Phu Quoc Speedboat Trip: 3 Islands By Speedboat

The sea time is half the fun. This $36 trip packs Phu Quoc’s southern islands into one full day, with speedboat rides, coral snorkeling, beach time, lunch on May Rut Trong, and a short drone video with three photos. I like the easy hotel pickup and the chance to visit several islands without arranging boats yourself.

I also like the flexible mix of activities. You can snorkel at Xuong and Gam Ghi, swim from the beach, explore May Rut Trong, or take a short walk to see its rocks and lagoon. The main consideration is that the exact islands can change with the weather, and one guide reported a beautiful reef with fewer fish than expected.

Key points to know before booking

• Pickup is limited to central Duong Dong: The included morning pickup covers the area from Phu Quoc night market along Tran Hung Dao Street to Eden Resort.
• The day combines three planned islands with a four-island promise: Xuong, Gam Ghi, and May Rut Trong are listed in the main route, while Buom or Mong Tay may feature as an alternate island.
• May Rut Trong is the main relaxation stop: Lunch, a white-sand lagoon, beach time, and island exploring make it more than a quick photo stop.
• Snorkeling is central to the experience: Masks, snorkels, fins, and life jackets are supplied, though fins are not available in child sizes.
• The speedboat keeps the route efficient: You spend less time getting between stops than you would on a slower group boat.
• Your booking includes simple aerial keepsakes: You receive one 45-second video and three drone photos taken on May Rut Trong.

What the $36 price really covers

At $36 per person, this is a good-value day if you want transport, equipment, a guide, and lunch bundled together. You are not paying only for a boat ride. The price includes car transfer from central Duong Dong, the speedboat from An Thoi harbor, an English or Vietnamese-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, lunch, and the drone footage from May Rut Trong.

That bundle matters in Phu Quoc. A self-arranged island day would require you to sort out transport to An Thoi, find a boat, rent snorkeling gear, and arrange food. Here, the practical pieces are handled for you. The included lunch also saves you from searching for food at a beach stop, and the short drone video adds a small souvenir that many boat tours do not include.

Still, this is not a private charter. The experience is built around a shared speedboat, and the group can include up to around ten people based on the tour experiences described. That is a useful middle ground: small enough to avoid a packed excursion, but not private enough to set your own timetable.

You should also budget for personal expenses, your own towel, and sunscreen. The seawalker activity near Hon Thom is optional and costs extra. A 10 percent surcharge applies during New Year and Lunar New Year, paid directly on site.

Morning pickup and the ride to An Thoi

Pickup runs from 8:15 to 8:30 in central Duong Dong. The included area covers the night market and the section of Tran Hung Dao Street reaching toward Eden Resort. If your hotel is elsewhere, an extra fee may apply, so check the pickup point before booking.

The car transfer takes you to An Thoi harbor, where you board the speedboat. This start is practical rather than scenic, but it removes a common holiday nuisance: arranging your own way to the southern port. Guides such as Emma, Leyla, Mia, and Sally have been praised for clear explanations, friendly help, and careful attention to the group.

The speedboat is part of the attraction. You get open views of the water and surrounding islands, and the journey feels more like part of the outing than a transfer to forget. It also makes it possible to visit several southern stops and return to your hotel by about 4 p.m.

Pack your swimwear before leaving. You will also want sunscreen and a towel, since neither is provided. A bottle of water is included, but it is sensible to bring any extra drink you need for a full day outdoors.

Xuong Island: your first coral stop

Xuong Island is listed as the first snorkeling stop. The aim here is to get into the water and see coral close to shore, using the supplied mask, snorkel, and fins. Life jackets are also provided, which is helpful if you are not a confident swimmer.

The first stop has a useful rhythm. You are not asked to spend the whole morning on one beach. Instead, you get an early chance to test the water, adjust your mask, and decide how much snorkeling suits you before the later islands.

Expect conditions to affect what you see. Coral visibility and fish numbers can vary, and one account praised the reef while noting that fish were relatively scarce. That is worth keeping in mind if you are booking this mainly for marine life. The trip offers access to coral areas, but it cannot guarantee a particular number of fish or perfect water clarity.

If you prefer staying on land, the schedule may feel less rewarding at this stop because snorkeling is the main activity. The guide can help explain the reef and local sea life, but the experience is still weather dependent.

Gam Ghi Island: coral, beach, and breathing room

Gam Ghi adds a second reef stop and a chance to enjoy the beach. That second snorkeling location is one of the strongest features of the day. You get another opportunity to see coral in different water, and if the first stop was not ideal, conditions may be better here.

The beach portion gives the day a needed change of pace. You can swim, sit in the sun, and enjoy the island setting without treating every minute as an organized activity. This is also where the trip works well for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel while others focus on the shore.

Several people praised the clear instructions and helpful guides. That matters on a boat day with several stops, because you need to know how long you have, where to return, and what activity comes next. A guide such as Leyla was specifically praised for friendly help and strong English, while Mia was praised for taking good care of the group.

Do not expect a private beach experience or a long, empty-island stay. The appeal is the combination of reef and beach in a compact schedule. If you want hours of quiet on one beach, this route will feel too busy.

May Rut Trong: lunch, lagoon, and the best pause

May Rut Trong is the main stop for slowing down. Lunch is served on the island, with seafood, chicken, rice, vegetables, and options for vegetarians and vegans. Several diners singled out the meal as a highlight, with one describing the seafood as unusually good and another praising the range of dishes.

The meal is served outdoors, so you can eat with the island around you rather than in a formal restaurant. That setting makes lunch more than a refueling break. It gives the group time to talk, rest, and enjoy the beach before the final return journey.

May Rut Trong also offers a white-sand lagoon and time to explore. You might prefer swimming in the calmer water, taking photos, or walking among the large rocks. One person chose a short nature walk instead of more snorkeling and was shown attractive beaches and impressive rock formations by the guide.

This stop is likely to suit the widest range of people. It has food, beach time, scenery, and room to explore. If your main goal is snorkeling, it may feel like the least active part of the day, but that pause is useful after two water stops.

The included drone package is taken here: one 45-second video and three photos. It is a short add-on, not a full photography session, but it gives you a record of the beach and the group from above. Since drone conditions can depend on weather and local operating limits, treat it as a bonus rather than the central reason to book.

The fourth island question

The experience is promoted as a four-island trip, while the detailed day plan names Xuong, Gam Ghi, and May Rut Trong. It also lists Buom or Mong Tay in the route description and mentions seawalker near Hon Thom at your own expense.

The safest way to read this is that the number and names of stops can vary. The planned southern route clearly includes three main islands, while an additional island may be included depending on the operating plan and conditions. The operator also says that islands may be changed when the weather requires it.

That flexibility is sensible around Phu Quoc. Wind, waves, and sea conditions can affect a small speedboat route. It does mean you should not book with one exact beach in mind. Book it for the overall mix of reefs, beaches, boat time, and lunch.

The seawalker near Hon Thom is separate and costs extra. If you want to add it, ask about the timing and price before the day begins so you understand how it fits with the scheduled stops.

Guides, group size, and the pace of the day

The strongest human element is the guide. Names connected with especially well-received days include Emma, Leyla, Mia, and Sally. The praise focuses on clear English, friendly support, useful explanations, and making people feel looked after.

A good guide matters here because the day moves quickly. You need help with equipment, directions, timing, and the handoff between boat, beach, lunch, and snorkeling. The guide also adds context about coral, fish, and the local ecosystem rather than leaving you to guess what you are seeing.

The group size appears to be around ten people on some departures. That is smaller than a large ferry-style outing and allows the guide to give more direct help. It is still a group activity, so you will share the boat schedule and meal arrangements.

The return to your hotel is scheduled for about 4 p.m. That makes the trip suitable for a full holiday day without taking over your evening. You will not have much control over the length of each stop, however. The benefit is that you see several places; the tradeoff is less time at any single one.

Who should book this island trip?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want an easy introduction to Phu Quoc’s southern islands. It suits couples, friends, and families who want a mixture of swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and a proper lunch rather than a single-purpose reef trip.

It is also a good fit for mixed-ability groups. Confident swimmers can spend more time in the water, while others can stay on the beach, take photos, or explore the rocks. The life jackets help, but you should still be comfortable joining a boat-based day and getting in and out of the water.

Vegetarians and vegans have a clear lunch option, which removes one common worry. Families should note that fins are not available in child sizes, so bring suitable gear if a child needs fins.

I would hesitate if your only goal is outstanding marine life. The coral can be attractive, but fish numbers and visibility are not guaranteed. I would also hesitate if you dislike fixed schedules, shared boats, or weather-related changes to the route.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans are still moving. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. The tour is offered in English and Vietnamese.

Should you book the Phu Quoc speedboat trip?

Book it if you want a well-priced, active day with the practical pieces already arranged. The strongest reasons are the efficient speedboat, two coral snorkeling opportunities, the relaxed May Rut Trong stop, and the included lunch and hotel transfer.

Do not book it expecting a private cruise or guaranteed perfect snorkeling. The route can change, fish sightings vary, and the day follows a group timetable. For most visitors, though, the combination of southern islands, swimming, food, and a few aerial photos gives you a lot for $36.

FAQ

Where does the tour pick me up?

Pickup is available from the John’s Tours office or from hotels in central Duong Dong, covering the area from Phu Quoc night market along Tran Hung Dao Street to Eden Resort.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup takes place between 8:15 and 8:30 in the morning.

What time does the tour return?

The planned return to your hotel is around 4 p.m.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The main plan lists Xuong Island, Gam Ghi Island, and May Rut Trong Island. The route may also include Buom or Mong Tay, and islands can change because of weather.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and served on May Rut Trong Island. Food options include seafood, chicken, rice, vegetables, and choices for vegetarians and vegans.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The tour provides a mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket. Fins are not available in child sizes.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Towels and sunscreen are not included.

Is the seawalker activity included?

No. The seawalker near Hon Thom is optional and costs extra.

Are photos included?

Yes. The package includes one 45-second video and three drone photos taken on May Rut Trong.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund.