Scuba diving reveals Co To's underwater beauty

Co To Island, situated some 80 km from the mainland off Quang Ninh Province, has beautiful and pristine waters that attract tens of thousands of visitors every year.

To boost tourism, the Quang Ninh Province People's Committee approved scuba diving in April 2023 at three picturesque locations: Vung Tron, Hon Chim, and Hon Ong Tich in Thanh Lan island commune.

Children as young as 6 years old can join the diving experience on Co To Island. Photo by VnExpress/Le Tan

A diving tour costs VND1.5 million ($63.34) per person and includes transportation by electric shuttle bus and canoe to the diving site, fruits, drinking water, diving equipment, a VND100 million insurance for guests, and two dives. There is also a seabed walking tour for VND1.3 million.

Visitors can also opt for boating, underwater photography and eating seafood at prices ranging from VND100,000 to VND300,000. These are available for everyone aged over 6 years, thus providing an experience for the entire family.

The pristine sea off Thanh Lan island commune offers an ideal location for diving with their mesmerizing coral reefs. Photo by VnExpress/Xuan Hoa

In late July Lan, a tourist from Hai Phong, along with her family, went scuba diving in Co To. She described it as an extraordinary and a once-in-a-lifetime must-try experience. "The enchanting ocean captivated my entire family."

In the three months since it was introduced, the diving tour has attracted 500 customers, Nguyen Hai Linh, the head of the division of culture, information and tourism of Co To District, said.

"This exclusive new product, the only one licensed in the north, has received high praise from visitors, adding a distinctive charm to Co To tourism."

The seabed has a diverse world of marine life. Photo by VnExpress/Xuan Hoa

Pham Van Duc, a representative of Co To Discovery Co., Ltd., said visitors must follow the rules and guidelines spelled out by guides to protect the ocean and coral reefs. Non-compliance, such as not wearing gloves or disturbing marine life, could result in being brought back to the surface, he warned.

Tour operators have trained coaches and guides to prioritize environmental protection while diving to prevent harm to the coral reefs and marine environment.