Imagine crystal blue waters and endless sandy beaches. Vietnam's majestic coastline offers a veritable underwater paradise to explore at your leisure. The shimmering coral reefs are home to a multitude of marine life moving with grace and lightness. The rock formations sculpted by time offer landscapes worthy of the most beautiful paintings. However, the ultimate experience lies in the submerged forests, vegetal cathedrals where tropical fish, sea turtles and seahorses move peacefully about.
Whether you're an experienced diver or a seabed novice, Vietnam will amaze you. Heavenly beaches await you along the coast, offering modern diving facilities and a warm welcome. Let us guide you through this enchanting underwater world, where every dive will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Here is our selection of the best diving spots in Vietnam in 2024.
Where to dive in Halong bay - Photo : Mr Linh's adventures
WHERE TO DIVE IN NORTH VIETNAM
Ha Long Bay (Quang Ninh Province)
✓ Distance from Hanoi: 170 km
✓ Ideal season: April to October.
✓ Features: Several dive sites, with depths ranging from 15 to 20 meters. Diversity: karst islands, crystal-clear water, weak current.
✓ Fauna: Sunfish, rays, sharks, turtles.
Best diving spots in Halong bay - Photo : Mr Linh's adventures
Titop Island
Halong Bay, one of Vietnam's natural wonders, hides unexpected underwater wonders. Let yourself be seduced by Titop Island, a veritable haven of lush life! As soon as you dive, you'll be enveloped by a kaleidoscope of brilliant colors, where majestic coral rubs shoulders with a multitude of tropical fish. But the icing on the cake awaits you in the underwater grotto...
Cong Do Island
If you're looking to combine adventure and diving in Vietnam, why not indulge in the wild wonders of Cong Do Island in Bai Tu Long Bay? The waters here are home to flora and fauna found nowhere else. Admire the soft and hard corals that undulate gracefully like jellyfish. Contemplate the turtles and sharks that move majestically around you. And immerse yourself in history as you explore ancient shipwrecks protected by the sea.
Diving around Cat Ba Island - Photo : Mr Linh's adventures Team
Cat Ba Island (Dependent on Haiphong)
✓ Distance from Haiphong: 30 km
✓ Depth: 520 metres
✓ Fauna: sunfish, rays, sharks, turtles
✓ Description: karst islands, crystalclear water, weak current
Discover the magic of Cat Ba Island, a natural jewel emerging from the crystal-clear waters of mythical Halong Bay. Experience an incredibly rich underwater exploration in Vietnam and let yourself be charmed by this generous land, the largest of all the islands in this marvel of Vietnam. You'll be transported by the beauty of this enchanting place.
Best diving spots in Central Vietnam - Photo : Mr Linh's adventures
WHERE TO DIVE IN CENTRAL VIETNAM
Hoi An
Cu Lao Cham Marine Park (Quang Nam Province)
Let yourself be transported to a haven of peace preserved by
UNESCO, a natural wonder hidden off the magnificent coast of Hoi An. The
Cham archipelago welcomes you with tenderness, revealing crystal-clear waters of unrivalled purity. Let yourself be swept away into a
magical underwater world!
As soon as you dive, you'll marvel at the raw beauty of coral reefs vibrant with life. A ballet of dazzling colors, where exotic fish in extraordinary shapes move gracefully around you. A visual symphony that will leave you in awe with each new exploration. Each island has its own unique underwater treasures to discover with family and friends.
✓ Distance from Hoi An: 15 km
✓ Ideal season: March to September.
✓ Features: More than 10 dive sites, with depths ranging from 5 to 20 meters. Colorful coral reefs, underwater caves and a rich marine fauna.
✓ Fauna: Tropical fish, nudibranchs, sea turtles, moray eels, stingrays.
At the heart of the Cham archipelago lie underwater treasures that will amaze you. The most popular dive sites, such as Hon Dai, Bai Bac and Hon Tai, offer an unforgettable experience. Let yourself be carried away by the raw beauty of the seabed and discover these unsuspected natural sanctuaries.
But there's more to the Cham Islands than their underwater riches. Enjoy the pristine sandy beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see, like daydreams. Meet authentic fishing villages to discover their culture and savour the delights of the sea.
Cu Lao Cham paradisiac underwater - Photo : Internet
Ly Son Island (Quang Ngai)
Close to the historic shores of the charming town of Hoi An, lies a natural treasure that warmly invites you in. Welcome to Ly Son Island and its rare gem, Be. This unspoilt island offers breathtaking raw and untamed beauty. Get ready for an immersive experience in the heart of an underwater paradise!
✓ Distance from Quang Ngai: 30 km
✓ Depth: 520 meters
✓ Fauna: sunfish, rays, sharks, turtles
✓ Description: colorful coral reef, crystalclear water, weak current
Da Nang is well known for its beach and its crystal clear underwater - Photo : Mr Linh's adventures Team
Da Nang
Son Tra Peninsula
Close to the hustle and bustle of Da Nang, a veritable natural gem awaits you. The Son Tra Peninsula, a verdant haven of peace, offers breathtaking scenery where sea and land meet in a sublime embrace. But this beauty is not limited to dry land. Dive into its invigorating waters to discover a rich underwater world!
To the south of this peaceful oasis, the Hon Sup dive site offers a unique immersive experience. Here, marine biodiversity literally explodes before your astonished eyes. You'll be surrounded by no fewer than 54 varieties of coral in spectacular shapes and colors, each revealing its secrets with each new dive. A veritable living museum awaits you, revealing the raw magic of the Vietnamese seabed.
Where to dive in Nha Trang bay - Photo : Mr Linh's adventures
WHERE TO DIVE IN SOUTH VIETNAM
Nha Trang
A veritable natural gem nestling on Vietnam's south-central coast, Nha Trang Bay opens its crystal-clear waters to you. Get ready for a magical underwater experience! At depths of between 5 and 20 meters, a magical world awaits you in absolute tranquility. Cradled by gentle, lazy currents, you'll move in perfect harmony with this incomparably clear underwater setting. Every nook and cranny will captivate you with its unsuspected natural treasures, awakening the explorer in you.
Ideal season: February to October.
- Features: Over 20 dive sites, with depths ranging from 5 to 30 meters. Diverse hard and soft corals, caves, wrecks and abundant marine life.
- Fauna: Leopard sharks, hawksbill turtles, clownfish, barracudas, nudibranchs.
Hon Mun Island (Nha Trang)
Hon Mun Island is an enchanting place for diving enthusiasts. The Hon Mun Marine Reserve is home to over 350 species of hard coral and a wide variety of fish. To discover Nha Trang's most beautiful reefs, you can embark on a boat accompanied by a team of professional divers. An unforgettable, eco-friendly experience awaits you.
✓ Distance from Nha Trang: 10 km
✓ Depth: 540 meters
✓ Fauna: sunfish, rays, sharks, turtles
✓ Description: colorful coral reef, crystalclear water, weak current
Best diving spot in Nha Trang bay - Photo : Mr Linh's adventures
Hon Tam Island (Nha Trang)
✓ Distance from Nha Trang: 5 km
✓ Depth: 5-20 metres
✓ Fauna: sunfish, rays, sharks, turtles
✓ Description: colorful coral reef, crystal-clear water, weak current
Phu Quoc is a paradise for diving - Photo : Mr Linh's adventures Team
Phu Quoc
This island on Vietnam's southwest coast is often described as a paradise on earth, attracting scuba diving enthusiasts from all over the world.
✓ Ideal season: November to April.
✓ Features: Over 20 dive sites, with depths ranging from 5 to 30 meters. Diverse hard and soft corals, wrecks and abundant marine life.
✓ Fauna: Reef sharks, manta rays, barracudas, tropical fish, seahorses.
Phu Quoc's best dive sites include Turtle Island, Finger Island and the An Thoi archipelago. In ideal waters, you can observe butterflyfish, parrotfish, angelfish, seahorses, lionfish and even rays.
Phu Quoc's best dive sites - Photo : Internet
Phu Quoc is a wonderful place that offers much more than just scuba diving. You can explore beautiful beaches, hike in the Phu Quoc National Park, take a boat trip to the An Thoi archipelago, taste delicious seafood and visit lively night markets. There's so much to do and see in Phu Quoc, you'll never get bored.
Con Dao
Located off the southern coast of Vietnam, the Con Dao Islands offer an unforgettable diving experience. The crystal-clear waters teem with marine life, including tropical fish, turtles and even sharks. The colorful coral gardens dotting the seabed of Bay Canh Island, Hon Tai Island and Con Son Bay are a true marvel for divers to discover. On land, nature lovers can explore the surrounding beaches, hike through the lush forests of Con Dao National Park or take a boat trip to explore the surrounding islands. Come and recharge your batteries in this unspoilt natural paradise.
Con Dao Islands (Ba Ria-Vung Tau)
✓ Ideal season: March to September.
✓ Features: More than 15 dive sites, with depths ranging from 5 to 30 meters. Low current
✓ Description: A variety of hard and soft corals, caves, wrecks and marine life.
✓ Fauna: Whitetip sharks, barracudas, sea turtles, nudibranchs, tropical fish.
Con Dao's best dive sites - Photo : Internet
When to dive in Vietnam
Vietnam is a country with a coastline over 3,000 km long, and diving conditions vary according to region and season. Here are the best times of year for diving in Vietnam:
Northern Vietnam (Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba Island)
- Best period: April to October
- Water temperature: 25-30°C (July to September)
- Visibility: 10-20 meters
- Diving conditions: calm, clear water, weak current
Central Vietnam (Nha Trang, Hon Mun Island, Cham Island)
- Best period: March to September
- Water temperature: 25-30°C (June to August)
- Visibility: 15-30 meters
- Diving conditions: calm, clear water, weak current
Southern Vietnam (Phu Quoc Island, Con Dao Islands)
- Best period: November to May
- Water temperature: 28-30°C (December to April)
- Visibility: 20-40 meters
- Diving conditions: calm, clear water, weak current
Diving in Nha Trang bay - Photo : Mr Linh's adventures
Periods to avoid
- February to March: spring storms can make diving conditions difficult
- June to August: the rainy season can make waters murky and reduce visibility
- September to November: hurricanes can affect diving conditions
Notes
Diving conditions may vary from year to year, depending on exceptional weather events.
It's important to check local diving conditions before setting off, and to dive with an experienced guide.
And finally, remember that it's important to check local diving conditions before setting off and to dive with an experienced guide.