Red River Tours (Shared Trip): Deep Sea Fishing In Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc’s big-fish promise begins before sunrise, when you leave your hotel for An Thoi Port and watch the horizon brighten from the boat. The aim is simple: fish by yourself in open water, using local equipment, with a chance at snapper, grouper, barracuda, cobia, GT, and sweetslip fish.

I like the small-boat feel, especially since recent trips had only three people and plenty of room. I also like the practical setup: hotel pickup in central Duong Dong, breakfast while sailing out, lunch on board, and rods and bait already provided.

The catch is not guaranteed. Strong waves and current can make fishing hard, and one trip produced fish in the 250 to 500 gram range rather than the advertised 1 to 5 kg. If you need calm water and a sure haul, this may test your patience.

Key points to know before booking

• Early start from Duong Dong: Pickup begins at about 5:00 a.m., giving you a sunrise boat ride but requiring an early night.
• Fishing begins around 6:30 a.m.: The captain shows you how to use the rods and bait before you fish on your own.
• Catch size can vary: Fish up to 5 kg are possible, but current and sea conditions may lead to smaller catches.
• Meals are included: Breakfast is served while the boat heads out, followed by lunch that may include your catch.
• Small groups are possible: Recent departures had only three people, leaving room to fish without crowding.
• Pickup has a limited area: Central Duong Dong pickup is free. Extra charges apply outside that area.

Leaving Phu Quoc before sunrise

The day starts at about 5:00 a.m. with pickup from your hotel lobby. Free shuttle service covers the central Duong Dong area, while hotels outside that zone may involve an extra charge for pickup and drop-off.

That early hour is part of the experience, not just a transport detail. You reach An Thoi Port while the island is still quiet, then board the boat at about 6:00 a.m. As the boat heads toward the fishing area, breakfast is served and you can watch the sunrise over the sea.

I would treat the transfer as useful preparation time. Eat something, drink water, and settle into the boat before the fishing starts. The tour includes one bottle of mineral water, but drinks beyond that are your own expense.

The timing also matters if you are staying far from central Duong Dong. Confirm the pickup cost before booking, since the advertised free shuttle does not cover every part of Phu Quoc.

An Thoi Port and the boat ride south

An Thoi is the launch point for the day. From here, you head out to fishing spots around Phu Quoc rather than spending the morning at a shore-based dock or a short sightseeing pier.

The boat ride gives you two useful things. First, you get time to see the island from offshore. Second, you have breakfast before handling the fishing gear. The scenery can be a pleasant part of the morning, but the main purpose is reaching deeper water where the captain expects better fishing.

The boat is arranged for recreational fishing, with rods, bait, and related equipment supplied. You do not need to bring your own tackle. An English-speaking guide is included, and an English audio guide is also listed, though the live explanation from the guide and captain is the part most relevant to learning the setup.

Group size deserves attention. This is sold as a shared trip, but recent departures had only three people on board. That is a good arrangement for fishing because you have space to handle a rod, move around, and wait without lines crossing constantly. Group size can change by date, so do not treat three people as a promise.

Learning the local fishing method at 6:30 a.m.

Fishing begins at about 6:30 a.m. The captain gives you a short lesson on the equipment and basic methods used locally. This is helpful if you have never fished from a boat, and it keeps the morning from becoming a guessing game with unfamiliar gear.

You then cast your line and fish independently. This is not a polished show where someone catches the fish for you. The pleasure comes from handling the rod, feeling for a bite, and bringing up whatever is active below the boat.

The listed target fish include snapper, grouper, barracuda, cobia, GT, and sweetslip fish. Fish in the 1 to 5 kilogram range are possible, but the actual result depends on the current, waves, depth, and location selected that day.

One important detail came through clearly from the fishing conditions. A strong current can keep your bait from reaching the bottom, which lowers your chance of a catch. On one outing, the boat spent about an hour in very strong current, with the line fishing around 40 meters deep. That produced only modest fish, around 250 to 500 grams.

This is not a flaw that the crew can always fix. Sea conditions control much of the day. Still, it is fair to ask the guide about the planned fishing area and current before settling in. If the water is running too hard, you can ask whether the boat will shift after a reasonable trial.

What a realistic catch looks like

The promotional catch range of 1 to 5 kilograms gives you an idea of the tour’s ambition, not a guarantee. You might find larger fish, but you should book this as a fishing day rather than a promise of a trophy.

The two recorded outings had different frustrations and strengths. One group caught only small fish because of difficult waves and current, yet had plenty of room on a boat shared by three people and found the day relaxed. Another group also faced a strong current and landed fish around 250 to 500 grams, but still enjoyed the equipment, food, and comfortable boat setup.

That balance is important. If your main goal is to return with several large fish, conditions may disappoint you. If you enjoy the process, open water, and the chance of a varied catch, the tour makes more sense.

I would also remember that the fish you catch may be used for lunch. The program allows you to eat your own catch or share it with the group. That gives the fishing a useful ending, even on a day when the fish are smaller than hoped.

Breakfast at sea and lunch from your catch

Breakfast is served as the boat sails toward the fishing grounds. The supplied information does not give a fixed breakfast menu, so do not book this expecting a particular dish. It is best understood as a practical meal included in a very early day.

Lunch comes at about noon, after the main morning fishing session. You can choose to eat your catch or share it with others. The meal is described as plentiful, which matters after several hours outdoors and handling fishing gear.

Food was one of the strongest parts of the experience for the people who took the trip. The meal was considered generous, and the overall service was described as welcoming. That does not remove the need to bring a little extra cash for drinks or personal purchases, since drinks with meals are not included.

The onboard meal also adds a local touch that a standard restaurant lunch would miss. You are not simply stopping at a dining room after fishing. The food connects directly to what you were trying to catch that morning.

Returning to An Thoi and your hotel

At about 1:30 p.m., the boat returns to An Thoi Port. From there, the shuttle takes you back to your hotel, with the day lasting about eight hours in total.

This is a full morning and early afternoon, so you still have time later for a quiet evening. You may also be tired from the early pickup and the steady motion of the boat. I would avoid placing a demanding evening activity right after this trip.

The return transfer is included for the central Duong Dong area. Outside that area, pickup and drop-off expenses are not included. Confirm this point before you pay, especially if your hotel is in another part of the island.

What the $170 price buys you

At $170 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Phu Quoc. The value depends on how much you would otherwise pay for transport, boat hire, meals, equipment, and a guide.

The price covers a long boat outing, hotel pickup and return in central Duong Dong, fishing rods and bait, breakfast, lunch, an English-speaking local guide, one bottle of mineral water, and travel insurance. For someone without fishing equipment or local sea knowledge, that package removes several small costs and planning jobs.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a scenic boat ride. Fishing occupies the central part of the day, and the result depends on nature. You are paying for access and a chance, not a guaranteed large catch.

A shared trip can make the price feel more reasonable if the group stays small. Three people on a boat gives you a more comfortable setup than a crowded departure. Since group size may vary, ask about the expected number of participants when you check availability.

Who should book this fishing day

I would recommend it to adults who enjoy hands-on activities and can accept an uncertain result. It suits people who want to handle their own rod, learn a local method, eat on the boat, and spend a full day offshore.

It may also work well for a mixed group. Someone who cares about catching fish gets several hours with the equipment, while another person can enjoy the sunrise, sea views, and meal. The small-group format is especially useful for people who dislike crowded boat excursions.

This is not suitable for pregnant women, babies under one year, people over 70, or children under 90 centimeters. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

The 5:00 a.m. pickup is another practical filter. If you are not comfortable with an early start, the first hours will feel more like work than holiday. You should also be ready for waves, current, and a day when the fish do not cooperate.

One point needs clarification before booking: Aquatopia Water Park appears among the listed special experiences, but the fishing schedule itself describes only the hotel transfer, An Thoi boat trip, fishing, and meals. I would not assume water park entry is part of this fishing day unless the operator confirms it directly.

Booking flexibility and holiday charges

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful while you are still arranging your Phu Quoc schedule.

A 20 percent surcharge applies on listed public holidays, including Tet from January 28 to February 2, April 30 to May 1, September 2, and January 1. This extra amount is paid in cash directly to the driver.

Because the tour relies on sea conditions, I would leave some flexibility in your schedule if possible. The stated cancellation rule protects you if plans change, but it does not guarantee a better fishing day or a large catch.

Should you book Red River Tours’ fishing trip?

Book it if you want a real fishing outing rather than a quick tourist boat ride. The early sunrise, local equipment, short fishing lesson, onboard meals, and possible small group make the day practical and personal. The team support, food, and equipment have been especially strong points.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed 1 to 5 kilogram catch, dislike rough water, or want a relaxed late-morning start. Current can prevent bait from reaching the bottom, and smaller fish are a genuine possibility.

My advice is to book with the right expectation: you are paying for a well-organized chance to fish around Phu Quoc, not a promise of a full cooler. Ask about the expected group size, fishing area, current, pickup zone, and Aquatopia mention before confirming. If those answers suit you, this can be a satisfying way to spend a sunrise-to-lunch day at sea.

FAQ

How long is the Phu Quoc fishing tour?

The tour lasts about eight hours. The schedule runs from hotel pickup at about 5:00 a.m. to return after the boat reaches An Thoi Port at about 1:30 p.m.

Where does the tour depart from?

The tour departs from An Thoi Port. Pickup is provided from hotel lobbies in the central Duong Dong area.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Free pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in central Duong Dong. Extra expenses apply for pickup and drop-off outside that area.

What fishing equipment is provided?

The boat provides recreational fishing equipment, including fishing rods and bait.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast is served while the boat sails to the fishing area, and lunch is served after the morning fishing session. You may eat your own catch or share it with others.

What fish might I catch?

Possible catches include snapper, grouper, barracuda, cobia, GT, and sweetslip fish. Fish from 1 to 5 kilograms are possible, but the actual catch depends on sea conditions, current, and the fishing area.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A 20 percent holiday surcharge applies on the listed public holidays, and that surcharge is paid in cash to the driver.