Phu Quoc : 3 Island Hopping and Snorkeling Day Trip

The best part of this $35 island-hopping day is the range: you get Coconut Islet’s water-sports center, coral snorkeling at Gam Ghi and May Rut Ngoai, a swim stop at May Rut Trong, and lunch on the boat. I like the simple all-in setup, especially the included hotel transfer, equipment, guide, and meal. I also like that the schedule gives you real time in the water rather than turning the trip into a quick photo stop.

The main catch is crowding. The An Thoi islands are popular, and snorkeling may feel busy when several boats arrive together. Weather can also change the plan, and the most eye-catching activities, including sea walking and parasailing, cost extra.

Key points at a glance

• Three island stops in An Thoi: Snorkel at Gam Ghi and May Rut Ngoai, then swim and relax at May Rut Trong.
• Coconut Islet adds optional thrills: Flyboarding, jet skiing, and parasailing are available at Ocean World for an extra fee.
• Sea walking is another paid add-on: You can choose it at Coral Park if you want a more structured underwater activity.
• Lunch is served aboard: The seasonal meal includes shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, vegetables, rice, soup, and fruit.
• Duong Dong pickup is included: Hotels outside the town area pay a location-based surcharge.
• The water time is the focus: Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and fishing gear are supplied.

Why this Phu Quoc boat trip works

Phu Quoc is famous for its beaches, but the An Thoi archipelago gives you a different view of the island. Once the boat leaves the port, your day shifts from hotel pools and shoreline cafes to small islands, open water, and short swims between stops.

I like this trip because it does not force you to choose between a quiet beach day and a more active outing. You can try snorkeling, swim from the boat or shore, and still spend time simply sitting with the island views. If you want more excitement, Ocean World adds motorized water sports. If you prefer a slower day, you can skip the paid extras and stick with the included activities.

The $35 price is strong value for a nine-hour outing. It covers pickup and drop-off within Duong Dong, an English-speaking guide, the boat, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment and bait, and lunch. You will still need to budget for optional activities and possibly for transport if your hotel lies outside the included pickup zone.

This is a group boat excursion, not a private charter. That matters. You get a broad sample of the islands at a reasonable price, but you should not expect complete privacy or a quiet patch of reef all day.

8:00 am pickup and the ride to An Thoi

The day begins with hotel pickup at about 8:00 am. The included pickup area is Duong Dong town, which is the most convenient arrangement if you are staying in the main hotel district.

If you are staying elsewhere, check the surcharge before booking. The listed additional fees are 100,000 VND per person from Ong Lang and from Cay Sao or Ham Ninh, 200,000 VND from Cua Can or Vung Bau, and 400,000 VND from Bai Dai or Ganh Dau. Those costs can change the value calculation for a couple or family.

You then continue toward An Thoi port, the departure point for the island stops. The full outing lasts about nine hours, with a return to the port around 5:00 pm and a transfer back to your hotel afterward.

Bring sunscreen and a hat from the start. There is little point waiting until your skin feels hot, since the boat, beach, and water stops all expose you to the sun. Pack a towel, swimwear, a camera, and enough personal drinking water for your own comfort.

Coconut Islet and Ocean World

The first major stop is Coconut Islet, home to the Ocean World Sea Sports Entertainment Center. This is the place for paid adrenaline, not a required part of the basic package.

You can choose flyboarding, jet skiing, or parasailing, all at your own expense. These activities appeal to different kinds of visitors. Parasailing gives you a broad view from above, jet skiing keeps you close to the water at speed, and flyboarding is the most stunt-like option.

The practical point is to treat Ocean World as an optional add-on, not part of the $35 promise. Ask about the price and timing before committing so you know how much of the day and budget you are using. If your group has mixed interests, some people can try a water sport while others wait and enjoy the setting.

Coconut Islet also gives you an early chance to decide how active you want the day to be. You can keep your money for the included snorkeling and swimming later, or add a paid activity at the first stop.

Coral Park and optional sea walking

The next activity is at Coral Park, where sea walking is offered for an additional fee. This is different from ordinary snorkeling. You wear the supplied setup for a guided underwater experience rather than floating on the surface with a mask and snorkel.

Sea walking can suit you if you want a more direct look at the underwater area or if you are not comfortable coordinating swimming and snorkeling. It also gives non-snorkelers another way to take part in the marine portion of the day.

You should see this as an optional upgrade. It is not included in the advertised price, and the trip continues to the island stops even if you do not choose it. One piece of useful advice comes from the way the schedule is arranged: ask the guide when the sea-walking slot happens, since you will want enough time left for the included snorkeling stops.

Gam Ghi Islet, the main snorkeling stop

Gam Ghi islet is the first of the three An Thoi island stops and the place set aside for snorkeling. The boat provides diving glasses, a snorkel, and a life jacket, so you do not need to bring your own equipment unless you have strong personal preferences.

The attraction here is the chance to see the coastal water from below rather than simply photograph it from the boat. Visibility depends on conditions, and weather can change the quality of any snorkeling stop. The trip does not promise a particular number of fish or a fixed underwater view, so keep your expectations tied to the sea and season.

The water time is not treated as a token ten-minute stop. You should have enough time to swim, look around, and return to the boat without feeling rushed, although the exact duration can change with weather and the group schedule.

Crowding is the biggest consideration at Gam Ghi. Several boats may use the same island area, which can make it harder to snorkel quietly or keep a clear view around you. If you want the best chance at a calmer experience, listen closely to the guide’s instructions and enter the water promptly when your group is called.

Fishing equipment and bait are also included. The supplied information presents fishing as part of the boat’s equipment, but the set itinerary gives its clearest focus to snorkeling, so do not book this trip solely for a major fishing session.

Lunch on board, with a seasonal menu

Lunch is served on the boat between the island stops. That saves you from losing time at a restaurant and keeps the day moving through the archipelago.

The planned menu includes:

• Vegetable soup
• Steamed shrimp
• Sweet and sour calamari
• Fried or braised fish
• Stir-fried chicken with lemongrass and chili
• Stir-fried noodles with vegetables
• Morning glory with garlic
• Steamed rice
• Fresh fruit

The menu is seasonal, so individual dishes can change. It is a broad Vietnamese-style group meal rather than a private dining experience. If you have dietary restrictions, confirm them before departure because the supplied details do not promise special substitutions.

I like the practical value here. A boat lunch means you eat while surrounded by island views, and the schedule avoids spending an hour traveling to and from a separate lunch venue. It also means you should keep your expectations sensible: this is a shared meal designed to fuel a full day in the sun.

May Rut Trong, the easygoing swim stop

May Rut Trong is the relaxed middle section of the day. The plan here is to chill and bathe in the sea, making it a useful break after snorkeling and before the final water stop.

This is where you can slow down. Swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen matter more here than any camera equipment. You can enjoy the island setting without needing to sign up for another paid activity.

The phrase sea bathing also tells you what this stop is not. It is not presented as another formal snorkeling session or a long guided island walk. If you want a quiet change of pace, that is a good thing. If you want constant action, the pause may feel less exciting.

I would use this stop to dry off, drink water, and protect yourself from the sun. A long day on open water can be tiring even when the sea is calm.

May Rut Ngoai and the final snorkeling session

The last island stop is May Rut Ngoai, where you get another chance to snorkel. Having two snorkeling locations is useful because sea conditions can vary across the archipelago. If one site has weaker visibility, the second may offer a better swim, though no operator can guarantee perfect conditions.

The stop also breaks up the day nicely. You are not asked to spend all your water time in one place, and the change of location gives you another view of the small islands around An Thoi.

As with Gam Ghi, follow the guide’s instructions, wear the life jacket if advised, and keep your belongings secure on the boat. The tour is designed for shared use, so staying aware of the group helps the schedule run smoothly.

One practical point is worth repeating: weather can alter the route. Wind, waves, or poor visibility may lead to changes in the order of stops or the activities available. That is normal for a sea outing, but it is another reason not to choose this trip if you need a fixed, guaranteed timetable.

Returning through An Thoi at about 5:00 pm

The boat returns to An Thoi port around 5:00 pm, followed by the transfer back to your hotel. With pickup at 8:00 am and a nine-hour duration, this is a full day rather than a short morning cruise.

The schedule suits you if you want to make one day count. It is less suitable if you prefer slow mornings, independent beach time, or a flexible plan with no fixed group timetable.

Smoking is not allowed during the activity. The outing is also not recommended for pregnant women, babies under one year old, or people with certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure or epilepsy.

Children under one meter tall are free. Children from one meter to under 1.4 meters pay 70 percent of the adult price, while children 1.4 meters and taller pay the adult rate. Children under ten must join with a parent present.

What the $35 price really covers

At $35 per person, this is a good-value introduction to the southern islands if you want transport, gear, lunch, and a guide bundled together. You would otherwise need to arrange your own ride to An Thoi, boat transport, snorkeling equipment, and food.

The price is less attractive if you plan to add several paid activities. Flyboarding, jet skiing, parasailing, and sea walking are all extra, so a day that begins at $35 can become much more expensive with multiple upgrades.

For most people, I would treat the included snorkeling and swimming as the core experience. Add one optional activity only if it is a real priority. That approach keeps the price reasonable and leaves enough time to enjoy the islands rather than rushing from one paid attraction to the next.

A 20 percent surcharge applies on listed public holiday periods, including Tet dates from January 28 to February 5, April 30 to May 1, September 2, and January 1. Check the date carefully when comparing this trip with other options.

Who should book this day

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A first look at Phu Quoc’s An Thoi archipelago
• Several water stops in one day
• Included hotel pickup within Duong Dong
• A shared excursion at a moderate price
• A mix of snorkeling, swimming, optional thrills, and lunch
• A guided plan rather than arranging each part yourself

It suits families with older children, couples, and active adults who are happy to share the boat. The age and height rules are clear, but children under ten need a parent with them.

I would hesitate if you want a private boat, a quiet reef with no other groups, or a fully inclusive price with no extras. I would also think twice if you are pregnant, have the listed medical conditions, or dislike spending a full day in direct sun and open water.

The small set of available ratings averages 4.4 out of 5. The strongest praise focuses on the guide and crew, good snorkeling time, and the optional sea-walking experience. One named guide, Brian, is noted for taking care of the group. The less positive points are useful too: poor weather can affect the day, and the snorkeling areas may be crowded.

Final call: a solid island sampler for the price

Book this trip if your goal is to see several An Thoi islands, spend real time in the water, and keep planning simple. The combination of two snorkeling stops, a swim stop, boat lunch, equipment, and Duong Dong transfers gives you plenty for the base price.

Skip it if you want solitude or a private sailing day. For everyone else, this is a practical way to sample Phu Quoc’s southern islands in one long, active day. Bring sun protection, keep paid extras under control, and accept that the sea, not the timetable, has the final say.

FAQ

How long does the Phu Quoc island-hopping tour last?

The activity lasts about nine hours. Pickup begins around 8:00 am, and the boat returns to An Thoi port at about 5:00 pm before the transfer back to your hotel.

What islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Coconut Islet, Gam Ghi Islet, May Rut Trong, and May Rut Ngoai in the An Thoi archipelago.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels inside Duong Dong town. Hotels in other areas may require an additional charge based on their location.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on the boat and includes dishes such as shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, vegetables, rice, soup, and fruit. The menu can change by season.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Diving glasses, a snorkel, and a life jacket are provided. Fishing equipment and bait are also included.

Are water sports included in the price?

No. Flyboarding, jet skiing, and parasailing at Ocean World are self-funded extras.

Does the tour include sea walking?

Sea walking at Coral Park is available for an additional fee. It is not included in the base price.

Can children join the activity?

Yes. Children under one meter are free, children from one meter to under 1.4 meters pay 70 percent of the adult price, and children 1.4 meters or taller pay the adult rate. Children under ten must join with a parent.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. Weather conditions may change the route or schedule. The activity is not recommended for pregnant women, babies under one year old, or people with certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure or epilepsy.