Located about 80 kilometers from Nha Trang, Whale Island is a fantastic place to relax and get away from it all. With excellent diving for all levels, and sites that include walls, caves, and splendid reefs, it has been a diving destination ever since Jacques Cousteau visited decades ago. Divers sometimes encounter whale sharks and whales, manta rays, and turtles; and there are enough dive sites to keep you busy for at least a week. Here are just five of the best.
Hon Trau Nam
Also known as Three Kings, Hon Trau Nam features a fantastic wall that drops away to meet the seabed at about forty meters. In addition, you’ll find a splendid coral garden filled with pink, purple and white cauliflower soft corals, lovely lavender leather corals, gorgonians, and colorful sponges, as well as swim throughs and small caves where little sharks hide and moray eels wait for their prey to pass. Fleets of grinning barracuda and sleek tuna pass in the blue, and stingrays can often be found resting on the sand. Suitable for experienced divers only, the site is subject to a current – watch for whale sharks and manta rays in summer, and don’t forget to look for nudibranchs; about 30 different species have been seen here.
Bai Su
A fantastic site for a night dive, Bai Su features a fantastic rocky labyrinth and several caves at a depth of only 15 meters. Here you’ll find plenty of incredible nudibranchs, including gymnodoris and chromodoris, plus brilliant Spanish dancers, some of which are quite large. Suitable for all levels, the site is also home to a wealth of tropical fish and crustaceans.
Hon Tai
In English, Hon Tai means “Ear Island.” Along the island’s outer edge, a splendid coral reef filled with devil scorpionfish, blennies, anemones and clownfish, purple fire gobies, and well hidden stonefish welcomes divers of every level. Beginning in shallow water, this plateau-like reef eventually drops away to a maximum depth of just 20 meters. While there is a light current on occasion, the site is normally calm, and is an exceptional place for both macro and wide angle photography. Watch for nurse sharks and white tip reef sharks, along with frogfish and lots of nudibranchs!
Mui Co
Also known as Nudibranchs House, Mui Co is a destination every nudi lover ought to visit at least once. There are several different species to admire, and if you can tear yourself away for a look out into the blue, you’ll see an abundance of snapper, barracuda, and reef fish, including parrotfish, Moorish idols, and others. In addition, stingrays and manta rays are often encountered here, as are reef sharks and nurse sharks. Maximum depth is about 20 meters, and there is plenty to see in even shallower water, making the site ideal for all levels.
Hon Ong
An excellent site for all divers, with maximum depth at just 12 meters, Hon Ong is a favorite for night diving. Here, you’ll find a colony of sea horses, along with shrimp and crabs, lush anemones where clownfish make their homes, and a wealth of fantastic reef fish among beautiful coral covered rocks. Look for nudibranchs and Spanish dancers, too!
Whale Island is a popular destination, and making reservations several months in advance is a good idea. The best time to visit is between May and September, with July and August being the busiest. With lovely resorts and well equipped dive operators, this slice of paradise is sure to provide you with great memories that last a lifetime.