Located two hours north of Nha Trang, Whale Island (Hon Ong) is the crown jewel of Rainbow Divers’ locations. This isn't just another dive spot; it is a dedicated eco-resort where nature and the ocean take center stage. If you are tired of the "conveyor-belt" style of tourism and want to experience the tranquil side of Vietnam, Whale Island is your sanctuary. As the exclusive dive provider for the island, Rainbow Divers offers a personalized, relaxed pace that is perfect for underwater photographers, families, and eco-conscious travelers.

While other locations brag about big fish, Whale Island is world-renowned for the small, the strange, and the beautiful. The bays surrounding the island are a treasure trove for "muck diving" and macro photography.

Our guides are experts at spotting the "hidden" residents of the reef. On any given dive, you might find a dozen different species of nudibranchs, camouflaged frogfish, ornate ghost pipefish, and seahorses. The soft coral gardens and sandy slopes provide a unique habitat that you won't find anywhere else in the country. This is "slow diving" at its finest—giving you the time to observe and photograph marine life without being rushed.

At Whale Island, we live and breathe conservation. The resort was built using traditional Vietnamese methods and sustainable materials, and the surrounding waters are part of a private marine protection area.

One of the biggest draws of Whale Island is the accessibility. Rainbow Divers Vietnam offers incredible shore diving directly from the beach, allowing for flexible schedules and long, relaxed bottom times. For those wanting to explore further, our traditional wooden dive boats take short trips to nearby pinnacles and reefs, ensuring you spend more time underwater and less time traveling.

The diving season at Whale Island typically runs from late February to October. During these months, the waters are calm and the visibility is at its peak. Because the island is sheltered, it offers a peaceful environment even when the open seas are a bit choppy.

We have been the guardians of this underwater world for over two decades. We don't just "operate" here; we belong here. Our "Anti-AI" philosophy means you get real human expertise—instructors who can tell you exactly which reef the resident octopus lives on and who share your passion for preserving this pristine environment.

THE OWNERS OF WHALE ISLAND RESORT (KIEN) AND RAINBOW DIVERS (JEREMY)

DISCUSSING STRATEGY AND DEVELOPMENTS FOR THE 2026-27 SEASON.

EXCITING TIMES AHEAD!

We are the only divecentre on Whale Island!

We can teach in

English, Vietnamese, French, Spanish, Chinese + Russian

6am pick up from your hotel (ask them to make a packed-breakfast)

1.5 Hours by aircon car to the Resort

2 Dives + Lunch. Return to your Hotel around 5pm

1 Diver $350

2 Divers $250 each

3+ Divers $175 each

Accompanied Snorkelers $75 

BOAT DIVING

Certified Divers

staying on Whale Island Resort

7.45am, after breakfast, take the diveboat from the Jetty and make 2 dives.

40-60 minutes each, depending on air consumption.

Return to the Island for Lunch around 1pm

1 Diver: $250

2+ Divers $125 each

Afternoon Boat diving available subject to Weather conditions

Accompanied Snorkelers + Passengers $45 each

BEACH DIVING

Available when the diveboat is not available; Mornings + Afternoons $50 per dive

Night Dive $75

Snorkelling $25

Night Snorkelling (with torch) $35

PADI DIVING COURSES

DISCOVER SCUBA DIVING

Designed for those who are curious about diving but not ready for a certification course just yet!

Free Online introduction

Beach training in a shallow + safe environment

2 Ocean Dives with your Instructor:

...from the beach $125

...from the boat $175

SCUBA DIVER COURSE

a sub course of the Open Water course for those short on time

Complete your diving Theory online before arriving

Training from the Beach (in shallow confined water) mastering the skills you've seen and had explained

(or you can take the Pool training in Saigon or in Nha Trang)

2 Dives from the Beach (to a maximum of 12m)

$375

OPEN WATER COURSE

Complete your diving Theory online before arriving

Half a day from the Beach (in shallow confined water) mastering the skills you've seen and had explained

(or you can take the Pool training in Saigon or in Nha Trang)

2 Dives from the Beach (to a maximum of 12m)

2 Boat Dives to a maximum of 18m

$475

ADVENTURE DIVER COURSE

This is for certified divers who want to expand their abilities + knowledge, but are short on time

Just 3 Dives in 1 Day for this certification and you can complete 2 more anywhere in the World to automatically upgrade to Advanced Diver!

Theory onsite with your Instructor

Beach: Buoyancy Dive, Fish ID Dive + Night Dive

$350

ADVANCED COURSE

Complete your diving Theory online before arriving

5 Training Dives over 2 Days

Day 1: Beach Buoyancy + Navigation Dives. Beach Night Dive 

Day 2: Boat Dives: Deep (to maximum 30m) + Fish ID Dives

$375

RESCUE COURSE

Complete your diving Theory online before arriving

Half a day from the Beach (in shallow confined water) mastering the skills you've seen and had explained

(or you can take this Pool training in Saigon or in Nha Trang)

Beach + Ocean Training + Diving over 2 Days

$450

for Rescue certification, you need to have proof of First Aid + CPR training within the last 24 months

We can offer the Emergency First Response program to cover this.

Theory online and Practical on the Island, in Saigon or in Nha Trang

$200

PADI SPECIALTY COURSES

We can teach a range of Specialty Courses on the Island, each comprising 2-4 dives.

If you have completed your Adventure or Advanced Course, you have already completed

the 1st dive of the corresponding Specialty Course!

Buoyancy (PPB)

Fish ID

Underwater Naturalist

Vietnam Nudibranch Specialty

Vietnam Diver Specialty

Navigation

Search + Recovery

Deep

Night

Nitrox

Dive Against Debris

Coral Reef Conservation

Self Reliant (minimum 100 dives required)

More information about these Specialty Course available here

When you've completed your PADI Course, why not stay on and

join us for a couple of Fun Dives?

Just $85 for 2 Boat Dives or $37.50 for a Beach dive

(subject to availability)

To start your Theory online for any course

Check Island Accommodation details here