The best diving spots in Vietnam

Many people know that there are unspoilt beaches, incredibly delicious food, friendly locals, rich culture and a natural beauty that is otherworldly in Vietnam. But what a lot of people don’t know is that there’s also many diving spots. Although Vietnam might be a relatively new destination for divers, expect to be amazed by it. You can dive here all year round, but the main diving season runs from March through October. You can expect to see everything from bamboo sharks, barracuda, dugongs, etc. If you’re into diving, you’ll be pleasantly surprised about the spots you can find here in Vietnam. Let’s take a look at the best diving spots in Vietnam.

1. Nudibranch Gardens, Phu Quoc

The island of Phu Quoc has been described as ‘paradisiacal’, with their pristine white sand beaches and crystal clear water. Tourism has just started to catch up in Phu Quoc and now is an excellent time to go there. Head over to Nudibranch Gardens on the east coast of Phu Quoc to dive with bamboo sharks. The diving here is suitable for all levels of divers so if you’re a beginner, it’s a good place to start at. The maximum depth of the dive here is around 12 metres.

2. Dry Island, Phu Quoc

This place might not look like much when you first see it, but don’t judge a book by its cover. When you go under the water, it’s like you’ve entered a new world with an incredible reef system where you can spot animals such as bamboo sharks, rays, mitre shells, nudibranchs, catfish, and more.

3. Moray Beach, Nha Trang

If you want to dive in a spot with an abundance of nudibranch species and beautiful corals, you should pay a visit to Moray Beach. You can expect to see different types of fishes such as clownfish, black frogfish, scorpionfish and many more. The diving here is suitable for all levels and the average depth of this dive is approximately 18 metres.

4. Madonna Rock, Nha Trang

There’s several caverns at this site whom provides shelter for many fish species that breed here. Dive amongst lionfish, giant morays and scorpionfish here at Madonna Rock. You can only access this diving spot by boat.

5. Hon Nhan, Hoi An

In order to reach Hon Nhan, you have to go by boat which takes around 40 minutes. This dive is approximately 40 metres and is more suitable for people who have dived a few times.

6. Hon Mo, Hoi An

Another diving spot in Hoi An, this mesmerizing place is one of the best spots to dive in Vietnam. You’ll see everything from hard and soft corals, clownfish, seahorses and nudibranch. Diving here means diving amongst colorful fishes and corals. A truly spectacular vision.

 

7. Whale Island Bay, Nha Trang 

If you’re a big fan of anemones and clownfish, you should head over to Whale Island Bay, which is the perfect site to spot them. The diving here is suitable for all levels.

8. Con Dao Islands

Tourism hasn’t hit Con Dao Islands quite yet, so now is a good time to visit this hidden gem. There’s about 20 diving sites here so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. You will see everything from hawksbill turtles, rays, sharks and colorful coral formations and reefs. There’s also the only wreck in Vietnam here where you can dive to.

Before you go diving in Vietnam, you must apply for a Vietnam visa in order to enter the country. You have three options, depending on which country you’re a citizen of. The most popular and preferable option is getting the online visas. You can either get a Visa on Arrival or an E-Visa. The latter is only eligible for certain countries in the world so therefore you need to see if you can apply for an E-Visa first. The third option is to go to the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate and apply with them. The reason why this option isn’t preferred is because if you don’t live close to an Embassy or Consulate, you have to spend money and time to either go there and apply or send important documents. Therefore, many people prefer to get online visas since they can apply for it everywhere in the world. You only need your computer and internet, and the visa process only takes a few days.