Phu Quoc: Snorkeling & Fishing in the South Island

The main appeal here is simple: for $30, you get a full day on the water with fishing, snorkeling, lunch, and time on two well-known islands south of Phu Quoc. The coral at Xuong Island, also called Gam Ghi Island, is the star of the day, while May Rut Trong provides a place to stretch out under coconut trees.

I like the easy package: hotel pickup, boat transport, equipment, lunch, and a guide are all covered. I also like the mix of activities, since you are not stuck snorkeling all day if you want a slower afternoon. The main caution is that conditions can be crowded, and fishing may be brief. A past departure was described as having only about 10 minutes of fishing, crowded boats, extra charges for chairs, and limited room to swim.

Key points to know before booking

• Fishing is a short activity: The planned fishing stop lasts about 30 minutes, but the actual time can be shorter.
• Xuong Island is the water stop: You will use the supplied mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket to see coral and swim.
• May Rut Trong is for downtime: Expect beach time, coconut shade, photos, drinks, and optional sunbed use.
• Lunch is served onboard: This keeps the schedule moving, but it is not a beachside meal.
• The price covers the basics: Round-trip hotel transport, boat travel, guide, lunch, water, fishing gear, and snorkeling equipment are included.
• Crowding is the key concern: Conditions may feel busy, and some optional comforts can cost extra.

What this $30 Phu Quoc boat trip is really like

This is a classic south-island day on Phu Quoc. You leave your hotel in the morning, reach An Thoi harbor, board a tourism boat, and spend the day moving between fishing water, a snorkeling site, and a beach island.

At $30 per person, the tour offers good value if you want several activities without arranging separate transport or renting gear. You are paying for convenience more than privacy. This is not presented as a small, quiet sailing trip. It is a shared boat outing built around popular island stops.

The overall rating is 3.3 from three reviews, so I would book with realistic expectations. The positive feedback describes the experience as very good, but one strongly negative account raises practical concerns about crowding, cleanliness, short fishing time, paid chairs, and limited swimming space. Those details matter more than the glossy activity list. Ask about the day’s boat capacity and extra charges before you commit.

Hotel pickup and the ride to An Thoi harbor

Pickup is scheduled between 9:15 and 9:30 in the morning, though the exact time depends on your hotel area. The tour includes round-trip car transport, which is useful if you are staying away from An Thoi and do not want to arrange a taxi.

You then reach An Thoi harbor and join the boat for the trip south. The harbor is the practical starting point for island excursions in this part of Phu Quoc. From here, the schedule is shaped by the boat route and sea conditions.

The return is planned for about 4:30 in the afternoon, giving you roughly seven hours from pickup through drop-off. That is long enough to make the boat ride worthwhile, but you should keep the evening flexible. A shared pickup route or changes on the water can affect the exact return time.

Bring only what you need. A swimsuit, towel, sun protection, dry clothes, and a waterproof way to protect your phone will make the day easier. The tour includes one bottle of water, but you may want more for a full day outdoors.

The fishing stop near Phu Quoc’s southern islands

The first activity is local fishing, planned for about 30 minutes. Your guide shows you how to use the local fishing equipment, so no previous experience is required.

This is best treated as a short cultural activity rather than a serious fishing trip. You get a taste of how local equipment works and a chance to try something different before the snorkeling stop. If you are booking mainly to catch fish, this tour may leave you wanting more.

The actual fishing time can be shorter. One reported outing lasted about 10 minutes, so I would not count on the full half hour. Boat schedules, weather, group interest, and the fishing conditions may all affect the stop.

That short length is not necessarily a problem if you see fishing as a warm-up. It becomes a drawback if you have pictured yourself spending a large part of the morning quietly fishing. Families and first-time visitors may enjoy the quick demonstration, while dedicated anglers should look for a specialist fishing trip instead.

Snorkeling at Xuong Island or Gam Ghi Island

The tour then heads to Xuong Island, also identified as Gam Ghi Island. This is the main underwater stop, with time for snorkeling and swimming around coral reefs.

The area is described as having a range of coral species, which gives the stop more interest than a simple swim in open water. You receive a mask, snorkel, and adult-sized fins, along with a life jacket. Fins are not available in children’s sizes, so families with young children should plan around that limitation.

The quality of this stop depends heavily on the day. Water conditions, boat traffic, visibility, and the number of boats at the site can change the experience. You may get a good look at coral and fish, or you may find the area busy and less peaceful than expected.

One important warning comes from a poor account of the trip, which described the island area as dirty and packed with people and boats, with nowhere comfortable to swim. I cannot treat that as the guaranteed condition for every departure, but it is a fair reason to ask the operator how crowded the snorkeling site usually is.

The supplied equipment makes this stop easy for casual visitors. You do not need to rent a mask or snorkel separately, and the life jacket is useful if you are not a confident swimmer. Still, check the fit before entering the water. Equipment that fits poorly can spoil the best part of the day.

Lunch onboard keeps the day moving

Lunch is served on the boat rather than at a restaurant on one of the islands. That arrangement saves time and means you do not need to leave the water area for a separate meal.

There is also one bottle of water included. Other drinks and personal purchases are not part of the base price, so keep some money available if you want something beyond the included meal and water.

An onboard lunch is practical, but it is not a special dining experience. You are likely eating as part of a group, with the boat schedule still in motion. For me, that is a reasonable trade-off on a $30 excursion. The meal is there to keep you fueled between activities, not to become the focus of the tour.

If you have dietary needs, the supplied information does not specify menu choices or special meal arrangements. Ask before booking rather than assuming the boat can provide substitutions.

Beach time at May Rut Trong Island

The afternoon stop is May Rut Trong Island, where the pace changes. Here you can stroll along the beach and bridges, sit under shaded coconut trees, take pictures, or order a drink from the Beach Bar.

This is the most relaxed part of the day. After fishing and snorkeling, it gives you time to dry off and enjoy the scenery without having to follow an activity every few minutes. If you prefer a quiet break, look for shade beneath the coconut trees.

The island also offers sunbeds, but do not assume they are included. A reported departure charged extra for chairs, which is exactly the sort of small cost that can change your view of a budget tour. Ask the guide or beach staff about prices before settling in.

You may also find optional activities available on the island. The supplied information does not list their prices or exact nature, so treat them as extras rather than part of the tour. The base package already includes beach time, but not every chair, drink, or activity offered at the stop.

The biggest issue is the difference between a pleasant beach break and a crowded commercial stop. One account described the island as company-owned, dirty, and packed with boats, with staff pushing additional activities. Again, that may not describe every day, but you should know that the May Rut Trong stop may feel organized for volume rather than solitude.

What is included, and where costs can grow

The package includes:

• Round-trip car transport
• Tourism boat transport
• English or Vietnamese-speaking guide
• Lunch
• One bottle of water
• Mask, snorkel, and fins
• Life jackets
• Local fishing equipment

That is a strong list for the price. If you booked transport, boat travel, lunch, gear, and a guide separately, the costs would be harder to control. The package also removes the need to know where to rent snorkeling equipment near the harbor.

Personal expenses are not included. That covers drinks, beach bar purchases, chairs, sunbeds, and any optional activities. The price is therefore best understood as an entry fee for the main schedule, not an all-inclusive day at the beach.

The tour costs $30 per person under the stated price. There was also a 10 percent surcharge from January 28 through February 2, 2025, during Lunar New Year. If you are booking during a holiday period, check the final price carefully.

Who will get the most from this excursion

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a straightforward introduction to Phu Quoc’s southern islands. It suits first-time visitors, couples who want a mixed activity day, and families who prefer having transport and equipment arranged in advance.

It also works well if you like variety. You can try fishing, spend time in the water, eat lunch, walk the beach, and sit in the shade. You are not locked into one long activity.

I would be more careful if your top priorities are solitude, polished facilities, serious fishing, or long, uninterrupted snorkeling. The short fishing slot may disappoint anglers. Crowding may affect the coral stop and beach stop. Chairs and other comforts may cost extra.

Children can use life jackets, but the supplied fins do not come in children’s sizes. If your child depends on fins for swimming, ask about alternatives before booking.

How to prepare for the best possible day

Arrive ready for water, sun, and a shared schedule. Wear a swimsuit beneath your clothes and bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a cover-up. Keep valuables to a minimum, since the day includes boat transfers, swimming, and beach time.

Ask three questions before departure:

• How long will fishing actually last?
• Are beach chairs or sunbeds included?
• How crowded is the snorkeling site expected to be?

Those answers will tell you more about the day than the basic activity list. You can also ask what is included in lunch and whether drinks beyond the supplied water cost extra.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Phu Quoc schedule may change.

Should you book Phu Quoc’s south-island snorkeling tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, organized day that combines the main southern-island activities. The included transport, boat, guide, lunch, equipment, and water make $30 a reasonable price for a first look at this part of Phu Quoc.

Skip it if you want a quiet boat, long fishing time, or a carefully managed snorkeling site. The strongest warning is the possibility of crowding and extra charges at May Rut Trong. Before paying, confirm the fishing duration, chair policy, and expected group size. If those details suit you, this can be a practical way to see two islands in one day without much planning.

FAQ

How long does the Phu Quoc snorkeling and fishing tour last?

The experience lasts about seven hours. Pickup is planned for around 9:15 to 9:30 in the morning, with the return to your hotel scheduled for about 4:30 in the afternoon.

Where does the boat depart from?

The tour takes you to An Thoi harbor, where you join the tourism boat for the trip to the southern islands.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Xuong Island, also called Gam Ghi Island, for fishing, snorkeling, and swimming. It then goes to May Rut Trong Island for beach time and relaxation.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes a mask, snorkel, and fins, along with life jackets. Fins are not available in children’s sizes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served onboard, and one bottle of water is included. Other personal expenses, including additional drinks, are not included.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.