Phu Quoc Island Hopping: Which Tour to Choose, Islands, Prices and Tips (2026)
Phu Quoc island hopping is one of the best days of most trips to the island — and one of the easiest to get wrong. Dozens of tours leave the An Thoi area every morning under similar names, but they differ a lot: some visit three islands and stop for snorkelling, some add the Hon Thom cable car and a water park, some are private boats, and some are evening squid-fishing trips. Prices vary accordingly, and the cheapest listing is not always the best value once you look at what it leaves out.
This guide explains which islands the tours visit, what each type of tour is best for, what to check before you book, and when the sea is most likely to cooperate, so you can choose the right boat day for your trip.
Phu Quoc Island Hopping: Quick Answer
| Tour type | Typical length | Rough price per adult | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 3-island speedboat tour | Full day, about 8–9 hours with transfers | ~700,000–1,200,000 VND | First-timers who want snorkelling, beach time and lunch at a modest price |
| 3 islands + Hon Thom cable car (and often a water park) | Full day, about 9 hours | ~1,400,000–1,500,000 VND | Travellers who want both the islands and the cable car on one day |
| Private speedboat | Half or full day | From several million VND per boat | Families, groups and couples who want their own pace and route |
| Evening squid-fishing trip | About 4 hours, late afternoon to evening | ~250,000–600,000 VND | A relaxed evening on the water, sunset and a simple seafood dinner |
Prices are indicative and vary by operator, season and what is included; use them to compare tours, not as a quote.
The Islands: What You Actually Visit
Most island-hopping tours explore the An Thoi archipelago, a cluster of small islands off Phu Quoc’s southern tip. Boats leave from the An Thoi area, close to Sunset Town, and the crossings between islands are short, often around 15–30 minutes.
Hon Gam Ghi is the usual snorkelling stop, with shallow coral patches that suit beginners. Visibility depends on the day and the season.
Hon May Rut (often May Rut Trong) is the classic lunch and beach stop, with a long strip of white sand and calm water for swimming.
Hon Mong Tay, sometimes called Fingernail Island, is a small island with clear, shallow water and a short beach, popular for swimming and photos.
Hon Thom is the largest island in the group and is reached by the Hon Thom cable car, which runs nearly 8 km over the sea from An Thoi. It has a beach and the Aquatopia water park, and many combined tours include it.
Island stops can change on the day. Operators swap islands depending on wind, waves and crowding, so treat the island list in a listing as the plan rather than a guarantee.
Which Tour Should You Choose?
Group 3-island tour: the classic choice
This is the most common format: hotel pickup in the morning, a speedboat from An Thoi, a snorkelling stop, a beach and lunch stop, a swimming stop, and a return in the afternoon. A typical day runs from about 8 am to 4–5 pm including transfers.
Choose it if you want the islands at a reasonable price and do not mind sharing the boat with other travellers. Skip it if you dislike group schedules or want to spend most of the day on one quiet beach.
Islands plus the Hon Thom cable car: two highlights in one day
Many tours now combine three islands with the cable car and time on Hon Thom, often including the Aquatopia water park. It is a long, full day, but it saves you planning a separate trip to An Thoi for the cable car.
How to judge the value: compare the combined price with a 3-island tour plus a separate cable car ticket (an adult round-trip cable car ticket costs around 850,000 VND at the time of writing). Whether the combination works out cheaper depends on the specific tours and your dates, so do the sum for the options you are considering. It is also worth asking yourself whether you will actually use the water park; if not, a shorter tour plus a separate cable car ride on another day may suit you better.
Choose it if you have limited days and want both the islands and the cable car. Skip it if you are travelling with small children who may tire on such a long day.
Private speedboat: your own route and pace
A private boat lets you choose the islands, start earlier to beat the crowds, stay longer at the best snorkelling spot and avoid the busiest lunch stops. Prices are per boat, so the cost per person drops for groups.
Choose it if you are a family, a group of friends, a couple on a special trip or a keen snorkeller. Worth paying more if flexibility and space matter more to you than price.
Evening squid-fishing trip: a gentle alternative
Squid-fishing tours usually leave in the late afternoon, watch the sunset from the boat, and fish with lights after dark before returning around 9–10 pm. Many include a simple meal made with the catch. Moonlit nights around the full moon are usually less productive.
Choose it if you want a relaxed, inexpensive evening on the water or are travelling with older children. Skip it if you are prone to seasickness, since you spend the evening on a boat at anchor.
What to Check Before You Book
Two tours with the same title can be very different days. Before booking, check:
- Which islands are included, and whether the operator can swap them for weather.
- Whether the cable car and water park are included, or optional extras.
- Hotel pickup area. Central Duong Dong is usually included; the north, Ong Lang or remote resorts may cost extra or not be covered.
- Group size. Smaller groups mean less waiting at each stop.
- Lunch, snorkel gear and island fees. Most tours include them, but not all.
- Cancellation policy. Look for a full refund or free date change if the port authority stops boats because of the weather.
Comparing two platforms side by side makes these differences easier to spot. You can browse Phu Quoc island tours on Trip.com and Phu Quoc boat trips on GetYourGuide, and compare inclusions, timing and cancellation terms for the same date.
When to Go Island Hopping
The best months are roughly November to April, and especially January to April, when the southern sea is usually calm and clear. This is also peak season, so book a few days ahead for popular dates, and up to a week or two ahead around Christmas, New Year and Tet.
From May to October, the southwest monsoon brings more wind and waves. Tours still run on suitable days, but trips are more likely to be cancelled, shortened or rerouted, and visibility for snorkelling is often lower. If you visit in the wet season, plan your boat day early in the trip so you have room to reschedule. Our guide to the best time to visit Phu Quoc explains the seasons in more detail.
On any day, mornings are usually calmer than afternoons, which is one more reason most tours start early.
Tips for a Better Boat Day
- Seasickness: if you are prone to it, take medication before you board and sit towards the back of the boat, where the motion is gentler.
- Sun protection: reef-friendly sunscreen, a hat and a long-sleeved swim shirt help on a full day in the sun, much of it on open water.
- Snorkelling: the coral is good for beginners rather than world-class, so set your expectations accordingly; your own mask is more comfortable if you have one.
- Cash: bring some for drinks, tips and optional extras on the islands.
- Valuables and phones: a waterproof pouch saves a lot of worry on speedboats.
- Insurance: for boat trips and water activities, check that your travel insurance covers them; EKTA is one option to compare.
How Island Hopping Fits Into Your Trip
Because tours leave from the south, island hopping fits naturally into a southern day. If your tour finishes early enough, you can head to Sunset Town after you get back for the Kiss Bridge at sunset and the Kiss of the Sea show in the evening, without a long drive in between. If your tour does not include the cable car, you can ride it on a separate morning and pair it with Khem Beach or Phu Quoc Prison.
Staying in the south makes the early pickup easier; our guide on where to stay in Phu Quoc compares Sunset Town, Khem and the other areas. Our Phu Quoc itinerary shows where the boat day fits into 4-, 5- and 7-day plans.
If your hotel is far from An Thoi and your tour does not include pickup from your area, Grab is the easiest way to reach the port; set up mobile data before your trip with Yesim or Trip.com eSIM.
Final Verdict: Which Island-Hopping Tour Is Right for You?
If this is your first trip and you want a good day on the water at a fair price, choose a group 3-island tour.
If you have only a few days and want both the islands and the Hon Thom cable car, a combined tour saves planning a second southern day.
If you are a family or group, or snorkelling is the highlight for you, a private speedboat is worth the extra cost.
If you want something short, cheap and relaxed, an evening squid-fishing trip is a good alternative to a full day at sea.
Whichever you choose, aim for the dry season if you can, book a tour with a clear weather-cancellation policy, and keep one flexible day in your plan.
Useful Travel Resources
| What you need | Where to compare | Why it helps for island hopping |
|---|---|---|
| Tours & tickets | Trip.com · GetYourGuide | Compare island tours, cable car combinations, inclusions and cancellation terms. |
| Hotels | Trip.com | A southern base makes early pickups and the trip to An Thoi easier. |
| Flights | Trip.com | Aim for the dry season if island hopping is a priority. |
| Airport transfer | Trip.com | Handy if you are staying in the south or at a remote resort. |
| eSIM | Yesim · Trip.com eSIM | Stay reachable for pickup changes and weather updates from the operator. |
| Car rental | Localrent | Useful if you want to drive yourself to An Thoi and explore the south afterwards. |
| Travel insurance | EKTA | Check cover for boat trips and snorkelling before you go. |
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