Buzz
Cù Lao Câu has emerged as a recent 'paradise' that has captivated travel enthusiasts. Its pristine, mysterious, and fascinating characteristics leave a lasting impression on those who set foot on this island. Cù Lao Câu is ideal for those who enjoy discovering the beauty of the sea and have a penchant for adventure. Refer to the travel guide below if you intend to visit and experience the masterpiece bestowed upon us by nature.
Cù Lao Câu is entirely separate from the mainland (Photo by ST)
1. Introduction to Cù Lao Câu
Cù Lao Câu, also known as Cù Lao Cau or Hon Cau, is a small island situated in Tuy Phong district, Binh Thuan province, approximately 110km northeast of Phan Thiet city. According to local fishermen, the island is named after the abundance of duck foot seaweed in the area. The nearest point of the island to the mainland is about 10 km, and its length is a charming 1.5 km, with the widest part being less than 800 m.
Enveloping Cù Lao Câu is a wild and mysterious beauty (Photo by ST)
Viewed from the mainland, Cù Lao Câu resembles a battleship anchored at sea, with its bow facing east. The island is incredibly pristine, with deep blue seawater, surrounded by thousands of rocks of different colors and shapes. The rocks here take on bizarre forms and colors, changing remarkably with the daily light. The primary freshwater source on the island is from the Gia Long well, supplemented by rainwater. Therefore, the island is only suitable for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and those who enjoy exploration.
Cù Lao Câu is attracting young explorers today (Photo by ST)
Cù Lao Câu experiences two distinct seasons: the south wind season and the north wind season. The south wind season lasts from lunar January to lunar June, bringing calm seas, bustling boat traffic around the island, and a refreshing and cool climate. The north wind season extends from lunar July to lunar December, during which the sea becomes turbulent, vegetation dries up, and strong winds create large waves. The most suitable time to visit the island is from lunar April to lunar August, when the sea is calm, the sea breeze is gentle and cool, and the deep blue sea is enchanting.
Tranquil waves, cool breeze, and deep blue sea create a vivid landscape here (Photo by ST)
2. How to Get to Cù Lao Câu
Starting from Saigon, you can travel by passenger bus, disembarking at Lien Huong town, Tuy Phong district, which is approximately 300 km from Ho Chi Minh City. Alternatively, you can travel by motorbike following this route: Saigon – National Highway 51 – Ba Ria Vung Tau – Lagi – Ke Ga – Phan Thiet – coastal road – Bau Trang – Phan Ri – Tuy Phong. Once here, you can reach the island through various means such as hiring services, tourist boats, or asking local residents for a more experiential journey. Be sure to prioritize safety during the journey and adhere to local regulations.
Enjoy unrestricted swimming here if you wish (Photo by ST)
3. Accommodation on the Island
Normally, you can travel here for a day and then return to the shore for rest. However, if you want to stay overnight, you need permission from the border guards on the island as it falls under their jurisdiction. A notable point on the island is the absence of any accommodation services, so if you plan to stay anywhere, you must prepare your own tent, sleeping bag, etc. Alternatively, you can request to stay at the border guard station; the soldiers here are very friendly.
Camping on the island to admire the night scenery is truly fascinating (Photo by ST)
4. Explore Cù Lao Câu in Phan Thiet
Cù Lao Câu is a small island with an area of approximately 1.5 km, so you can easily explore the entire island in one day
Hang Ba Hòn
Hang Ba Hòn is formed by three large standing rocks, with a fascinating and unique shape, making it an interesting and memorable photography spot
Thousands of rock blocks embellish Cù Lao Câu (Photo by ST)
Swallow Cave
Swallow Cave houses hundreds of swallow birds nesting. In the past, people used to come here for egg and swallow nest harvesting, but now, under the protection of the border guard camp on the island, the swallow population has flourished, maintaining its pristine characteristics.
Swallow Cave and Three Rocks Cave are renowned in Cù Lao (Photo by ST)
Nam Hai Shrine
Nam Hai Shrine is a place where fishermen pray for peace every time they go out to sea. This is a common ritual and belief among coastal residents nationwide. Particularly, on the fifteenth day of April every year, a fascinating and grand festival is organized here
Nam Hai Shrine, a cultural belief for fishermen (Photo by ST)
Beachside Camping to Stargaze
Camping here provides the opportunity to lie down and listen to the soothing sound of waves beneath a sparkling starry sky. This experience is hard to come by in bustling cities or tourist areas that are always brightly lit.
Watching the sunset and sunrise over the sea is truly magnificent (Photo by ST)
Snorkeling to Explore Coral Reefs
The most unique feature of Hon Cau is its surrounding waters with the presence of a typical tropical marine ecosystem. Hon Cau boasts a rich biodiversity, with coral reefs, underwater rocks, seagrass beds, and sandy bottoms being crucial and highly valuable landscapes in terms of biodiversity. To fully experience the Cù Lao Câu island trip, you cannot miss the coral reef area with its diverse and colorful formations, serving as the habitat for many rare and precious marine species.
The untouched beauty of the island is a hidden gem (Photo by St)
When you reach the coral reef, you can engage in various exciting activities such as free snorkeling, so remember to bring your diving gear and nature protection equipment. Diving at Hon Cau is an incredibly unique experience with a pristine coral population stretching over 2 km, featuring nearly 234 coral species. Just diving down to 4 – 5m, the vivid and colorful panorama of the coral world unfolds under the shimmering light refracted through the clear water.
Snorkeling – an exciting activity on the island (Photo by ST)
5. Local Specialties in Cù Lao Câu
There are 2 regularly open eateries on the island. Among them is Mr. Tu Huu's Sea Wave, offering delicious dishes. Mr. Tu Huu is a very amiable, friendly, and enthusiastic person. He is willing to be your tour guide all day on this island because, to him, it's like home, the place he loves the most. You can order meals here for 120,000 VND/person with 4 main dishes. Some tasty specialties in Cù Lao Câu that you can consider include:
Lady's Breast Snail
Lady's Breast Snail is a delicious type of snail with a unique shape – a conical shell with a small knob on top. From this ingredient, people can create many delicious and attractive dishes, mainly focusing on grilling or boiling. If you buy live snails, not yet processed, here, it's quite cheap, only 50,000 VND/kg.
The tempting Lady's Breast Snail dish on Cù Lao Câu island (Photo by ST)
Moon-faced Crab
With distinctive round spots on its shell and a unique name, this crab has become a favored ingredient for many. It is praised for its taste similar to king crabs but is much more affordable. You can easily savor this dish at various eateries on the island.
Seafood - Moon-faced Crab (Photo by ST)
Razor Clams
This is one of the delicious specialties in Cù Lao Câu that many people love and want to savor when they set foot in this place. The dish is uniquely prepared, fragrant, accompanied by crushed peanuts, and has won the taste buds of many, even the most discerning.
A day exploring the extremely fascinating deserted island (Photo by ST)
