Phu Quoc: Experience Phu Quoc islands by speedboat

The best part of this Phu Quoc day trip is the mix of small tropical islands and easy photo stops. You ride a covered speedboat to May Rut Trong, May Rut Ngoai, Mong Tay, and nearby waters, then finish with the Roman Arena, Clock Tower, and Dragon Staircase in Sunset Town.

I like the included seafood lunch and snorkeling gear, since the $35 price covers more than a simple boat ride. I also like the helpful guide service and the free photography, including SUP shots and drone filming. The main drawback is the full schedule: hotel pickup starts at 7:30, and the day can feel busy if you prefer slow beach time.

Key points at a glance

• Four southern islands: Visit Hon May Rut Trong, Hon May Rut Ngoai, Hon Mong Tay, and other nearby islands by covered canoe.
• Natural coral snorkeling: Swim with a life jacket, mask, and breathing tube at no extra charge.
• Eight-course lunch: A seafood meal made with fresh ingredients is included, along with bottled water.
• Photo support: Enjoy SUP photography, drone filming, and free photo sessions at Sunset Town.
• Pearl cultivation stop: Begin with a look at Phu Quoc’s pearl-growing and harvesting process.
• Extra charge to note: Underwater walking at the coral park costs about 1,250,000 VND per person.

Why this southern Phu Quoc boat trip works

Phu Quoc’s best small islands sit south of the main island, and reaching them by road alone is impossible. This tour handles the transport, boat ride, lunch, swimming equipment, and several photo stops in one day.

That makes it useful if you have limited time or prefer not to arrange a private boat. You get a taste of the southern islands without having to compare piers, boats, meals, and snorkeling equipment separately.

The tour is also built around pictures. You can pose on an infinity swing, use white hammocks, take SUP photos, and receive drone footage. That will appeal to anyone who wants polished holiday images without hiring a separate photographer.

The tradeoff is pace. You leave your hotel in the morning, visit a pearl farm, ride the canoe, stop at the islands, eat lunch, snorkel, return to port, and reach Sunset Town before the return shuttle at about 17:00. It is a full day, not a quiet beach escape.

Starting with Phu Quoc pearls

Pickup begins at about 7:30 from hotels and resorts in the included service area. You should wait in the lobby around 10 minutes before your scheduled time, since the vehicle may collect people from several properties.

The first stop is a major pearl cultivation farm. Here you see how pearls are grown and harvested, along with the finished stones and jewelry. This gives the morning a local industry angle before the beach portion begins.

The pearl farm is not the reason to book the tour, but it adds useful context. Phu Quoc is known for pearl production, and seeing the process helps connect the island’s coastal setting with one of its important commercial crafts.

Pickup is free in selected areas of Phu Quoc City. Extra fees apply for some outlying locations:

• Vinpearl and Ganh Dau: 50,000 VND per person each way
• Ong Lang and Cua Can: 30,000 VND per person each way
• Ham Ninh and Cay Sao: 100,000 VND per person each way

Check your hotel location before paying. A low tour price can look different once a long transfer surcharge is added.

Riding the covered canoe to the islands

After the pearl farm, you go to the port and board a covered-canopy SB canoe. The canopy matters in tropical weather. It gives you shade during the ride, though you should still bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a change of clothes.

The boat is the practical heart of the day. You move between the southern islands instead of spending hours on roads, and the journey itself becomes part of the experience. Exact stop times can change with weather and sea conditions, so keep some flexibility in your plans.

The tour is designed for Vietnamese and international visitors, with guides speaking Vietnamese and English. The guide team handles the route, explains points of interest, and assists with the water activities. The available feedback is especially positive about the guides being kind, helpful, and willing to respond to requests. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect to select a particular guide.

May Rut Trong and May Rut Ngoai

Hon May Rut Trong and Hon May Rut Ngoai are among the main stops. Their appeal is simple: pale sand, clear coastal water, open views, and small-island scenery that feels different from Phu Quoc’s larger beaches.

The tour sets aside time for swimming, sitting by the water, and taking pictures. At the planned photo spots, you might use the infinity swing or the white hammocks. These are arranged shots rather than untouched beach moments, so set your expectations accordingly. You get a fun holiday backdrop, not a completely empty island.

The free photo support is a real value at this price. Many boat excursions leave you to take pictures with your own phone. Here, the team adds SUP photography and drone filming, which can give you wider views and photos that are difficult to capture alone.

You should still protect your belongings. Bring only what you need for the beach and keep phones, wallets, and cameras in a waterproof bag. The tour information recommends a towel, beachwear, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and dry clothes.

Lunch with eight dishes by the sea

An eight-course lunch and bottled water are included. The meal uses fresh ingredients and focuses on seafood, giving the midday break a local flavor rather than treating lunch as an afterthought.

This inclusion helps explain the tour’s value. You are not paying $35 just for transport and a short stop at the beach. The price also covers food, water, snorkeling equipment, hotel transport in selected areas, guide service, and photography.

The menu is not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular seafood dish. If you have allergies or dietary requirements, provide your personal information when booking and ask Plan To Travel what can be arranged.

Lunch also gives you a chance to dry off and rest. The overall schedule is active, so use this pause wisely. Reapply sunscreen, drink water, and change into dry clothing if needed.

Coral snorkeling and the optional underwater walk

A coral park is part of the afternoon program, with about 250 species of coral. The included option is natural coral snorkeling, using a life jacket, mask, and breathing tube supplied by the tour.

You do not need to pay extra for the standard snorkeling experience. That makes it a good choice for first-time snorkelers or anyone who wants a short look below the surface without booking a specialist excursion.

The tour also offers underwater walking at an additional cost of around 1,250,000 VND per person. This is not included in the $35 price. If you choose it, the tour information says you remain on the boat while taking part in that activity, so plan your time and budget before departure.

The coral area is weather-dependent. Rough sea conditions can affect water activities, visibility, and the order of stops. The published schedule is only a guide, and the route may change for safety.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. You should also be comfortable getting on and off a boat and handling a beach-focused day with swimming equipment.

Returning through Sunset Town

After the island and coral stops, the canoe returns to port. The day then shifts from natural scenery to Phu Quoc’s built attractions at Sunset Town, also called Twilight Town.

The final photo stops include the Roman Arena, Clock Tower, and Dragon Staircase. These dramatic structures make a strong contrast with the small islands earlier in the day. Free photo support is included here as well.

Sunset Town is useful as a final stop because you do not need to arrange a separate visit. It also gives the photographer more architectural settings after a day of beach pictures. The tour information highlights sunset views, though the exact light and timing depend on the day’s weather and the route.

The return shuttle leaves at about 17:00. If you want a private evening in Sunset Town, confirm the timing with the guide before you leave the port. The listed schedule ends with the hotel return.

What the $35 price really covers

At $35 per person, this is a strong-value package if you want a broad introduction to southern Phu Quoc. You receive:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in selected areas
• A covered SB canoe
• An English or Vietnamese-speaking guide
• An eight-course lunch
• Bottled water
• Life jacket and snorkeling equipment
• Natural coral snorkeling
• SUP photography
• Drone filming
• Photo sessions at Sunset Town

The value is highest for independent visitors who would otherwise need to pay separately for a boat, transfer, lunch, equipment, and photo service. It is less attractive if you want a private schedule or several uninterrupted hours on one beach.

A 30 percent deposit is required when booking. The balance is paid to the guide at the end by cash or bank transfer. Payment information, the number of people, and your Phu Quoc pickup point are needed in advance.

A 20 percent Tet surcharge applies from the first through fifth days of the Vietnamese lunar New Year. The dates supplied for that surcharge are January 29 through February 2, 2025. Confirm the current charge if you are booking for a different year.

Who should book this tour

I would recommend it to you if you want a convenient first look at the southern islands and prefer a planned day. It suits couples, families with older children, friends, and international visitors who want English-language support.

It is especially useful for people who care about photos. The swing, hammocks, SUP, drone, and Sunset Town architecture give you several types of images in one day.

You should think twice if you dislike group schedules, organized photo spots, or frequent changes of activity. The tour packs a lot into one day, and the timetable may shift with weather.

It is also not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. Anyone prone to seasickness should consider the speedboat portion carefully and bring whatever personal remedy they normally use. The supplied information does not describe the boat’s group size or seasickness arrangements, so ask the operator before booking if those details matter to you.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Wear beach clothes under comfortable clothing and pack a dry change. You will need a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, and comfortable shoes. Bring a waterproof pouch for valuables, although this is a sensible personal precaution rather than an included service.

Arrive in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup. Confirm the pickup fee if you are staying outside the main included area, especially around Vinpearl, Ganh Dau, Ham Ninh, or Cay Sao.

Keep cash or a bank transfer option available for the final balance and for the optional underwater walk. The natural coral snorkeling is included, so you do not need to pay extra for that activity.

Cancellation information appears in two forms: the activity terms allow free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead, while the tour details also describe free cancellation two days before departure and no refund after 23:00 before the tour. Check the exact rule shown during booking, since that difference matters.

Should you book the Phu Quoc speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a busy but well-organized day combining small islands, seafood, snorkeling, and photo stops for about $35. The included equipment, lunch, transfers, and photography make the package easy to justify, and the guide service receives clear praise for being helpful and accommodating.

Skip it if your ideal island day means choosing one beach and staying there without a schedule. Also skip the optional underwater walk unless you are comfortable with its separate price of about 1,250,000 VND.

For most first-time visitors with one free day, this is a practical way to see southern Phu Quoc. Just pack for sun and water, confirm your pickup charge and cancellation terms, and accept that weather may change the route.

FAQ

How long does the Phu Quoc speedboat tour last?

It is a full-day activity. Pickup begins around 7:30, and the return shuttle is scheduled for about 17:00.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The main stops are Hon May Rut Trong, Hon May Rut Ngoai, and Hon Mong Tay, along with other small islands in southern Phu Quoc.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, free pickup and drop-off are included for selected areas. Surcharges apply to some locations, including Vinpearl, Ganh Dau, Ong Lang, Cua Can, Ham Ninh, and Cay Sao.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An eight-course lunch and bottled water are included in the tour price.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Natural coral snorkeling is included, with a life jacket, snorkeling gear, and breathing tube.

Does the tour include underwater walking?

No. Underwater walking at the coral park costs about 1,250,000 VND per person and is paid separately.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in Vietnamese and English.

Is photography included?

Yes. The package includes SUP photography, drone filming, and free photo sessions at Sunset Town.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. The route may also change because of weather conditions.