Phu Quoc: 3 Islands Trip Snorkeling by Speed Boat

The best part of this Phu Quoc island trip is the quick ride from An Thoi harbor to three southern islands, with snorkeling, swimming, beaches, and lunch packed into one day. Xuong Island and Gam Ghi Island are the main water stops, while May Rut Trong offers a slower break on shore.

I like the simple all-in price: transport, guide, equipment, lunch, and hotel pickup in Duong Dong are covered. I also like the mix of activities, since you can snorkel, swim, take photos, or simply sit by the water. The catch is that the underwater life may feel ordinary, and the final island stop can involve a long wait with little to do.

Key points to know before booking

• Three southern islands in one day: Visit Xuong Island, Gam Ghi Island, and May Rut Trong in the An Thoi archipelago.
• Speedboat transport: Ride from An Thoi harbor rather than spending the day on a slower boat.
• Two snorkeling stops: Xuong and Gam Ghi are used for coral and sea-life viewing.
• Lunch on May Rut Trong: The included meal features seafood, rice, vegetables, eggs, hotpot, and fruit.
• Duong Dong pickup: Hotel collection and return are included in the Duong Dong ward and night market area.
• Extra activity near Thom Island: Sea walking is available for an additional cost, but it is not included in the tour price.

What the $42 price really covers

At $42 per person, this is a practical package for anyone who wants a full day on the water without arranging separate taxis, boat tickets, meals, and snorkeling gear. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Duong Dong, a round-trip car and speedboat ride, an English-speaking guide, lunch, drinking water, life jackets, and snorkeling equipment.

That matters in Phu Quoc. A low headline price can rise quickly once you add transport to An Thoi harbor, a boat seat, lunch, and gear rental. Here, the main costs are bundled together, so you can budget more easily.

I would not choose this trip only for the coral. The supplied experience rating is high at 4.8 from five reviews, but the detailed feedback gives a useful warning: one person found the snorkeling unremarkable, with ordinary fish, and felt the final island had too much waiting. That is fair context. Sea conditions, water clarity, weather, and the condition of the reef can change the day.

Think of the tour as a well-priced island sampler, not a specialist marine wildlife outing. You get scenery and a chance to swim, with snorkeling as one part of a broader day.

Starting in Duong Dong and reaching An Thoi

Pickup runs from about 8:00 to 8:30 in Duong Dong ward, including the night market area. If you stay outside Duong Dong, you need to contact the operator before booking or before the day of departure to confirm arrangements.

The transfer takes you to An Thoi harbor, where you board the speedboat. The speedboat is useful because it allows the group to reach several islands in one day, but it also means a more open, exposed ride than a large ferry. Bring comfortable clothes and keep anything you carry secure.

Large bags and luggage are not allowed. Pack a small day bag with swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and a change of clothing if you prefer not to ride back in wet swimwear. One bottle of water is supplied, though you may want to bring more if you need extra hydration during a long day outside.

The tour ends back at your hotel or the original meeting point at about 5:00 p.m. In practical terms, this is an 8.5-hour commitment, so do not plan another fixed activity for the evening.

Xuong Island for the first swim and snorkel

Xuong Island, also called Mong Tay Island in the provided itinerary, is one of the first water stops. The plan is straightforward: get into the clear water, snorkel, and look for coral and aquatic life.

This is likely to be one of the most active parts of the day. You receive a mask, snorkel, and fins, along with a life jacket. Fins are not available in children’s sizes, so families should take that limitation seriously. Children may need to use the other supplied equipment without fins, depending on their comfort in the water.

I like the choice of starting with a swim. You can get wet early, rather than waiting until late afternoon, and the first stop gives you a quick sense of the sea conditions. If the water is calm and clear, this may be a pleasant introduction to Phu Quoc’s southern islands.

Still, keep expectations measured. The tour description highlights coral and sea life, but it does not promise rare species or professional reef guiding. The available feedback says the fish may seem normal, with little beyond the usual snorkeling experience. If you have snorkeled on famous reefs elsewhere, you may find this stop modest.

Gam Ghi Island and the coral reef sites

Gam Ghi Island is the second main snorkeling stop, with coral reef sites and a focus on viewing the reef beneath the surface. The day’s strongest claim is that this area includes Phu Quoc’s largest coral reef, with a range of coral species.

That makes Gam Ghi the stop to watch if coral is your main reason for booking. You can use the supplied mask, snorkel, and fins, then spend time looking down into the water at the reef and marine life. The guide speaks English, which should help with basic timing and instructions, though no guide name is provided.

I would treat the reef claim as a reason to visit, not a guarantee of perfect conditions. A large reef does not always mean a dramatic snorkel on every visit. Visibility and the condition of the water matter, and the experience can vary from one day to the next.

The tour works best if you enjoy casual snorkeling rather than a technical reef excursion. You can swim, look around, and move on to the next island without spending the whole day in one place. If you want long, quiet time in the water, ask about the schedule before departure, since the day includes several stops and lunch.

May Rut Trong for lunch and beach time

May Rut Trong is the shore-based stop. Here you have time for photos, island exploring, and lunch, with a white sand lagoon and a more relaxed setting than the snorkeling stops.

The lunch is substantial by day-trip standards. The listed menu includes steamed shrimp, braised or fried fish, sweet and sour squid, grilled clams with green onion, seafood hotpot, stir-fried morning glory with garlic, omelette, fresh fruit, and steamed rice. Ingredients can be adapted for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or allergy needs, but you should communicate those requirements in advance.

This meal is one of the package’s better values. You are not left to search for food on an island, and the menu gives you several shared dishes rather than a single basic plate. The food is seafood-heavy, so confirm substitutions before setting out if you do not eat seafood.

May Rut Trong also provides the day’s most obvious chance to slow down. You can eat, take photographs, walk around, or spend time near the lagoon. Yet this is where the schedule may feel thin. The detailed feedback describes a long wait at the last island and not much to do. That does not make the stop a failure, but it means you should bring patience and be comfortable with unstructured beach time.

If you like a packed schedule from one activity to the next, the final stop may feel inefficient. If you enjoy sitting near the water after a busy morning, it may be exactly the pause you need.

The optional sea walker near Thom Island

The itinerary also lists sea walking near Thom Island as an optional activity at your own expense. It is not included in the $42 price, and the tour information does not state the extra cost or the exact amount of time involved.

That distinction matters. You should not assume the sea walker activity is part of the standard snorkeling package. Ask the guide or operator about the price and timing before agreeing to it.

For many people, the included swimming and snorkeling will be enough. The extra activity may suit you if you want a more structured underwater experience, but the information provided does not explain the equipment, route, or restrictions in detail.

Food, equipment, and what to pack

The tour supplies the basic water equipment: mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket. Fins are not available in children’s sizes. If you have your own mask or snorkel and prefer a particular fit, bringing it may be sensible, though the listed inclusions do not require you to do so.

Pack:

• Swimwear
• A towel
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable clothes
• Comfortable shoes
• A small personal bag

Do not bring luggage or large bags. You will be moving between car, harbor, speedboat, beach, and water stops, so light packing is the practical choice.

I would also protect your phone from water. The trip is designed for photographs, especially at May Rut Trong, but no waterproof phone case or dry bag is included in the information provided.

Who will enjoy this island day most

This tour suits you if you are staying in Duong Dong and want a single organized day covering the southern islands. It is especially useful for first-time visitors who do not want to arrange transport to An Thoi harbor or negotiate separate boat plans.

It also suits mixed groups. One person can snorkel while another swims, photographs the scenery, or relaxes on shore. The included lunch makes the day easy for couples and families who prefer a planned outing.

You should think twice if you have limited mobility. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users, and the day involves transfers between land, harbor, speedboat, beaches, and water. The provided information does not describe ramps or specialized assistance.

Strong snorkelers may also want to adjust expectations. This is not presented as a specialist marine tour, and the available feedback describes the fish as ordinary. The main appeal is the combination of islands, speedboat transport, food, beaches, and water activities.

Timing, cancellations, and the practical choice

Pickup begins around 8:00 to 8:30, and you return at about 5:00 p.m. Starting times should be checked when you select a date. The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.

Those policies are useful if your Phu Quoc plans may change. They do not remove the need to check the pickup area, especially if your hotel is outside Duong Dong.

The English-speaking guide is included, but no guide name is supplied. The tour listing does not provide a group size either, so do not book expecting a private trip unless that is confirmed separately.

Should you book the Phu Quoc three-island speedboat trip?

Book it if you want a convenient, reasonably priced day with three islands, two snorkeling stops, lunch, and transport included. The package gives you a lot for $42, particularly if you are based in Duong Dong and would otherwise need to arrange a ride to An Thoi.

Skip it if your main goal is exceptional coral or rare marine life. The snorkeling can be pleasant, but it may not feel special to an experienced snorkeler. Also consider the final stop: May Rut Trong offers beach time and lunch, but you may spend part of the visit waiting.

My practical verdict is simple: this is a good first island outing and a fair-value choice for a full day in southern Phu Quoc. Go for the variety and convenience. Book with realistic expectations about the reef, pack light, and confirm dietary needs and pickup details before you leave.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

Pickup and drop-off are available at hotels in Duong Dong ward or the night market area. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about 8.5 hours. Pickup is scheduled around 8:00 to 8:30, with a return around 5:00 p.m.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The itinerary includes Xuong Island, also called Mong Tay Island, Gam Ghi Island, and May Rut Trong Island in the southern An Thoi archipelago.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and features seafood, fish, squid, clams, hotpot, vegetables, omelette, fruit, and rice. Ingredients can be adapted for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or allergy needs.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket are included. Fins are not available in children’s sizes.

Is the sea walker activity included?

No. Sea walking near Thom Island is an optional activity at your own expense.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.