Phu Quoc Island, with its stunning smooth white-sand beaches, romantic sunsets, lush tropical forests, quaint fishing villages, wild jungle, and peaceful atmosphere, is the perfect place for an escape from the fast pace of everyday life.
Phu Quoc is also recognized as one of the top destinations for snorkeling and diving in Vietnam. Its clear blue water and extraordinary diversity of marine life will undoubtedly captivate diving enthusiasts. Let’s dive in and explore the diving sites of Phu Quoc!
Diving Zones in Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is home to two main diving zones: the North and the South. Diving sites around the island are relatively shallow, with an average depth between 10 and 12 meters.
The North of the island offers better diving conditions but doesn’t have as many sites. However, the South has a larger number of diving sites, although the weather there can be quite unpredictable.
Diving Sites in North Phu Quoc
Turtle Island (Hon Doi Moi)
Regarded as the best diving site in north Phu Quoc, Turtle Island is located just a few kilometers from Bai Dai Beach. It’s an ideal spot for snorkeling enthusiasts thanks to a large coral area located at a depth of only 0.5 meters.
By diving at a moderate depth, about 10-12 meters, you can see many beautiful hard coral formations, as well as a wide variety of tropical fish. Therefore, Turtle Island is an essential destination for those seeking the best diving sites in Phu Quoc.
Nail Island (Hon Mong Tay)
Fingernail Island (or Nail Island), located in the north of Phu Quoc, is a favored spot for snorkeling and scuba diving for those seeking enjoyment rather than a challenge. It’s also an ideal place to learn the basics of diving.
This site offers a system of large rocks scattered around a flat, sandy bottom, creating numerous hiding spots for a variety of fish, such as barracudas and giant pufferfish. It also features a nice reef made up of hard and soft corals. The sandy bottom also deserves a lot of attention; with patience and a keen eye for small creatures, you can spot octopuses, mantis shrimps, and more.
Nudibranch Garden
The Nudibranch Garden is an excellent diving option for all levels of divers, with a maximum depth of about 12 meters. Here, you will find a shallow reef with large corals and a rock formation in the deeper sections, large enough for bamboo sharks to hide beneath.
As its name suggests, the Nudibranch Garden gives you the chance to explore a variety of nudibranch species as well as other smaller marine creatures.
Diving Sites in South Phu Quoc
Located off the southern tip of Phu Quoc, the An Thoi Archipelago, made up of 15 islands, is home to many of the region’s best diving and snorkeling spots, most of which are less than 12 meters deep.
This place offers an abundance of small tropical fish, seagrass gardens, gently sloping coral reefs, diverse marine life and much more. Thus, the An Thoi Archipelago is a must-visit for diving enthusiasts visiting South Phu Quoc.
Hon Thom Island
Being the largest island in the An Thoi Archipelago, Hon Thom boasts numerous diving sites off its coast, one of which is Pineapple Point.
North Pineapple Point offers a variety of coral reefs, an abundance of cuttlefish, and whip corals. Meanwhile, South Pineapple Point is one of the deepest diving sites in Phu Quoc, reaching a depth of 35 meters. It is affected by strong currents that can pose a challenge, even for experienced divers. Hence, Hon Thom is a fascinating diving location that offers diverse experiences.
Dragon Rock
Dragon Rock diving site is a must-visit for all divers in Phu Quoc, with a maximum depth of about 15 meters, depending on the tide. Dominated by large house-sized rocks, this site offers an incredible and colorful tableau.
Here, you can observe different species of angelfish, numerous other reef fish, crustaceans, as well as countless varieties of soft and hard corals. Dragon Rock promises a rich and fascinating diving experience in Phu Quoc.
Dry Island
Due to the absence of vegetation, Dry Island stands out as a unique diving site, surrounded by an incredible reef system.
It is home to Moorish idols, butterflyfish, bamboo sharks, seashells, rays, catfish, nudibranchs, and scorpionfish. You have the opportunity to dive around the island, watch cuttlefish and octopuses among the large rocks, and enjoy a memorable diving experience. Dry Island offers an extraordinary underwater adventure in Phu Quoc.
Roi East Island
Located between the island’s shoreline and an offshore pearl farm, Roi East Island is an excellent diving site for all divers, with a maximum depth of 10 meters.
Larger creatures such as moray eels and sweetlips can be found in this area, alongside hermit crabs, cuttlefish, glass shrimp, and a wide range of corals. Roi East Island offers a varied and enriching diving experience in Phu Quoc.
Best time for diving in Phu Quoc
The water temperature on Phu Quoc Island varies from 28°C to 31°C throughout the year, making it a perfect destination for scuba diving. However, the dry season, from November to April, is considered the best time to dive, when the weather is clear, rain is rare, the sea is calm, and underwater visibility is optimal.
Diving Centers in Phu Quoc
Rainbow Divers
Among the diving centers in Phu Quoc, Rainbow Divers stands out. As the oldest PADI diving center in Phu Quoc and all of Vietnam, Rainbow Divers offers daily diving trips to the north and south of the island, as well as PADI training courses.
For more information, visit their website: https://www.divevietnam.com/
Flipper Diving Club
Experience an underwater adventure like no other at the Flipper Diving Club, a leading PADI 5-Star Instructor Development Resort. They boast a team of fully certified and experienced scuba diving professionals, ready to guide you through the mesmerizing world beneath the waves.
Their multi-lingual team – proficient in English, French, Dutch, German, Russian, and Swedish – is committed to providing you with a seamless diving experience. They offer daily diving expeditions and a comprehensive range of PADI courses, from the beginner’s Discover Scuba Diving to advanced PADI Instructor-level training.
As a premier diving resort, they ensure high-quality training and safety standards for our guests. Embark on a thrilling journey with them and explore the rich marine life that awaits you.
For more information, visit their website: Flipper Diving Club
Vietnam Explorer Diving
At Vietnam Explorer Diving, a leading diving resort, they prioritize delivering high-quality diving training and adhere to strict safety standards for their guests.
Embark on an exciting underwater journey with them to explore the abundant marine life that awaits in Phu Quoc’s diverse dive sites.
For more information, visit their website: http://vietnamexplorerdiving.net/
