Vietnam isn’t just about stunning mountains, endless rice fields, and ancient cultural sites. With over 3,260km of coastline and thousands of islands big and small, Vietnam is also a hidden paradise for ocean lovers who want to explore the mysterious underwater world.
This article will take you to Vietnam’s 6 most beautiful snorkeling spots, give you detailed info about each place, and share some useful tips and experiences to make your trip complete and meaningful.
MAIN CONTENTS
- 1. Phu Quoc – Tropical Coral Paradise
- 2. Con Dao – Pristine Beauty of Corals and Sea Turtles
- 3. Nha Trang – The snorkeling Capital
- 4. Cù Lao Chàm (Hoi An) – The Peaceful Biosphere Reserve
- 5. Vinh Hy Bay (Ninh Thuan) – Untouched Wild Beauty
- 6. Phu Quy Island (Binh Thuan) – Emerging Peaceful Beauty
- Current State of Corals and Sustainable Tourism
- Tips and Small Notes for the Perfect Trip
1. Phu Quoc – Tropical Coral Paradise
Everyone calls it the “Pearl Island” and Phu Quoc doesn’t just attract visitors with its soft white sandy beaches – it’s the diverse marine ecosystem that really gets people excited. The best place for snorkeling is the southern part of the island, around the An Thoi archipelago. The coral here is well preserved and has tons of impressive snorkeling spots.

One of the standout places is Coral Mountain, where coral reefs grow in huge clusters that look like tiny mountains under the sea, just 0.2 to 2.5 meters from the surface. You’ll be blown away by the beauty of Cactus Coral (or Pavona Coral) and Cabbage Coral. Not far from there, Half-moon Reef gives you a completely different world – a perfect harmony between hard and soft corals, along with sea anemones and playful clownfish. Most impressive is the Northeast Coral Reef – known as the Southern Coral City of Phu Quoc – one of the healthiest and most biodiverse reefs in Phu Quoc, with over 22 species of hard and soft corals.
| Watch: Deep sea snorkeling to explore the coral city in Phu Quoc | Amazing Experience
What’s more, even though sea turtles are incredibly rare in Phu Quoc, you can still spot them. Just in the 2 summer months of 2025, OnBird Phu Quoc team and our customers encountered sea turtles swimming around the southern reef areas about 10-20 times. To get these rare opportunities to swim with sea turtles, we had to constantly monitor, study their habits carefully, and follow routes we’ve researched thoroughly for these creatures.
Another special thing about Phu Quoc is that you can snorkel year-round thanks to the beautiful sunny weather and calm seas. With sunny days making up most of the year and an average of only 25-30 rainy days annually, Pearl Island Phu Quoc can welcome tourists for recreation in all four seasons.

2. Con Dao – Pristine Beauty of Corals and Sea Turtles
If you’re looking for a wild and authentic snorkeling experience, Con Dao is the perfect destination. As a national nature conservation area, the marine ecosystem here is strictly protected, keeping its integrity in an amazing way. The coral reefs in Con Dao are considered some of the most beautiful and diverse reef areas in Vietnam.
You can explore the underwater world at Hon Bay Canh or Hon Tai, where staghorn coral reefs, massive corals, and colorful fish swim in crystal clear blue water. Especially, Con Dao is also home to sea turtles that live and lay eggs here, giving you rare opportunities to swim with these gentle turtles. The best time to dive in Con Dao is from March to September, when the sea is calm and the weather is beautiful.
3. Nha Trang – The snorkeling Capital
Nha Trang used to be the birthplace of recreational snorkeling and coral tourism in Vietnam. With many years of experience, Nha Trang once had the most diverse coral ecosystem in the country. The most famous snorkeling spot here is Hon Mun Marine Conservation Area. However, due to climate change and uncontrolled tourism impacts, coral in Nha Trang has now seriously degraded.

Even so, Nha Trang still has many professional snorkeling services suitable for all levels. This is an ideal place for you to get familiar with snorkeling, but for coral viewing, you can consider other destinations. The most ideal weather for snorkeling here is from January to August.

4. Cù Lao Chàm (Hoi An) – The Peaceful Biosphere Reserve
Not far from the ancient town of Hoi An, Cù Lao Chàm is an UNESCO-recognized World Biosphere Reserve. This place doesn’t just have wild beaches but also an incredibly charming underwater world. The snorkeling spots in Cù Lao Chàm are usually Bai Ong and Bai Bac.
The most special thing here is the ancient coral reefs and hard corals that have existed for hundreds of years, creating a magnificent and ancient beauty. The sea water is calm, with few waves and very clear, suitable for all ages to participate. Tourists can easily join day tours from Hoi An to explore this island’s rich marine ecosystem. The best time to visit Cù Lao Chàm is from March to August, when the weather is dry and there are no storms.
5. Vinh Hy Bay (Ninh Thuan) – Untouched Wild Beauty
If you want to find a snorkeling spot that’s less well-known but still has enchanting beauty, Vinh Hy Bay is an excellent choice. Located in Ninh Thuan province, this bay still keeps its wild, peaceful beauty and crystal clear water.
The coral reefs in Vinh Hy are quite close to shore, very convenient to access by boat or snorkeling. You can even admire them through glass-bottom boats before deciding to snorkel down. The natural coral system here is still very healthy and diverse, along with many small fish species swimming around, creating a lively picture under the sea. The ideal time to come here is from May to September, when the weather is sunny and dry, without rain or storms.
6. Phu Quy Island (Binh Thuan) – Emerging Peaceful Beauty
Phu Quy Island is gradually becoming an attractive destination for those who love adventure tourism and natural experiences. Different from the bustling atmosphere of Phu Quoc, Phu Quy Island has a simple, peaceful beauty that’s no less captivating, especially for snorkeling activities.
The seawater in Phu Quy is famous for being crystal clear and clean, very favorable for coral viewing. Some main snorkeling spots here are Hon Tranh and the Ganh Hang area. You can dive near shore to admire colorful coral reefs and brilliant schools of fish. The best weather for snorkeling in Phu Quy is from December to June, when the sea is calm and the sun is beautiful.
Current State of Corals and Sustainable Tourism
Vietnam’s coral situation is facing many serious challenges. Once a place with diverse coral ecosystems, now many areas have been severely degraded due to climate change, pollution, and uncontrolled activities like dynamite fishing that still happens in Nha Trang. Recognizing this, OnBird has pioneered becoming a sustainable tourism solution.
Our main goal is to promote awareness of sustainable experiences, raise the spirit of responsibility to protect corals and marine ecosystems. We believe that conservation needs to start with each person’s awareness. To do that, OnBird has contributed a small part to coral restoration and regeneration, relying on company resources and cooperation with marine scientists. We have applied the method of grafting broken coral branches onto biological rocks and created closed nursery areas for coral recovery. At the same time, OnBird also regularly organizes cleanup activities like collecting trash on beaches and cutting ghost nets at coral reefs to preserve the marine environment.
| Watch: REMOVE GHOST NETS – RESCUING PHU QUOC CORALS | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM.
Tips and Small Notes for the Perfect Trip
To have a complete and safe snorkeling experience, please remember these things:
Weather: Always check weather forecasts before going. Weather forecast apps on phones usually won’t accurately predict marine weather conditions in Phu Quoc. With long-term experience observing and researching, OnBird has built a system to monitor marine weather conditions in Phu Quoc with the ability to accurately forecast water conditions and hydrology to ensure safety for customers participating in island hopping and snorkeling experiences.
Safety: Always wear life jackets, don’t dive alone, and listen to guide instructions.
Environmental Protection: This is the most important thing.
- Never touch corals with your hands, don’t step on them, don’t feed fish, and don’t throw trash into the sea.
- If possible, limit sunscreen use as much as possible. Instead, you can choose OnBird’s snorkeling experiences that have departure times that avoid UV rays and use long-sleeved swimwear. If you must use it, use reef-safe sunscreen in just enough amounts to not harm the environment.
Preparation: Bring long-sleeved swimwear, hat, sunglasses, and a waterproof camera to capture those beautiful moments.

| Learn more: Phu Quoc Weather in October – Characteristics, Notes, Weather Guidelines
Kết luận

From the pristine beauty of Con Dao to the vibrant life of Phu Quoc, each destination has its own story, its own unique beauty. Ocean exploration trips aren’t just experiences – by choosing sustainable tours and practicing responsible habits, you’re already contributing to protecting Vietnam’s precious coral reefs. Let’s join OnBird – Soft-Adventure Journeys in planning your ocean exploration journey and make every moment meaningful.