Why Co To Island Should Be Your Next Vacation Destination in Vietnam

Tucked in Vietnam’s northern seas, Co To Island presents a perfect haven from the busy city. Co To Island provides something for everyone regardless of your interests—nature, beaches, or peace & quiet. This MOTOGO Tours article will walk you through all you need to know about this hidden gem.

Introduction to Co To Island

Location and Accessibility

Lying in the Gulf of Tonkin off the northeastern coast of Quang Ninh Province, Co To Island is the biggest island in the Co To Archipelago. Surrounded by a system of smaller islands reachable only by boat, it is the farthest inhabited island in the area. Co To presents amazing natural beauty with an area of about 47 square kilometers and a height 170 meters above sea level.

Why Co To Island Is Unique

The terrain of the island combines immaculate beaches with hills and rugged cliffs. Arriving guests are instantly surrounded by the natural splendor of immaculate white sand beaches, glistening clean waves, and cool breezes. Co To’s beaches are well-known for their unique white sands, a remarkable occurrence in Northern Vietnam. The golden sand of the mountainside offers a distinctive contrast to the surrounding rich vegetation, so enhancing the island’s captivating landscape.

Living on Co To Island is closely entwined with the surroundings. Locals can be seen drying seaweed along the little roadways in August, which smell mildly sour in the summer heat. Towering pine trees round the roads, which are often covered in purple myrtle blossoms to provide some color to the calm island surroundings.

How to Get to Co To Island

From Hanoi, getting to Co To Island calls for two travel stages:

• Stage 1: Bus or auto ride from Hanoi to Cai Rong Port takes roughly 4-5 hours covering more than 200 kilometers.
• Stage 2: Cai Rong Port to Co To Island: The last part of the journey is roughly 50 kilometers and takes between 1.5 to 2 hours by speedboat or wooden boat.

Hanoi to Cai Rong Port

• By Bus: From My Dinh bus terminal in Hanoi, numerous buses leave daily for Cam Pha and Cua Ong. The journey takes four hours and runs between VND 120,000 and VND 150,000 each person.
• By Car: A limousine straight from Hanoi to Cai Rong Port offers more freedom. Each ticket runs about VND 180,000 to VND 280,000.

Cai Rong Port to Co To Island

Traveling from Cai Rong Port to Co To Island offers two choices:

• High-Speed Boat: This option, which takes roughly 90 minutes, runs between VND 180,000 and VND 200,000 per person. Though their schedules vary, the boats run from 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Wooden Boat: Wooden boats depart twice a day on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays and once a day on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for a slower, more reasonably priced choice. Tickets go between VND 95,000 and VND 110,000 per; the trip takes around 2.5 hours.

Best Time to Visit Co To Island

Co To Island boasts a mild, temperate temperature all year long, same as many tropical locations. The greatest time to visit, though, mostly relies on the kind of experience you’re hoping for.

Weather Overview

Co To likes year-round comfortable temperature. Beach activities and water sports would be perfect during the bright and sunny summer months between May and September. Conversely, the cooler and less humid winter months from October to March are ideal for hiking and island scenery exploration.

High and Low Seasons

On Co To Island, peak season runs from June to August, when many both domestic and foreign visitors swarm the island for holidays. Visiting in the off-season, say March or April, is advised if you would want a more subdued experience. The island is less crowded during this time, hence you may appreciate Co To’s beauty in peace.

Attractions and Activities in Co To Island

The range of natural attractions and activities Co To Island offers that lets you really enjoy the splendor of the island.

Explore the Beautiful Beaches

Co To Island features many lovely beaches with unique appeal. Tinh Yeu Beach, Hong Van Beach, and Van Chai Beach the three most often visited beaches. Of these, Van Chai is the cleanest; Tinh Yeu and Hong Van occasionally feature plastic trash.

Perfect places for leisure are all three beaches as their quiet waves, smooth white sand, and glistening clean seas define them. These beaches offer a peaceful environment for unwinding whether you’re reclining by the ocean or wandering along the coast.

Designed to meld perfectly with the surroundings, the bungalows along the beaches provide a comfortable haven. You may get amazing views of the dawn and sunset right from the comfort of your room. Combining the soft sea wind with the calming sound of the waves produces a peaceful environment ideal for leisure.

There are lots of outdoor things to enjoy if you search for more energetic interests. Either just bury yourself in the soft sand or play volleyball or soccer with friends or family. If you want a different experience, think about camping overnight on the beach so you may fully appreciate the natural beauty of the island.

Try kayaking or scuba diving for a closer link with the sea. Discover the vivid aquatic life, as schools of brilliant fish thread over the seaweed forests under the waves. The evening is the most romantic time to visit since it allows you to savor a seafood feast of fresh squid, prawns, fish, and nail snails while listening to the smooth beat of the waves and appreciating the soft glow of lanterns.

Photo Opportunities

Co To Island presents many picturesque locations ideal for photographers. Two of the most often visited places are here:

Co To Lighthouse

One of Vietnam’s thirty “night sea eyes,” the Co To Lighthouse is situated on the eastern part of the archipelago and guides ships securely across the waters. Constructed in the late 1800s, the lighthouse, at an elevation of 100 meters, towers five kilometers from the town atop a mountain.

Although the climb to the lighthouse is difficult, the panoramic views of the island and the surrounding waters are quite well worth the effort. Since solar-powered lighting has since been added to the lighthouse, it is a significant landmark for tourism as well as navigation.

Cau My Cliff

Popular with couples, Cau My Cliff is a romantic location where one may enjoy the best sunrise views on the island. The distinctive scene provided by the erosion-shaped cliffs comes from thousands of years. The almost bizarre scene created by the layers of multicoloured stones like a brilliant painting of the tectonic past of the earth.

Motorbike Tours

Co To Island is small enough to explore by motorbike or bicycle, which allows you view it at your own speed. Renting a motorbike or bicycle is the most sensible and reasonably priced way to move about as taxis are few. For those ready to see every nook of the island, the picturesque roads, filled with pine forests and gorgeous beaches, offer a joyful ride.

What to Eat in Co To Island

Co To Island presents a great range of mouthwatering fresh fish. These are some must-try recipes:

Grilled Oysters

The oysters of Co To Island are well-known for their unusual and rich taste. Both residents and visitors advise grilled oysters, in which the oysters are combined with oil, grilled, then topped with scallions and peanuts. A variation that suits global preferences is certain locations adding cheese. Just watch out not to overcook them since this would change their taste and texture.

Be Be – Mantis Shrimp

Larger than ordinary prawns and with a rough but sweet meat, mantis shrimp—known locally as Be Be—have Usually they are made fried with salt or steamed with beer. One can improve noodle broths using Be Be as well. Found year-round and reasonably priced, Be Be is a great keepsible as dried Be Be is sellable.

Nail-shaped Shellfish

Local delicacy named for their long, thin form resembling a fingernail, these shellfish are Considered to be sweet and crispy, they are best eaten from May to June during the early rainy season. On the local market, prices go from VND 140,000 to VND 180,000 per kilogram.

Jellyfish Salad

Jellyfish is often collected from the seas near Co To Island between February and April. The salad calls for a medley of vegetables, including papaya, herbs, and chicken, then blends the crisp, juicy texture of jellyfish. Perfect appetiser for a seafood feast, the dish is acidic, fiery, and reviving.

One-Day Dried Squids

The squid season peaks on Co To Island from April to July. Once discovered, the squid dries under the sun for a whole day to produce a delicious and somewhat chewy texture. Popular treat for guests, Co To’s distinctive surroundings help to contribute to the peculiar taste of these dried squids.

Where to Stay on Co To Island

From opulent resorts to affordable guesthouses, Co To Island presents a range of lodging options.

• Beachfront Resorts: Think about lodging at one of the island’s beachfront resorts for a really laid-back vibe. These resorts have secluded beaches, breathtaking views of the sea, and a variety of facilities to make your stay as pleasant as it could be.
• Budget Accommodations: The island boasts several reasonably priced guesthouses and homestays if your trip is on a budget. These choices let you interact with the neighborhood and provide a more close-knit experience.

Tips for a Memorable Trip to Co To Island

Here are some pointers to help you to guarantee your best experience in Co To Island.

• Packing Essentials: Pack light, airy clothes, sunscreen, and bug repellent among other basics. Should you intend to hike, pack a hat and strong shoes. Another need is a camera since the island is just very beautiful.
• Things to Keep in Mind: If you depend on your devices, you would be wise to pack a battery bank since the island’s electrical source can be erratic. Check boat schedules ahead of time as well; weather could cause trip cancellements.

Co To Island is a true hidden gem of Vietnam. One should not miss this place with its immaculate beaches, breathtaking natural surroundings, and rich cultural encounters. Co To Island provides all you need for an amazing holiday whether your search is for adventure, leisure, or a little both.