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Diving Vietnam's Con Dao: From Fish Highway To Grouper's Grotto

One of just two Marine National Parks in Vietnam, Con Dao is an archipelago made up of 16 islands, which is located 180 kilometers off the mainland’s southeastern coast.  Until 1975, the island was a penal colony where prisoners were kept in horrific conditions and forced to make lime out of the coral.  Today, it is more famous for its biodiversity; there are more than 1,300 species of marine life inhabiting the area.  A population of endangered dugong lives here, along with resident hawksbill turtles and dolphins.  With more than twenty named dive sites and more being discovered, this is a wonderful place for divers of every level.  Here are just a handful of fabulous sites. 

Fish Highway - Con Dao Dive Sites

Fish highway is the wreck of a steel hulled fishing boat that is now home to some of the very fish she used to hunt for.  Sitting in 28 meters of water, and covered in a mantle of sponge and coral, the wreck is home to a diverse array of marine life.  Look for groupers, moray eels, butterfly and angel fish, and some large Moorish idols; and be careful of hidden stonefish and scorpionfish.  Fish Highway is a great site for intermediate divers, and perfect for photography. 

Hun Trung - Con Dao Dive Sites

A “must” site for experienced divers, Hun Trung is exposed to swift currents, thanks to its position at the northern edge of the main island group.  An excellent place to see dolphins and sharks, it is also great for spotting pelagics, including tuna, mackerel, and sleek barracuda out in the channel.  The walls are beautifully wreathed in soft coral and sea fans; and while maximum depth is 40 meters, the site is at its best at depths between about 15 and 20 meters.  During the summer, visibility can exceed 25 meters.  

Lighthouse Reef - Con Dao Dive Sites

Located just offshore from the lighthouse on the main island, Lighthouse Reef is a fantastic shallow site with maximum depth at just 15 minutes.  Here, sweetlips, butterfly fish, angelfish, Moorish idols and other reef species can be found in abundance, all swimming against a brilliant backdrop created by a lush reef where various species of hard and soft coral, sponges, and sea fans grow one on top of another. Look for nudibranchs and turtles as you enjoy a leisurely exploration. 

White Rock - Con Dao Dive Sites

Also known as Rocher Blanc, White Rock is only diveable when conditions are perfect.  Located out in open water, and played by swift currents most of the time, the site is suitable for experienced divers only.  Featuring fabulous soft coral, huge sea fans, and a wealth of colorful nudibranchs everywhere you look, along with countless tropical fish, and the occasional passing manta ray, it is a fantastic site for underwater videography.  

Hon Cau - Con Dao Dive Sites

The largest of Con Dao’s Far Islands, Hon Cau boasts some of the largest table corals many divers may have ever seen.  With fantastic shallow areas where newer divers and those looking for relaxation can explore to their hearts content, along with deeper sites where those with more experience can find shoaling barracuda and schooling triggerfish, this is a great site for photography.   

Sask Wall - Con Dao Dive Sites

A beautiful coral and sponge covered wall that drops down to meet a slope at 16 meters, followed by huge boulders and a field of sea fans, Sask Wall is a great place to find a variety of marine life large and small.  Look for schooling barracuda off the wall, and among the sea fans, keep an eye out for sea horses, nudibranchs, and all kinds of intriguing crustaceans.  Fantastic for photos, this site is ideal for all divers.  

Grouper’s Grotto - Con Dao Dive Sites

Actually the wreck of a large fishing trawler, Grouper’s Grotto sits in 35 meters of water.  While there are a few fish living in the wreck, including at least one enormous grouper, the boat itself is great for photography and fun to explore.  Watch for sharks and moray eels; and be careful of the lionfish and scorpionfish that can be found among the coral and sponge.  Due to depth, this site is suitable for experienced divers only. 

The best time to visit Con Dao is between May and August, although it is possible to dive here year round.  During December through March, the windy season brings rough weather, and from there, the rainy season takes over until about the middle of May.  Between August and October, Mekong rains return, decreasing visibility.  Accommodations here are basic, and the food is simple, yet local dive operators are well equipped.  Enjoy your stay, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to return time and again.  

Location:
  • Asia
  • Vietnam
Keywords: asia dive travel, vietnam dive travel, con dao dive travel, asia dive sites, vietnam dive sites, con dao dive sites, fish highway, hun trung, lighthouse reef, white rock, hon cau, sask wall, grouper's grotto Author: Related Tags: Travel Articles