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Do you think you truly understand Phu Quoc’s marine environment?
“Phu Quoc only has white sand and clear water, but all the coral is dead. If you want to see beautiful coral, you have to go to Nha Trang!” This statement is frequently mentioned in travel groups. Or “Going to Phu Quoc means taking island tours and taking Instagram photos—there’s nothing worth snorkeling for!”
Such misconceptions are not only incorrect but also cause thousands of tourists to miss the opportunity to witness one of Vietnam’s most diverse marine ecosystems. This article will debunk 5 common s about Phu Quoc’s marine ecosystem, helping you discover the true uniqueness of these waters.
MAIN CONTENTS
5 Common Misconceptions – And the Surprising Truth
1. “Coral in Phu Quoc is scarce and unremarkable”
Surprising Fact: Contrary to common misconceptions, Phu Quoc’s coral reef ecosystem still thrives in many areas—some even ranking among the highest coral cover rates in Vietnam.
Notable reef zones such as the Northeast Reef, Half-Moon Reef, Coral Mountain, and Coral Hill are home to flourishing hard corals. Here, visitors may encounter expansive Table corals (Acropora) spreading like underwater canopies, interwoven with Brain corals (Diploria labyrinthiformis), columnar corals, and large boulder corals stacked in layers—forming vibrant, living coral forests beneath the sea.
According to OnBird’s independent reef monitoring (2018–present):
The average hard coral cover in Phu Quoc is around 44.5%—a relatively high figure compared to Vietnam’s national average.
At several snorkeling sites operated by OnBird, coral cover reaches up to 82–82.5%, particularly in the so-called Coral Jungle—one of the densest live coral areas in Vietnam.
These reefs lie within sheltered bays, minimally affected by strong waves and currents—ideal conditions for coral growth and long-term recovery.
| Learn more: What Coral Species You Can See in Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam?
Coral Mountain stands out as a rare and unique snorkeling site in Phu Quoc. With rugged topography and coral formations growing directly on hard rock, it resembles small “underwater mountains.” The area hosts diverse reef fish species and features an impressive Cactus coral field (Pavona cactus), estimated at 300m². These corals exhibit a signature wave-like texture with prominent ridges, forming a rippling fossil-like “desert” beneath the sea.
Meanwhile, Coral Hill is another highlight. Sitting at a depth of 3–6 meters, this site features a giant dome-shaped Flowerpot Coral with a diameter of up to 6 meters—the second-largest of its kind known in Phu Quoc. Spanning approximately 40–45m², the structure resembles an upside-down pot covered with thousands of tiny polyp “blossoms,” creating a miniature, vibrant ecosystem teeming with small marine creatures in the southern waters of the island.
2. “Grouper fish are just for eating, nothing special about them”
The surprising truth: Phu Quoc used to be home to a relatively rich population of groupers in the Gulf of Thailand, with more than 15 species recorded.
Groupers are not only a valued food source but also act as true “ecosystem engineers”: they help regulate populations of smaller fish, maintain ecological balance, and indirectly protect coral reefs from overgrazing. Some elder groupers can live over 50 years, carrying invaluable genetic resources for future generations.
Phu Quoc is witnessing severe decline in many species including grouper, particularly large-sized grouper populations are decreasing significantly. OnBird recommends: limiting consumption of grouper and other seafood experiencing severe population decline.
3. “Phu Quoc doesn’t have clownfish and sea anemones?”
The interesting truth: Clownfish and sea anemones are still present in Phu Quoc. Thanks to stable biological conditions and currents at certain specialized reefs, visitors can observe Pink Skunk Clownfish—one of the characteristic clownfish species of the Gulf of Thailand region. This species lives symbiotically with giant sea anemones, reaching up to 1.5m in diameter, creating scenery like “a miniature city” on the seabed.
However, finding clownfish and sea anemones in Phu Quoc is not easy, due to their regional distribution patterns and requirements for stable ecosystems. Areas where anemones and clownfish can be observed include:
- Half-moon Reef
- Coral Garden
- Northeast Coral Reef
- Coral Jungle Reef
| Learn more: Where to See Anemones and Clownfish in Phu Quoc Snorkeling Sites
4. “You need scuba diving to make it worthwhile”
The truth: Snorkeling is actually the premier experience for discovering the beauty of Phu Quoc’s coral reefs—where the most vibrant coral ecosystems develop in shallow waters from 0.5m to 5m depth. This is also a depth difficult to access with scuba diving.
With ideal average depths of 0.5m–8m, participants of all skill levels can join. Through snorkeling, you can access the most spectacular core reef areas, observe clownfish, groupers, and even sea turtles—with just a mask, snorkel, and fins.
Not only safe and flexible, the snorkeling exploration experience also helps participants develop buoyancy control skills, proper fin usage, and improve diving techniques—important foundational skills for advancing further in professional diving.
OnBird has developed multi-level specialized snorkeling programs with direct underwater instructor guidance—suitable for children from 4 years old, elderly people, and those with no diving experience.
| Learn more: 5 Differences Between Snorkeling vs. Scuba that You May Don’t Know
5. “You can’t encounter sea turtles in Phu Quoc”
The hopeful truth: Sea turtles are still present in Phu Quoc—though increasingly rare due to impacts from overfishing and pollution from small islands. However, nature is quietly recovering. In May 2025, OnBird recorded a hawksbill turtle swimming freely in southern Phu Quoc waters—an encouraging signal showing that with proper protection, the ecosystem here has the potential to welcome the return of sea turtles.
In just two summer months of 2025, OnBird’s survey expeditions and customer experiences recorded over 10–20 turtle sightings—a rare number in recent years.
Particularly, the coral reefs OnBird selects for guest exploration are all areas with hydrographic conditions suitable for sea turtle habitat preferences. Through long-term research and field observation, OnBird’s team understands the timing, currents, and movement habits of the species, thereby increasing the chances of naturally encountering sea turtles during snorkeling exploration journeys.
What Makes Phu Quoc Island Different?
1. Unique Advantages
Natural Conditions: Phu Quoc is located in a sheltered bay, providing calm sea conditions almost year-round.
Development Level: Phu Quoc achieves an ideal balance – well-developed infrastructure while preserving many pristine areas.
International Comparison: Phu Quoc offers high water clarity and biodiversity but with significantly lower access costs.
2. Unique Ecological Characteristics
- Independent location in enclosed bay: Minimally affected by storms, creating stable coral development conditions
- Warm water year-round (26-29°C): Extended growing season, rich ecosystem
- Gently sloping shallow seabed: Ideal for snorkeling exploration activities, suitable for various levels from beginner to professional
- Endemic species: Pink Skunk Clownfish, Honey Grouper, Christmas Tree Worms
| Learn more: Diving Deep Into Phu Quoc’s Marine Heart – Exploring the Enchanting Underwater
Responsible Exploration – From Understanding to Action
Join small group experiences with professional instructors: Choose tours of 8-12 people with marine biology-trained instructors instead of mass tours with large crowds.
“Look only, don’t touch” principle: Maintain a minimum 1-meter distance from coral and marine life. Even a light touch can damage coral’s protective mucus layer.
Don’t feed fish: This changes fish’s natural behavior, creates dependency, and disrupts ecological balance.
Reef-safe sunscreen: Avoid chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate that can cause coral bleaching. Choose “reef-safe” products or use long-sleeved protective clothing.
Support operators with conservation philosophy: Choose tour operators committed to environmental protection and contributing to conservation projects.
Reference: 07 Tips for Responsible Snorkeling in Phu Quoc Island
Conclusion: Don’t Let Misconceptions Make You Miss the World Beneath Your Feet
Phu Quoc is not just a “pearl island” above water but also a biological treasure beneath the sea. From coral reefs with Vietnam’s highest coverage density, many grouper species, rare Pink Skunk Clownfish, to the return of sea turtles—everything proves that Phu Quoc’s marine environment deserves to be explored and cherished.
Accurate knowledge is the first step to loving and protecting nature. Don’t let misconceptions limit your wonderful memories to only the white sand shores. Phu Quoc’s underwater world awaits your discovery—a world more colorful and magical than anything you can imagine.
Let OnBird – Soft-Adventure Journeys accompany you in exploring Phu Quoc’s marine world through authentic and in-depth experiences. With our team of marine biology instructors and commitment to sustainable tourism, we will help you not only see but deeply understand the miraculous beauty of this pearl island’s marine ecosystem.