Planes and quiet sand: Dam Trau and Nhat beaches

Swim at a sheltered crescent of sand right beside the runway, then catch the sunset at a long empty beach that only appears at low tide.

Area

Con Dao

Start from

Con Son town, Con Dao

Distance

about 10–15 km round trip

Time needed

1 day

Best season

Roughly March – July for calm seas

Difficulty

Easy

Transport

Scooter, bicycle or taxi

Tickets & rules

None

Why go

Bãi Đầm Trầu is a small, perfect bay of pale sand and clear water at the northeastern end of Côn Sơn, framed by forested hills. It is quiet most of the day, with a handful of seafood shacks and a few families swimming, until a plane comes in to land on the runway just behind the trees, roaring low over the beach. Everyone looks up and waves.

Bãi Nhát, on the road back to town, is the opposite: a wide, open beach facing the sea, best at low tide when a broad strip of sand is exposed beneath the cliffs. At sunset it glows gold and pink.

Between them, you have a perfect, easy Con Dao day: swim, eat, watch planes, drive slowly and enjoy the light.

The story

Côn Sơn island is mostly mountains and forest, with only a few flat areas, one of which holds the small airport. Đầm Trầu bay sits right beside it, which is why planes fly so close overhead. It’s a short, intense moment, followed by birdsong and waves again.

The coast here is part of the national park, and the bays around Con Dao are home to coral reefs and seagrass beds. Seagrass in particular is important for dugongs, which are rare but have been recorded around the islands.

Bãi Nhát changes dramatically with the tides. At high tide, waves come right up to the rocks; at low tide, a long beach appears, perfect for walking. Local people come here in the evening to relax, fish or collect shellfish.

The road between them follows the coast, with views over the sea and the smaller islands. It’s one of the most beautiful drives in Vietnam, with very little traffic.

Getting there

Đầm Trầu is about 15 km from Con Son town, near the airport; Bãi Nhát is on the coastal road between them. Scooters and bicycles can be rented in town; the road has some hills, so cycling is a good workout.

Taxis can also take you, but arrange a return pick-up time.

A suggested plan

1. 8:00Ride from town to Đầm Trầu along the coast, stopping for views.
2. 9:00–13:00Swim, snorkel and relax at Đầm Trầu; watch a plane land.
3. 13:00Lunch at a beach shack: grilled fish, squid or snails.
4. 15:00Drive back to Bãi Nhát; check the tide.
5. 17:00Walk the sand at low tide and watch the sunset.
6. 19:00Return to town for dinner by the bay.

Where to stay

Stay in Con Son town and do this as a day trip; there are also a few resorts closer to the airport.

Good to know

• Check flight times if you want to see a plane land over the beach.
• Bring snorkelling gear; there’s coral near the rocks at Đầm Trầu.
• Ask locals about tides before visiting Bãi Nhát.