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Cù Lao Câu features pristine beaches with fine white sand and clear waters revealing the seabed...
Have you ever heard of Cù Lao Câu? I guess many of you in the South might have. But up North, this name still remains relatively unfamiliar.
Cù Lao Câu is an island located in Tuy Phong district, Bình Thuận province, about 110km northeast of Phan Thiết. It's an uninhabited island, with only a border guard station. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches and calm waves nestled amidst peculiar rock formations. Due to the absence of inhabitants, the environment here is pristine, with clear and azure waters allowing for visibility down to the seabed. The vibrant coral reefs and colorful fish species living within the reefs make this place even more enticing.
Notably, the entire island is surrounded by thousands of rocks of various shapes and colors, resembling a sculptural park. These rocks also create tranquil beaches with fine white sand.
Perhaps due to its proximity to Phan Thiết and Cà Ná, Cù Lao Câu, despite its enchanting beauty, is not yet the top choice for tourists. Therefore, it serves as an excellent destination for those who love adventure, exploration, and wish to avoid the typical tourist crowds.
Cù Lao Câu is just about 9 km from the mainland, so you can already see the island from the shore. There are various departure points to reach the island, such as the ferry dock in Liên Hương town, Vĩnh Tân commune, Vĩnh Hảo commune, and Phước Thể fishing port... Depending on the departure point, it takes about 45 to 60 minutes from the mainland. Upon arrival, as there is no dock, boats typically use dinghies to ferry passengers ashore.
Usually, just a day on the island is enough to satisfy your exploration cravings, and it's cheaper as the boat waits for you to return on the same day. But if you want to experience the feeling of being a Robinson Crusoe, you can bring a tent, food, and clean water to cook and spend the night here. In the rocky caves near the path to the island, there are usually charcoal stoves left behind by earlier groups, so all you need is some charcoal, borrow pots and pans from the boat owner, and you're set for your own kingdom. Since the island also has border guards on duty, you can rest assured about your safety.
Around the island, there are various seafood species, so if you're feeling more adventurous, you can equip yourself with a fishing rod and some bait to catch your own food. Or stroll along the coastline to collect shellfish for cooking porridge. What could be better than lighting a campfire at night and enjoying a meal of porridge with self-caught bait? You can imagine yourself as the host of a Man vs Wild show.
After a satisfying day of swimming, as night falls, lying on the quiet beach, feeling the gentle sea breeze, listening to the soothing sound of waves, you'll have no reason to worry or feel troubled about your everyday life anymore. It's just the sea, the sky, and you.
Note
If you stay overnight, you can ask to bathe using the water tank of the border guards. But if you're returning on the same day, it's best to bathe on the mainland to save water for the guards.
Cù Lao Câu is also known as Snake Island due to the presence of many venomous snakes here. During the hot daytime, snakes crawl up trees to seek shade, but at night, you should be cautious not to venture into the bushes. The rocky caves near the path are safe spots for you to leave your belongings and cook, as they are inhabited by mice, indicating they are not the dwelling places of snakes.
Here, there are two distinct seasons: the southwest monsoon season and the northeast monsoon season. From January to June, the sea is calm, boats dock bustlingly, and the vegetation is lush. Therefore, it's the best time for you to explore this place. The remaining six months are marked by dry, harsh northeast monsoons, with rough seas, so few venture to the island.
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Source: Mytour Travel Handbook – According to Depplus.vn
MytourSeptember 29, 2015
