Diving and Snorkelling in Phu Quoc 2026: An Thoi Archipelago Guide
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Phu Quoc’s diving is centred on the An Thoi Archipelago at the island’s southern tip. The reefs here are the most intact on the island — the north has been affected by development and boat traffic. Visibility and coral coverage are reasonable but not comparable to the Coral Triangle or even to Nha Trang’s Hon Mun Marine Reserve.
An Thoi Archipelago dive sites
Hon Thom (Pineapple Island): The most commonly visited island in the archipelago. The reef system on the east side has good coral coverage in 5–20m depth. Suitable for all levels.
Hon Dam: A small island with a wall dive on the north side. Depths to 30m. Good fish life including grouper, snapper, and occasional barracuda.
Hon Roi: A site known for soft coral in moderate depths (10–18m). Less visited than Hon Thom, which means less anchor damage.
Finger Reef: A reef system between islands rather than at any single island. Good variety of hard coral. Occasional turtle sightings.
Marine life
The Gulf of Thailand is shallower and warmer than the South China Sea. Species include reef fish (parrotfish, angelfish, triggerfish), moray eels, sea turtles (Hon Thom area), nudibranchs, and juvenile reef sharks. No regular big pelagic sightings reported. The diving is reef-focused rather than macro or pelagic-focused.
Dive operators
Rainbow Divers Phu Quoc: The same chain as the Nha Trang operation. PADI Five Star facility. Runs daily dive boats to An Thoi. Consistent safety standards. 2-dive boat trip: ₫800,000–1,400,000 ($32–56). PADI Open Water: ₫5,000,000–7,000,000 ($200–280).
John’s Tours: A smaller, longer-established operator with positive reviews for personal service. 2-tank dives from ₫700,000 ($28).
Vietnam Explorer: Another reputable option. Runs combination snorkel/dive day trips.
Conditions
Best months: November–April. Visibility 10–20m in good conditions. Calm surface conditions make the 45-minute boat ride to An Thoi comfortable.
May–October: Southwest monsoon. Reduced visibility (3–8m on bad days). Rough surface conditions. Some operators reduce schedule or cancel. Diving is still possible in calmer periods but conditions are unpredictable.
Snorkelling
Island hopping day trips (₫350,000–600,000 / $14–24 per person) include snorkelling stops at the An Thoi reefs. Equipment provided. The snorkelling at Hon Thom and the fringing reefs is reasonable — good for reef fish and coral viewing in clear conditions.
If snorkelling is the primary goal, a private boat to one reef site (₫1,500,000–3,000,000 / $60–120) with a guide who knows the good coral areas gives a better experience than a large group day trip.
Dive courses
PADI courses are available from Rainbow Divers and other operators. The Open Water course (3–4 days) can be completed entirely around Phu Quoc. Confined water sessions in hotel pools followed by open water dives in the archipelago. The conditions are suitable for training — calm and warm in dry season.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does diving cost in Phu Quoc?
- A 2-dive boat trip costs 800,000-1,400,000 VND ($32-56) with operators like Rainbow Divers. PADI Open Water certification costs 5,000,000-7,000,000 VND ($200-280). Smaller operators like John's Tours offer 2-tank dives from 700,000 VND ($28).
- When is the best time to dive in Phu Quoc?
- November to April offers the best conditions with visibility of 10-20m and calm surface conditions. May to October brings the southwest monsoon with reduced visibility (3-8m on bad days) and rough surface conditions. Some operators reduce their schedule or cancel during monsoon.
- Where are the best dive sites in Phu Quoc?
- The An Thoi Archipelago at the island's southern tip has the best reefs. Hon Thom has good coral at 5-20m depth, Hon Dam has a wall dive to 30m with grouper and barracuda, and Finger Reef between islands has occasional turtle sightings.
- Can I do a PADI course in Phu Quoc?
- PADI Open Water courses (3-4 days) can be completed entirely around Phu Quoc. Rainbow Divers, a PADI Five Star facility, runs the course with confined water sessions in hotel pools followed by open water dives in the An Thoi Archipelago. Conditions are warm and calm in dry season.
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