Vietnam, with its long coastline and rich marine biodiversity, is a paradise for coral reef diving enthusiasts. From North to South, along the S-shaped coast, there are countless beautiful destinations for you to explore the wondrous ocean world. If you are looking for a vibrant summer vacation and want to admire the brilliant beauty of coral reefs, join “Du lịch khắp thế gian” to discover the top coral reef diving spots in Vietnam, where you can immerse yourself in the clear blue water and admire the colorful coral reefs. However, always remember that corals are fragile creatures, easily damaged. Therefore, when participating in diving activities, raise your awareness of environmental protection by not stepping on, breaking, snapping, or touching corals to preserve this natural beauty for future generations.
Co To Island – The Green Pearl of Northern Vietnam
Co To Island, a beautiful island in Quang Ninh province, is not only famous for its pristine beaches and majestic natural landscapes but also the only place in Northern Vietnam licensed for coral reef diving services. Since April 2023, tourists have been able to experience this exciting activity at Vung Tron, Chim Islet, and Ong Tich Islet, belonging to Thanh Lan island commune, about 80km from the mainland.
A diving tour in Co To costs around VND 1.5 million per person, including full services of electric car pick-up and drop-off, canoe to the diving spot, drinking water, fruit, insurance, and professional diving equipment. In addition, you can also try the unique underwater walking tour for VND 1.3 million. To capture memorable moments underwater, underwater photography services are also provided at affordable prices, from only VND 100,000 to 300,000 per person. If you want to explore more of the beauty of the sea, you can rent a rowing boat or enjoy fresh seafood right on the sea. Co To diving tours are suitable for families, with children over 6 years old also able to participate.
A special feature of the underwater walking tour in Co To is that visitors will be equipped with a specialized diving helmet weighing 30kg, designed to withstand high pressure at a depth of about 20m. The diving helmet is connected to a pump on the boat by hundreds of meters of air hose, providing continuous oxygen to the diver, helping you comfortably explore the seabed without oxygen tanks.
Snorkeling tour in Co To Island, Quang Ninh includes full services and modern diving equipment
Son Tra Peninsula – Da Nang – Coral Paradise in the City
Son Tra Peninsula, only about 8km from the center of Da Nang city, is an ideal destination for those who want to combine beach tourism and explore pristine nature. This place owns many beautiful beaches such as Bai Rang, Bai Nam, Bai Bac, Bai But with steep slopes, clear blue sea, very suitable for fishing and coral reef diving. Day diving tours in Son Tra have a package price of about VND 600,000 per person, departing from the city center in the morning.
The tour itinerary usually includes visiting some famous spots on the peninsula before taking visitors to the coral reef diving area. With a total protected area of up to 134 hectares, Son Tra Peninsula has 5 locations belonging to the coral protection zone, including Hon Sup, Bai But, Bai Nom, Dong Bai Bac, and Huc Lo. The Hon Sup reef edge, about 1.8km from the coast, is the chosen spot for coral reef diving.
When participating in diving services in Son Tra, visitors will be fully equipped with diving masks, snorkels, and life jackets to freely swim and admire the beauty of corals in the form of snorkeling. With crystal clear water and a diverse coral reef ecosystem, Son Tra Peninsula promises to bring you unforgettable diving experiences right in the heart of Da Nang beach city.
Tourists snorkeling to see coral reefs at Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang with diving masks and snorkels
Cu Lao Cham – Quang Nam – Explore the Kingdom of Colorful Corals
Cu Lao Cham, a beautiful island in Quang Nam province, is recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. This place is not only famous for its unique historical and cultural values but also one of the most beautiful coral reef diving spots in Vietnam. 1-day Cu Lao Cham tours often combine visiting famous spots on the island with swimming and snorkeling experiences.
Visitors will be taken by high-speed canoe to Hon Dai and Bai Xep, two of the most wonderful snorkeling spots in Cu Lao Cham. Here, you will be given detailed instructions on diving techniques and fully equipped with necessary tools such as snorkels, specialized masks, and life jackets. Diving activities in Cu Lao Cham are organized consciously, ensuring no impact on the coral reefs that are strictly protected in Hon Dai, Hon La, Bai Nan, Bai Tre, and Bai Bac.
The snorkeling time usually lasts about 30 minutes, enough for you to admire the miraculous beauty of the coral world under the sea. After finishing diving, visitors will return to the beach for lunch and relaxation. A 1-day package tour exploring Cu Lao Cham costs from VND 500,000 to 700,000 per adult, a quite reasonable price for a complete island and beach tourism experience.
Snorkeling experience in Cu Lao Cham, Quang Nam during a 1-day tour
Ly Son Island – Quang Ngai – Frontier Island with Pristine Coral Reefs
Ly Son Island, also known as Cu Lao Re, belonging to Quang Ngai province, is a famous island for its pristine beauty, long-standing cultural history, and especially beautiful coral reefs. Diving activities in Ly Son are mainly concentrated on Be Island (Cu Lao Bo Bai) with snorkeling, suitable for beginners. Tourists can easily buy diving tours on Big Island or move to Be Island before joining a package tour.
The price for a diving experience tour in Ly Son is usually around VND 550,000 per person, including car pick-up and drop-off to visit tourist spots on the island, experiencing casting nets to catch fish, snorkeling, and SUP paddling. After being guided to move by basket boat to Bai Sau, visitors will be equipped with life jackets, diving masks, and start the journey to explore corals at a depth of 1 to 2 meters.
A special feature of diving in Ly Son is that you can easily access and admire the diverse and colorful coral reefs right near the shore. The seawater here is very clear and calm, creating ideal conditions for you to see up close the beauty of coral species and rich marine life.
Tourists participating in a coral reef diving tour at Be Island, Ly Son, Quang Ngai with basket boats and life jackets
Quy Nhon – Binh Dinh – Emerging Diving Paradise
Quy Nhon, a beautiful coastal city of Binh Dinh province, is increasingly becoming an attractive destination for tourists who love coral reef diving. The two most famous diving spots in Quy Nhon are Ky Co (belonging to Nhon Ly commune) and Hon Kho (belonging to Nhon Hai commune). In particular, Hon Kho is considered one of the most beautiful coral reef viewing spots in Quy Nhon thanks to its location in a relatively calm bay and being allowed to exploit tourism.
Corals in Hon Kho are located right next to the shore, only 1 to 2 meters from the sea surface. Visitors only need to wear diving masks, life jackets, and face down to the sea to admire the brilliant beauty of corals with schools of small colorful fish swimming around. Especially in the summer, Hon Kho also has a lush green seaweed carpet, creating an extremely unique and attractive scene for those who like underwater photography.
In Quy Nhon, the price of underwater walking services ranges from VND 1 to 1.2 million per person for about 20 minutes and comes with 15 underwater photos as a gift. Scuba diving services cost from VND 700,000 to 800,000. Usually, snorkeling is already included in island tour packages or has a separate cost of about VND 50,000 for children.
Discovering the beauty of corals at Hon Kho, Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh with diving masks and life jackets
Vinh Hy Bay – Ninh Thuan – Picturesque Bay
Vinh Hy Bay, located near Ninh Chu beach and Nui Chua National Park, is known as one of the most beautiful bays in Vietnam. Coming to Vinh Hy, visitors should not miss the experience of visiting the bay by glass-bottom boat, a unique way to see corals without getting wet. However, to fully explore the beauty of the coral world, you should join a diving tour.
Vinh Hy Bay tour usually lasts about 2 hours, taking visitors to explore Yen Cave, Turtle Islet, Rai Cave before equipping diving gear and starting the journey to explore the ocean. The rental price for a glass-bottom boat for a group of about 10 people ranges from VND 1.5 to 2 million. After the tour ends, the boat will take visitors to Bai Coc to rest and enjoy fresh seafood (self-sufficient cost). Some tours may include lunch, so you should ask for detailed information before booking a tour.
Vinh Hy Bay not only attracts tourists with its pristine natural beauty but also with its rich and diverse coral reef ecosystem. Diving in Vinh Hy will be a memorable experience in your journey to explore the islands and beaches of Vietnam.
Visiting Vinh Hy Bay, Ninh Thuan by glass-bottom boat to see corals and explore natural beauty
Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa – The Cradle of Diving in Vietnam
Nha Trang, the famous coastal city of Khanh Hoa province, is considered one of the first places to develop coral reef diving tours in Vietnam. From the center of Nha Trang city, tourists can easily buy tours to islands such as Mieu Island, Tam Island, Mot Island, Bai Tranh to visit, swim, and experience various forms of diving such as scuba diving, snorkeling, and underwater walking.
However, in recent years, due to coral degradation, some famous coral reef diving spots in Nha Trang such as Hon Mun have temporarily stopped operating to protect marine life. This shows the increasing concern for the conservation of Vietnam’s precious coral reefs.
Day island tour prices in Nha Trang, including lunch, usually range from VND 600,000 to 800,000, depending on the service provider. If you want to experience scuba diving or underwater walking, the cost will be more than double. Nha Trang is also home to many professional diving training centers, offering diving courses from VND 10 million or more. Students need to register in advance for health checks and ensure they are eligible to participate in the course.
Scuba diving experience in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa to explore the deeper coral world
Phu Quy Island – Binh Thuan – New Destination for Diving Believers
Phu Quy Island, a beautiful island in Binh Thuan province, is gradually becoming an attractive destination for diving enthusiasts. Bai Can, located on the east side of the island, is the most famous diving spot in Phu Quy. With an area of about 1km2, this coral reef is home to many rare coral species such as table coral, stone coral, cabbage coral, along with seaweed beds and countless colorful fish.
To get to Bai Can, visitors need to travel about 300m from the shore. Phu Quy tours often combine SUP paddling and coral reef diving. The best time to dive in Phu Quy is from March to August. When joining the tour, you will be fully equipped with paddles, SUP boards, life jackets, snorkels, diving masks, and fins. Many tours also provide underwater or SUP photography services by flycam for you to save memorable memories.
The price of a coral reef diving tour in Phu Quy ranges from VND 250,000 to 350,000 per adult, and a package tour costs about VND 800,000. With its pristine beauty and rich marine ecosystem, Phu Quy Island promises to bring you wonderful diving experiences.
Snorkeling and SUP paddling at Bai Can, Phu Quy Island, Binh Thuan to explore diverse coral reefs
Phu Quoc Island – Kien Giang – Southern Island Paradise
Phu Quoc, the largest island in Vietnam belonging to Kien Giang province, has long been famous as an island tourism paradise. Coming to Phu Quoc, visitors cannot miss the coral reef diving experience. Phu Quoc tours usually include a program to explore 3-4 islands in a day by canoe, departing from An Thoi port in the morning (around 7-8am) and ending in the late afternoon (around 4-5pm).
The popular itinerary of tours often passes through beautiful islands such as Mong Tay Island, May Rut Island (Inner and Outer), Gam Ghi Island, Roi Island, and some other islands. In addition to enjoying lunch on the island, visitors also enjoy professional underwater or SUP photography services by flycam. Tour prices range from VND 550,000 to 700,000, including snorkeling activities. Visitors in the North Island area may have to pay an additional travel surcharge.
If you want to experience clearer coral viewing, you can register for underwater walking services at Coral Park, an artificial tourist spot designed specifically for this activity. The cost for underwater walking services at Coral Park is from VND 1 to 1.2 million per person and is not included in the regular tour price. Note that Phu Quoc Marine Protected Area is a coral conservation area, so visitors are not allowed to dive here.
Exploring colorful coral reefs at Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang during an island tour
Con Dao – Ba Ria – Vung Tau – Pristine and Mysterious Beauty
Con Dao, an archipelago belonging to Ba Ria – Vung Tau province, is famous for its pristine, mysterious beauty and heroic history. From March to September every year is the best time to dive in Con Dao. The most beautiful diving spots here include Bay Canh Island, Cau Island, and Tai Island. If you are afraid of traveling far, Ong Dung beach is also a good choice for coral viewing.
Con Dao National Park said that coral bleaching is occurring in some areas such as Con Son Bay, Hon Cau, Dam Tre due to increased seawater temperatures. Since May, scientists have conducted surveys and sought measures to save corals, and restricted tourism activities in affected areas.
The price of a coral reef diving tour in Con Dao starts from VND 700,000 per person, including a sightseeing tour and scuba diving. Visitors will be provided with full diving equipment at the checkpoint of Con Dao National Park. With a diverse and rich marine ecosystem, Con Dao is a must-visit destination for those who are passionate about diving and exploring pristine natural beauty.
Snorkeling to see coral reefs in Con Dao, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, exploring the pristine beauty of the ocean
Conclusion
Vietnam is truly a coral reef diving paradise with countless beautiful destinations stretching from North to South. Each location has its own beauty, from the pristine beauty of Co To, Ly Son, Phu Quy to the vibrancy of Nha Trang, Phu Quoc or the charm of Cu Lao Cham, Vinh Hy, Son Tra, and Con Dao. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced diver, Vietnam can meet your needs and bring you memorable experiences. Plan your upcoming beach trip and discover the magical coral world of Vietnam right now! Are you ready to immerse yourself in the clear blue water and admire the brilliant beauty of Vietnam’s coral reefs?