Types of Diving in Phu Quoc
There are 3 main types of diving in Phu Quoc that you can choose from based on your individual preferences
Snorkeling
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Price range: $11 - $20
Snorkeling is the most popular type of diving activity in Phu Quoc. This form of diving is chosen by the majority of visitors because of its simplicity and suitability for people of all ages and skill levels. All you need is a life jacket, a snorkel, and a mask. With just this basic equipment, you can simply submerge your head in the water and marvel at the vibrant coral reefs below the surface.
Snorkeling is the most popular form of diving in Phu Quoc
However, with this type of snorkeling, the experience of observing the coral will not be complete. You are limited to staying near the shore and cannot go too deep. Additionally, you do require some skills to be able to dive down and get a closer look.
Scuba Diving
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Price range: $35 - $59
This is a more advanced type of diving that involves the use of scuba equipment. This form of diving has a time limit of around 30 minutes and a maximum depth of 5 meters.
When you choose this service, you will be provided with a compressed air tank and specialized diving gear. As a result, you don't have to hold your breath and can swim freely without worrying about accidentally colliding with the sharp coral reefs and rocks.
With scuba diving, you can easily access the seafloor
To save on costs, you can opt to use a snorkel in combination with the scuba setup. Scuba diving relies primarily on technical equipment to ascend and descend in the water, so you will not have difficulty diving deeper down to the seabed.
Undersea Walking
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Price range: $37 - $47
With this form of sea diving, you are free to stroll along the seafloor, witnessing the vibrant coral reefs and schools of colorful fish up close. Regardless of your swimming abilities, you can partake in this experience, ensuring you will have an impressive and memorable encounter.
The looks of amazement and joy show how comfortable and easy this activity is
Before starting your underwater walking adventure, you will be provided with specialized, clear-domed helmets by the technical staff. This helmet, which resembles an astronaut's headgear, not only allows for comfortable breathing but also enables you to observe the coral below without getting your hair wet.
Where are the Best Places to Dive in Phu Quoc?
Namaste Coral Park
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Location: Hon May Rut Ngoai, An Thoi, Phu Quoc
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Opening hours: 9 AM - 5 PM
Namaste Coral Park is located on one of the most beautiful islands in the southern part of Vietnam's "Pearl Island" - Hon May Rut Ngoai. This place is fortunate to have an ideal location and a suitable environment, creating good living conditions for 250 species of coral and hundreds of other symbiotic organisms.
Namaste Coral Park is located on Hon May Rut Ngoai
When visiting the Namaste Coral Park, the first and most important step is to learn about the incredible coral that forms the foundation of this vibrant marine ecosystem. Next, be sure to tour the park's impressive fish tanks, which are home to a dazzling array of aquatic species. Observing these diverse fish up close is a truly mesmerizing experience.
After immersing yourself in the underwater world through the tanks, you'll have the opportunity to venture out and experience it firsthand. The park offers a variety of aquatic activities, from swimming to diving, that allow visitors to get up close and personal with the coral reefs and marine life.
Namaste Coral Park is home to a diverse marine ecosystem with 250 species of coral
In addition to being a recreational site, the park also has high educational value, helping you understand more about the importance of protecting the oceans and the creatures living in them. The coral samples are carefully cared for and cultivated to create a beautiful marine ecosystem.
Mui Ky Lan - Hon Thom
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Location: Mui Ky Lan, Hon Thom, Phu Quoc
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Opening hours: 10 AM - 4 PM
Phu Quoc's Hon Thom Island has maintained its pristine nature, with a rich ecosystem and vibrant, colorful coral reefs hidden beneath the cool waters. Mui Ky Lan Reef is one of the most prominent and strictly protected sites.
To reach this coral reef, you need to depart from An Thoi Island and travel by tourist boat or speedboat for a short distance to reach Mui Ky Lan. This is a rocky cape that juts out, forming a small, sheltered cove on the northern side of Hon Thom.
Mui Ky Lan is a location with stunning landscapes and diverse marine ecosystem
The water is crystal clear, and the coral ecosystem extends from a depth of 4 to 5 meters, almost reaching the surface. The shallow water and transparency allow you to see the stunning, colorful coral scenery just by diving around 1 meter deep.
Mui Ky Lan is home to characteristic hard coral species such as mushroom coral and stone coral, interspersed with vibrant soft corals and sea fans. It is also a habitat for hundreds of typical fish species.
Hon Gam Ghi
Hon Gam Ghi or Hon Dam Ngang is located in the southern part of Phu Quoc Island. The only way to reach this island is by boat or speedboat. Hon Gam Ghi is one of the most pristine islands, and it is considered a natural masterpiece of Phu Quoc.
Diving in Phu Quoc - Hon Gam Ghi is a top choice
Hon Gam Ghi is surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and interesting rocks. This is an area with a dense concentration of coral close to the shore, featuring a wide variety of coral species that create a stunning underwater landscape.
You only need to dive down about 10-20 meters to admire the beautiful marine ecosystem, with schools of colorful small fish swimming beneath the surface of the ocean. If you're lucky, you may also spot larger marine life such as big fish or octopus.
Best Time for Diving in Phu Quoc
From November to June each year is the dry season in Phu Quoc. This is the time of year when the water is clearest and the winds are lightest, making it the most suitable time for visitors to come and explore the island.
From November to June is the best time for Phu Quoc scuba
During the rainy season, diving in Phu Quoc is still possible, but the dive sites are more limited. Due to high waves and poor underwater visibility, the diving areas that can be accessed are located in the southern part of the island, such as Hon Dam, Hon Roi, and Hon Thom.
Considerations for Diving
If you are an experienced diver, you know what equipment is needed for sea diving and can rent it in Vietnam. However, if you are a beginner, you can sign up for a beginner diving course and get familiar with the equipment. Here are the items you need to get started: diving mask, snorkel, air tank, fins, dive computer, and diving suit.
New Asia Tours’s recommended tips for diving:
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Don't hide your physical condition. A thorough health assessment should be done before diving.
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Listen carefully to the instructions and remember all the hand signals for underwater use.
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Trust the signals your body is sending you. When you feel uncomfortable, stop and surface.
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Check all your diving equipment regularly before diving.
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Control your breathing and descend slowly.
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Practice diving regularly to get your body accustomed to conserving air underwater.
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Always follow safety rules and never dive alone or in unfamiliar waters.
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Do not dive when you're hungry. The "golden" time for your body to embark on an ocean exploration journey is about 1-2 hours after a meal.
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Do not bring cameras or mobile phones when diving. If you need to capture your underwater moments, you can contact the service centers to get specialized support equipment.
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Don't use sunscreen when diving as it can be hazardous to the coral reefs.
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Don't touch the coral or fish to maintain the harmony and balance of the underwater world.
To complete your understanding, read our article on travel guide to Vietnam!
Diving in Phu Quoc is a wonderful experience that you should not miss when visiting “Pearl Island”. Be sure to take note of diving and coral reef viewing experiences in Phu Quoc that have been shared in this article, they will help you have the most memorable trip. Especially, if you need advice on itineraries in Vietnam, please contact us immediately.
