Dive Sites

An Thoi Archipelago

Located south of Phu Quoc approximately a 45 minute boat ride from Duong Dong.  The Archipelago is made up of a collection of some 15 islands/islets including the largest being Hon Thon (Pineapple island), followed by Hon Roi (Lamp Island), Hon Dam (Shadow Island), Hon Dua (Coconut Island), Hon Vang (Echo Island), Hon May Rut (Cold Cloud Island), Hon Dam (Shadow Island), Chan Qui (Yellow Tortoise Island) and Hong Mong Tay (Short Gun Island). Courtesy of www.discoverphuquoc.com

The topography in this group of island varies considerably from the 60m deep strait between southern Phu Quoc island and Hon Dua Island and gentle sloping coral gardens off other islands. These islands also support some seagrass gardens which are more common off the eastern side of Phu Quoc, and home to the rarely seen Dugong. The archipelago is home to an abundance of smaller tropical fish, with the occasional grouper, tuna and mackerel also sighted.Top of page

Turtle Island (Doi Moi)

Located in the North West off the southern end of Bao Dai beach, about a 30 minute boat ride from Duong Dong, Turtle island is only 50m in length with a few palm trees and bushes with a sandy beach, and is also ideal for snorkelling. The waters surrounding the island are relatively shallow reaching no more than 10m, with an interesting range of hard corals and elephant ear and barrel sponges covered in sea worms and surrounded by small yellow damselfish, stonefish, some blue ringed angelfish and the occasional coral grouper and parrotfish.

Diving in Phu Quoc - In Troducing and Dive operators

This island paradise lies only 10o north of the equator, enjoying a tropical climate with average water temperature of 24oC (75o F) with an extensive variety of aquatic life. The best time for a dive is between October and May in the dry season, however scuba diving is still available all year.

Scuba diving is relatively new to Phu Quoc island, only having been recently introduced in 2002, so divers have the unique opportunity of discovering the marine life around the island for the first time, with many areas around the island still largely unexplored. This underwater frontier continues to yield exciting new dive sites that are only now being made available.

Even today, in some areas to the north around Turtle Island and in the coral gardens off Bai Dai, North East off Bai Thom and Rach Vem and virtually a large majority of the An Thoi Archipelago, you may enjoy the pleasure of being one of the first ever to dive the many sites.

Please report any Dive operators to us that do not take care of our marine environment, as we would prefer to promote eco friendly operators to ensure all visits can enjoy the fantastic underwater world for years to come.

The dive shops on the island offer a wide range of professional services including equipment sales, rental, diver training classes and specialty dive courses, one-day dives, multi-day packages, Discover Scuba Diving and Try Dive packages (supervised beginners diving).

For those divers travelling with families, or on a tight time schedule, the local dive-shops offer an excellent selection of dive trips. See the section on following dive operators in Phu Quoc, or visit their websites or contact them directly for more information.

It is important to make your own enquires with dive shops if you prefer to dive with PADI certified operators, as not all dive shops on the island are actually PADI certified, and some dive operators are more eco friendly when it comes to protecting the marine habit, so choose carefully.

Coi nguon Museum

 This is actually a private museum that is a MUST SEE when you’re visiting Phu Quoc. The building commands a road side location set on a hill, South of the town of Duong Dong.

This is a six floor structure that is modern in design and has great functionality…it’s a fairly new building….as is the museum itself…its barley a few years old, some parts of it are still under construction , at least were when I visited in January of 2010. Its design is such that you can move easily around from display to display and the continuity is great.

There are sections that deal with the history of Phu Quoc, including ceramics, bronze and stone tools, and animal and sea mammal skeletons.

There are sections that deal with the historical development of the people in connection to Phu Quoc.

You can see art work made by people from Phu Quoc..works using materials that are specific to Phu Quoc., sea shells and drift wood for example.

There are displays of boats here and examples of housing structures that are or were commonly used here on the island. There’s also the obligatory Shrine to Ho Chi Min and a fairly interesting display relating to the Coconut Tree Prison that I’ve mentioned earlier..

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There is in fact various structures on the property and once you finish indoors and leave the main building there’s a walkway that takes you up the hill to some of the other buildings that are a part of the museum. There is quite an elaborate Temple here, and example of a stilted house used even today by some people here on Phu Quoc.There are gardens and even an aviary where a breed of sea eagles are kept and a kennel where they are keeping a few of the “Phu Quoc” dogs, a breed that’s particular to Phu Quoc. The sea eagles are being bred here as part of an effort to save them from extinction.

It’s an interesting place to spend some time…and it was NOT busy…I was able to wander around without any worries about being crowded into a corner…I'm not sure that many people know of its existence...when I was asking people about it...before I visited the museum...no one seemed to know anything about it..

For a condensed look at the culture and history of Phu Quoc you really must make this museum a “thing to do” while you are visiting.

Access to the museum costs about $ 1.00...and access is available EVERY day from 0730 AM- 1100 AM and again from 1300 Pm - 1700 PM...

Address: No. 149, Tran Hung Dao St.,Duong Dong.

Phone: 84-77 3980206

(Source: virtualtourist.com)

Phu Quoc Hotels and Accommodation

Warning: unlike in most other East-Asian destinations, there is a substantial risk that all (affordable) hotels are fully booked if you arrive, so it is advisable to book ahead, also for back- and flashpackers. This applies at least in January, the dry high season and as of 2011 also in February, as the island gains popularity.

1.Mai House, +84-773-847 003 mailto:maihouseresort@yahoo.com. Consistently ranked the #1 resort choice on the island. Fourteen stylish, high quality thatched villas dotted around immaculate gardens on the beach. There's no air conditioning and no fridge in the villa's and no pool. The restaurant menu is good but limited. Despite this, most people who have stayed here, consider Mai House to be almost perfect. Villas: standard $45 low season, and $90 high season. Breakfast included. Booking can be tricky as owners Mai and Gerrard are not always responsive to booking enquiries during high season. Garrard's direct contact number is +84 918 123 796 should you have any difficulties.

2.La Veranda, 84-773-982 988 mailto:contact@laveranda.com www.laveranda.com Fourty three rooms and villas spread around a pool and French style colonial main building. Standard and Superior rooms US$125 low season and $240 high season. The one bed villas are better value at USA$165 low season and $250 high season.

3.Mango Bay Resort, Ong Lang Beach, +84 77 981 693 (mangobay@hcm.vnn.vn), www.mangobayphuquoc.com. A wonderfully peaceful resort spread between the sea on one side and a forest preserve on the other. The resort beaches are small, but the adjoining beach is as yet undeveloped for tourism and features a decent reef for snorkeling. This is a low-key resort, where the lawns are mowed by a herd of cows with wooden cowbells, and the spa opens directly onto the 'lawn' running down the sea. Bungalows are tastefully set back from the sea and separated from each other. There is a vegetable and spice garden on the property, and much of the food served is grown there. There are several styles of bungalows, each with its own connected outdoor bathroom. This place is the antithesis of your typical Phuket tour-bus resort. USD 90-150.

4.Long Beach's Ancient Village Resort & Spa, tel:84-773-981818, mailto:info@ancient-village.com, www.ancient-village.com contiunes with a 'soft opening' and if management is lucky will become the first 5-star resort on the island upon completion, though they have been working on the resort for 3 years and it is still not complete. Rooms are large and spacious, the fittings lovely, and the bathroom has a large wooden tub for soaking. However, the beds are hard and the linens sometimes stained. The restaurant used to offer themed dinners with a fusion of Vietnamese and Western specialties, but now even breakfast is troublesome as the staff are all new. Check with the hotel before booking as a number of guests have complained that they were not aware that the resort is still under construction, and have paid 5 star prices with 2 star quality and constant noise. There is no shuttle into town, but taxi are easy to catch along the main road. The beach is lovely, but you have to cross a bridge over a swamp with trash to get there. Hopefully things will start looking up since the hotel is now under new management.

5. Paris Beach Resort, Cau Ba Phong, Cua lap, Duong To (Go down Long Beach (south) and look for the sign on your right. If you see Eden Resort on your right, you just missed it.), 0084773994548, www.phuquocparisbeach.com. checkout: 11:00. Nice staff, very friendly owners, and one of the cheaper resorts. Owned and run by a French/Vietnamese couple - both professors - who enjoy running a hotel and having guests, it seems. Food is great and prices all rather reasonable. If there is no room at Paris Beach, try Beach Club Resort right next door - and vice versa 20$-40$.

6.Eden Resort, tel:84-77 398 5598, mailto:reservation@edenresort.com.vn, www.edenresort.com.vn/en-us/homepage.aspxEden Resort Phu Quoc is located on Western side of island, just down Tran Hung Doa rd. Guest rooms feature a fresh contemporary design and staff is friendly. The resort is located along white beaches and ocean, with a bbq restaurant pool side, and also a beach side restaurant. There is free Wi-Fi. The site has beautiful gardens, which makes up for the lack of development on either side of the property. For the price, this resort is quality with service above its rating.

7.Saigon Tourist Phu Quoc Resort, www.sgphuquocresort.com.vn. The oldest large three/four star hotel on the island.Bargain Beach Bungalows. What's still very special about Phu Quoc is the availability of small resorts built right on the beach with 8 - 16 cabins all at less that US$40.Budget accommodation can be hard to come by but the best bet is to head to the south end of long beach. In low season en suite bungalows can be found for $10 and rooms for $8.

8.Amigos Guest house, 118/10 Trang Hun Dao, Long Beach (next to La Veranda), 0917 707 456 (speak to Speedy) or 077 3 994 958. Amigos have immaculate bungalows with hot/cold water, AC, fridge, Satellite TV, queen bed in each. They are brand new having only been completed in October 2010. Amigos is located right on the beach and it has a great restaurant and bar area. Free internet and weekly promotions ongoing. There is even a children’s play area.

9.Amigos Restaurant Bar, 118/10 Trang Hun Dao, Long Beach, 077 3 994 58. This is a new facility which has the largest bar on the Long Beach strip. It is on the southern end of Long Beach and is surrounded by a number of resorts. It serves reasonably priced Mexican, western and Vietnamese food. It is owned by an Australian family who take a very hand’s on approach to the business. There is a great beach area, two pool tables and dance area that plays a good mix of music. There is a wide selection of drinks and cheap cocktails. Open till late.