Scuba diving spots along Vietnam

The coastal areas of Quang Ninh, Quang Nam , Khanh Hoa, Quy Nhon, Phu Quoc, and Con Dao all offer scuba diving and coral reef viewing services.

Snorkeling is a popular choice for many tourists during summer vacations at coastal areas, with a variety of services available. Along the coast from North to South, visitors can choose to go snorkeling on day tours, using snorkels, scuba tanks, or wearing helmets to walk underwater. Below are some suggested locations and services, as shared by local guides and tour operators.

Visitors are advised not to step on, pick, break, or touch the coral reefs. Corals are sensitive and vulnerable organisms, and direct contact can destroy these precious reefs.

Co To Island, Quang Ninh

Coral reefs on Co To Island. Photo: Xuan Hoa

Co To Island is the only licensed coral reef diving service in Northern Vietnam. Launched in April 2023, visitors can now view coral reefs at Vung Tron, Hon Chim, and Hon Ong Tich in Thanh Lan commune, about 80 km from the mainland.

The snorkeling tour costs 1.5 million VND per person and includes electric vehicle transportation, speedboat to the snorkeling spot, fruit, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and insurance. There is also an underwater walking tour for 1.3 million VND. Visitors can also book additional services such as kayaking, underwater photography, and seafood meals at sea for between 100,000 and 300,000 VND per person. Children over 6 years old can participate.

For underwater walking, tourists are equipped with a special helmet, weighing about 30 kg, capable of withstanding high underwater pressure at a depth of about 20 meters. The helmet has an air tube hundreds of meters long connected to a pump on the ship to supply oxygen to the diver.

Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang

Located 8 km from the center of Da Nang, Son Tra Peninsula boasts beautiful beaches such as Nam Beach, Rang Beach, But Beach, and Bac Beach. These beaches have a steep slope and clear water, making them ideal for fishing and snorkeling to admire the coral reefs. A full-day tour costs approximately 600,000 VND per person.

The tour will depart from the city center in the morning. After visiting several places, tourists will go to the coral reef snorkeling area. Son Tra Peninsula has five coral reef protection zones, with a total protected area of ​​approximately 134 hectares, including Hon Sup, Bai But, Bai Nom, Dong Bai Bac, and Huc Lo.

The coral reef snorkeling area is located on the edge of Hon Sup island, about 1.8 km from the shore. Visitors will be provided with life vests, goggles, and snorkels to freely swim and view the coral reefs in shallow-water snorkeling.

Cham Island, Quang Nam

During a one-day tour of Cu Lao Cham, in addition to visiting famous tourist attractions on the island, visitors often combine swimming and snorkeling to admire the coral reefs.

Canoes will transport tourists to Hon Dai and Bai Xep islands for snorkeling and coral viewing. Before entering the sea, tourists will be instructed and provided with life jackets, goggles, snorkels, and shallow diving equipment to avoid damaging the protected coral reefs at Hon La, Hon Dai, Bai Bac, Bai Nan, and Bai Tra islands.

The activity lasts approximately 30 minutes, before visitors return to the beach for lunch. The all-inclusive tour price for adults ranges from 500,000 VND to 700,000 VND.

Ly Son, Quang Ngai

Scuba diving activities in Ly Son are concentrated around Be Island (An Binh Island), focusing on shallow diving. Visitors staying on Be Island can purchase tours there, while those from the main island should make their own way to Be Island or book a package tour from the main island.

The tour, which typically costs 550,000 VND per person, includes transportation to various attractions, fishing with nets, snorkeling, and paddleboarding for the day. Visitors will be guided on a traditional basket boat trip to Bai Sau beach, provided with life jackets and snorkeling masks, and allowed to view coral reefs at a depth of 1-2 meters.

Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh

Diving to harvest seaweed at Hon Kho Island, Quy Nhon. Photo: Dung Nhan

The two main coral viewing spots in Binh Dinh are Ky Co in Nhon Ly commune and Hon Kho in Nhon Hai commune. Hon Kho is located in a bay, making it relatively calm and one of the most beautiful coral viewing spots in Quy Nhon, where tourism is permitted. The coral at Hon Kho is close to the shore, only 1-2 meters below sea level.

Simply put on a life jacket, goggles, and face down in the sea, and you'll see the beauty of the coral reefs with schools of colorful small fish swimming around. In the summer, there's also seaweed, making it ideal for tourists who enjoy photography.

Prices for underwater walking services in Quy Nhon range from 1 to 1.2 million VND per person for 20 minutes and 15 photos. Scuba diving costs approximately 700,000 to 800,000 VND. Snorkeling is usually included in island tours, or costs 50,000 VND for children.

Vinh Hy Bay, Ninh Thuan

Located near Ninh Chu Beach and Nui Chua National Park, Vinh Hy Bay is one of the most beautiful bays in Vietnam. Visitors should consider taking a glass-bottom boat tour. During the approximately two-hour journey, visitors will pass by Yen Cave, Turtle Island, and Rai Cave, after which they will be provided with the necessary equipment for snorkeling and exploring the underwater world, including diving gear and snorkels.

The tour group will travel by boat, with a minimum of 10 people, at a price ranging from 1.5 million to 2 million VND per boat. At the end of the trip, the boat will take visitors to Bai Coc beach for rest and to enjoy fresh seafood (at their own expense). Some tours include lunch, so visitors should inquire about the cost before booking.

Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa

Nha Trang is one of the first places in Vietnam to organize snorkeling tours to see coral reefs. From Nha Trang city, tourists can book tours to islands such as Hon Tam, Hon Mieu, Bai Tranh, and Hon Mot. In addition to boat tours and swimming around the islands, tourists can participate in diving experiences such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and walking on the seabed.

Over the past two years, some previously popular coral reef diving spots in Nha Trang, such as Hon Mun, have been ordered to cease operations to protect coral reefs and marine ecosystems.

Depending on the provider, the price of a day trip to the islands, including lunch, ranges from 600,000 to 800,000 VND. If you participate in scuba diving and underwater walking, the cost will double. In Nha Trang, there are also diving classes available. Students must register in advance to secure a spot and undergo a health check to meet the eligibility requirements. Each course costs from 10 million VND.

Phu Quy Island, Binh Thuan Province

Bai Can on Phu Quy Island is a favorite spot for SUP paddling and snorkeling enthusiasts. This coral reef covers an area of ​​approximately one square kilometer and is located on the eastern side of the island. The coral includes various types such as stony coral, table coral, and cabbage coral, combined with sea grape carpets and many colorful fish species.

To reach the coral viewing spot, visitors travel approximately 300 meters from the shore. Tours often combine SUP paddling and snorkeling. The best time for snorkeling is from March to August each year. Visitors are provided with SUP boards, paddles, life vests, goggles, snorkels, and fins. Snorkelers will also have the opportunity to take underwater or SUP photos using a drone.

The price for scuba diving ranges from 250,000 to 350,000 VND per adult. A full tour package costs approximately 800,000 VND.

Snorkeling and fin diving at Phu Quy Island. Photo: Huynh Ka

Phu Quoc, Kien Giang

Tourists visiting Phu Quoc often choose a 3-4 island sightseeing tour, a day trip by speedboat, departing from An Thoi port in the south of the island from 7-8 am to 4-5 pm.

Popular itineraries include islands such as Mong Tay Island, May Rut Island (Inner and Outer), Gam Ghi Island, Roi Island, and several others. Visitors will have lunch on the island and take photos with a professional team (underwater or on SUPs using a drone). Tour prices range from approximately 550,000 to 700,000 VND, including snorkeling to see shallow coral reefs. Please note that there will be an additional transportation fee if staying in the northern part of the island.

For a more immersive coral viewing experience, visitors can book an underwater walking tour at the Coral Park. This is an optional activity and costs between 1 and 1.2 million VND per person. Visitors are not permitted to enter the Phu Quoc Marine Protected Area, which is dedicated to coral conservation.

Con Dao Island, Ba Ria - Vung Tau

The best time for scuba diving in Con Dao is from March to September each year. The best diving spots in Con Dao are the areas around Bay Canh Island, Tai Island, and Cau Island. Tourists who prefer not to travel far can visit Ong Dung Beach.

According to an announcement from Con Dao National Park, some corals in Con Son Bay, Dam Tre, and Hon Cau are being bleached due to rising sea temperatures. Since May, scientists have been surveying the area to find solutions to save the coral and limit tourism exploitation.

Snorkeling tours in Con Dao cost an average of 700,000 VND per person, including the tour and scuba diving. Tourists are provided with all necessary equipment for snorkeling at the control station and their safety is ensured throughout the diving process.

According to VnExpress

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/nhung-diem-lan-bien-ngam-san-ho-doc-viet-nam-post385767.html