Co To IslandAbout Co To Island
An island group off the northeast coast of Vietnam in Quang Ninh province, known for sandy beaches, fishing villages and coastal scenery. The main inhabited island serves as the gateway for visitors and as the local administrative center of Co To District.
Beaches, simple seaside resorts and local seafood are the primary attractions; the islands are valued for quiet coastal landscapes rather than intensive development. Boat tours and short boat trips between islands are common visitor activities.
The modern ferry connection links the islands with the Van Don/Cai Rong area on the mainland; travel times vary with sea conditions and the service schedule. Visitor facilities are concentrated on the larger island, with smaller islets remaining largely undeveloped.
Geographically the Co To archipelago sits in the Gulf of Tonkin off Vietnam’s northeast coast, within Quang Ninh province. The islands lie east of the Van Don peninsula and are part of the maritime landscape north of Ha Long Bay.
- Access: The archipelago is part of Quang Ninh province and lies in the Gulf of Tonkin; travel to the islands is commonly by ferry from mainland Van Don (Cai Rong) ports.
- Character: The islands are noted locally for sandy beaches, coastal scenery and small fishing communities rather than large-scale tourism infrastructure.
What to See#
- Co To Lon: Co To Lon is the larger inhabited island in the archipelago and contains the main town, ferry terminal and most visitor services.
- Co To Be: Co To Be is a smaller, less developed island known for beaches and short day-trip excursions from the main island.
Best Time to Visit Co To Island
Best visited late spring through early autumn for beach-friendly weather and reliable boat services.
Weather & Climate near Co To Island
Co To Island's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) - Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 14°C to 31°C. Abundant rainfall (1748 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Good | 14° - 18° | 16° | 26 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.0 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 10.9h |
| February | Good | 15° - 20° | 17° | 30 mm | overcast | 84% | 2.7 m/s | 1.1 high | 11.4h |
| March | Good | 17° - 21° | 19° | 45 mm | overcast | 86% | 2.7 m/s | 1.1 high | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 20° - 25° | 23° | 73 mm | overcast | 86% | 3.0 m/s | 1.6 very high | 12.5h |
| May | Good | 24° - 29° | 26° | 158 mm | overcast | 86% | 3.4 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 13.0h |
| June | Good | 26° - 30° | 33° | 236 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.1 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 13.2h |
| July | Acceptable | 26° - 31° | 34° | 321 mm | overcast | 85% | 3.1 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 13.1h |
| August | Good | 25° - 30° | 32° | 397 mm | overcast | 84% | 2.6 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.7h |
| September | Good | 25° - 30° | 30° | 275 mm | overcast | 81% | 2.7 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.1h |
| October | Excellent | 22° - 28° | 25° | 116 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.0 m/s | 1.5 high | 11.6h |
| November | Excellent | 18° - 24° | 21° | 52 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.0 m/s | 1.2 high | 11.1h |
| December | Very Good | 15° - 20° | 17° | 19 mm | overcast | 76% | 2.8 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 10.8h |
How to Get to Co To Island
Ferries run from Cái Rồng (Vân Đồn) to Co To; boats take approximately 1.5-2.5 hours depending on the vessel. Vân Đồn can be reached by road from Hạ Long or by regional bus routes; some operators run day trips from Hạ Long City as well.
Tips for Visiting Co To Island
- Arrange boat transfers in advance from Cái Rồng or Vân Đồn and confirm seasonal schedules - wind and sea conditions can cancel trips.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes for rocky beaches with coral slabs.
- If planning snorkeling, target calmer mornings when visibility is better.