Best diving sites in Vietnam | Our top picks

Diving isn’t the first thing most people think of when it comes to Vietnam, but maybe it should be. With over 2,000 miles of coastline and warm, tropical waters, the country offers coral gardens, caves, wartime wrecks, and plenty of odd marine life. Vietnam diving is still under the radar, so you won’t be elbowing past crowds to get in the water. Conditions vary by region, but visibility is generally best from March to October, though southern sites are at their peak from November to May. Here’s where to find the best diving in Vietnam – places that are worth getting in the water for.

What are the best diving sites in Vietnam?

Diving often gets overlooked when people start planning a trip to Vietnam – but that’s a miss. With dive sites spread across the country’s long coastline, from quiet southern islands to buzzing central beach towns, Vietnam has more underwater variety than most travellers expect.

The best diving in Vietnam includes shallow coral gardens, drop-offs, and historic wrecks, with conditions changing depending on where and when you go. In the south – think Phu Quoc and Con Dao – calm seas make November to May ideal. Central spots like Nha Trang and Whale Island are better between March and October. A few places offer diving year-round, but visibility and sea conditions make timing key.

If you’re mapping out your Vietnam itinerary and looking to balance inland highlights with time on (and under) the water, diving adds a different side to the country – and gets you away from the crowds. Some dive spots are easy to access from major hubs; others take more effort, but the payoff is worth it.

In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best places to visit in Vietnam for divers – the ones that go beyond the photo ops and actually deliver underwater. Whether you’re just getting certified or chasing your next deep-water fix, these are the sites worth knowing.

#1 Moray Beach

Moray Beach, located in the Hon Mun Marine Protected Area near Nha Trang, is a solid introduction to diving in Vietnam. The site is known for its vibrant hard corals and excellent macro life, including rare neon-colored nudibranchs and the elusive black frogfish. It’s shallow (max depth 18m), with good visibility and calm conditions, making it accessible for all levels. Clownfish, pipefish, lionfish, and damselfish are common here, and it’s a favorite for underwater photographers looking for quirky critters over dramatic drop-offs. There's also a lot of great things to do in Nha Trang while you are in town.

How to get to Moray Beach

Moray Beach is reached by boat from Nha Trang, usually as part of a half-day or full-day dive trip. It takes around 45 minutes from Cau Da Port. Dive shops in Nha Trang offer daily excursions, often combining multiple nearby sites.

When to visit Moray Beach

The best time to dive Moray Beach is from March to October, when the seas are calmer and visibility is better. Avoid the monsoon season (typically November to January), when strong winds can affect water clarity.

#2 Madonna Rock

Madonna Rock is one of the more dramatic dive sites around Hon Mun Island, known for its network of submerged caverns and swim-throughs at varying depths – the deepest around 30m. The overhangs and dark corners make ideal hiding spots for lionfish, scorpionfish and giant moray eels.

The topography alone makes this dive worth it, but it’s the mix of open water and sheltered cavern areas that keeps divers coming back. You’ll need good buoyancy and situational awareness here – Madonna Rock is best for those with a few dives under their belt.

How to get to Madonna Rock

You’ll reach Madonna Rock by boat from Nha Trang, usually as part of a guided trip out to Hon Mun. The journey takes around 45 minutes. Most Nha Trang dive operators include this site as a highlight on their two- or three-dive packages.

When to visit Madonna Rock

The best diving season runs from March to October, with peak visibility and calmer seas. Outside of this window, heavy winds and currents can make the site less accessible and more challenging.

#3 Hoi An (Cham Islands)

Hoi An might be better known for its lantern-lit streets and tailor shops, but just offshore, the Cham Islands offer some of the most accessible diving in central Vietnam. The standout site is Hon Mo, where depths range from 4 to 35m and both hard and soft corals compete for your attention. Look out for clownfish, pipefish, and even seahorses tucked into the coral. Hon Nhan, another nearby site, drops to 40m and draws larger schools of fish. While visibility isn’t always perfect, the marine life and variety of sites make this a worthwhile addition to any Vietnam diving itinerary.

How to get to Hoi An (Cham Islands)

Dive boats to the Cham Islands leave from Cua Dai Port, around 5km from Hoi An’s old town. The crossing takes about 40 minutes. All dive trips are organised via licensed operators in Hoi An, who provide transport, equipment, and guides.

When to visit Hoi An (Cham Islands)

The dive season here runs from April to September, with the best visibility typically between May and August. Diving shuts down in the monsoon season, when access to the islands is restricted.

#4 Hon Ko

From above, Hon Ko (Dry Island) doesn’t look like much – just a jumble of rocks off the coast of Binh Thuan. But below the surface, it’s a different story. The reef system here is lively and intact, home to mitre shells, nudibranchs, bamboo sharks, rays, and the occasional catfish. While the visibility can vary, this site offers a mix of hard and soft coral and some of the best macro life in the region. It’s a lesser-known spot, which means you’re unlikely to be sharing the site with boatloads of other divers.

How to get to Hon Ko

Hon Ko is typically accessed from Phan Thiet or Mui Ne via boat. Dive trips can be arranged through operators in the Mui Ne area, though options are more limited than in larger dive hubs. Expect a boat ride of around 45-60 minutes, depending on sea conditions.

When to visit Hon Ko

The best time to dive Hon Ko is from March to September, with calmer seas and better visibility. Outside this window, winds and currents can reduce access and water clarity.

#5 Nudibranch Gardens (Whale Island)

Just off the eastern coast of Whale Island lies Nudibranch Gardens – a shallow, coral-rich site known for its dazzling macro life. As the name suggests, nudibranchs are the stars here. You won’t see 2,000 species in one dive, but you will spot plenty of neon-colored varieties tucked among the coral.

Keep an eye out for bamboo sharks too, which often shelter beneath ledges and rocks. The shallow depth and calm waters make this site ideal for beginners and even snorkellers, but underwater photographers will also find plenty to get excited about.

How to get to Nudibranch Gardens

Nudibranch Gardens is accessed by boat from Whale Island Resort, which sits about 80km north of Nha Trang. To get there, take a road transfer to Dam Mon Pier (roughly 2.5 hours), then a short boat ride to the island. Most diving is arranged through the island’s on-site dive center.

When to visit Nudibranch Gardens

The best diving conditions are from March to September, when visibility peaks and the sea is calm. The site is not usually diveable during the winter monsoon (October-February) due to rougher seas.

#6 Whale Island Bay

Whale Island isn’t just about Nudibranch Gardens – the surrounding bay offers several dive sites with a mix of coral gardens, soft coral walls, and the occasional swim-through. It’s a relaxed spot with excellent macro life, calm conditions, and little boat traffic. You won’t find big pelagics here, but you will spot moray eels, lionfish, ghost pipefish, and all kinds of quirky nudibranchs. It’s also a rare place in Vietnam where you can do a shore dive straight from the resort’s beach.

How to get to Whale Island Bay

Take a car or shuttle transfer from Nha Trang to Dam Mon Pier (about 2.5 hours), followed by a short boat ride to Whale Island Resort, which operates its own dive center. Most diving is arranged directly through the resort.

When to visit Whale Island Bay

The best conditions are from March to September, with warm, calm seas and solid visibility. Diving is usually suspended during the northeast monsoon (October to February).

#7 Turtle Island (Phu Quoc)

Just off the northwestern coast of Phu Quoc lies Turtle Island – a small, reef-fringed spot ideal for beginner divers and snorkellers. The island itself is tiny, just 50m long, but the surrounding waters are calm, clear, and rarely deeper than 10m. These conditions have allowed the coral to flourish, attracting a colorful cast of reef species.

Expect to spot stonefish, blue-ringed angelfish, yellowtail damselfish, and the occasional pufferfish drifting by. It’s not a site for thrill-seekers, but if you’re after easy, mellow diving with plenty of life, Turtle Island is a solid pick. Its shallow depth and gentle conditions also make it a great option if you're exploring Vietnam with kids and want to introduce them to marine life.

How to get to Turtle Island

Turtle Island is typically reached via boat from Ganh Dau or Dinh Cau Pier on Phu Quoc. Many local dive and snorkelling operators run half-day trips to the site, often as part of a multi-stop itinerary. The boat ride usually takes around 30-45 minutes.

When to visit Turtle Island

The dry season (November to May) is the best time to dive Turtle Island, with the calmest seas and best visibility. Avoid the rainy season (June to October), when conditions can be murky and unpredictable.

#8 An Thoi Islands (Phu Quoc)

For deeper dives and more action in Phu Quoc, the An Thoi Islands are where things get interesting. This group of 15 rocky islets off the island’s southern tip is often rated among the best diving in Vietnam. Depths range from 5 to 25m, and the coral here, especially brain and fan coral, is in good shape. You’ll spot parrotfish, butterflyfish, scorpionfish, and schools of fusiliers. When you’re not diving, you’ll find powdery white sand and clear water – easily some of the best beaches in Vietnam.

Keep an eye out for blue-spotted rays and bamboo sharks, which sometimes drift in with the current. The An Thoi sites aren’t particularly technical, but they do offer more challenge than the calmer northern waters.

How to get to the An Thoi Islands

Most dive trips to the An Thoi Islands leave from An Thoi Port, about a 30-minute drive from Duong Dong. Boats typically take around 45 minutes to reach the main dive spots. Several reputable dive operators on Phu Quoc run full-day excursions to the islands, often with two or three dives included.

When to visit the An Thoi Islands

The best diving here is from November to May, when conditions are calmer and visibility is good. June to October sees rougher seas and less predictable weather – avoid diving during this window if possible.

#9 Con Dao National Park

Con Dao isn’t just remote – it’s remarkable. Lying 230km off the southern coast, this island group is home to Con Dao National Park and more than thirty dive sites known for rare marine life and excellent coral cover. You might spot green or hawksbill turtles, schools of giant barracuda, dolphins, or – if you’re seriously lucky – a dugong. With its rare species and uncrowded sites, Con Dao earns its place alongside some of the best dive sites in the world – and still flies under the radar.

Con Dao also boasts the only diveable wreck in Vietnam: a 60 m-long steel-hulled Thai freighter resting at around 35m. It’s draped in corals and usually swarmed by batfish, fusiliers, and barracuda. The site’s depth and occasional currents make it better suited for advanced divers.

How to get to Con Dao National Park

Fly from Ho Chi Minh City or Can Tho to Con Dao Airport, then arrange dive trips through one of the island’s dive shops. Most boats leave from the main pier near Con Son town, with ride times varying by site, usually 30 to 60 minutes.

When to visit Con Dao National Park

The best time to dive Con Dao is from March to September, when the seas are calm and visibility is at its best. The rainy season (October to February) brings rougher conditions and frequent cancellations.

#10 Hon Mun Wall (Nha Trang)

Hon Mun Wall is one of the more advanced sites in the Nha Trang area, offering a vertical drop with schools of snapper, angelfish, and the odd passing barracuda. Currents here can be stronger than at nearby Moray Beach, and the wall adds a more dynamic topography to the usual coral garden setups. It’s a favorite for divers who want something deeper and more dramatic without leaving the Nha Trang zone.

How to get to Hon Mun Wall

Boats leave from Cau Da Port in Nha Trang as part of dive trips run by local shops. Hon Mun Wall is often combined with other nearby sites in a day trip.

When to visit Hon Mun Wall

Plan to dive from March to October. Avoid November through January, when wind and rain reduce visibility and increase currents.

#11 Dry Island (Hòn Cau – Quy Nhon)

Often overlooked, Dry Island off the coast near Quy Nhon is one of Vietnam’s lesser-known dive gems. The reefs here are in good condition, and with few boats in the area, you’re likely to have the site to yourself. You’ll find healthy hard coral, macro life like nudibranchs and shrimp, and sometimes reef sharks or rays cruising through. There’s no major dive infrastructure, so it’s best for experienced divers or those travelling with their own gear or on custom tours.

How to get to Dry Island

Dry Island (Hòn Cau) can be reached by boat from Quy Nhon or the Phu Cat area. Some operators run private charters or custom dive excursions, but options are limited. This one takes more effort – and that’s the point.

When to visit Dry Island

Conditions are best from April to September, when the seas are calm and visibility holds up. During the rest of the year, wind and swell make diving unpredictable.