Diving with Kids: An In-Depth Review of Vietnam’s Top Family Dive Destinations
Choosing the right destination is the deciding factor in the success of a family diving holiday. A fantastic site for a technical diver could be an inappropriate choice for a family with a 10-year-old. So, what makes a dive destination “family-friendly”?
As experts in Vietnamese diving and as parents ourselves, the Amadive team has created this article in our Family Scuba Diving series to help you make a wise choice. We will not just list locations; we will analyze them based on a set of safety and child-appropriateness criteria.
The Golden Criteria for Assessing a Family Dive Destination
Before we dive into the details, let’s define our most important criteria:
- Calm Conditions: Mild to no currents, gentle waves, and sheltered from strong winds.
- Appropriate Depths: Plenty of interesting, shallow reef areas in the 5-12 meter (15-40 feet) range.
- Easy Water Entry/Exit: Sloping beaches or large dive boats with stable platforms and sturdy ladders.
- Short Travel Times: Shorter boat rides minimize fatigue and seasickness for children.
- Engaging Shallow-Water Marine Life: Kids don’t need to go deep to see amazing things.
Detailed Analysis of the Top Choices
Choice #1: Nha Trang Bay – “The Perfect Classroom”
- Why it’s our top pick:
- Nha Trang Bay is naturally sheltered by large islands, creating a calm body of water almost year-round (during the dive season). This is why it became the training hub of Vietnam. We have certified hundreds of junior divers here and can attest that the conditions are near-perfect.
- Analysis by Criteria:
- Sea Conditions: Very calm. 10/10.
- Depth: Perfect. Most sites like Moray Beach or Mama Hanh Beach have their best corals and life at 5-15 meters.
- Entry/Exit: Large, comfortable dive boats with spacious platforms. 9/10.
- Travel Time: About 45-60 minutes to the Hon Mun dive sites. 8/10.
- Marine Life: Excellent in shallow areas. Abundant clownfish, lionfish, and colorful soft corals. 9/10.
- Best for: Families with children learning to dive for the first time (Junior Open Water course) or participating in experience programs like Bubblemaker.
Choice #2: North and South Phu Quoc – “The Giant Natural Swimming Pool”
- Why it’s a great choice:
- Phu Quoc offers a relaxed, tropical vibe. Its dive sites, especially around Fingernail Island or Turtle Island, are often very shallow with white sandy bottoms, creating the feeling of swimming in a giant, clear blue pool.
- Analysis by Criteria:
- Sea Conditions: Very calm during the dry season. 9/10.
- Depth: Very shallow and safe. Many areas are only 3-10 meters deep. 10/10.
- Entry/Exit: Tour boats are often used, which can be a bit crowded, but entry/exit is still easy. 8/10.
- Travel Time: Can be a little longer to reach the southern islands. 7/10.
- Marine Life: Focused on hard corals and smaller reef fish. Excellent for snorkeling. 8/10.
- Best for: Families with younger children, looking to combine snorkeling with very shallow dive experiences like Bubblemaker and try dives.
Choice #3: Cham Islands (Hoi An) – “The Protected Playground”
- Why it’s a worthy consideration:
- The experience of diving in a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve carries a huge educational value. The reefs here are well-protected, and fish density is very high.
- Analysis by Criteria:
- Sea Conditions: Calm during the summer season. 9/10.
- Depth: Sites like Hon Tai and Hon Dai have beautiful shallow areas. 9/10.
- Entry/Exit: Speedboats are used, which are fast but can be bumpy. 7/10.
- Travel Time: Very fast, only about 20-25 minutes. 10/10.
- Marine Life: Very rich, with large schools of small fish and beautiful soft corals. 9/10.
- Best for: Families vacationing in Hoi An or Da Nang who want an exciting day trip that combines diving and island exploration.
Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Fit
Vietnam is blessed with several excellent options for families. Nha Trang is the safest and most comprehensive choice for learning to dive. Phu Quoc is fantastic for shallow-water activities and relaxation. The Cham Islands are a perfect cultural and natural day trip. By understanding the strengths of each location, you can choose the perfect destination to plant the seed of ocean love in the next generation.