The Best Time to Visit Con Dao: Weather, Diving & Turtle Guide (2025)
The Best Time to Visit Con Dao is generally from March to September. During these months, the ocean is calm, offering excellent visibility for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling. This is also the unique Turtle Nesting Season. From October to February, the island experiences the Northeast Monsoon, bringing strong winds and rough seas, which can limit water activities but is great for cool, relaxing getaways.
Unlike other tropical destinations in Vietnam, Con Dao has a distinct climate pattern dictated by the monsoons. Choosing the right time is crucial, as the weather directly impacts ferry schedules and diving conditions.
As local Amadive Instructors who dive these waters daily, we break down the seasons to help you plan the trip of a lifetime.
1. March to September: The Best time to visit Con Dao
This is undeniably the prime season for international tourists and divers.
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Weather: Sunny skies and extremely calm seas (flat as a lake). Although the rainy season starts in May, showers are typically short and refreshing tropical downpours, often followed by rainbows.
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Scuba Diving: This is the peak diving season. Underwater visibility can reach 20-30 meters. Water temperature is warm (28-30°C).
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Turtle Season (Unique!): Con Dao is the largest sea turtle nesting site in Vietnam. From June to September, you can witness Mother Turtles laying eggs at night and baby turtles hatching in the morning.
2. October to February: The Windy Season & Diving Closure
This is crucial information for all divers. During these months, Con Dao faces the full force of the Northeast Monsoon.
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Sea Conditions: Rough seas, strong currents, and big waves (Beaufort 6-7). Visibility drops significantly due to stirred-up sand.
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Diving Operations: CLOSED.
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Following our core value of “Safety First”, Amadive temporarily stops all diving activities in Con Dao during this period. We never compromise client safety by operating in dangerous conditions.
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Expert Recommendation: Don’t worry! While Con Dao is rough, Phu Quoc Island (in the Gulf of Thailand) enters its Best Season.
Oct – April: This is the Dry Season in Phu Quoc. The water is calm, flat, and perfect for Scuba Diving.
If you plan to dive during these months, please ask Amadive about our Phu Quoc Diving Packages.
- You can follow Weather infomation in https://windy.com/
3. Season Comparison Table
| Feature | Summer (Mar – Sept) | Windy Winter (Oct – Feb) |
| Weather | Calm Sea, Sunny | Rough Sea, Strong Winds |
| Con Dao Diving | OPEN (Excellent Conditions) | CLOSED (For Safety Reasons) |
| Alternative | Enjoy Con Dao | Go Diving in Phu Quoc |
| Turtle Season | Peak Season | Season Over |
| Transport | Stable | High risk of ferry cancellation |
FAQ
1. Why does Amadive stop diving from October to February?
Safety is our #1 priority. During the Northeast Monsoon, the sea conditions in Con Dao become hazardous with strong currents and near-zero visibility. It is unsafe for divers and offers a poor experience. We use this time for equipment maintenance.
2. Where is the best place to dive during this time?
Phu Quoc Island is the answer. It has the opposite climate to Con Dao. From October to April, Phu Quoc offers calm, warm water and beautiful coral reefs.
3. Is it rainy in July and August? Yes, this is the rainy season, but it rarely rains all day. Usually, there is a heavy shower for 30-60 minutes in the afternoon, and then the sun returns. The sea remains calm and perfect for diving.
4. When can I see baby turtles hatching? The best chance to see baby turtles being released into the sea is from July to October. This activity requires a permit from the National Park, which Amadive can help arrange via tour operators.
5. Does Amadive operate in the windy season (Dec-Jan)? Yes, we operate year-round. However, in the windy season, safety is our top priority. We check the weather daily. If the waves are too dangerous, we will cancel the trip and offer a full refund.