The classic day out on Phu Quoc is a boat trip through the An Thoi islands off the southern tip: white-sand beaches, coral reefs for snorkelling and a seafood lunch on an island. Many companies run these trips from An Thoi port, from 30-seat speedboats to private catamarans, and they vary a lot in group size and pace. Since a fatal accident in July 2026, the rules have been tightened, and it is worth choosing with care. This page explains the formats, what they cost in 2026, and what to check before you book.
Safety first
On 11 July 2026 a tourist speedboat returning from Hon May Rut to An Thoi capsized in rough seas, and fifteen tourists died. The Phu Quoc authorities tightened the rules for tourist boats in the days that followed (Tiền Phong; VnExpress International, July 2026):
- boats must be registered and inspected, and may not carry more passengers than their licence allows;
- they must carry enough life jackets and rescue equipment, and the police fine boats that do not;
- the border guards at An Thoi and Duong Dong refuse departures when strong-wind or storm warnings are in force, and check passenger lists — and foreign visitors’ travel documents — before boats leave.
At an inspection in July, only about 70 of the island’s 100-plus tourist speedboats had the certificate needed to carry passengers; the rest were taken off the water (Tuổi Trẻ, July 2026).
What to do yourself:
- Wear your life jacket for the whole crossing, not just when the crew hands it out.
- Carry your passport or a copy on any boat trip.
- Do not go if the sea looks rough, whatever the schedule says. Trips are cancelled in bad weather in both monsoons: in July and August 2026, and in north-east winds in November 2025 (Thanh Niên; Tuổi Trẻ).
- Ask the operator how many passengers the boat takes and what happens if the trip is cancelled.
The tours, and what they cost
Most tours visit three or four of the same islands: Hon Mong Tay, Hon Gam Ghi and the two May Rut islands, sometimes with Hon Dua or Hon Roi. Typical prices for one adult, seen on 14 October 2026:
| Tour | What you get | Price, about |
|---|---|---|
| 3 islands by speedboat | 2–3 snorkelling or swimming stops, lunch on an island, hotel transfer | 500,000–950,000 dong; on Klook and Viator from US$34–37 |
| 4 islands by speedboat | as above, one more stop | 750,000–1,150,000 dong (VnExpress: about 1 million with lunch) |
| 4 islands + Hon Thom cable car | island stops, lunch, the cable car back, often Aquatopia | 1,200,000–1,450,000 dong; on Klook about US$72–76 |
| Afternoon snorkel and sunset BBQ | 2 islands, small group, dinner on board or on a beach | from about US$65 |
| Private speedboat | your own route and timing | from about US$250 for the boat on Viator |
| Night squid fishing | 3–4 hours at sunset, fishing with lights, your catch cooked on board | 250,000–600,000 dong |
Vietnamese prices: operators and travel sites; dollar prices: Klook and Viator listings. Prices change with the season and the operator.
Usually included: pick-up from hotels in Duong Dong, Long Beach and An Thoi; the boat and a guide; lunch; drinking water; life jackets, masks and snorkels.
Often extra:
- pick-up from the north (Ong Lang, Bai Dai, the Vinpearl resorts), often about 100,000 dong per person;
- public-holiday surcharges at New Year, Tet, 30 April–1 May and 2 September;
- sea walking in a helmet, jet skis and sun loungers on the islands;
- the cable car, unless it is in the package; and tips.
Cancellations: under the terms we read, a trip stopped by the port authority is cancelled and refunded, but if you pull out on the day yourself you may lose the fare. Read the terms when you book.
Choosing a tour
Coral in the An Thoi islands. Photo: Nguyen My Xuan, via Google Maps
From Google Maps reviews of the island tour companies in 2025–2026, the same patterns come up again and again:
- The cheapest big-group tours collect passengers from all over the island, so expect a long pick-up loop if you are staying in the north, waiting at an office or the pier while groups are sorted, and crowded stops. Some reviewers found the “4 islands + cable car + water park” combinations too much for one day, with more time waiting than swimming.
- Small-group snorkelling specialists get the best reviews: groups of about ten, a safety briefing, guides in the water with you, and stops away from the busiest beaches. They cost more. Among them, OnBird Phu Quoc (5.0 from 1,528 reviews), Into The Blue (5.0 from 544) and Kimie’s Tours (5.0 from 265) were the most reviewed in October 2026.
- Catamarans suit people who want to swim, eat and relax rather than tick off islands: VEGAYACHTS (5.0 from 1,812) runs day and sunset trips from Sunset Town, with food and drinks on board.
- Speedboat or slow boat? Wooden boats are cheaper but take about an hour to Hon Mong Tay, against about 20 minutes by speedboat, which leaves less time on the islands.
- Ask what the snorkelling stops are. If snorkelling is the point, ask how long you get in the water and where; some tours spend most of the day on the beach islands. See snorkelling and scuba diving.
When to go
The dry season, November to April, has the calmest and clearest water in the south (Sun World, 2026); December to March is the best of it — see Phu Quoc in December. In the rainy season, from May to October, many days are still calm enough to go out, but more trips are cancelled; book a morning departure and keep a spare day. See the weather guide.
Look after the reef
The An Thoi islands are part of Phu Quoc’s marine protected area. Do not take coral, even dead pieces from the beach — the protected area’s management board has asked tourists to return it (Znews, 2024) — and do not stand on or touch the reef. Use reef-safe sunscreen if you can, and take your rubbish back to the boat.
Squid fishing
An evening on a fishing boat is a popular alternative to the day trip, and a good one with children. Boats leave Duong Dong or An Thoi in the late afternoon, anchor to watch the sunset, then switch on bright lamps to draw the squid to hand lines; the crew cooks what you catch, and usually dinner as well. Reviewers advise taking seasickness tablets, or asking the captain to stay in sheltered water. For deep-sea and reef fishing, see fishing on Phu Quoc.
Prices: operators and booking sites, 14 October 2026. Ratings and comments: Google Maps, 2025–2026. Rules: Phu Quoc special-zone authorities via the press, July 2026.
