Diving Madonna Rock in Nha Trang, Vietnam

In August of 2026, I dove Madonna Rock with Nha Trang Diving Club, by boat out of Nha Trang, Vietnam.

It was part of the same day trip as Dam Bay, and I liked this site a lot better.

There are several caves to swim through and the views are insane.

The weeks prior to diving here, Nha Trang Diving Club told me that there had been recent storms that have come through the area, which severely affected the visibility, but I wasn't willing to wait it out any longer.

Why You Cannot Dive Hon Mun

Madonna Rock sits on the outskirts of Hon Mun, Vietnam's first marine protected area and the reason Nha Trang has a diving reputation at all.

Typhoon Damrey came through in November 2017 and destroyed an estimated 70 to 80 percent of the coral across Nha Trang Bay. More storms at the end of 2021 tore up another stretch, with up to 70 percent of the reef on Hon Mun's southwest side reported washed ashore.

In late June 2022 the city shut Hon Mun to diving, swimming and boat tours so it could recover. Coral cover across the bay had dropped from around 60 percent in 2020 to roughly 50 percent.

It was still closed when I was there, so Madonna Rock was the next best dive in the area.

The Dive

Vietnam's reefs seem to be more rocky than covered reef.

At this site, there were tons of boulders, walls, and gaps to swim through.

What Marine Life I Saw

Logistics

Nha Trang Diving Club picked me up at my hotel and drove me out to the marina.

From the marina it is a 1 to 1.5 hour boat ride out to the site, so this is a full day out rather than a quick trip.

A two dive day ran $75, which covered lunch, gear, and a guide.

Dive Conditions

Visibility on my dive was around 20 ft (6 m). Better than Dam Bay the same day, but still not what this site can do.

Nha Trang Diving Club say it usually goes up to 49 to 66 ft (15 to 20 m) here.

Water temp sat at 78.8°F (26°C).