South of An Thoi, the island breaks up into a chain of small islands with white beaches and shallow reefs. A day out among them — swimming, snorkelling, lunch on the sand, maybe the cable car — is the most-booked experience on Phu Quoc. There are dozens of tours, and they are not all the same. This page explains the differences so you can choose well.
The islands you will visit
- Hon May Rut — two islands, “inner” and “outer”, with the archipelago’s classic white beach. The usual lunch and swimming stop, busy around midday.
- Hon Mong Tay — a tiny island with a small, photogenic beach and clear water; many speedboat tours stop here.
- Hon Gam Ghi — a rocky island best known for snorkelling, with shallow coral close to shore.
- Hon Thom — the largest island, home to Sun World’s park and reached by the cable car.
- Others — routes may include smaller islands and reef sites depending on the weather, the operator and the day.
Your options compared
Prices are indicative “from” prices per person on GetYourGuide at the time of writing; live prices are on each booking page.
| Type of trip | Typical length | From (approx.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wooden boat, 3 islands | About 8 hours | around €33 | Budget travellers, families, a relaxed pace |
| Small-group speedboat snorkelling | About 6 hours | around €50–60 | Snorkellers, couples, fewer people |
| Islands + Hon Thom cable car | 8.5–10 hours | around €72–79 | First-timers who want both highlights in one day |
| Diving day | About 7 hours | around €126 | Beginners trying diving, certified divers |
| Private speedboat | Flexible | priced per boat | Groups and families who want their own route |
Small-group snorkelling trip from €56 South Phu Quoc: Pro Snorkeling by Speedboat – Max 11 Pax
A six-hour speedboat trip through the An Thoi islands with a strong focus on snorkelling and a small group size. With several hundred reviews averaging close to five stars, it is the best-rated island trip on the island in GetYourGuide’s feed.
- Speedboat around the southern islands
- Snorkelling stops on the reefs
- Group capped at 11 guests
Speedboat island hopping from €56 Phu Quoc: 4 Island & 2 Reefs Snorkeling Tour by Speedboat
A six-hour speedboat loop that packs four islands and two reef stops into one day in the southern archipelago. Highly rated by several hundred travellers; a good choice if you want more islands than the slower wooden-boat tours manage.
- Four islands in one day
- Two separate snorkelling reefs
- Fast speedboat transfers between stops
Small-group speedboat tour from €50 Phu Quoc: Real Snorkeling & Island Hopping by Speedboat (Max 12)
One of the most-booked speedboat trips on Phu Quoc, with a cap of twelve guests and a mix of snorkelling and island beaches. Reviews are good but more mixed than the top two, so read the recent ones.
- Groups of up to 12
- Snorkelling and beach time on the islands
- Speedboat rather than a large wooden boat
Classic wooden-boat island tour from €33 Phu Quoc: 3-Island Adventure Guided Boat Tour
The classic budget island day: a guided boat trip to three islands south of An Thoi with swimming and snorkelling stops. It has the most reviews of any Phu Quoc product we list, with a solid four-star average — larger groups, but very good value.
- Three islands of the southern archipelago
- Slower, roomier boat with time to swim
- Lowest price of the island day trips
Full-day combo tour from €72 Phu Quoc Cable Car Ride & 3 Islands Boat Tour with Lunch
The most popular way to combine the two big southern experiences in one day: the cable car out to Hon Thom and a boat trip to three islands, with lunch. A long day with more than six hundred reviews.
- Ride the Hon Thom sea-crossing cable car
- Boat trip around three islands
- Lunch included
Full-day combo tour from €79 Phu Quoc: Snorkeling Island Hopping Cable Car With Lunch
Another well-reviewed cable car and island combination, a little shorter than the ten-hour version and with snorkelling written into the name. Compare the two on price and timing for your date.
- Island hopping with snorkelling
- Hon Thom cable car ride
- Lunch included
Speedboat or wooden boat?
The wooden boats are large, stable and slow. They carry bigger groups, have shade and space to move around, and are the cheapest way to reach the islands — good for families with small children and anyone prone to seasickness on choppy water. The speedboats are faster, so they reach more islands and reefs in less time, and the best-reviewed ones cap groups at eleven or twelve. The ride is bumpier, and you spend more of the day in the water and less on board.
What is usually included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in most central and southern areas (check for the far north)
- The boat, a guide, life jackets, masks and snorkels
- Lunch — often on an island or on board — and drinking water
- On combo tours: the Hon Thom cable car ticket, and sometimes the water park
Island landing fees, fins, drinks and the cable car are sometimes extra. The “includes” list on each booking page is the reference.
A typical day
Pickup is usually between about 7.30 and 9 am. Boats leave from An Thoi or nearby piers, visit two to four islands and reef sites with time to snorkel and swim, stop for lunch, and return in the mid to late afternoon. Combo tours add the cable car before or after the boat, and finish around 5 or 6 pm.
When to go
The dry season, roughly November to April, has the calmest seas and the best visibility. From about May to October the southwest monsoon brings wind and swell; trips run on calmer days but are cancelled more often, and the water is less clear. Book a product with free cancellation and keep a flexible day. See best time to visit.
Snorkelling tips and reef etiquette
- Never stand on or touch coral; float, and use a life jacket or snorkel vest if you are not a confident swimmer.
- Wear a rash guard or reef-safe sunscreen — the sun is fierce on the water.
- Bring your own mask if you have one that fits; borrowed masks often leak.
- Take seasickness tablets before a speedboat trip if you need them.
- Do not feed fish or take shells, starfish or coral.
What to bring
- Swimwear, a towel and a change of clothes
- A dry bag for your phone and money
- Hat, sunglasses and sun protection
- Cash in small notes for drinks, fees and tips
- Water shoes if you have them — some landings are rocky
Other ways onto the water
If a full island day is not for you, try a sunset and squid-fishing trip in the evening, a kayak in the calm north, or simply the cable car, which flies you over the islands in fifteen to twenty minutes. Compare everything on our tours page.
