If you are looking for diving destinations in Vietnam, here are the best 6 spots.
With a multitude of sumptuous islands and a long coastline, Vietnam is an ideal destination for observing the marine ecosystem. If you want to enjoy exceptional flora and fauna, come and try the diving experience during your Vietnam beach vacation. This activity often takes place in shallow water and therefore, it is suitable for all levels. Thanks to many islands and coastal areas, Vietnam also offers many dive sites. Our article will give you not only useful information but also the most beautiful spots for diving in Vietnam.
Nha Trang
This stunning site is renowned for its 7 km long beach and its mild climate all year round. Being a privileged dive site, Nha Trang will allow divers to enjoy 350 species of coral and many original creatures in clear waters and calm currents. Needless to say, this is one of the best spots for diving in Vietnam.
The climate of Nha Trang is relatively pleasant, not as harsh as that of the North and not as hot as that of the South. From mid-March to September is the best time to go diving and snorkeling in Nha Trang.
1. Mun Island (Hon Mun)
In addition to this wild beauty, Hon Mun is also known as the most poetic one in the island system of Nha Trang. Tourists can immerse themselves in the beauty of the blue beach with white sand and explore a diverse ecosystem under the ocean. It is one of the most beautiful “aquariums” in Southeast Asia. This site has more than 1,500 species of coral making it an ideal place for diving in Vietnam.
2. Moray Beach
On your tour to Vietnam, especially on a beach holiday, this is a must-visit spot. It is also one of the most popular dive sites on Hon Mun Island. With a maximum depth of 18 meters, this area is ideal for divers of all levels. There are a lot of travelers visiting Moray Beach for its abundance of incredible nudibranch and coral species annually. You can expect to see the many species of fish such as lionfish, clownfish and black frogfish.
3. Madonna Rock
On this site, there are several caves located at different depths. These caves provide shelter for many species of fish that breed here. You can see moray eels, lionfish and lionfish. This dive site is accessible only by boat and has a maximum depth of 25 meters around 82 feet.
4. Fisherman Bay
With a depth of 16-18 meters, this dive site has all kinds of hard and soft corals, species of frogfish, hemp with strong spines. Among the clusters of soft corals, we find the red-nosed fish (clownfish), cursed fish that move with the flock.
5. Whale Island
This bay is a perfect place to see clownfish and sea anemones. Large stones are also home to jacks, groupers, and snappers. This diving spot has a maximum depth of 15 meters/ 50 feet and is suitable for divers of all levels.
6. Word Island
This destination has numerous coral reefs surrounding the island. Tourists are very impressed with the colorful beauty of these animals while diving. For those who can not swim, it is always easy to dive to admire the coral with glasses and snorkel.
7. Monkey Island
There are many monkeys here, hence the name monkey island. Pristine beach, blue sea with white sand and many magnificent coral reefs are the attractive factors of this island. It is the home of many colorful and unique fish. The depth of this island is suitable for scuba diving. This is why many tourists choose this destination when they visit Nha Trang.
Hoi An
Hoi An is no doubt a favorite destination of many tourists on a tour in Vietnam. The coast of this city is full of a variety of coral and tropical fish, these warm waters naturally provide excellent opportunities for scuba diving and snorkeling. With its deeper diving spots and rocks covered with marine life, Hoi An offers exciting opportunities for all divers. This destination is a favorite place for travelers, not only for the mysterious and abundant marine life but also for the sandy beaches that are just waiting for you to relax after a superb diving or snorkeling session!
1. Nhan Island
A site for intermediate divers is the Nhan Island dive site. At 40 m deep, you will see thousands of nudibranchs scattered on the seabed as far as the eye can see. This site will offer you an incredible diving experience. It will also allow you to see hundreds of seahorses, barracudas, pink eels and triggerfish! With a high-end dive site, you will be fully satisfied with diving in Vietnam during a trip to the Center of Vietnam.
2. Mo Island
Filled with hard and soft corals, this area extends from 4 to 35 meters deep, making it an ideal site for divers of all levels. Due to the diversity of corals, expect this to be reflected in marine life too! Discover the trumpet fish, clownfish, seahorses and nudibranchs that inhabit this area.
Phu Quoc Island
Phu Quoc is reputed to be “the Maldives alternative to Vietnam”. This pearl island is not only famous for its beautiful beaches but also attracts visitors from all over the world by its beauty, especially that of its ocean where there are incredible mysterious coral reefs of various shapes and brightly colored fish. The best time to dive is from May to July, calm and blue sea.
1. Doi Moi Island
It is one of the best scuba diving spots in the North of Phu Quoc Island. You can see a variety of unique fish there. Also, there is a group of large rocks forming a canyon making the terrain. The shallower areas can see large hard corals, large anemones as well as pink anemonefish.
2. Mong Tay Island
This island is completely uninhabited. You can go camping, swimming or diving. The place is connected to the mainland by a healthy and safe coral reef with a depth of only 10 m. The coral diving destination has a large system of rocks that accumulate on the sandy surface at the bottom, creating many hiding places for fish such as barracudas or large pufferfish.
3. May Rut Trong Island
The island is surrounded by coconut palms that run along the white sandy beaches. There is a rich and diverse marine ecosystem. If you pay attention, you can observe many rare species. On this island, you can go snorkeling and admire the corals and different marine species. You can also participate in squid fishing with the locals.
Con Dao Island
It would be regrettable to miss Con Dao in the list of the best spots to dive in Vietnam. Divers will undoubtedly be satisfied with discovering numerous underwater living species on this site. The best time to dive is from late February to June. Here are best places for diving in Con Dao:
1. Tai Island
Tourists can do not only recreational fishing but also snorkeling while looking at coral reefs thousands of years old. Under the cool blue water, you will have the opportunity to observe closely the interesting life of thousands of different colorful fish living in coral reefs such as the cobia grouper, the butterflyfish, etc.
2. Bay Canh Island
It is the second-largest island in Con Dao. You are visiting Vietnam’s largest marine turtle conservation area. Ice Mangrove, Con Dao National Park Land Forest. You can find typical sea creatures such as crab tanks, sea cucumbers, snails at low tide.
Vinh Hy Bay
This bay is renowned as one of the most beautiful bays in Vietnam. It is located in the commune of Vinh Hai, district of Ninh Hai, 42 km from the town of Phan Rang (Ninh Thuan province, Center). The climate in Vinh Hy is temperate and pleasant all year round. The best time to get there is between May and August.
It is home to tranquil beaches, vast forests, hills, and mysterious caves. From Phan Rang, visitors can take a boat trip to explore the bay, surrounded by mountains. Its water is so clear that you can observe schools of fish around the boat. Besides, you can dive to contemplate colorful corals or admire dawn from Rai Cave.
Son Tra Peninsula
It is located about 10 km northeast of downtown Danang. With an area of 60 km2, the Son Tra Peninsula is one of the places with an excellent underwater ecosystem that visitors should explore.
It is divided into 2 seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. While the dry season begins from December to August, the rainy season is from September to November. We advise you to travel to this place in the dry season.
General Information for Diving in Vietnam
1. Best time for diving in Vietnam
Dive sites in Vietnam are accessible all year round, but the best time to dive is from March to October to enjoy better visibility when you dive. Also, the currents are calmer. Weather conditions vary widely from place to place in Vietnam. So be sure to check the weather conditions at each of these places before diving!
2. Diving conditions in Vietnam
- Visibility in Vietnamese waters varies from 10 to 30 meters depending on the season.
- There is little or no current in Vietnam, making it an attractive vacation destination for inexperienced divers. There are, however, some dive sites that are drifting, and which will, therefore, appeal to fans of this discipline.
- The water temperature in Vietnam fluctuates between 26 to 28 degrees Celsius.
Hopefully, our article will help you enjoy the unforgettable diving experiences during your travel to Vietnam!
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