1 A brief overview of Co To Island
Location: east of Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam.
Ha Long is one of the leading coastal tourist destinations in the north, home to a UNESCO-recognized World Natural Heritage Site and many attractions with breathtaking scenery gifted by nature, such as Tuan Chau Island, Dragon Eye Island, Ti Top Island, Cat Ba Island, and more. Co To Island has inspired many poets and musicians, including writer Nguyễn Tuân, who wrote a work bearing the island’s name.
See also: Soi Sim Island - Discover the pristine beauty in the heart of Ha Long Bay Heritage Site
Co To Island was once known by the ancient name of Chàng Sơn (meaning “Young Man Mountain”); some books call it “Cầu Đầu”—a place where many mountains cluster together amid the sea
Co To Island is a district island off the eastern coast of Quang Ninh Province, 60 nautical miles from the mainland. Covering an area of 46.2km2, the Co To archipelago consists of around 50 islands and islets, and is home to 1,500 households with a population of 6,000. The two main islands, Big Co To and Small Co To, boast beautiful beaches with clear waters throughout the year, captivating countless visitors and quickly becoming a favorite summer destination for travel enthusiasts.
The beauty of Co To Island is enough to make visitors fall in love at first sight!
Co To Island is also home to a natural primeval forest across its mountainous terrain, as well as historical sites of great importance to national security and defense that affirm the nation’s sovereignty.
This place is becoming a major island tourism destination
Some say that “Co To Island is just one step away from paradise,” thanks to the special allure of this poetic island set amid the vast ocean. Here, visitors can feel far removed from the outside world, put their worries aside, and enjoy a relaxing, peaceful stay by these beautiful shores.
Watch this video to take in the archipelago’s beautiful scenery:
Co To Island looks stunning in this footage filmed by drone. Source: YouTube/Flycam 4K
2 When is the best time to visit Co To Island?
Co To Island lies on the far northern edge of the country, so it experiences all four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Perhaps that is why the island takes on a distinctive, captivating beauty in every season. Here are a few highlights of each season to help you choose the best time for your trip.
- From March to May: If you consider yourself a true beach lover, this is the ideal time to visit Co To Island! The weather is pleasantly cool and the sea is calm, making it a great time to explore the area.
- From June to August: If you plan to visit Co To Island during this period, be sure to keep a close eye on the weather forecast and boat schedules! Rough seas are common during these months, and boats may be unable to travel to the island or return to the mainland.
- From September to October: The weather in northern Vietnam gradually turns autumnal during this period, with pleasantly cool temperatures. Travel enthusiasts can explore the island’s attractions and sample its local specialties.
Plan your trip to Co To Island to suit your preferences and available time
One thing to keep in mind: if you plan to visit during the peak summer months, remember to book your hotel and services in advance to make your trip to Co To Island as enjoyable as possible.
3 How to get to Co To Island
To reach Co To Island, visitors first need to get to Cai Rong Port in Van Don District, Quang Ninh Province. Depending on where you are traveling from, you can choose from several modes of transport to reach the port, including a plane, coach, or train. From Cai Rong Port, visitors can take either a wooden boat or a speedboat to Co To Island.
3.1 Wooden boats to Co To Island
Boats to Co To Island depart at 7 a.m. from Monday to Friday. Return boats depart at 13:00 on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Boats return to Cai Rong Port at 13:00 on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The journey takes quite a while—around 4 hours—so those prone to seasickness may want to avoid this type of boat. Fares range from 95.000VNĐ - 150.000VNĐ/ trip/ person. According to frequent visitors, wooden boats to Co To Island run less often than speedboats, so be sure to buy your ticket in advance or check the schedule to avoid missing your boat!
A little tip: remember to bring seasickness medicine when traveling to Co To Island
3.2 Speedboats to Co To Island
Many visitors choose this option because the trip to Co To Island is faster, taking around 90 minutes, and the sound of the engine skimming over the waves is quite enjoyable. The earliest departure is at 6 a.m., and the latest is at 17h30. There are plenty of departure times and boat operators to choose from at the port. Fares range from 230.000VNĐ - 250.000VNĐ/ trip/ person.
With newer boats that shorten travel times and offer better stability at sea, you can worry less about seasickness on the trip to Co To Island
4 Places to explore and things to do on Co To Island
Besides soaking up the island’s poetic seascapes, what else can travel enthusiasts explore and enjoy on Co To Island? Here are a few great suggestions:
- Cau My Rock Beach: Also known as Dragon Claw Rock Beach, this area covers more than 40ha and stretches for around 2km along the northeast–southwest axis of Co To Island.
Cau My Rock Beach, a favorite with countless visitors
Layers of rocks stack upon one another like steps, while the sea’s sedimentary colors create a rare and remarkable scene
This is also the island’s best spot for watching the sunrise and sunset, and a favorite check-in location for social media fans
- Co To Lighthouse: Located just over 4km east of the town center, Co To Lighthouse is said to offer the best views of any lighthouse, as it stands atop a mountain on the island.
This station was built in the late 19th century, with its light 118m above sea level. Why not take a “vintage” photo here?
This is one of more than 30 “eyes of the night sea” operating in Vietnamese territorial waters
From here, you can admire the peaceful beauty of Co To Island
- Small Co To Island: Small Co To Island lies about 1km from Big Co To.
Small Co To is an uninhabited island with only a military outpost
The island has two beautiful beaches, East Beach and South Beach. The clear water lets you see all the way to the bottom, where schools of fish swim about
During the tourist season, don’t miss the thrilling activities, from parasailing over the sea to banana boat rides pulled by speedboats…
A peaceful sunset on Small Co To Island
The island is also home to Van Chay Beach, Love Road, the Ho Chi Minh Memorial House, Truc Lam Pagoda, and a primeval chõi forest…
Take a romantic stroll along Love Road
Ho Chi Minh Memorial House
Truc Lam Pagoda
Doesn’t Co To Island sound like a wonderful destination for your summer vacation? Anyone who stands before this poetic natural landscape is sure to be moved. What are you waiting for? Pack your bags and check in at Co To Island!
