Phu Quoc Island is one of the perfect places for snorkeling and diving in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Diving and snorkeling around the warm waters of Phu Quoc take place on the north-western side of the island or around the small archipelago to the south. From November to May is the best time when the sun out, the sea is calm and the waters surrounding the island become limpid.
Snorkeling and diving are exciting activities loved by many that the whole family can enjoy. Snorkeling is really easy and the great thing is that there is no age limit, and you don’t have to be fit or sporty, even non-swimmers. Just float in the fresh turquoise waters and watch a variety of colorful fishes and coral reefs. Meanwhile, diving in Phu Quoc will bring you face to face with a variety of fish, underwater scenery and abundant marine life including beautiful nudibranch populations and bamboo sharks.
1. Snorkeling & Diving Spots in the North
1.1 Turtle Island
Located to the north of Phu Quoc Island, the surrounding waters in Turtle Island make for terrific snorkeling and diving. This island is very small, only 50m in length with a few palm trees and bushes with a sandy beach. The shallow waters, often deeper than 10m, create the perfect atmosphere for coral and the marine life that depend on them for survival. Diving at a shallower depth, you can see beautiful hard coral formations with a big anemones colony with their respective pink anemone fish and other tropical fish, small yellow damselfish, stonefish, and some blue-ringed angelfish.
1.2 Fingernail Island
The Fingernail Island located in the north is a prime snorkeling and diving location and also is the great place to learn diving essentials. This site offers a system of big rocks scattered around a flat sandy bottom, creating many hiding places for fish, like barracudas and giant pufferfishes and also have a pretty reef of hard and soft coral. The sandy bottom is also worthy of much attention, with patience and a good eye for small animals you can spot octopuses, mantis shrimps and toadfishes among others.
1.3 Nudibranch Garden
Nudibranch Garden is a great option to dive with the maximum depth around 12m, which is suitable for all levels of divers. There is a very shallow reef with big coral and rock formation in the deeper sections that are big enough for bamboo sharks to hide underneath. As its name suggests, at Nudibranch Garden, you can discover a variety of nudibranchs and other smaller marine life. There are over 2,300 species of nudibranchs and the Godiva nudibranch, a beautiful species with bright purple coloration, take the large proportion. This a reason why you should not miss this site on your Phu Quoc trip.
2. Snorkeling & Diving Spots in the South
2.1 An Thoi Archipelago
Just off the southern tip of Phu Quoc, the An Thoi archipelago consists of 15 islands and is home to many best diving and snorkeling spots. This archipelago possesses an abundance of smaller tropical fish, some sea grass gardens, gentle sloping coral reefs, diverse sea life, and much more. This is a must-see place for tourists coming to Phu Quoc Island and exploring the colorful life under the sea.
2.2 Hon Thom Island
Being the largest island on the An Thoi archipelago, Hon Thom has many dive sites off the coast, one of which is Pineapple Point – a large stretch of undeveloped beach perfect for exploring or diving. On the north, Pineapple Point is covered in a variety of coral reefs, cuttlefish abound and whip corals are ever present. Meanwhile, South Pineapple Point is one of the deepest at a depth of 35m. It is washed by strong currents that can create a challenge even for experienced divers.
2.3 Dragon Rock
Truly a spectacle to behold, the Dragon Rock dive site is perhaps one of Phu Quoc premier must-see sites for any diver. This site is dominated by large house-sized boulders creating an incredible and colorful tableau. Featuring maximum depth at about 15m depending on the tide, Dragon Rock is a perfect site for diving with some different species of angelfish along with numerous other reef fish, crustaceans as well as countless varieties of soft and hard corals.
2.4 Dry Island
Because of no vegetation, this island is a unique site itself and is surrounded by the incredible reef system that is home to butterfly fish, Moorish idols, mitre shells, rays, bamboo sharks, nudibranchs, catfish and scorpionfish. You can dive all around the Dry Island in the shallows at all levels, watch for cuttlefish and octopus among the large boulders and have a memorable experience.
