Cambodia and Vietnam Scuba Diving
Replies: 11 - Last Post: Jul 3, 2012 2:38 AM Last Post By: happytimeblog
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Cambodia and Vietnam Scuba Diving
Hi everyone,I'm heading out to Cambodia and Vietnam in about a week for two months. I just finished up my PADI open water course and was hoping to get some diving in which I'm there. From what I've read on LP and elsewhere there doesn't seem to be a huge amount for really great diving in either country but I'd still like to try.
For Cambodia, I'm doing to be in Kep province for most of my time (working with a local NGO). From what I've read, the only places for scuba seem to be in Sihanoukville. I might make it there but not entirely sure if I will. Is it worth the trip to dive? In Kep province, are there places to snorkel maybe? Friends of mine want to go to Rabbit Island, could we snorkel there? I have my own mask and fins.
For Vietnam, I also haven't heard great things but as a novice, I'm sure I'll enjoy any diving. I've read quite a bit about Rainbow divers. Anyone have experience with them? I was thinking of spending a couple days in Nha Trang to dive and just hang out on the beach. Other recommended places or companies to dive with in Vietnam.
Thanks in advance.
1
I was in Nha Trang about 15 years ago and the diving was exceptionally poor. Even as a novice I thought it was poor and so did everyone else on the boat. Perhaps there are now other places for diving in Vietnam but if there is any good diving in Vietnam I'm sure I would have heard of it by now.Not dived in Cambodia but I have heard it's OK in Sihanoukville and some of the offshore islands. If you are in the region for a couple of months then why not take a side trip to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand or the Philippines where the diving is a lot better.
2
I haven't dived much at all and I dived in Nha Trang last year and used Rainbow Divers (if you get Roman, you'll learn alot!). I have to say they have been my favourite company so far out of the ones that I have used. They were helpful and knowledgeable and I was treated like they wanted me to progress in my skills rather than just after my money. The diving itself I found to be better than the Great Barrier Reef, Red Sea and Roatan. Only Belize has been as memorable. But I am a real novice, so easily pleased I guess!!!3
Thanks guys.dxb - I'm only going to be in the region for a short period of time otherwise I would definitely go to Indonesia. Since I'm going somewhere warm, I thought I'd try to get some diving in since I live in Vancouver where the ocean is pretty chilly.
Maybe I'll ask around when I'm there to see if it's worth it. Glad to hear you enjoyed it Mclaren :)
5
Also have a look here for an overview of Vietnams best dives:http://vietnewsonline.vn/News/Lifestyle/7709/Vietnams-best-dive-sites-revealed.htm
6
Went diving in Nha Trang, Vietnam about 2months ago and the diving is really crappy. We went with The Sailing Club as they were the cheapest (safe) company in town. They're fantastic but there's nothing to see down there.Just came back from diving off an island called Koh Rong, 2hr boat from Sihanoukville, Cambodia. The diving is good given good visibility. We went in poor vis today (1-3mts) because there was a storm that came through the night before. The other dives were great but not the best in the world. Great for beginner divers because there isn't strong swells or currents and the sites are quite shallow (3mts - 10mts). We went with The Dive Shop and stayed in their dorms on Koh Rong.
Other than that, I have no idea :) Good luck finding a spot!
7
There is an island of the coast of Kep called rabbit island. We went out there to snorkel because there are no dive centres in the area....saw some sand and that was about it so packed it in and slept in a hammock for the rest of the day. Did a day of diving around one of the islands off Sihanoukville, it was ok but there was some damage from dynamite blasting and the fish numbers are quite low. But it was easy diving and a good chance to practice some skills.I nearly choked on my tea when I saw someone post that Vietnam is better diving than the Barrier Reef! Mclaren, I'm guessing that you did one of the day trips to the reef from Cairns, where the coral has mostly died from endless collisions with novice divers. It's a shame you get bad travel sickness, a liveaboard to the outer reefs would quickly change your mind about what the GBR has to offer!!
8
Kep is not well developed yet and it is mainly for novice snorkelling.Koh Rong is ok, nothing to write home about as much of the reef has been dynamited. If the tide is right the viz is good enough to mix it with small schools of fish. Other islands in the Sihanoukville vicinity are similar. I met a team of oceanographers on the far side of Koh Rong who are compiling a record of marine life around the island, though it is too choppy over that side for fun diving.
Dave
9
vietnam nha trang is good place to dive ,has over 300 kinds of corals and tropic fish. different diving ,you see different things . you can always find fun in diving.10
#9 and #10, have you ever been diving outside of Vietnam??
