DAM BAY & HON ROM, Nha Trang
Published 17/05/2024 #discover - by Huy Nguyễn, Dive instructor at Rumblefish Adventure VietnamOriginal Facebook post in Vietnamese hereNha Trang is located in the Central part of Vietnam, and features several islands, including Mun Island, Mot Island, Tam Island, and Tre Island. The best time to dive is from February to October. Usually, after Tết, aka the Lunar New Year, both the water and sky indeed clear up under sunny and beautiful weather, but water temperature remains cool (25º- 28º), so do consider a protection suit.
1. The Winds make the seasons
More specifically, the region knows two wind seasons 🌬️: the Southern and Northern winds which, one after another, will drive your diving opportunities.
The Southern wind season, from April to September, tends to be warmer and more stable, with clear skies, sunny weather, and calmer seas, especially on the northern side of the islands. For these reasons, most divers tend to favor a dive site named Hon Rom (Madonna Rock), just off the rocky slopes of Hon Mun, inside the Hon Mun Marine Park.
Conversely, the Northern wind season, from October to March, is characterised by cooler temperatures with more variable weather, including occasional rain and cloudier skies. Boats will shift to the more sheltered southern side of the islands, where you can dive sites such as Fisherman Bay, South Reef, and Small Wall, among others.
See maps below
2. Dam Bay & Hon Rom for photography
Dam Bay and Hon Rom are accessible dive sites for all divers from Open Water or AdvancedOW to more experienced divers, due to their easy terrain, suitable depth, and convenient access.
These two dive sites are also very popular among underwater photographers thanks to both the easy terrain and mild current conditions being not too challenging for divers, thus allowing them plenty of time to search for nudibranchs with careful observation, at a slow pace and extended bottom time. Their locations are far enough from the shore that the water is usually clearer and bluer, providing good visibility for divers.
Dam Bay is protected in the heart of Tre island. The sandy bottom gradually slopes down from 10 m to 18 m and features rock crevices and coral growths with moderate density. More impressively, a rocky patch gives the impression of diving alongside a tall and towering wall.
Furthermore, behind Hon Rom (Madonna Rock), the rocky terrain has a maximum depth of 28-30 meters, making it ideal for photographing special creatures at depth. Consider special lighting (yellow, white, red, blue or UV torchlights) to reveal the organisms' more intriguing and somewhat mystical shapes and colors.
3. Learn with us and capture your own experience
Isn't it what underwater photography is about: capturing moments of what you've seen during your dive, researching the creatures to increase your knowledge of marine species and tell their stories, while developing your observation skills, focus, and buoyancy control when holding a camera? This is all part of the #PADI #Underwater #Photography #Specialty program by the Bubbles & Lenses team, together with Rumblefish Adventure Vietnam.
We hope with such wonderful weather conditions, you will choose a suitable course for the upcoming summer in Nha Trang with us.
DAM BAY DIVE SITE
Diving type: boat (giant stride entry)
Depth: 10-18m
Water temp: 25-28ºC
Visibility: variable, 01-15m
Ecosystem: Hard and soft coral reefs, sparse rocks on sandy bottom
Fauna: boxfish, moray eel, nudibranchs (chromodoridea, aeolids...), shrimps, bubble coral, vase sponges, frogfish, ghost pipefish
Suggested equipment: 3mm wetsuit, SMB, camera, booties, dive computer
HON ROM DIVE SITE
Diving type: boat (giant stride entry)
Depth: 12-30m
Water temp: 24-28ºC
Visibility: 5-15m
Ecosystem: Hard coral reefs, large rocks
Fauna: parrotfish, bannerfish, shrimps, nudibranchs, sweetlips, gobbies, blennies, yellowspotted scorpionfish, barracuda, octopus
Suggested equipment: 3mm wetsuit, SMB, camera, booties, dive computer
4. Weather forecast and maps of Nha Trang Bay
