Phú Quốc vs Richelieu Rock — Dive Destination Comparison

Phú Quốc (Vietnam) scores 61.8/100 vs Richelieu Rock's 61.6/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Phú Quốc for reef diving with 518m visibility. Choose Richelieu Rock for cave diving at ~$130/dive.

Last updated: 2026-07-22

Side-by-side comparison

MetricPhú QuốcRichelieu Rock
OkToDive Score61.8/10061.6/100
CountryVietnamThailand
Visibility5--18m9--30m
Water temp26--30 C30--35 C
Max depth22m35m
Currentmildmoderate
Cost per 2-tank dive$60$130
Budget tierbudgetmid range
Best monthsNovember, December, JanuaryFebruary, March, April
Dive typesreef, shore, wreckcave, pelagic
Min certificationOpen WaterOpen Water
Key speciesdugong, seahorse, cuttlefishmanta ray, whale shark, seahorse
Google rating4.3 (180 reviews)0 (0 reviews)

Which should you choose?

Choose Phú Quốc when...

  • + Budget-conscious divers — avg $60/dive
  • + Newly certified divers building confidence
  • + Wreck diving enthusiasts
  • + Couples where one partner doesn't dive

Skip if

  • - You prefer uncrowded sites and this has 12+ named spots drawing traffic
  • - You need shore access — this is boat-only

Choose Richelieu Rock when...

  • + Marine life enthusiasts seeking manta ray encounters
  • + Anyone visiting Asia-Pacific for the first time
  • + Groups seeking 1+ named dive sites in one area

Skip if

  • - You don't have Advanced certification
  • - You need shore access — this is boat-only

Bottom line

Phú Quốc wins on overall score (61.8 vs 61.6), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Phú Quốc is more affordable ($60 vs $130/dive). Richelieu Rock has better peak visibility (30m vs 18m).