The Aquarium
Con Dao · Vietnam
Named by local dive guides for the density and colour of marine life packed into its sheltered bay, The Aquarium is a shallow coral garden between 3 and 18 meters at the western end of the Con Dao archipelago where biodiversity surveys regularly record over 200 reef fish species in a single dive. The site is defined by exceptionally clear water and negligible current, making it Con Dao's best dedicated macro and underwater photography site — nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, and ornate ghost pipefish are documented year-round, and the rubble zones between coral heads host an unusual density of cephalopods including day-hunting reef octopus. Dugong feeding furrows are visible in the seagrass patches at 8 to 12 meters, indicating regular use even when the animals themselves are not present.
Conditions
Depth
3 to 18 m
Good for beginners
Current
Usually gentle
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
10 to 20 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
27 to 30°C
3mm wetsuit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
| Vis (m) | 12 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 12 | 12 |
| Current | calm | calm | calm | calm | Gentle | Gentle | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Gentle | calm | calm |
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