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  • Why You Should Not Combine Snorkeling & Scuba Diving On The Same Boat – Same Itinerary

Why You Should Not Combine Snorkeling & Scuba Diving On The Same Boat – Same Itinerary

EXPLORE PHU QUOC
Professional guided discovery snorkeling tour in Phu Quoc to learn about marine life
25
Apr

Combining snorkeling and scuba diving in one trip is generally not recommended by OnBird due to the great difference in itinerary and diving or snorkeling site. We provide inside view for guests to have better understanding about these two experiences.

Many guests express surprise upon discovering that they can observe a greater variety of corals in shallow waters compared to deep waters. Initially, they believed that scuba diving would be more enjoyable than snorkeling, perceiving snorkeling merely as floating on the surface with limited visibility. However, after reviewing OnBird’s comprehensive explanation, they learned that snorkeling actually offers superior opportunities to view corals and reef fish. Additionally, they gained insights into why combining snorkeling and scuba diving may not be advisable.

 

Shallow Waters Are Amazing Than You Think?

 

Shallow waters in open environments are often perceived by the general public as areas with only 1-2 meters of water, featuring limited fish, sandy substrates, and minimal marine life. However, this perception is misleading. Coral reefs thrive in these shallow zones, benefiting significantly from their exposure to sunlight, which provides approximately 70% of the nutrients necessary for coral growth. In fact, the shallow waters ranging from 0.5 to 4 meters deep encompass the largest expanse of coral reefs.

 

Deep Waters Are Darken and Lesser Things Than You Think

Many individuals believe that deeper waters offer a greater abundance of corals and fish, viewing it as an elusive realm that sparks curiosity. However, from an insider’s perspective at OnBird, we can clarify why this assumption may not hold true for those seeking to appreciate the richness of coral ecosystems.
Deep Waters: Depths ranging from 10 to 18 meters and beyond are classified as deep waters, typically explored by scuba divers. At these depths, organisms that rely on sunlight for energy receive significantly less illumination compared to those inhabiting shallower waters (1 to 10 meters). Among these organisms are reef-building hard corals (which dominates 90% of the coral reefs) struggle to thrive in deeper environments. Consequently, coral colonies are rarely found in expansive areas at such depths; instead, one is likely to encounter predominantly sand and small sponges.
Professional Marine Life Discovery Snorkeling in Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam by OnBird
The photo is captured in 3-meter depth by OnBird Phu Quoc.

 

Dark Waters: Another notable aspect of diving in deeper waters is the diminished visibility of vibrant marine life. As one descends, the surroundings shift to a spectrum dominated by blue light, obscuring the true colors of marine organisms. Without a specialized color-correcting diving mask, divers experience a predominantly blue environment, where visibility is limited, and the underwater world appears darkened.
Scuba Diving in Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam
At a depth range of 10 to 18 meters, the seabed is characterized by a reduced presence of corals and reef fish.
In summary, the deeper one dives, the less marine life one is likely to observe, replaced instead by an overwhelming blue hue, starkly contrasting with the vivid colors found in shallower waters.
Everything turns blue as you go deep - OnBird Phu Quoc
Everything turns blue as you go deep – OnBird Phu Quoc

 

Scuba Diving And Snorkeling Site Are Entirely Different 

The approaches to scuba diving sites and snorkeling sites are entirely different, thereby it is always better to separate these two experiences. As the invention of scuba diving is to enable people to explore deep water but not shallow water thereby it’s purpose is to explore seabed and deep water marine life but not abundance of corals. Scuba diving sites are deep water areas or deep water rocks but not shallow water which prevent them from descending down.

Scuba divers favor seabeds that are situated farther from the reef slope, where snorkelers typically encounter fewer corals.
Scuba divers favor seabeds that are situated farther from the reef slope, where snorkelers typically encounter fewer corals.

 

Snorkeling sites are typically found in shallow waters, allowing snorkelers to observe coral reefs and marine life within a depth range of 1 to 10 meters. Notably, depths of 1 to 5 meters provide the greatest abundance of corals and reef fish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ferKpnZQhv4
In contrast, the terrain of snorkeling sites is too shallow for scuba diving, which requires deeper waters that often exceed visibility and accessibility to the coral reefs.

 

In conclusion, OnBird Phu Quoc presents three primary reasons for not combining snorkeling and scuba diving on the same boat and route:
  1. Distinct Objectives: The aims of scuba diving and snorkeling differ significantly; scuba diving focuses on exploring deeper underwater ecosystems, while snorkeling is designed for observing coral reefs and shallow reef fish.
  2. Optimal Conditions for Snorkeling: Shallow waters (1-10 meters) typically provide a richer diversity of corals and fish, making them ideal for snorkeling, yet less suitable for scuba diving.
  3. Site Discrepancies: Scuba diving locations often differ from snorkeling sites. Utilizing the same site for both activities could lead to an imbalance in the experiences offered.
By considering these factors, we can enhance the enjoyment and safety of both snorkeling and scuba diving experiences.