Co To Island, Quang Ninh
Co To Island is the only place in the North being licensed to operate scuba diving service to see corals. Tourists can see corals at Vung Tron, on Chim and Ong Tich islands in Thanh Lan island commune, about 80km from the mainland.
A scuba diving tour costs VND 1.5 million a person, including electric car, canoe services, fruit, drinking water, diving equipment, and insurance. Extra fee of VND 100,000 - 300,000 per person is for rowing, underwater photos, and seafood. Children above six is eligible for the tour.
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Corals in Co To Island area |
Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang
Some 8km from the center of Da Nang, Son Tra Peninsula has beautiful beaches namely Nam, Rang, But, and Bac, where fishing and scuba diving services to see corals are offered. A package tour is priced at about VND 600,000 per person.
The tour starts in the morning at the city center. After visits to some places, tourists can go diving to see corals.
Son Tra Peninsula has five places included in the coral protection area, with a total protected area of about 134 hectares. They are Sup Island, But beach, Nom beach, East of Bac beach, and Huc Lo.
Cham Islet, Quang Nam
Snorkeling to see corals in Cham Islet area is often included in a one-day tour to explore the islet. Apart from visiting famous tourist attractions on the island, visitors can go swimming and snorkeling to view corals in Dai and Xep beach areas.
The diving lasts about 30 minutes before visitors return to the beach for lunch. A package tour for an adult is priced from VND 500,000 to 700,000.
Ly Son, Quang Ngai
Scuba diving activities in Ly Son are offered mainly in the area of Be Island (An Binh Island). If tourists are on Be Island, they can buy a tour here. Visitors from Lon Island can travel to Be Island themselves or book a package tour from Lon Island.
Normally, an experience tour costs VND 550,000 per person, including a shuttle bus to tourist attractions, fishing, diving to see corals at the depth of 1-2m, and SUP service during the day. Tourists are guided to take a basket boat to Sau Beach to dive.
Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh
Kho Islet in Nhon Hai commune is one of the most beautiful coral viewing spots in Quy Nhon and is allowed to be exploited for tourism. Corals in Hon Kho Islet area are near the shore, only 1-2m under sea level. Another place to see corals in Binh Dinh is Ky Co in Nhon Ly commune.
Just after putting on a life jacket, glasses and facing down in the sea, visitors can see the beauty of corals with schools of small colorful fish swimming around. In summer, there is also seaweed, so it is suitable for tourists keen on taking photos.
The price for sea walking service in Quy Nhon ranges from VND 1 to 1.2 million per person for 20 minutes and 15 photos. Scuba diving costs about VND 700,000 to 800,000 a person. Snorkeling is usually included in the island tour.
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Diving to exploit seaweed in Hon Kho Islet area, Quy Nhon |
Vinh Hy Bay, Ninh Thuan
Located near Ninh Chu beach and Nui Chua National Park, Vinh Hy Bay is one of the most beautiful bays in Vietnam. Visitors should take a tour of the bay on a glass-bottom boat. In nearly two-hour journey, visitors are driven to Yen cave, Rua Island, Rai cave, then are provided with the necessary equipment to dive and explore underwater world.
A glass-bottom boat can carry 10 people and is priced from VND 1.5 million to 2 million a journey. At the end of the journey, tourists are driven to Coc beach to rest and taste fresh seafood, at their own expense. Some tours include lunch, so visitors should ask before booking.
Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa
Nha Trang is one of the first localities in Vietnam to organize scuba diving tours to see corals. It is ideal to dive or walk on seabed to view corals in the areas of Tam, Mieu islets, Tranh beach and Mot islet.
A tour to an islet including lunch ranges from VND 600,000 to 800,000. The sum is doubled if scuba diving or sea walking is included.
In Nha Trang, there are also diving classes, costing VND 10 million a course.
Phu Quy, Binh Thuan
Can beach of Phu Quy Island is a destination for people who love SUP and diving. This is a coral beach located in the East of the island. Corals there vary in size and shape.
To reach the coral viewing area, visitors travel about 300m from the shore. Tours often combine SUP and scuba diving. The most suitable time to dive is from March to August.
Scuba diving prices range from VND 250,000 to 350,000 per adult. Package tour costs about VND 800,000.
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Snorkeling in Phu Quy Island area |
Phu Quoc, Kien Giang
Tourists to Phu Quoc often choose a 3-4 island sightseeing tour starting from 7 a.m. - 8 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m - 5 p.m., departing from An Thoi port in the South of the island.
A tour with lunch and photos ranges from VND 550,000 to 700,000, including snorkeling to view corals. If staying in the North of the island, visitors have to pay extra fee for transportation.
Seabed walking service at Coral Park is priced from VND 1 to 1.2 million per person.
Con Dao, Ba Ria - Vung Tau
The best time to scuba dive in Con Dao is from March to September. The best scuba diving locations there are Bay Canh, Tai, and Cau islets or Ong Dung beach.
A snorkeling tour costs VND 700,000 per person on average.
Source: Vnexpress
Translated by Chung Anh