
Snorkelling trips
Prices as listed by the operators in October 2026:
- Con Dao National Park — Hon Trung (CDP 007): a half-day trip by speedboat to Hon Trung island to snorkel over the coral, with a park guide, the park fee, mask and snorkel, fruit and water included. 750,000–3,050,000 dong per person depending on group size.
- Con Dao National Park — Hon Ba (CDP 011): a half-day trip from Ben Dam port by boat to Hon Ba to snorkel and watch the sunset. 1,100,000–3,200,000 dong.
- Con Dao Dive Center (Tran Phu Street, 4.9 from 326 Google reviews) — snorkellers join the dive boat for 1,000,000 dong, including gear, the speedboat, snacks, tax and marine park fees. Also fun dives (3,600,000 dong for two) and Discover Scuba.
- Amadive (Nguyen Duc Thuan Street, 4.8 from 210) — a 4½-hour snorkelling tour for 1,000,000 dong.
Book the national park trips at its ticket office at 36 Ton Duc Thang Street in Con Son town or on +84 983 830 669. One visitor on a park snorkelling trip in 2026 saw a shipwreck and plenty of fish, but found much of the coral dead — ask which sites are in the best condition when you book.
Planning the trip: see our Con Dao travel guide, getting to Con Dao, and if you are visiting in the nesting season, our guide to Con Dao’s sea turtles.
Prices: national park and dive centre websites, October 2026. Ratings: Google Maps, October 2026.
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