Business Principle
Table of Contents
Overview
Turtle Island Dive Center is a project created by OnBird Phu Quoc, we strives to make positive impacts within Phu Quoc Island by sharing our knowledge about the water, coral reefs and marine life in Phu Quoc island. Especially we would like to call for the conservation of sea turtles in Phu Quoc Island, which was once considered home to Hawksbill and other sea turtles.
Hon Doi Moi or Hawksbill Island is considered to be one of the smallest island in Phu Quoc among 18 small islands around Phu Quoc based on area and also was once considered nest to Hawksbill Sea Turtle, one of five turtle species found in Vietnam. Throughout many surveys and measurements by Vietnam biologists in the last 15 years, Doi Moi or Hawksbill Island was announced it as the Phu Quoc’s one of the largest coral reefs with the highest corverage of corals and considered to be nest to sea turtle, specially Hawksbill in the past. However, the vital role of the island in the marine ecosystem seems to be underestimated.
Coral Reef Conservation
Environmental conservation and sustainable environmental practices are visible on every tour. Within the caves, strict paths are set so that erosion is kept to a minimum and delicate formations are protected. National Park rangers also join tours that run within the national park to ensure that Oxalis Adventure is protecting it.
Safety
OnBird soft-adventure is offering adventure caving and trekking tours at remote jungle and cave locations in Quang Binh province, central Vietnam. Ensuring safety for guests and staff has always been a top priority at Oxalis. We organize small groups from 10 to 12 people at a time, except Hang En Cave tour which has a maximum of 16 guests.
Guests and staff will be provided with personal safety equipment such helmet, light, gloves for caving and buoyancy aid for swimming where needed on the regular adventure tours. In some of the expedition tours a higher level of technical support such as climbing ropes, ladders, sit harness, chest harness, lifeline and belay for extra safety will be provided and operated by the safety team. All of the equipment Oxalis Adventure is using has been sourced from established and reliable equipment manufacturers such as Petzl, Beal, Hope Technology. Safety equipment is tested for use and well maintained in accordance with EU safety standards.
Depending on the type of adventure tour and adventure level, Turtle Island Dive Center will provide an appropriate number of cave experts, guides, safety assistants, and porters to look after safety for guests.
All guides and safety assistants are trained by Cave Experts from The British Vietnam Caving Expedition Team on the use and operation of safety equipment. The Caving Experts also regularly conduct inspections of the equipment and its use in compliance with safety standards.
Health
Turtle Island Dive Center has always taken health and food hygiene as its top priorities since day one of operation. All guests and staff are provided with filtered drinking water at all times. The filters are from Watts Water Technologies, a US Company. All staff know that if they are sick, they should not go on tour. Liquid hand sanitiser is always provided and campsites have soap and water hand washing stations. Staff who prepare meals are fully trained in food hygiene standards; avoiding cross contamination with raw and cooked food; using gloves to handle food; washing cooking and eating items with soap and water, and sterilising with boiling water etc. OnBird Soft-Adventure conducts regular deep cleaning of the campsite with sodium hypochlorite (anolyte) and Chloramin B. Sleeping bags and tents will also have a decontamination wash. Our cooks will have 6 monthly health checks. All porters and guides have annual health checks. OnBird will keep up to date with any local or international health issues which could affect our guests.
Low Reef Impact
Sustainability within the community context is enhanced by the activities of the Turtle Island Dive Center has launched several small projects since its creation in 2022, including making biorock to replant broken corals around the Hawksbill Turtle Island, Phu Quoc, training assistance to local businesses, scholarships and helping to build schools, septic toilets, libraries, building floating houses for poor people in the heavily flooded area of Tan Hoa and more.
Future Efforts - Call Turtle
Empowering the local economy is an important tenet of the OnBird Soft-Adventure philosophy – and has been since the beginning. As we continue to grow, more locals are employed, including sales executives, operations team members, accountants, tour guides, kitchen and hotel staff, and – the backbone of the organization— the underwater instructor team.
OnBird considers the engagement of local community in its tourism activities is a “business strategy” rather than a “responsible tourism” obligation. Local community adds value to the experience of visitors who can appreciate the unique and rich aspects of the local culture and nature. OnBird also empowers the local community to not only participate but also own and operate the tourism services they provide.
DAY TOURS
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Scientific SnorkelingTurtle Island Discovery (Small-Group: Max 8-9 PAX)
1.280.000₫A true underwater world discovery to visit the most healthiest coral reef of Phu Quoc Island which is a very nice habitat for hawksbill sea turtle. This habitat of sea turtle is covered fully by corals up to 82.5% total area. -
Diving CoursesOPEN WATER DIVER
9.800.000₫This course is designed to expand your scuba skills and build your confidence through five Adventure Dives, allowing you to explore and try out different specialties under the guidance of your PADI instructor.
The course involves two compulsory Adventure Dives: Deep and Navigation, plus three additional Adventure Dives of your choosing, such as Digital Underwater Photography, Drift Dive, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Multilevel and Computer, Search and Recovery, Underwater Naturalist, and more.
Upon completion of the course, you’ll be certified to dive up to 30 meters, giving you the freedom to explore even more areas of a dive site.
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Diving CoursesAdvanced Scuba Diving
9.000.000₫This course is designed to expand your scuba skills and build your confidence through five Adventure Dives, allowing you to explore and try out different specialties under the guidance of your PADI instructor.
The course involves two compulsory Adventure Dives: Deep and Navigation, plus three additional Adventure Dives of your choosing, such as Digital Underwater Photography, Drift Dive, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Multilevel and Computer, Search and Recovery, Underwater Naturalist, and more.
Upon completion of the course, you’ll be certified to dive up to 30 meters, giving you the freedom to explore even more areas of a dive site.
