Dugongs spotted swimming near the shore of Con Dao

At least two video clips showing dugongs—also known as sea cows—have surfaced online. One 30-second video captured a dugong swimming in Ben Dam Bay. According to local resident Nguyen Phung Hung, he received the clip through community sharing and decided to post it on his personal page. He believes the footage was likely taken by a local speedboat operator who transports tourists.
Another notable video was shot professionally by Pham Tan Huy, a staff member at the Con Dao District Culture and Information Center. Around 2:00 PM on February 17, while flying a drone to film a report on the almond trees shedding leaves along Ton Duc Thang Street, Huy spotted a large marine animal swimming near the shore in Con Son Bay. Initially mistaking it for a large fish, he quickly realized it was a dugong and followed it with the drone, capturing a long sequence. He later uploaded the footage to social media, where it was widely shared by tourism and wildlife fanpages.
Locals often refer to dugongs as "ca cui", meaning “bent fish,” referencing their characteristic behavior of grazing seagrass and seaweed near the ocean floor—their primary food sources.
About 12 Dugongs Regularly Found in Con Dao Waters
According to the latest scientific research published in 2024, around 12 dugongs are known to frequent the waters around Con Dao, primarily feeding in the seagrass beds located offshore. Con Dao is home to hundreds of hectares of seagrass meadows, with dugongs most commonly sighted in areas such as Con Son Bay, Six Senses Beach, and Bay Canh Islet.
The peak months for dugong sightings are June and September, when they are more frequently observed foraging and swimming close to shore. In Vietnam, dugongs are primarily found in Con Dao and Phu Quoc.