Ninh Chu – Ninh Thuan Diving

About Ninh Chu – Ninh Thuan

Ninh Chu in Ninh Thuan Province is one of Vietnam's most promising emerging diving destinations, located on the south-central coast between Nha Trang and Mui Ne. The region benefits from some of the country's lowest rainfall and most consistent sunshine, creating excellent conditions for coral growth and marine biodiversity. Vinh Hy Bay is the region's diving centrepiece, offering shallow coral gardens in calm, protected waters that serve as an outstanding training and discovery site for beginners. The bay's diverse habitats include seagrass beds, hard coral formations, and rocky reefs supporting pipefish, seahorses, and moray eels. Hon Do (Red Island) delivers the region's most exciting diving with colourful pinnacles draped in soft corals, frequented by green turtles and a rich variety of nudibranch species. Bai Chuoi provides deeper reef experiences with schooling barracuda and occasional eagle ray sightings in open water. The region remains largely undiscovered by international diving tourism, meaning pristine conditions and uncrowded sites. Ninh Chu is also home to Vietnam's Cham ethnic community, adding a unique cultural dimension with ancient Cham towers and traditional villages. The relaxed coastal atmosphere, combined with affordable accommodation and authentic Vietnamese seaside culture, makes Ninh Chu an attractive off-the-beaten-path diving destination for adventurous travellers seeking Vietnam's underwater frontier.

Highlights

• ✓Vinh Hy Bay – calm shallow coral gardens ideal for beginners and marine life discovery
• ✓Hon Do (Red Island) – colourful soft coral pinnacles with turtles and nudibranchs
• ✓Undiscovered diving with pristine conditions and zero crowd pressure
• ✓Seahorse and pipefish encounters in Vinh Hy Bay's diverse habitats
• ✓Bai Chuoi – deeper reef with schooling barracuda and occasional eagle rays
• ✓Ancient Cham cultural heritage with Po Klong Garai towers and traditional weaving villages

Getting There

Ninh Chu is best accessed by road from Nha Trang (approximately 1.5 hours south) or from Ho Chi Minh City (approximately 5 hours northeast via National Highway 1). The nearest airport is Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR), approximately 70 km north, which receives daily flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Train services on the Reunification Express stop at Thap Cham station near Phan Rang, the provincial capital. From Phan Rang, Ninh Chu beach is a short taxi or motorbike ride eastward. Dive sites are reached by local fishing boats or speedboats departing from Vinh Hy village or Ninh Chu harbour. The region has limited dedicated dive infrastructure, and most diving is arranged through small local operators or visiting teams from Nha Trang. Planning ahead and confirming dive arrangements before arrival is strongly recommended.