Cù Lao Câu Travel Guide: A Comprehensive Handbook

Cù Lao Câu, also known as Cù Lao Cau or Hòn Cau, is the name of a small island located in Tuy Phong district, Bình Thuận province, approximately 110 km away from Phan Thiết city.

Cù Lao Câu Travel Guide: A Comprehensive Handbook

When viewed from the mainland, Cù Lao Câu resembles a battleship anchored on the sea with its bow facing east. Cù Lao Câu is about 7 nautical miles from the mainland. On rough sea days, the journey takes about 75 minutes by motorboat and about 40 minutes on calm days. The rocks here are abundant, with many strange shapes and colors, changing unusually depending on the light each day.

During World War II, Cù Lao Câu was a haven for pirates. They often raided and sank Japanese ships passing by. Every year, descendants of the old Japanese sailors still come to the island to lay wreaths in remembrance. Previously, there was only a single Tư Hữu inn on the island, hence it was called the “lonely inn”, but now there is also Mrs. Ba Giữ’s inn.

+ From Phuoc The fishing port, you can take a wooden boat operated by fishermen to Cu Lao Cau or hitch a ride on a boat carrying fresh water and food to the island, taking about 30 minutes. There's a restaurant on the island owned by Mr. Tu Huu (0932144454) that also has its own boat to the island, which you can call in advance for information.

The island is under the management of the border guard, so if you want to stay overnight, you need permission from the border guard on the island.

However, there are no accommodation services on the island, so if you want to stay, you need to bring your own tent, sleeping bag, or you can request to stay at the border guard station. The soldiers here are quite friendly and always willing to help. Usually, groups only visit the island in the morning and play until the afternoon before returning to the mainland.

- Coral Bay: Cu Lao Cau is home to many rare and precious marine creatures. Therefore, this is a wonderful place for you to admire coral reefs.

- Swallow Cave: The cave is home to hundreds of swallows nesting. Previously, fishermen or people harvesting swallow nests often came here, but now with the protection of the border guard base on the island, the swallows are thriving more and more.

- Three Stone Cave: Right next to Swallow Cave is Three Stone Cave, formed by 3 large standing rocks, with a very interesting shape that everyone who comes here must take a photo of.

- Nam Hai Temple: (dedicated to the Sea God for seafarers to pray). There is an annual festival on the 15th day of the fourth lunar month.

4. Dining Options

There are 2 regularly open eateries on the island. Among them is Mr. Tu Huu's Sea Wave eatery mentioned above, which serves delicious food. He is very amiable, friendly, and enthusiastic. He is ready to be a tour guide for you all day on this island because to him, this is like his home, the place he loves the most.

Some specialties on Cu Lao Cau:

- Lady Breast Shell, this is a conical shell with a small knob on top, with a gray-black outer shell and a sparkling interior. The most common way to enjoy this dish is boiled or grilled.

- Moonface Crab, a type of crab with spots on its shell, is often praised as delicious as king crabs but much cheaper.

- Razor Clams: This dish is prepared deliciously by the fishermen here, often accompanied by crushed peanuts. This can be considered a specialty of Cu Lao Cau because this dish has never been seen elsewhere. Additionally, other seafood here is also very diverse and reasonably priced.

5. Notes for Traveling to Cu Lao Cau

- Before heading to Cu Lao Cau, you should ask the boat owner or islanders if the sea is rough because if it's on a rough day, traveling can be very difficult and dangerous.

- It's advisable to bring a life jacket to prevent accidents when traveling on the sea because you not only travel by wooden boat or canoe but also by small boats.

- If you want to camp overnight, you need to ask the boatman or the people at the eatery for permission from the border guard.

- If you need fresh water, you can ask for it from the well in the border guard's camp, but you should also conserve water for the soldiers here.

- The island is known for its many venomous snakes, so when moving around, you should stick to the trails, avoid dense bushes, camp in open areas, and light a fire at night to ward off snakes.

- Do not litter on the island.

6. Proposed Itinerary

- 9:00 PM: Head to the Miền Đông bus station to catch the Quê Hương bus to Phan Rang.

- 4:00 AM: Arrive at the Đại Hòa intersection, catch the Đa Su bus to Phuoc The Fishing Port (about 3km). Take advantage of the rest.

- 6:00 AM: Breakfast, coffee, stroll around the fishing port, contact fishermen to catch the boat to the island.

- 8:00 AM: Board the boat to the island.

- 9:00 AM: Arrive at the island. Enjoy swimming and strolling around the island, soaking in the fresh air. Go snorkeling to admire the coral reefs.

- 2:00 PM: Board the boat back to the mainland.

- 3:00 PM: Visit Co Thach Pagoda, also known as Cave Pagoda, along the route from Phuoc The to Lien Huong town. The cool breeze and the scent of earth, grass, and trees will remind you of the childhood days spent in the countryside.

By Huynh Tuan

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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour