Author: Carter Andryskova
Vietnam has always been a favorite of backpackers. Tourists flock to admire its charming natural beauty, pristine beaches, rich culture, and delicious cuisine. But what many people don't know is that the underwater world is equally spectacular.
Vietnam has a coastline of 2000 miles, almost no affected waters, year-round accessibility, and hundreds of marine organisms of all sizes, undoubtedly leaving its mark on the diving industry.
Vietnam has four main diving areas: Nha Trang, Kham Island, Fukuo, and Whale Island. Although Nha Trang is the most developed and has the most diving points, the other three diving points are constantly being explored, and new diving points have been discovered. There is enough reason for the diver to come back again and again!
The following is our summary of Vietnamese diving athletes.
Do you have any questions about diving in Vietnam? Ask us here!
20 suitable diving locations in Vietnam?
Recommendation level
Advanced among beginners
Diving type
Reef wall cave ship radiography shark drift macro Nudibranch sank deep at night
Madonna Rock
The terrain of Madonna Rock makes this place a true adventure playground. Swimming through two peaks at different depths, then screaming and waiting to explore. The stunning mixture of hard and soft corals envelops the rocks. The depth of Madonna Rock can reach up to 25 meters/82 feet, making it a diving experience that all levels of divers can enjoy.
What to See
Every crevice and cave is a perfect hiding place for various marine organisms. Clouds composed of millions of glass fish occupy the cave, while large sea eels and octopuses lurk in niches. Other highlights include flatworms, unicorn fish, and spider ray.
Ho Trau Nam
Ho Trau Nam is one of the popular diving destinations in the region. It is also known as Sanwang Island, consisting of three peaks that rise from the seabed. The kaleidoscope of purple, yellow, and white corals and snake bed insects adorns this area, providing a perfect background for those who love photography.
What to See
Ho Trau Nam is famous for the light that often appears in the area. Manta rays, hawk rays, and stingrays glide effortlessly in the water. In the depths of coral reefs, divers will see some strange but very beautiful sea slugs.
family
It is exposed on the northern edge of Con Dao, making Hun Trung a place with very strong water flow. For this reason, this is only suitable for more experienced divers. The walls are covered with beautiful corals and sea fans. The good news is that the rapids have brought larger islands. Although the depth here is 40 meters/130 feet, the site is between 15-20 meters/50-65 feet.
What to See
The strait between Hun Trung and the main islands is a great place to see tuna, mackerel, and barracuda hanging in blue. This is also an excellent place to discover past dolphins and sharks.
Nudibranch garden
The Nudibranch Garden is a great place for people who love small animals. This is a shallow reef dive at a depth of 12m/40 feet, but there are still many areas worth exploring. Impressive large corals and rock formations conceal rich macroscopic life.
What to See
As the name suggests, this diving site has a large number of colorful nude swims, including the local Godiva species, which are easy to discover due to their deep purple color. Pay attention to the bamboo sharks hiding under the rock formations.
The Mozhan Islands are a group of small islands, 40 minutes' drive from the coast of Vietnam. This peaceful area is the location of a few diving sites and is an ideal place for a day of diving. The beach is a place to relax during break time. What divers like the most is Mo. The slope of coral reefs ranges from 4 meters/13 feet to 35 meters/114 feet, covering both hard and soft corals.
What to See
Mo's coral blanket is home to many underwater creatures. Trumpet fish, clownfish, naked gilled fish, pufferfish, and elusive seahorses are just some residents that need attention.
Fish Expressway
Vietnam is not famous for sunken ships, but the Fish Highway consists of the wreckage of a fishing boat lying in 28 meters/92 feet of deep water. The steel hull, covered with sponges and coral, has become the home of the fish that fishermen use to catch. Fish Highway has become a favorite among photographers.
What to See
Fish Highway is a refuge for marine life, including groupers, sea eels, fairy fish, and Moorish idols. Divers should be careful of stone fish and scorpions hidden in sunken ships.
Big Wall
As you might expect, the vertical wall of Big Wall can be lowered to 35 meters/115 feet, making it an excellent choice for diving. The rock surface is covered with thick coral, and there are various types of fish, making diving a pleasure.
What to See
Angel fish, green wrasse, and butterfly fish make the Great Wall their home. Pay attention to the rabbi fish and the double point queen fish. Stay away from the wall and you can see some larger species, such as grouper and Jack.
Mali Beach
The average depth of Mali Beach is 18m/60 feet, with shallow sand on the seabed, making it an ideal location for diving training. Therefore, it may become quite crowded. But this is not an excuse to leave, because missing Mali Beach is not a choice!
More advanced divers can swim over and explore the exciting caves of Mali. The excellent visibility brings some excellent photography opportunities.
What to See
Obviously, there are many sea eels here, and sea eels over 2 meters/6.5 feet long are not uncommon. Clown fish, scorpion fish, and black frog fish swim around the stunning coral. If you have enough courage to explore caves, you will receive rewards such as pipefish, razorfish, and devil scorpionfish.
Dai (Ear Island)
On the outer edge of Whale Island is Hongtai, a beautiful plateau shaped reef. This is a shallow dive with occasional weak currents, making it an ideal choice for all levels. An excellent place for wide-angle and macro photography.
What to See
There are many places for divers to entertain here, including devil scorpion fish, clownfish, purple fire goblin, blennies, frog fish, and stone fish. Hongtai is also a great place to see nurse sharks and whitefin reef sharks.
Groupers grotto
A large trawler is located 35 meters/115 feet from Groupers Grotto. The floor is littered with cultural relics, which makes the sunken ship itself more interesting than the one on Fish Highway. This is a challenging dive with many advanced divers to explore.
What to See
The reason for diving Groupers Grotto is really for the sinking of the ship. However, lionfish, sea eels, and scorpions all hide in sponges and have the opportunity to see one or two giant groupers. Pay attention to the passing sharks that are often seen here.
Lobster Beach
If you like lobster, you will like lobster beach. The scattered coral structure and a depth of 16 meters/52 feet provide perfect conditions for these colorful crustaceans.
Before human and environmental destruction drove away sea turtles, lobster beaches were also breeding grounds for sea turtles. However, due to the current protection of the area, the number of sea turtles is increasing, and some are returning to breed.
What to See
As you might expect, there are many lobsters on the Lobster Beach. Other species around coral include mantis shrimp, trumpet fish, and dragons.
She Nhan
Han
It is considered one of the suitable diving options for the Zhan Islands. The venue consists of a pointed roof with a bottom of approximately 40 meters/130 feet. The stunning rock formations, caves, and sudden descent create an exciting terrain filled with marine life.
What to See
The real highlight of Han is that you will see thousands of colorful naked branches scattered on the seabed. In the coral skyline, you will encounter many creatures, including seahorses, banded eels, crabs, and barracuda.
Whale Island Bay
To relax and relax while diving, head to Whale Island Bay. If you have just started your diving adventure, this is a great place to practice your skills while exploring magical marine creatures. For more advanced individuals, this is an opportunity to delve deeper, as the depth here is approximately 50 meters/164 feet.
What to See
If you want to see Nemo and his family, Whale Island Bay is your diving destination! The number of clownfish entering and exiting the sea anemone is breathtaking. Looking at large rock formations, you can see Trevalli, snappers, and groupers.
Honggao (Dry Island)
The few rocks you see on the surface of Han Gao may not appear to be many. But once you enter the waves, you will see a spectacular coral reef system. Beautiful hard coral is full of life.
What to See
Due to its diversity, it may be easier to list things you cannot see in Honggao! Some highlights are oblique cut shells, bamboo sharks, catfish, cuttlefish, naked gill fish, and octopus. Pay attention to small reef sharks and occasional sea turtles.
cave
The main feature of the cave is a submerged reef that slopes downwards to 25 meters/82 feet. This gives way to a 6-9 meter/20-30 foot cave. Divers of all levels can swim through coral reefs.
What to See
Caves provide scuba divers with the opportunity to see all the ordinary residents of the waters around Vietnam. Clownfish, lionfish, triangular fish, feather stars, and a large number of worms will make photographers happy.
white rock
The steep vertical walls descend from the water surface to 40 meters/130 feet, and the huge spire rises from the bottom, making White Rock a very exciting diving project. Dark snake bed worms and coral trees cover the depths, creating a eerie and mysterious environment.
It may be the farthest diving location from Whale Island, but White Rock is definitely worth a visit.
What to See
Baiyan is a great place to explore various marine animals around coral. Looking down, you will see many black rays gliding dangerously beneath you.
nose
The main feature of the electric nose is to lift a huge peak from an altitude of 50 meters/164 feet. A layer of soft coral provides rich macro life for diverse ecosystems.
There is a colorful coral reef and a cave adorned with yellow sunflower coral for exploration, and the electric nose is a place where most divers dive more than once.
What to See
The variety provided by the electric nose is very diverse. According to reports, over 50 species of nudibranch have been recorded at this location. Search in coral and you will see many different types of flatworms, crabs, and shrimp.
Wengdao
Another shallow dive is Hon Ong, with a depth of 12m/40 feet. The stunning coral and vibrant sea anemones cover the coral reefs, providing habitats for a variety of fish.
Due to its shallowness, Hongweng is a popular night diving option for local diving operators.
What to See
Where you see sea anemones, you can see many clownfish. This magical coral reef is also home to a group of seahorses, shrimp, crabs, and beautiful Spanish dancers.
Northern Turtle Island
Turtle Island is located at the northern end of Phu Quoc and offers three different diving methods, which are loved by tourists and local divers.
The characteristic of the northern part of Turtle Island is the huge, coral covered boulders rising from the seabed. These have created a habitat that provides a home for various marine species. Photographers will incorporate their elements!
What to See
In addition to many tropical species such as butterfly fish and angel fish, the northern part of Turtle Island is also a great place to watch blue spotted stingray and reef shark. Looking into the blue sky, you will hopefully catch a glimpse of a passing eagle ray.
Turtle Island South
The southern part of Turtle Island provides experienced divers with a completely different experience from the diving point of the same name in the north. Deeper depths and stronger ocean currents bring larger marine species.
The coral cover is colorful and vibrant, making it easy to understand why it is such a popular diving experience.
What to See
You can expect to encounter common small animals in and around coral reefs. The additional benefits include sharks, barracuda, stingrays, hawk rays, and a large number of snappers and tuna.
Vietnam may not be the preferred diving destination for everyone. But the scuba divers who went to the country all agreed on this.
Did we miss your favorite diving spot in Vietnam? Leave us a message below and tell us about it!
+86-512-82776968
sales@deng-yuan.com
