Located within the Con Dao Special Zone (Ho Chi Minh City), this archipelago is home to dozens of islands large and small. Yet only a few—such as Bay Canh Island, Hon Cau, and Hon Tre—are chosen by sea turtles as their sacred nesting grounds. Across the archipelago, 16 natural sandy beaches welcome mother turtles each year, creating one of the most extraordinary and spiritual wildlife moments in Vietnam.
Bay Canh Island – The Maternity Home of Con Dao’s Sea Turtles
As the second-largest island after Con Son, Bay Canh is where the highest number of sea turtles come ashore to nest. During the nesting season (April to October, peaking from July to September), the island receives hundreds of eco-tourism visitors eager to witness the magical nighttime journey of mother turtles laying eggs—an experience both breathtaking and humbling.
To join this tour, visitors must register with the Con Dao National Park Management Board and purchase canoe tickets to access the island. Bay Canh, with its wide, soft, and quiet beaches, is the perfect “delivery room” for nesting turtles.
What to Expect on a Turtle Nesting Tour
The tour typically departs at 3:00 PM from Con Dao Pier and includes:
- Snorkeling and exploring coral reefs
- A visit to the mangrove ecosystem and the sea turtle conservation station
Dinner around 6:00 PM, followed by a short excursion to observe the fascinating “tank crab”—a unique crab species native to Bay Canh, weighing up to 0.5 kg and leaving deep tracks in the sand like tank treads.
As night falls, rangers alert visitors the moment a mother turtle emerges from the waves. Watching her dig a half-meter nest with her hind flippers and drop each golf-ball-sized egg gently into the sand is one of nature’s rarest gifts.
A single turtle can lay 80 to more than 200 eggs before carefully covering the nest and silently returning to the ocean. Rangers will then relocate the eggs to protected hatcheries to prevent flooding or predators—an essential part of Con Dao’s sea turtle conservation program.
Releasing Baby Turtles – A Moment You’ll Never Forget
Beyond watching nesting mothers, visitors can participate in releasing hatchlings back into the sea. Seeing hundreds of tiny turtles instinctively crawl toward the glittering waves—beginning a perilous journey of survival—is an emotional experience for many.
As visitors often say, “Witnessing a baby turtle touch the ocean for the first time makes you appreciate life and nature in a whole new way.”
Important Guidelines for Turtle Watching
- Maintain absolute silence to avoid disturbing the turtles.
- Do not use flashlights, flash photography, or bright lights.
- Wear comfortable clothing and soft shoes for walking on sand.
- Join a small group (6–12 people) to share canoe rental costs—the largest expense of the tour.
Where Eco-Tourism Meets Conservation
This tour is not merely a night of exploration—it is a meaningful lesson in marine conservation.
Every visitor contributes to the conservation fund, helping rangers protect nests, care for hatchlings, and ensure that thousands of baby turtles return safely to the sea each year.
Travelin.vn encourages travelers to join this experience with respect, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for nature—spreading the message:
“Let the ocean forever remain the home of Con Dao’s sea turtles.”
