Con Dao National Park in 2026: Turtle Nesting Permits, Hiking Trails, and Transport

Direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao Airport take approx. 45 minutes, and this is the only air access to the island group — no international flights serve Con Dao directly. For the December–March dry trekking season, seats on domestic carriers sell out weeks ahead, so book flights as soon as your dates are firm. All international visitors must route through Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat) to reach Con Dao by air.

The sea alternative is a fast ferry from Soc Trang on the mainland to Con Son. This trip is considerably longer than the flight and is notably less reliable during the September–November typhoon months, when rough seas can cancel departures with little notice. If you choose the ferry, check the operator’s schedule close to your travel date and build in a buffer day before any park activities. Standard Vietnam visa rules apply for international visitors, so confirm your e-visa validity before booking any transport — many travellers have been caught out by expiry dates that fall within the trip window.

Con Dao National Park covers 14 islands, but almost all visitors stay on Con Son, the largest island and the practical base for reaching trailheads and boat piers. From Con Son, you can hire a motorbike or taxi to the Nam Duong–Cow’s Neck–Dam Tre trailhead, arrange boat transfers to Bay Canh or Lo Voi beaches for turtle watching, or join guided group tours that depart from the town. There is no need to island-hop for most hiking; the main trail network and ranger stations are all reachable from Con Son.

For 2026, arrange your arrival during daylight hours — the airport and ferry terminal are small, and onward transport to accommodation is easiest before dark. If travelling during the dry trekking season, combine an early flight with a first-night stay on Con Son, then start hiking the next morning fresh.

Turtle nesting on Bay Canh and Lo Voi beaches runs May–October, with peak activity June–August, while the dry trekking window for the Nam Duong–Cow's Neck–Dam Tre trail and So Ray peak is December–March. These two windows do not overlap, so a single trip requires choosing one season or the other. If you fly from Ho Chi Minh City (approx. 45 minutes) or take the fast ferry from Soc Trang, check which season you are landing in before booking anything else.

For turtle watching, target June–August. Rangers lead nightly visits on Bay Canh or Lo Voi beaches, and independent access is not allowed; you need a park permit and a ranger escort. A 2025 park entry fee of around 60,000–100,000 VND is likely to change for 2026, so confirm on the official Con Dao National Park site before you go. This is the humid, hot part of the year, and the same trails that are pleasant in dry season turn muddy and leech-prone.

Trekkers should plan for December–March. That is when the Nam Duong–Cow's Neck–Dam Tre trail and the climb to So Ray peak are driest and coolest. You will not see nesting turtles in these months; the season is over. If your goal is both, you either split the trip across seasons or accept missing one activity. Guided group tours can be booked through park headquarters or reputable operators, and they often fill weeks ahead for June–August turtle watches.

September–November is typhoon season and the least reliable period for ferry crossings, boat transfers, and any outdoor plan. Even outside a named storm, rain can close trails and cancel turtle watches. Ferry cancellations are common in this stretch, and flights, while more reliable, can still be delayed. Monitor weather forecasts closely if you try to squeeze a visit into the shoulder months.

Nightly turtle-watching on Bay Canh or Lo Voi beaches in Con Dao National Park is not a walk-in activity: every visitor needs a permit and an assigned park ranger, and independent access is prohibited. The season runs May–October, with peak activity June–August, and the park manages nightly visitor numbers closely. You cannot simply arrive at the beach after dark; the ranger controls when and where you stand, sit, and move, and the permit is tied to a specific date and beach.

Book through Con Dao National Park headquarters or a reputable tour operator. Group tours are the standard format, and solo or private access is rarely arranged except for researchers or film crews. Expect to pay the park entry fee (around 60,000–100,000 VND, based on 2025 rates) plus a separate boat transfer and guide fee. In 2026, permit caps may change because of new marine protected area rules, so confirm the current daily limit and booking window before you plan flights. Peak June–August spots sell out weeks in advance; if you want a Friday or Saturday night, reserve as early as possible.

On the beach, the rules are strict: never touch turtles, never photograph with a flash, and follow ranger instructions on where to walk and how much light to use. Red-filter torches are usually the only permitted light source, and even that is ranger-controlled. Rangers will also stop a nesting turtle from being disturbed by your group's size or position; do not argue if they move you back.

Wear dark clothing, avoid bright lights and phone screens while waiting on the beach, and keep voice levels low. Insect repellent is essential, as sand flies and mosquitoes are active after dark. If a turtle aborts nesting because of disturbance, the ranger will end the watch immediately—so treat every visit as a privilege, not a photo opportunity.

Con Dao National Park's 14 islands have their most reliable hiking weather from December–March, when the dry trekking season keeps trails less muddy and leech activity lower. The two main route options split between lowland rainforest and a coastal peak. The Nam Duong–Cow's Neck–Dam Tre trail is the main rainforest route and requires reasonable fitness. It follows ridgelines and stream crossings through dense forest before ending at Dam Tre bay. So Ray peak is the climb for elevated views; check its current closure status after 2025 cyclone activity before setting out, because sections of the access path were damaged and the park had not confirmed repairs for all segments as of early 2026.

Sturdy footwear and leech repellent are essential, especially outside the December–March dry season. Even in dry months, shaded gully sections stay damp enough for leeches after rain, and limestone surfaces are rough on soft soles. Day hikes may be self-guided, but confirm current trail access rules with the park office in 2026, because some connector paths have been closed after cyclone damage and the park has not issued a complete updated trail map for all routes.

Start early to finish before dark; boat or taxi transfers to trailheads should be arranged in advance. The Nam Duong trailhead is easiest to reach by taxi from Con Son town, while Dam Tre bay requires either a waiting vehicle or a booked boat for the return. For So Ray, an early start matters more because afternoon cloud often rolls in and reduces the summit view. Carry enough water and a headlamp even if you plan to finish by late afternoon, and tell your accommodation or the park office your intended route and return time.

A 2025 ticket to Con Dao National Park cost around 60,000–100,000 VND, and that fee bought entry to trails and beaches — nothing more. The 60,000–100,000 VND range applied in 2025; do not assume it carries into 2026. Park management has not yet published a confirmed 2026 rate, so check the official Con Dao National Park website (condaopark.com.vn/en) before budgeting. Self-guided hikers on routes like the Nam Duong–Cow's Neck–Dam Tre trail or the climb to So Ray peak may not face any cost beyond this entry fee, but verify current trail access first.

Turtle watching is a different line item. Reaching Bay Canh or Lo Voi beaches requires a boat transfer from the main island, and that cost is separate from the park entry fee. Operators quote this per person or per boat depending on group size, and prices vary by season. On top of the boat, you must hire a park ranger or guide for the nightly turtle-watching session; independent access to nesting beaches is not allowed. Expect the guide fee to be additional to both the entry ticket and the boat.

No fixed all-in price was published for 2026 as of this writing. The park office and tour operators in Con Dao town can provide itemized quotes in VND, and you should ask for a breakdown before committing. Ask for quotes in VND rather than USD to avoid conversion surprises. Pay attention to what is included, such as entry, boat, guide, and any permit paperwork or headlamp fees.

Carry cash in Vietnamese dong for park fees and local payments. Card terminals at the park office are not guaranteed, and smaller operators often prefer cash. ATMs exist in Con Dao town, but the national park's ticket counter may not accept cards, so withdraw enough VND in advance.

Apply a DEET-based insect repellent to your ankles and shoes before you step onto the Nam Duong–Cow's Neck–Dam Tre trail, not halfway through when the first leech appears. Forest sections of Con Dao National Park stay humid well outside the December–March dry season, and leeches are common after rain. Carry a small bottle in your daypack and reapply every few hours.

Sturdy footwear is non-negotiable on Con Dao's trails. The Nam Duong–Cow's Neck–Dam Tre route and the climb to So Ray peak include loose rock, roots, and stream crossings that remain muddy outside the December–March dry season. Closed-toe hiking shoes or boots with good tread prevent slips; sandals are a poor choice. If you plan to hike between April and November, expect wet conditions even on sunny days.

Avoid ferry crossings and any overnight outdoor plans during September–November typhoon season. Flights from Ho Chi Minh City take approximately 45 minutes, but ferry services from Soc Trang can be cancelled with little notice, especially during the September–November typhoon season.