Diving on Palm Island

The best dive sites are often found in quiet, protected locations, far from the madding crowds. Palm Island is one of these places, surrounded by an underwater landscape of unspoilt coral reefs and tropical marine life. Whales and whale sharks are often spotted in this region between April and July. This is the very place that Jacques Cousteau fell in love with the underwater world- and recommendations don't come higher than that. You can enjoy the splendid beaches and the refreshingly different cuisine between your diving expeditions.

The diving season in Vietnam runs from late February to late September. Rainfall is also at its lowest over this period, making it the best time to visit.

Duration	5 days / 4 night Departs daily	Accommodation	4 nights in a comfortable, wooden bungalow on the beach. Comfort Level 3(see accommodation).
Price	From £514 - Exact prices available upon request	Includes	Accommodation, all meals, transport by bus and boat from Nha Trang, PADI diving course and use of equipment.
Transport	Air-conditioned minibus, boat	Excludes	Drinks, and other excursions and courses

Day 1: Arrival on Palm Island

Palm Island and the region to the east of Van Ninh in Central Vietnam is protected as a nature reserve both above and below the water. The underwater environment is superb – you will see both hard and soft coral, as well as many unusual species of fish. The water is warm and the visibility is good, giving you a fantastic close-up of the tropical marine life. You can take your Padi Open Water Certificate or your Padi Advanced Certificate here.

From Nha Trang, you'll travel by minibus and then by boat to the sun-bleached beaches of Palm Island. On the island, there are a number of bungalows hidden amongst swaying palm trees. These bungalows are perfectly located for some much-needed privacy and offer all of the basic creature comforts that you might need. Its only a few short steps from your veranda to the water’s edge. The bungalows are tastefully furnished by the French management, with a double bed (or two singles) and mosquito net.

On Palm Island you'll be treated to delicious meals with a heavy French influence served with true Vietnamese hospitality. When you arrive on the island a tasty lunch will await you. You can follow this with a drink in the bar, listening to the sound of the gentle waves while you watch the tropical sun sink into the horizon.

Days 2 to 4: PADI diving course

Your diving course will start today. All of the equipment will be provided. Usually, you'll sail aboard a traditional Vietnamese fishing boat out to a dive site such as Hon Trau Nam or the island of Hon Kho Trang. At these sites, you can see rays, scorpion fish and even stonefish. A little further from Palm Island, there's a shipwreck lying underwater. This is a hiding place for shoals of all sorts of colourful fish, and a great place to explore on a dive.

You can also take a fascinating night dive at Hon Ong, where you’ll see seahorses, Spanish Dancers, lobsters, clownfish, and huge prawns swimming amongst the sea anemones. The underwater world is full of hungry mouths, such as the oddly shaped boxfish, the harmless whale shark, and the giant manta ray.

Day 5: Departure from Palm Island

In addition to diving, there's plenty of time for beach relaxation on Palm Island, or maybe a spot of tropical bird-spotting. If you're simply hoping to take a single dive or introductory lesson, you could instead choose our Hammock on Palm Island module and arrange your dives on arrival.

At the end of your stay you'll be brought back to Nha Trang by boat and then minibus. You'll either be dropped off at your hotel in Nha Trang, or taken straight to the airport/railway station, depending on your next plans.

WARNING: You must not fly within 24 hours of your last dive.

You can easily reach Ho Chi Minh City from Nha Trang by either plane or train, to follow Palm Island with the Saigon and Mekong module. Alternatively, if you're travelling north, then Hoi An might be the next stop on your agenda.

A peek at your accommodation

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