Best time to visit Con Dao – hell on earth and things to do

The period from November to April, which is the dry season in Vietnam, is considered the ideal time to visit Con Dao Island as it offers cool and dry weather, which allows visitors more enjoyable adventures. Above all, the dry season is particularly conducive to the practice of outdoor activities such as snorkeling, diving and trekking.

This guide will give you all the details you need to plan your vacation to this archipelago, including activities to do and helpful advice on the weather in Con Dao each month.

The climate in Con Dao and the best time to go

Con Dao experiences a tropical monsoon climate, characterized by consistently high temperatures and humidity throughout the year, with two clearly defined seasons: the dry season and the rainy season.

This island is best visited during the dry season thanks to the mild and pleasant weather with typical temperatures ranging from 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F). Humidity is also reduced during this time, making it more pleasant to visit the island and engage in outdoor activities.

From March to July, temperature and humidity begin to increase, leading to occasional rain and thunderstorms. The average temperature during this period ranges from 28°C to 33°C (82°F to 91°F), with higher humidity levels.

The months of August to October are the rainy season in Con Dao. This time of year is characterized by frequent heavy rain and harsh ocean conditions, which could disrupt activities such as diving and boat tours. The average temperature during this time generally ranges between 25°C and 30°C (or 77°F and 86°F).

Keep in mind that the weather in Con Dao can be unpredictable and even during the dry season, there may be occasional precipitation. Visitors need to consider the typhoon season, which occurs from June to November and can bring powerful winds and intense rain.

Besides these climatic seasons, there are also distinct tourist seasons.

Generally, the high season extends from November to April, which coincides with the dry season. However, the period between December and February marks the peak of tourism in Con Dao. Since this is the peak season on the island, tourists should expect high rates for accommodation and transportation during this time.

The low season begins from May to October, which corresponds to the rainy season. Meanwhile, Con Dao Island is experiencing a decline in tourist numbers, resulting in lower accommodation and leisure rates than in peak season.

Agriculture does not occupy a dominant place on Con Dao, so there are no specific harvest seasons on the island. Nonetheless, seafood is a major industry in Con Dao, allowing visitors to enjoy fresh seafood all year round.

Keep in mind that Con Dao is a relatively small and remote island, which means it doesn't experience the same seasonal variations as Vietnam's larger cities. Tourists should expect a relatively stable level of activity and tourism throughout the year, but some activities and attractions may be affected by the weather.

The climate in Con Dao by month

January

January is a good opportunity to explore Con Dao. The average daytime temperature hovers around 27°C (81°F), while nights cool down to around 23°C (73°F). Although it is one of the driest months in Con Dao, there may be some rainfall, estimated at 70mm over the whole of January. This means that water activities may be affected intermittently. However, these showers are generally brief and quickly followed by sunny weather.

Although some activities may be prohibited due to rough sea conditions, Con Dao offers a range of activities, making it an attractive destination for visitors.

February

February is considered one of the best times to visit Con Dao in terms of weather. The month falls during the dry season and generally experiences warm, sunny weather with low humidity.

The average temperature in February ranges from 23°C to 30°C (73°F to 86°F), providing comfortable conditions for outdoor activities. Although there may be occasional rain showers, they are generally short-lived and do not have a significant impact on travel plans.

March

In March, Con Dao enjoys warm and sunny weather. The average temperature in Con Dao in March ranges from 23°C to 31°C (73°F to 88°F), with low humidity and plenty of sunshine. There is very little precipitation during this month, making it an excellent time for outdoor activities such as hiking, snorkeling, and relaxing on the beach.

April

In Con Dao, the average temperature in April is around 28°C (82°F), with highs of 32°C (90°F) and lows of 24°C (75°F). Humidity is low, averaging 70%. This month's average precipitation is only 35 mm throughout the month.

May

May falls during the rainy season in Con Dao, so the weather can be quite rainy and humid.

In May, the temperature generally ranges from 25°C (77°F) to 31°C (88°F), with high humidity levels. The average rainfall in Con Dao in May is around 150 mm, with occasional heavy rain and thunderstorms. However, the rains are scattered and short-lived, with clear spells in between.

Sunny and dry days are still possible, but visitors should be prepared for some rain and plan accordingly.

June

In June, you can expect hot, humid weather with occasional heavy rainfall. The average temperature is around 29°C (84°F), with high humidity levels. Rainfall can be unpredictable, but on average there are around 11 rainy days in June, with a total monthly rainfall of around 170mm.

July

July is one of the months with the highest humidity with a high chance of heavy rain and thunderstorms. The average temperature during this month is around 28°C -29°C (82°F-84°F).

If you are planning a trip to Con Dao in July, be prepared for frequent rain and possible disruptions to your travel plans due to weather conditions.

August

The average temperature in August is around 28°C-29°C (82°F-84°F) and humidity is high. Visitors can expect frequent rain and thunderstorms during this month, so they should plan accordingly.

However, there are still some sunny days and the island's lush greenery is particularly beautiful at this time of year.

September

In September, temperatures in Con Dao generally range from 25°C to 31°C (77°F to 88°F), with high humidity and average precipitation of around 290 mm. You should expect occasional thunderstorms, cloudy skies and rough seas during this time.

Although there may still be sunny days, it is advisable to pack rain gear and check the weather forecast regularly if you are planning a trip to Con Dao in September.

October

October is generally a suitable month to visit Con Dao Island, as the rainy season begins to come to an end, with an average rainfall of around 90 mm. Temperatures generally range between 24°C and 30°C (75°F and 86°F), with lower humidity and occasional breezes.

You can expect mostly sunny days with scattered clouds, making it the perfect time to enjoy outdoor activities on the island, like walking on the beach, hiking, and diving. However, it's always a good idea to check the weather forecast before planning your activities.

November

Generally, November is a good time to visit Con Dao due to pleasant weather conditions as the dry season begins.

The average temperature ranges from 23°C to 29°C (73°F to 84°F), with lower humidity than summer months and low chances of rain.

Sea conditions are generally calm, making it an ideal time for water activities such as diving and snorkeling. 

December

In December, Con Dao experiences pleasant weather with mild temperatures ranging from 23°C (73°F) to 29°C (84°F), suitable for outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming and snorkeling. 

The sea is calm with gentle winds, making it an excellent time for water sports.

What to do on Con Dao Island

Here are the best things to do on Con Dao Island:

Explore Con Dao National Park

Con Dao National Park encompasses more than 80% of the island and is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including rare species such as the Con Dao black squirrel and hawksbill turtle. To explore the park, visitors can follow the hiking trails on their own or book a guided tour to learn about its history and biodiversity.

You can take short hikes to caves, some beaches or ancient trees. But the most interesting route remains the road which leads to the top of the park. On a clear day, you can enjoy panoramic views of the beautiful island here.

Go snorkeling or diving

Although the seas can be rougher in January, the clearer waters allow excellent visibility for snorkeling and diving. Con Dao is among Vietnam's largest diving destinations, with a diverse marine ecology of over 1,300 species of marine life, including coral reefs, colorful fish and even sea turtles.

Visit the Con Dao Museum

Con Dao has a notorious past as a former prison island, even nicknamed hell on earth. The Con Dao Prison Museum will give you an understanding of this horrible era. By displaying the artifacts, the museum highlights the harsh conditions and human rights violations that took place at the prison during the French and American colonial eras.

Relax on the beaches

Despite the rougher seas, the beaches of Con Dao remain a pleasant place to relax and enjoy the sun. Thanks to golden sand and crystal clear waves, Dam Trau and Dat Doc beaches are excellent choices.

The most beautiful beach on Con Son Island, the main island of Con Dao, Dat Doc Beach is made up of a kilometer-long crescent of light sand, surrounded by green hills.

Dam Trau Beach is the second most beautiful beach on the island. Soft sand and clear water spread widely, with green rocky hills on either side.

Loi Voi Beach is a wide sand and pebble beach with plenty of shells and shade.

An Hai Beach, south of Con Son Town, is beautiful. However, there are a large number of fishing boats nearby.

>> Read more: Top 10 dream beaches in Vietnam

Moving from island to island

A boat trip is a wonderful opportunity to explore the neighboring islands and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Con Dao. Visitors can explore adjacent islands such as Bay Canh Island, where they can encounter the rare dugong, and Hon Tre Island, which has an exquisite lighthouse and coral reef.

>> Read more: Top 10 most beautiful islands of Vietnam

Observe sea turtles

The remote islands of Con Dao are home to Vietnam's largest population of sea turtles and are home to many protected nesting sites. Every year, these sea turtles travel from the Philippines to Con Dao to breed. Once arriving at Con Dao, female turtles lay around 100 eggs at a time. The Con Dao turtle nesting season runs from May to October and peaks from June to September.

The most popular islands for turtle watching are Bay Canh Island, Tre Lon Island, Cau Island and Tai Island. Bay Canh Island, the large island directly opposite Con Son Island, is the most popular island. If you want to see sea turtles nesting in Con Dao, you should join a turtle tour, organized by the Con Dao National Park Office.

Visit the prisons of Con Dao

One of the must-sees in Con Dao is to visit the old prisons. These prisons were built during the French colonial period and were also used during the Vietnam War to brutally detain and torture political prisoners.

Phu Hai Camp is the largest and oldest on Con Dao island, built in 1862 by the French colonialists. Beyond the cells, common detention rooms, other buildings such as the hairdressing salon, the canteen, the kitchen, the chapel, the stock, the courtyard and the garden were installed to avoid the attention of the Associations of Human Rights. Upon arriving at Phu Hai Prison Center, you can visit room 6, where the highest number of deaths occurred.

The notorious cells, known as "tiger cages", were built by the French in 1940 to imprison nearly 2,000 political prisoners, particularly dangerous revolutionaries. There are 120 rooms where guards could push prisoners around like tigers in a Victorian zoo. You can visit these tiger cages built by the French at Phu Tuong Camp.

Phu Binh Prison, built by the Americans in 1971, is made up of “tiger cages”. This is the most horrible area, each cell is only 5m2 where the hygiene and living conditions were terrible, which caused deaths due to torture, epidemics, diseases and infections.

Con Dao travel tips

Are you planning to visit Con Dao? Consider the following travel tips:

- Do not overload your luggage. Pack light, breathable clothing. If you want to explore places at higher altitudes, a light jacket or sweater is advisable. Insect repellent and mosquito repellent are essential, especially during the rainy season. And don't forget your sunscreen.

- Water activities may be canceled due to rough seas, check with your operator or hotel before booking.

- Since Con Dao is a popular travel destination, book your accommodation in advance to ensure availability.

- Please respect the island's natural landscape and environment by properly disposing of waste and avoiding any activities that may harm wildlife or the ecosystem.

- Be aware of local cultural customs and dress modestly when visiting temples and other religious or historical sites.

- If your trip to Con Dao takes place during the rainy season, it is best to pack waterproof clothing, umbrellas and waterproof bags for electronics and valuables.

- Although the waters around Con Dao are generally safe for snorkeling and diving, be aware of potential dangers such as strong currents and jellyfish. It is recommended to book with a reputable tour operator and follow safety instructions.

- Don't forget to taste fresh seafood and local specialties during your visit to Con Dao. There are also other Vietnamese and international culinary options on the island. You can easily find them at night markets and local restaurants.

By knowing the weather and following these tips, you will surely have an enjoyable and memorable trip to Con Dao.

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