Con Dao's driest, calmest stretch, cool by the standards of this hot island, with the lightest rain and clearest water for diving and beach days. January and February are the coolest of the year, while March starts warming up but stays dry and pleasant. This is also the busiest window for boat trips out to the national park's smaller islands.

This tier covers the rest of the dry-to-transitional stretch plus one wet-season month. December is part of the recommended dry season but sits just behind the January to March core. April is still dry but noticeably hotter, edging toward the year's warmest days. November sees the northeast monsoon start easing off fast, one of the more pleasant transitional months despite technically being inside the rainy season. May and July fall within the wetter half of the year without quite reaching its worst.

The peak of the rainy season, when both the southwest and northeast monsoons bring frequent rain, and August through October see the most rain days of the year. Ferries and boat trips to the outer islands, including the sea turtle nesting grounds, are more likely to be delayed by rough seas. Hotel prices drop to their lowest point of the year to match.