Phu Quoc Speedboat Trip: 3 Islands By Speedboat

The best part of this Phu Quoc outing is the fast hop between small southern islands. You get coral snorkeling at Xuong and Gam Ghi, beach time on Gam Ghi, and a seafood lunch on May Rut Trong, all without arranging boats, gear, or transport yourself.

I like the small-group feel, with one departure carrying only about 10 people, and I like the useful extras: hotel pickup, lunch, snorkeling equipment, and drone photos. The catch is that coral quality and fish life can vary, and rough weather may change the islands visited.

The day in four quick points

• Three main island stops: Xuong, Gam Ghi, and May Rut Trong form the core of the day, while the trip is also presented as a four-island outing.
• Two snorkeling sessions: Xuong and Gam Ghi give you separate chances to see coral and fish in the water.
• May Rut Trong is the relaxed finale: Expect lunch, white sand, a lagoon, and time to explore rather than a rushed photo stop.
• The speedboat saves time: You spend more of the day at the islands and less time making long boat crossings.
• Useful inclusions: Hotel pickup in central Duong Dong, guide, lunch, water, life jacket, mask, snorkel, fins, and drone images are covered.
• Weather can alter the route: Island substitutions are possible, so treat the exact stops as flexible.

Why this southern Phu Quoc trip works

Phu Quoc’s southern islands are best experienced from the water. The main island is large, but this tour gets you away from roads and resorts and into a day of short sea crossings, clear water, sandy coves, and coral stops.

At $36 per person, the value is solid if you need transport and equipment. The price includes a round trip by car and speedboat, an English or Vietnamese-speaking guide, lunch, water, snorkeling gear, life jackets, and a 45-second drone video with three photos taken at May Rut Trong.

You are not paying only for a boat ride. You are buying a fairly simple day package that removes the usual small costs and planning: finding An Thoi harbor, arranging a boat, hiring gear, and organizing lunch. Personal expenses are extra, and you need to bring your own towel and sunscreen.

The day is active but not punishing. You will board a speedboat, climb in and out of the water, walk on beaches, and spend time in the sun. If you prefer a quiet beach day with no swimming, this is probably too busy. If you want several water stops in one outing, the pace makes sense.

Starting in Duong Dong at 8:15

Pickup runs from 8:15 to 8:30 at the John’s Tours office or from hotels in central Duong Dong. The stated pickup area covers the Phu Quoc night market and Tran Hung Dao Street as far as Eden Resort.

That location rule matters. If you stay outside the central zone, an extra fee may apply, so check the pickup cost before booking. The tour returns you to your hotel around 16:00, giving you a full daytime outing without requiring a separate taxi to the harbor.

From Duong Dong, you travel by car to An Thoi harbor. There, you board the speedboat for the southern islands. The speedboat is a practical choice here because it makes the island-hopping part quicker and more lively than a slow boat, though you should expect wind, spray, and a bumpier ride on rougher water.

The group size can be as few as 10 people. That gives the guide more room to explain the plan, help with equipment, and keep the day from feeling like a large organized procession. Guides named Emma, Leyla, Mia, and Sally have led departures, with English communication praised particularly for Leyla and Mia.

Xuong Island and the first coral stop

Xuong Island is the first main snorkeling stop. The focus here is the coral reef, so this is where you begin getting used to the mask, snorkel, fins, and water conditions.

The equipment is supplied, including mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket. Fins are not available in children’s sizes, an important detail for families. Bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel, since the tour does not supply towels or sunscreen.

The coral is a major reason to book this trip. Several strong experiences describe the snorkeling as excellent, with warm water and attractive reef areas. Still, keep your expectations sensible. Coral can look impressive while fish numbers vary, and one account specifically found beautiful coral but few fish.

Your guide is part of the value here. A good guide can point out coral shapes, fish, and local sea life, while also making sure less confident swimmers are properly equipped. The exact underwater view depends on weather, water clarity, and the condition of the reef on that day.

Gam Ghi Island gives you a second chance

Gam Ghi combines another coral snorkeling stop with beach time. That combination is useful because you are not forced to spend the entire day in the water. After snorkeling, you can swim, sit on the sand, or take in the rocky shoreline.

Having two separate snorkeling areas is one of the trip’s best features. If the visibility is only fair at Xuong, Gam Ghi gives you another chance. It also lets you compare the two spots rather than treating one reef as the entire point of the outing.

The beach break makes Gam Ghi a better fit for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can focus on snorkeling, while someone who prefers a short swim or a rest can enjoy the island without feeling left out.

The tradeoff is time. Three islands, two snorkeling stops, lunch, and the return boat ride create a fairly full schedule. You get variety rather than a long, unhurried stay at one beach. That is a good bargain for curious first-time visitors, but less appealing if your ideal day means staying in one cove for hours.

May Rut Trong for lunch and easy island time

May Rut Trong is the main relaxation stop and often the highlight of the day. This is where lunch is served, and you have time to explore the island, see the white-sand lagoon, and settle into a slower rhythm after the snorkeling stops.

Lunch is included and is described as a generous mix of seafood, chicken, rice, and vegetables. Vegetarian and vegan choices are available, which makes the meal easier for mixed groups. The meal is served outdoors on the island, so you get scenery and fresh air rather than a restaurant setting.

I would plan to arrive hungry. The lunch adds real value to the $36 price, especially because you are also receiving transport, gear, and a guide. The exact menu can vary, but the supplied choices cover several common dietary needs.

May Rut Trong also provides the best chance to put away the mask and snorkel. You can walk, swim, take photographs, or simply enjoy the white sand and lagoon. One person found this island to be the day’s highlight, largely because it combined a pretty setting, good food, and room to relax.

The included drone package is another May Rut Trong bonus. You receive one 45-second video and three drone photos. Think of this as a pleasant souvenir, not a private photo session. Personal spending is not included, so carry money if you want extras.

The optional Hon Thom seawalker

A seawalker near Hon Thom is available at your own expense. It is not part of the included snorkeling and lunch package, so you should treat it as an optional add-on rather than a guaranteed part of the core day.

The information supplied does not give the extra price or the amount of time it takes. Ask the guide or operator on the day if this activity interests you, and confirm the cost before agreeing to it.

For many people, the three main island stops already fill the day. The seawalker may appeal to you if you want a different way to see underwater life, but it is not needed to get the main value from this trip.

What the $36 price really covers

The headline price is attractive because the basic expenses are bundled together. You receive:

• Car transfer from and back to central Duong Dong
• Speedboat transportation
• English or Vietnamese-speaking guide
• One bottle of water
• Lunch
• Mask, snorkel, and fins
• Life jacket
• One drone video and three drone photos at May Rut Trong

That package compares well with arranging separate transport, a private harbor transfer, a boat, snorkeling equipment, and lunch. It is especially useful if you are staying in Duong Dong and want a ready-made day.

There are a few costs to watch. Personal expenses are not included, pickup outside the central area may cost extra, and a 10 percent surcharge applies during New Year or Lunar New Year. That holiday charge is paid directly on site.

The price is less compelling if you already have a private boat arranged or want full control over the schedule. A shared tour gives you a social, efficient day, but you follow the group’s timing and route.

Guides, group size, and the feel of the day

A guide makes a bigger difference on a water outing than on a simple beach transfer. You need clear instructions before snorkeling, help with equipment, and someone who can explain changes if the sea conditions shift.

The named guides associated with recent departures include Emma, Leyla, Mia, and Sally. Emma was praised for making the day friendly and well organized. Leyla was noted for clear explanations, helpfulness, and strong English. Mia was described as attentive and easy to understand, while Sally was appreciated for her pleasant manner and for making the coral stop easy to enjoy.

The small group size is worth noting. With about 10 people, the day can feel more relaxed than a large boat excursion. You have a better chance of hearing the guide and receiving help without waiting behind a crowd.

Still, the experience is shared. Lunch, boat seating, beach time, and snorkeling windows follow the group schedule. If your priority is privacy, a private charter will suit you better, but it will not offer the same low entry price.

Weather, coral, and sensible expectations

The route is not fixed in stone. If weather conditions make a planned stop unsuitable, the operator may change one island for another. That is normal for a sea excursion and safer than forcing a route in rough water.

You should also expect the underwater experience to vary. The coral can be attractive and the water warm, but visibility, fish numbers, and the reef condition are not guaranteed. Some days may offer excellent snorkeling, while another departure may produce better beach time than marine life.

This is why I would book the trip for the mix of experiences, not only for the promise of a perfect reef. You get two snorkeling opportunities, three main island visits, lunch, and time on the sand. If one underwater stop is ordinary, the day still has other parts to enjoy.

Pack light. Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a towel, and any personal items you need for a day outside. A life jacket is provided, and you can use the supplied mask, snorkel, and fins. Children may need special attention because child-size fins are not available.

Who should book this speedboat day

This outing suits you if you want to see several southern islands in one day without arranging the details yourself. It works particularly well for first-time visitors to Phu Quoc, couples, small groups of friends, and families whose children are comfortable around boats and swimming.

It is also a good choice for people who want variety. You can snorkel, swim, walk on the beach, eat lunch, take photographs, and enjoy a short speedboat ride instead of committing to one single activity.

You may want to skip it if you dislike boat spray, have no interest in swimming, or need a fully private schedule. It is also not the right pick if your main goal is a long, quiet stay on one undeveloped beach.

Should you book the Phu Quoc speedboat trip?

Book it if you want a good-value island sampler with transport, lunch, snorkeling equipment, and a small-group format included. The strongest parts are the two reef stops, May Rut Trong’s lagoon and lunch, and the convenience of pickup from central Duong Dong.

Go in with flexible expectations. Weather may change the route, the coral may be better than the fish life, and the day moves at a shared-group pace. For $36, that is a fair trade for a full day on the water and a practical introduction to Phu Quoc’s southern islands.

FAQ

Where does the tour pick up passengers?

Pickup is available from the John’s Tours office or hotel lobbies in central Duong Dong, from the Phu Quoc night market along Tran Hung Dao Street to Eden Resort. Pickup in other areas may require an extra fee.

What time does the tour start and finish?

Pickup takes place from 8:15 to 8:30. You return to your hotel at about 16:00.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The main route includes Xuong Island, Gam Ghi Island, and May Rut Trong Island. The outing is also described as a four-island day, and a seawalker activity is available near Hon Thom at your own expense.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch on May Rut Trong is included. The meal can include seafood, chicken, rice, and vegetables, with options for vegan and vegetarian diets.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The tour provides a mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket. Fins are not available in child sizes.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, your own towel, and sunscreen. Personal expenses are not included.