Giang Côn Đảo · a child of Côn Đảo, family on the island for three generations, many years working in island tourism, founder of Côn Của. Updated 22/10/2026.
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Getting ready to goRead tips on getting there, the best season, costs and itineraries Already in Côn ĐảoStop by the Côn Của stand at the Night Market gate and get your free Indian almond ice cream codeThe question I'm asked most every time a visitor messages: "Which month is best in Côn Đảo, Giang?". I grew up on the island in a fishing family, so I understand one thing: whether it's beautiful depends on what you're coming to the island for. Beach lovers choose differently, those coming to pay respects choose differently, and those wanting to release baby turtles choose differently again.
In this article I've gathered Côn Đảo's weather month by month, along with turtle season, festivals and the boats' fishing season. Where there are figures, I cite the source at the end of the article. Where sources still disagree, I say so plainly.
Quick answer: which months are best in Côn Đảo?
- March to September: the best tourist season in Côn Đảo for the sea. Calm waters, easy speedboat trips to the islands and coral snorkeling (according to VnExpress).
- March to April: the sweet spot if you hate rain. The sea is already calm and there's still very little rain.
- October to March of the following year: monsoon wind season, rough seas. Good for paying respects, visiting historic sites, eating, and enjoying a relaxed atmosphere.
Wind season and rainy season: two different things
A calm sea doesn't always mean dry weather. On the island there are two calendars overlapping.
Wind calendar: from March to September the sea is calm, and from October to March of the following year there are monsoon winds (according to VnExpress). When the monsoon winds pick up, the waves get big and boats to the islands often have to be postponed.
Rain calendar: Côn Đảo gets a lot of rain roughly from May to November and is dry from December to April (according to Vietnamese Wikipedia). Average climate data on English Wikipedia shows January to March get only about 11 to 13mm of rain each month, while October reaches about 350mm, the most of the year. These are multi-year averages; the exact measurement period is unverified, so treat it as just a general picture.
Put the two calendars together and you see: Côn Đảo's rainy season falls right in the middle of the calm sea season. From May to September the sea is still gentle, just with frequent showers. October, meanwhile, brings both the start of the monsoon winds and the most rain, making it the hardest month to go out to sea.
I filmed a few short clips so you can picture it more easily:
More vlogs on YouTube: Em Giang Côn Đảo · Giang Côn Đảo · Côn Của
Islander's tip: in the rainy season some days have just one shower, while other days the rain is heavy enough to flood the roads, like in the clip I filmed. So for island trips, allow an extra day and don't schedule them right before your flight home.
Côn Đảo's 12-month calendar
The table below combines the wind calendar (VnExpress), average rainfall (Wikipedia, rounded figures), turtle season and festivals. On a phone, swipe sideways to see all columns.
| Month | Beach | What to do | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monsoon winds, big waves | Pay respects at Hàng Dương, Võ Thị Sáu's death anniversary on January 23 (solar calendar), visit historic sites | Very little rain (about 13mm). Island tours are easily postponed. Around the anniversary, book tickets and rooms early |
| 2 | Monsoon winds | Historic sites, museum, night market, cafés | The driest month. Lunar New Year often falls in January or February, and tickets tend to get pricier |
| 3 | Change of season, the sea gradually calms | Beach swimming begins, start of the fishing season | Very little rain. If going early in the month, check the wave forecast |
| 4 | Calm sea, lots of sunshine | Swimming, island trips, coral snorkeling | Little rain (about 39mm). Harsh sun, bring sunscreen. Some sources count turtle season from this month |
| 5 | Calm sea | Beach, one-day sun-dried seafood, start of turtle season | Start of the rainy season (about 210mm). Hot and humid, sometimes up to 34°C |
| 6 | Calm sea | Beach, baby turtle release tours, end of the fishing season | More showers. Summer brings many family visitors |
| 7 | Calm sea | Baby turtle release tours, coral snorkeling | Rain about 300mm. Book tours early |
| 8 | Calm sea | Turtles, beach, island trips | Rain about 300mm, allow extra days |
| 9 | Sea still calm | End of the beach season; some years you can celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival on the island | Rain about 320mm. At the end of the month, check the wave forecast |
| 10 | Monsoon winds begin | Historic sites, food; some years the Mid-Autumn Festival falls early in the month | The rainiest month of the year (about 350mm). Island tours are often postponed |
| 11 | Monsoon winds | Paying respects, historic sites; some years the Bà Phi Yến Festival falls this month | Less rain (about 175mm). Some sources say turtle season lasts until this month |
| 12 | Monsoon winds | Bà Phi Yến Festival on the 17th-18th of the 10th lunar month, year-end holidays | Little rain (about 53mm). In 2025 the festival fell on 5-7/12 (solar calendar) |
This table helps you choose the month. For how to schedule each part of the day in whichever month you go, see the article 3-day 2-night Côn Đảo itinerary and What to do in Côn Đảo.
Turtle nesting season: sources still disagree
Turtle season is the second most common question from visitors, and the sources don't agree.
- IUCN volunteer announcements in 2018 and 2019 said mother turtles come ashore from May to October.
- IUCN announcements in 2022 and 2024 said from April to November.
- Nông nghiệp và Môi trường newspaper (19/03/2026) said the breeding season is April to November, peaking from May to September.
- Some travel sites simply say July to September.
So here's how I'd sum it up: around mid-year is when you're most likely to see them, while the start and end of the season vary by year. For the exact schedule, ask Côn Đảo National Park, or message me and I'll ask for you before you book tickets. We also run seasonal baby turtle release and coral snorkeling tours.
Islander's tip: the turtles belong to the sea; we're just guests. Follow the rangers' instructions, don't shine lights, and don't touch the mother turtles or the hatchlings.
Death anniversaries and festivals worth knowing
For islanders, these days are very sacred. If you visit at these times, dress modestly, walk gently and speak softly.
Death anniversary of Võ Thị Sáu, January 23 (solar calendar). Her grave is in Hàng Dương Cemetery, the resting place of more than 2,000 martyrs (according to VnExpress). In early 2025 I recorded her 74th death anniversary.
Bà Phi Yến Festival, 17th-18th of the 10th lunar month. The biggest festival of the year at Bà Temple (An Sơn Miếu). Because it follows the lunar calendar, the solar date differs every year, usually falling in late November or December. In 2025 the 240th festival took place from 5 to 7/12 (solar calendar) (according to Sài Gòn Giải Phóng newspaper). The solar date for 2026 is unverified; check a lunar calendar or ask me.
Mid-Autumn Festival, the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. Usually falls in September or early October (solar calendar). What the Mid-Autumn Festival is like on the island, I tell in the clip below.
I filmed a few short clips so you can picture it more easily:
More vlogs on YouTube: Em Giang Côn Đảo · Giang Côn Đảo · Côn Của
Fishing season for the boats: March to June
My family is in the fishing trade, so the calm sea season is our busiest time. From March to June the boats bring in plenty, the fish and squid are fresh, and it's the time to make good one-day sun-dried seafood. "Một nắng" means drying under one day's sun so the surface firms up without drying out completely; fried or grilled at home, the flesh is sweet.
At Côn Của, one-day sun-dried mackerel is 350.000đ/kg and one-day sun-dried squid is 650.000đ/kg (prices on the sales page as of 22/10/2026, may change with the season). See more in the section one-day sun-dried seafood, or the article Côn Đảo specialties to buy as gifts.
Choose the month by your travel style
If you love calm seas, swimming and island trips: choose March to September. If you hate rain, go for March or April. From May to September remember to bring a thin raincoat.
If you like quiet and want to travel light on the wallet: avoid Tết and summer, as tickets tend to get pricier in holiday seasons. The monsoon wind season usually has fewer visitors. How much room prices drop in the low season depends on the place; a general figure is still unverified for now.
Paying respects, learning about history: any month works. To attend a ceremony, aim for January 23 (solar calendar) or the 17th-18th of the 10th lunar month, and book tickets early. The prison relic complex is open 7:30 to 11:30 and 14:00 to 17:00 (according to VnExpress).
Love turtles and coral: aim for around mid-year, and check the schedule before fixing your flight dates.
Whichever month you go, stop by the Côn Của stand at the Côn Đảo Night Market gate, Phạm Văn Đồng Street, open 7:00 to 23:00. Rain or shine, there's a cup of Indian almond ice cream waiting for you. For general trip preparation, read independent Côn Đảo travel tips.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best month in Côn Đảo?
If you want swimming and island trips with little rain, March to April is best: the sea is already calm according to VnExpress, and average climate data shows these two months have very little rain. From May to September the sea is still calm but it's the rainy season, with frequent showers.
When is the rainy season in Côn Đảo, and should you go?
Côn Đảo's rainy season is roughly May to November, with the most rain in October. You can still go; many days only have showers, but allow extra time, bring a raincoat and follow the forecast before your trip.
Which month should I go to Côn Đảo to see turtles nesting and release baby turtles?
Sources currently disagree: May to October, April to November, and one article says the peak is May to September. You're most likely to see them around mid-year. For each year's exact schedule, ask Côn Đảo National Park or a tour operator before booking.
Can I visit Côn Đảo during the monsoon wind season?
Yes. From October to March of the following year the sea is rough and island tours are easily postponed, but paying respects at Hàng Dương, visiting historic sites and eating on the island are still good. This season includes Võ Thị Sáu's death anniversary on January 23 (solar calendar) and the Bà Phi Yến Festival on the 17th-18th of the 10th lunar month.
- VnExpress, "Kinh nghiệm du lịch Côn Đảo" (Côn Đảo travel experience), vnexpress.net/cam-nang-du-lich-con-dao-4445727.html, updated 04/02/2026 (calm sea season, monsoon winds, Hàng Dương, Bà Phi Yến Temple, historic site opening hours).
- English Wikipedia, "Côn Đảo", Climate section, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Côn_Đảo, accessed 22/10/2026 (table of average monthly rainfall, citing the Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology and The Yearbook of Indochina; measurement period unverified).
- Vietnamese Wikipedia, "Côn Đảo", Climate section, vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Côn_Đảo, accessed 22/10/2026 (rainy season May to November, dry season December to April, May sometimes reaching 34°C).
- Nông nghiệp và Môi trường, "Côn Đảo vào mùa rùa biển sinh sản" (Côn Đảo enters sea turtle breeding season), nongnghiepmoitruong.vn, published 19/03/2026.
- IUCN, announcements of the Côn Đảo sea turtle conservation volunteer program for 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024, iucn.org (2024 version), accessed 22/10/2026.
- Sài Gòn Giải Phóng, "Nhiều chương trình hấp dẫn tại Lễ hội Giỗ Bà Phi Yến lần thứ 240" (Many attractive programs at the 240th Bà Phi Yến Death Anniversary Festival), sggp.org.vn, published 02/12/2025.
- Em Giang Côn Đảo YouTube channel, "Lễ giỗ Cô 6 lần thứ 74 ngày 23/01/2025" (The 74th death anniversary of Cô Sáu on 23/01/2025) (Võ Thị Sáu's death anniversary by the solar calendar).
- Côn Của sales page, dacsan.cuangoncondao.com, viewed 22/10/2026 (prices of one-day sun-dried seafood, calm sea season March-June).
Coming to the island? Message me for your ice cream code
If you're coming to Côn Đảo soon, leave me your contact. I'll send an ice cream code via Zalo or Messenger; show it at the Côn Của stand at the Night Market gate and the cup of Indian almond ice cream is on me. While you're at it, ask me about itineraries, places to stay or the turtle release tour, and I'll point you in the right direction; just message naturally like a friend.
If you like the taste of Indian almond, you can take candy home as gifts.