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Sea cows (dugong) in Phu Quoc waters

Sea cows (dugongs) appear in the waters of Phu Quoc and depend on natural seagrass beds. This is an extremely rare wild animal, not a scheduled "check-in point" and almost inaccessible; the conservation of seagrass brings much more sustainable value than trying to find a face-to-face.

Bờ biển phía bắc Hàm Ninh, Phú Quốc
Bờ biển gần Hàm Ninh, Phú Quốc năm 2015. Ảnh bối cảnh vùng ven bờ, không dùng làm bằng chứng trực quan về cỏ biển hay dugong. · Tonbi ko · Wikimedia Commons

Check current conditions

If a tour operator is committed to helping you see sea cows, be careful to ask about the conservation facility or research program behind the experience. In the event that a sea cow is encountered while boating, keep a safe distance, and never chase or disturb their space. Valuable visual recognition should be shared with specialized conservation organizations.

Things that are easy to miss

The historical presence of sea cows around the island does not mean that visitors can book a tour to see them as a show. As a shy wild species, the journey of sea cows is completely unpredictable. Keeping the seagrass clean and beautiful is the most practical way to protect this legendary creature.

When going out

  • Do not require ships to chase or squeeze wildlife at sea.
  • Absolutely do not feed, touch or disturb sea cows in any way.
  • Find out the authenticity carefully if you encounter an offer of "solid sea cow watching tour".
  • Respect seagrass areas and strictly comply with regulations on marine environmental protection.