Scuba diving and snorkeling in Halong Bay are two ideal ways to explore the prodigious marine life.
Tourists who come to Halong Bay always desire to marvel at all its breathtaking scenery and find their true self by getting away from the busy city life.
Choosing a scuba diving or snorkeling experience in Halong will be the best idea. From there you can discover a bunch of interesting things that have never been seen before. Imagine yourself surrounded by schools of colorful fish or seeing impressive coral reefs. How awesome is the experience!
Best time to dive/snorkel in Halong Bay
If you’re already interested in the activities, simply book a tour, pack your bag and have fun. But wait, before you start your trip, because the experience depends entirely on the weather, you’d better know the weather in Halong Bay and when is the best time to go diving or snorkeling .
Usually the answer is to May to September. This is because of the following several reasons. First of all, during summer in Halong, the temperature is high, making it too hot to enjoy activities like sightseeing, kayaking, etc. Instead, immersing yourself in cool water is great. You can also visit the charming coral reefs underwater. The sunlight will make them even more sparkling and captivating.
Besides summer, autumn is a good time for scuba diving and snorkeling. However, natural light during this time is lower, which can make marine life less visible. As it is the peak season of Halong Bay, your enjoyment will be disrupted by cruises, boats and other things to do in Halong Bay. Therefore, if you are planning to join scuba diving and snorkeling in Halong, you should choose summer (May to September).
Besides, choosing summer to go scuba diving or snorkeling in Halong, you should also note that storms can arrive at any time. To avoid this, you can start your trip in May or September as these are the beginning and end of the season respectively, hence fewer chances of thunderstorms.
Alternatively, if you book your tour in other months, try to check the weather forecast frequently and ask your travel agent for more information.
Best places to go diving in Halong Bay
Scuba diving and snorkeling locations are varied in Halong Bay as the activities are now popular with tourists.
These places include Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay and Cai Bau Island, to name a few. Among them, the following can be considered the best to refer to when booking a Halong Bay tour.
1. Lan Ha Bay
Although known as an extensive part of world heritage, Lan Ha Bay is more of a pristine and untouched paradise in which everything is in its pristine state and has not been heavily exploited for tourism, unlike Halong Bay overcrowded. The bay is home to 400 limestone islets spread over 76 km2, and a great diversity of marine flora and fauna: approximately 98 species of plankton, 196 species of marine fish and 177 species of coral.
In addition, Lan Ha Bay is adjacent to Cat Ba Archipelago which is a complex of Cat Ba Island, Cat Ba National Park, Monkey Island, etc., and also has a incredibly diverse marine life, especially the precious red coral. As the bay is much smaller than Halong Bay and contains many islands, Lan Ha can offer you a private space while enjoying your vacation as well as scuba diving or snorkeling .
2. Cong Do Island
Cong Do Island, located in Bai Tu Long Bay, is a small island of approximately 24 square kilometers. Like others, it is well known for its natural, pristine charm and the diversity of its flora and fauna. Here there is an abundance of marine life in an underwater world like shrimp, crabs, squid, seaweed, algae, various fish and underwater vegetation.
In addition, the island is also home to a 7 kilometers long and 300 meters wide coral reef, making it a must-visit place for snorkeling and scuba diving enthusiasts. Besides, as a deserted area in Halong Bay, Cong Do Island has retained its pristine beauty until now and will give you a very different experience while enjoying your stay.
3. Vung Ha Island
Vung Ha is a large island right in the center of Halong Bay. Like the two previously mentioned, the island itself is not a popular location for tourism, thus offering pristine beauty and a tranquil atmosphere. During your stay here, you will have the opportunity to relax, immerse yourself in peace and find yourself after days spent in the office.
Additionally, Vung Ha Island features diverse marine life with many species of fish, crabs, squid, algae and shrimp. The coral reef here is also vibrant and colorful, making it a great place for scuba diving and snorkeling.
As Vung Ha Island is in Halong Bay area, you can book scuba diving and snorkeling service in Halong whenever you want. Additionally, the island is close to the fishing village of Vung Vieng. Therefore, after one or half a day of scuba diving or snorkeling, you can drop by to see what local life is like. It will also be another unforgettable experience during your stay in Halong Bay.
