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Dive Review of Rainbow Divers/Phu Quoc Island off Vietnam in
General Travel/Other Locations

Rainbow Divers/Phu Quoc Island off Vietnam, Jan, 2004,

by Jan R Shaw, WA, United States (Reviewer Reviewer 3 reports). Report 900.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 3 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 3 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 1 stars
Comments Rainbow Divers has been active in Vietnam in the Nha Trang area (a marine reserve on the East Coast of Vietnam)for over 10 years. Phu Quoc is an island off Vietnam's Southwestern Coast located in the Gulf of Thailand. This branch of the operation has been present for just over a year and runs out of the Phu Quoc Saigon resort.

The multilingual staff onboard the boat was friendly,knowledeable, and very competent. Although the website www.divevietnam.com states that January is the poor seasson for Na Trang (it's often rainy) and the good season for Phu Quoc(it was hot and sunny), both the limited visibility (15-30 feet max) and lack of marine life (most fish were about 2 inches long other than a lone Angel fish seen once a day) were a bit of a suprise.

The reason became apparent after we anchored in an area in between two fishing boats. I dove for two days in the North of the island for two dives a day. Saw more fish in fish trap that we opened undereater than anywhere else. The soft corals were magnificant and there were occasional nudibranches. The weather got better and we were able to go the South part of the island the third day for two more dives. South has much better visibilty (up to 25-30 feet) and greater variety of fish. Also a nice 45 minute bus trip to that dock.

The above water climate was great for January, warm (over 85 F) bright sun, palm trees, sandy beachs. I stayed at the Tropicanna resort. You have to leave your passport with the on shore people to dive. RAinbow Divers accepts VISA (with a 3% fee) and give a 10% discount if you dive with them for three days. I rented everything including the 3mm suit except my mask. It was all new and well maintaned gear.

If you're in Vietnam and want to get wet by all means go dive. It's just not like diving in Thailand. But then how many people can say that they've dove in Vietnam?

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Washington State, British Columbia, Florida, California, Mexico plus Socorros Islands, Bonaire, Bahamas, Galapagoes Islands, Microneasia, Thailand
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, dry Seas choppy
Water Temp 81-83°F / 27-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 10-15 Ft/ 3-5 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions Dive guide (Instructor) required . 60 minute maximum bottom time. Areas dove were no deeper than 35 feet. Okay to dive with your own computer
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals 2 stars Tropical Fish 1 stars
Small Critters 2 stars Large Fish 1 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 1 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 1 stars Shore Facilities 2 stars
UW Photo Comments [None]
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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