Vietnam Underwater: Top 7 Spots for Diving in Vietnam

Vietnam is famous for its stunning landscapes, from green mountains to long beaches. But did you know there's even more beauty below the waves? In 'Vietnam Underwater: Top 7 Spots for Diving in Vietnam', we'll show you the best places to dive and see the colorful sea life up close. Let’s get ready for an underwater adventure below!

1. Phu Quoc Island

When coming to Phu Quoc, every visitor must be amazed because each beach area here has its unique scenery. In the North, tourists will be captivated by the beauty of the colorful coral reefs, which include up to 17 species. The Southern island features places like Hon Mot, Hon Thom, Hon May Rut, and Hon Dam Ngoai... all dreamy and romantic. The Northern island has Hon Đoi Moi, Hon Mong Tay, and Hon Roi... all wild and majestic. Additionally, there's the Ganh Dau area on the island, known for its large number of well-preserved living corals.

Diving in Phu Quoc island are incredibly diverse in terms of services, and you can freely choose according to your needs and preferences. The ideal time for the best diving experience in Phu Quoc is from May to July.

2. Cu Lao Cham Island - Hoi An

Cu Lao Cham is located in Tan Hiep commune, Hoi An, Quang Nam, 15 km from Cua Dai Beach, and recognized by UNESCO as a world biosphere reserve. Coral reefs are also typical of the sea and islands, also marking the development of tourism in Cu Lao Cham. This is the first island in Vietnam to discover a rich coral system with more than 300 species, 39 varieties, and 17 families. The richness of shapes, sizes, and colors with diverse and beautiful marine life. Especially, many deep and clear beaches have created ideal conditions for diving services to see the coral reefs of Cu Lao Cham. 

This place has a shallow sea, coral can be seen at an altitude of 2-4 m, when diving, visitors will be equipped with life jackets, and snorkels with diving goggles, suitable for inexperienced people. For visitors who want to explore deeper under the sea about 6m, when diving, there will be scuba tanks and accompanying guides. In addition, there are many thrilling games to attract visitors such as parachuting over a sea, towing by a boat, canoe pulling banana float, motorized watercraft... The best time to dive in Cu Lao Cham is from March to August.

3. Nha Trang

Nha Trang has long been a renowned beach destination and a top tourist attraction in Vietnam. With golden sun, white sands, crystal clear beaches, and a highly diverse ecosystem, it's no wonder why Nha Trang is always one of the first places tourists think of when they want a seaside vacation. The two most beautiful spots to dive in Nha Trang are Moray Beach (Bai Ca) and Madonna Rock (Da Me), in addition to many reef dive sites and wall dive sites scattered around Hon Tre Island, Hon Mun Island, Monkey Island, Hon Mot Island, etc.. These sites offer the divers glimpses of vibrant marine ecosystems, including everything from coral gardens to mysterious underwater tunnels.

Scuba diving is a popular activity in Nha Trang, and many visitors who have tried it emphasize that diving here is a must-do experience; otherwise, they would miss out. The ideal time to dive in Nha Trang is during the dry season, from March to September.

4. Con Dao Island

Con Dao Island is an excellent destination if you want to admire the brightly colored coral reefs and explore the stunning wonders beneath the sea. According to many studies, the coral density in the Con Dao marine area ranks top in Vietnam, with an average coverage of up to 42%. Moreover, it's home to over 1,380 diverse marine species. Therefore, when choosing to dive and observe the corals in Côn Đảo, you not only get to admire the beautiful coral reefs but also have the opportunity to explore the rich ecosystem on the ocean floor, observing colorful and unfamiliar marine animals.

Additionally, depending on the time of year, besides diving to see the corals in Con Dao, you can also choose to experience other exciting activities such as night fishing, squid fishing, and watching turtles lay eggs, etc.

The best time to dive in Con Dao Island is from March to June. This is the most wonderful time of the year because the sea will be calm, the water clear, and you can easily observe the coral reefs at close range.

5. Vinh Hy Bay - Ninh Thuan

Located very close to Ninh Chu Beach and Nui Chua National Park, Vinh Hy Bay is voted as one of the four most beautiful bays in Vietnam. If you are a lover of natural beauty and enjoy scuba diving, this is a destination you shouldn't miss. The islands in Vinh Hy Bay boast many beaches that remain relatively untouched, where visitors can freely swim in the clear blue waters. The landscapes here are meticulously preserved, with minimal human impact. The waters of Vinh Hy are clear blue and are home to over 300 species of coral, accompanied by a diverse range of marine flora and fauna.

Scuba diving in Vinh Hy is favored due to the breathtaking underwater views, which leave tourists longing to return after their first visit. The most ideal time to explore Vinh Hy Bay by diving is from around May to August.

6. Phu Quy Island - Binh Thuan

Phu Quy Island is a relatively new diving tourist destination in the country. However, it particularly attracts tourists because of its pristine and natural scenery, as if the island has never been touched by humans. The marine ecosystem is diverse with various species of fish and different types of corals.

One notable place is Bai Can (also known as Ran Can or Long Be area), a coral reef covering about 1 km2, located on the east side of Phu Quy Island, about 300 meters off the coast of Phu Long village, Long Hai commune. The corals here include various types such as stony corals, table corals, and cabbage corals combined with long stretches of green seaweed and colorful fish species, creating a picturesque scene, according to the electronic information page of Phu Quy district. In addition to diving, you can also experience stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) here. The best time to dive in Phu Quy Island is from March to August.

7. Ky Co - Quy Nhon

Ky Co is an untouched and stunningly beautiful island with white sandy shores and clear blue waters, located 25km southeast of the center of Quy Nhơn city. It's surrounded by mountains on two sides and the sea on one. Kỳ Co also offers numerous caves and unique saltwater ponds. Upon visiting Kỳ Co, you can immerse yourself in the clear waters, listen to the gently lapping waves, engage in exciting fishing activities, snorkel to observe coral, and savor many local delicacies.

Diving enthusiasts will enjoy a range of activities, including scuba diving, underwater walking, and underwater filming. Kỳ Co has a temperate climate, making it suitable for visits throughout the year; however, the best period for diving in Ky Co Quy Nhon is from February to August.

Scuba diving is a marvelous experience that tourists should not miss out on when visiting Vietnam. Remember to note down the destinations scuba diving in Vietnam shared by Izitour to ensure the most memorable trip.

To see more about Vietnam:

>> The 10 Best Islands in Vietnam for Travellers

>> 15 Best Things to Do in Vietnam Every Traveler Need to Know

>> Exploring How to Plan the Best of Central Vietnam Itinerary