Amazing private snorkeling tour in An Thoi islands by speed boat

The best part of this Phu Quoc outing is the chance to visit several An Thoi islands in one day without sharing your car, guide, or boat with another group. You can swim, snorkel, eat a BBQ lunch, and spend time on beaches at Fingernail, Gam Ghi, May Rut, and Hon Thom.

I like the private format, which gives your group more control than a standard island-hopping trip. I also like that the price includes hotel pickup, equipment, lunch, water, and an English-speaking guide, so there are fewer extras to arrange.

The main caution is the boat itself. Although this is sold as a speed boat tour, one detailed account described a larger passenger craft that could only stop at deeper moorings. That matters if you expect a small, fast boat reaching quiet beach corners.

Key points to know before booking

• Four island stops: You visit Fingernail, Gam Ghi, May Rut, and Hon Thom, with about an hour planned at each.
• Private from hotel to boat: Your car, guide, and boat are reserved for your group.
• Snorkeling is the main event: Equipment, a first snorkeling stop, and another stop near Hon Thom are included.
• Lunch is covered: A BBQ lunch is included, with a vegetarian option available on request.
• The route depends on the sea: Poor weather can cancel the trip, while waves may change the snorkeling location.
• Crowds are possible: The guide aims to choose less crowded times and places, but these islands are popular.

Four An Thoi islands in one half-day

This is a compact island day, usually lasting four to six hours. Pickup is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. from Duong Dong town, followed by a transfer toward An Thoi pier. The drive is listed at about 45 minutes each way, leaving roughly four hours for island stops and time on the water.

That schedule works well if you want an introduction to the southern islands without giving up a full evening in Phu Quoc. It also means the day moves at a brisk pace. You get variety, but you should not expect long, lazy hours on one beach.

The private setup is the real selling point. You are not simply buying a seat on a shared boat. The car, guide, and speed boat are intended for your group only. That can be useful for families, couples, or friends who want to manage their own time and avoid a fixed group routine.

Still, private does not mean isolated. Fingernail, Gam Ghi, May Rut, and Hon Thom are well-known stops. Boats can gather around the same popular places, especially during good weather. The guide can try to avoid the busiest moments, but there is no private beach included.

The journey from Duong Dong to An Thoi

Pickup begins in Duong Dong town at 8:30 a.m. If your hotel is elsewhere, pickup may be available by request, but the stated included transfer covers Duong Dong. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which is welcome on a warm island morning.

The road transfer takes about 45 minutes to An Thoi. This is not wasted time. It gives you a practical sense of Phu Quoc’s size and gets you to the southern end of the island, where the An Thoi archipelago begins.

At the pier, you board the private boat for the island portion. Here, set your expectations carefully. The tour description calls it a private speed boat, but one negative account described a large passenger boat rather than a small, quick craft. It was also reported that the boat needed deeper moorings instead of pulling close to every shore.

That detail may not bother you if your priority is snorkeling and island scenery. It could matter a lot if you booked specifically for a fast ride, quick beach landings, or a small boat that can reach shallow coves.

Fingernail Island: a scenic first stop

Fingernail Island, also called Hon Mong Tay, is part of the An Thoi archipelago and the Phu Quoc Marine Park. The scheduled stop is about one hour. This is usually the kind of place where you want to split your time between looking around from the water and getting onto the beach if conditions allow.

The island is known for its small-scale beach setting and clear water. You can swim, sunbathe, and take photographs, while the guide handles the practical side of the stop. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to pack your own mask, snorkel, or related gear.

The drawback is popularity. Fingernail Island is one of the best-known stops in southern Phu Quoc, so do not book this trip expecting an untouched shore. The timing may help, and the guide is supposed to select good places that avoid the largest crowds when possible, but the island can still feel busy.

The one-hour limit also keeps things moving. You have time for a taste of the island, not a full beach day.

Gam Ghi Island and coral close to shore

Gam Ghi is another one-hour stop and one of the more appealing places on the route for people who want to snorkel. The island has several beaches and is surrounded by coral. That makes it a natural place to spend time in the water rather than simply stepping ashore for photographs.

You can expect the guide to provide the snorkeling gear and point you toward a suitable area. Bottled water is included, which is useful because swimming and sun exposure can leave you thirsty quickly.

Gam Ghi may be your most rewarding stop if coral and marine life matter more to you than beach lounging. The word coral should not be treated as a promise of perfect conditions, though. Visibility and sea conditions can change, and the supplied information does not guarantee a particular species, reef quality, or underwater visibility on your date.

The island is also part of a larger chain of 17 small islands. You get a sense of that scattered-island setting as you move between stops, even though the tour does not visit all of them.

May Rut Island for beach time and lunch

May Rut is about 10 kilometers south of An Thoi Town and is described as an all-around island stop. The planned visit lasts about an hour, making it a good place to balance the snorkeling with a little beach time.

The island is privately owned by a local family, which gives this stop a different character from a purely scenic viewpoint. You may find a more personal, small-scale setting here, though the supplied details do not promise specific facilities or activities beyond the beach visit and lunch arrangement.

A BBQ lunch is included, and a vegetarian meal can be requested. This is an important value point. On an island tour, lunch can otherwise become an extra expense or a rushed search for food. Here, the meal is built into the day.

You should still tell the operator about a vegetarian request before the trip. The information says vegetarian food is available on request, not that it is automatically prepared for every booking.

May Rut is also where the private format can feel useful. If your group wants more time swimming and less time taking photographs, you can ask the guide about the day’s pacing. The tour is private, but the route and timing remain shaped by sea conditions and the overall schedule.

Hon Thom and the second snorkeling stop

The final island area is Hon Thom. The tour plans another snorkeling stop near Hon Thom before returning to the pier. The exact location depends on the waves, which is sensible. A fixed snorkeling site is less useful than a safe area with better water conditions on the day.

This second water stop gives the tour a good finish. You are not simply taken from beach to beach and then driven back. There is another chance to swim and see marine life before the boat returns to An Thoi.

Hon Thom is also associated with the southern island route, so the stop helps round out the geography of the trip. You will have visited beaches, coral areas, and open water rather than repeating the same type of stop four times.

Allow some flexibility here. If the sea is rough, the guide may select a different place around Hon Thom or adjust the snorkeling plan. That is not a flaw in itself. It is part of taking a boat trip in open water.

What the private price really buys

At $168 per person, this is not a bargain-basement island outing. The price needs to be judged against what is included: private vehicle transfer from Duong Dong, private boat service, an English-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, taxes and fees, and BBQ lunch.

For a larger group, the private arrangement may offer decent value because you are paying for control and space, not only transportation. You avoid sharing the car and boat with unrelated people, and you can discuss the pace and stop choices with your guide.

For one or two people, the cost is harder to justify unless privacy is a major priority. A shared tour may cost less, though it would not provide the same private setup. The value also depends on what you expect from the boat. If you want a small, powerful craft, confirm the vessel details before paying.

The current rating is 4.8 from 49 ratings, with 94 percent recommending the activity. That points to a generally strong experience, but the low rating tied to the boat and crowd issue deserves attention. The tour can be excellent for a group that values convenience and variety, yet feel overpriced to someone seeking an uncrowded, fast-boat adventure.

Crowds, timing, and the meaning of private

The tour information is clear that there is no private beach. That is worth taking seriously. The guide tries to choose suitable times and avoid crowded group areas, but the islands remain public and popular.

One detailed account described all the stops as busy and said the boat reached deeper moorings. If avoiding crowds is your top concern, this is the most important warning. A private booking gives you a private service arrangement, not exclusive access to the An Thoi islands.

An early 8:30 a.m. departure is helpful. It gives you a better chance of reaching the popular stops before the day is at its fullest. Even so, conditions on the water and the number of other boats can change from one day to the next.

Your best approach is to treat the tour as a flexible island circuit. You will see several attractive places, but you should not expect every stop to feel quiet or deserted.

What is included, and what you should plan for

The tour provides the main practical items:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Bottled water
• BBQ lunch
• Vegetarian meal on request
• Air-conditioned round-trip transport from Duong Dong
• English-speaking guide
• Private boat
• Taxes and entrance fees

Tips are not required, but they are highly recommended. Personal expenses are not included, so bring money for anything outside the stated package.

The tour is suitable for most people, according to the supplied information. Still, swimming and snorkeling are central activities, so you should be comfortable in the water or discuss your needs with the operator before booking. The exact snorkeling place may change with the waves.

Bring the usual practical items for a water day: sun protection, a change of clothes, and anything you need for time on the beach. The tour supplies the main snorkeling gear, but the supplied information does not specify every item or size available.

Weather can change the entire day

This trip requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the operator may cancel and offer another date, another option, or a full refund. That policy is reasonable for a sea-based outing, since rough water can affect both comfort and safety.

The same issue can affect the itinerary even when the trip runs. Waves may determine where you snorkel near Hon Thom, which beaches are practical, and how easily the boat can approach shore.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so keep the local cutoff in mind.

Who should book this island tour

I would consider this trip for families and friend groups that want a private day with plenty included. It suits you if you want to combine swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and lunch without arranging each piece separately.

It also makes sense for visitors staying in Duong Dong who prefer hotel pickup and a half-day schedule. You can see the southern islands and still have time for another activity or dinner in Phu Quoc.

I would hesitate if you are booking mainly for a true speed boat ride, an empty beach, or a quiet reef. The boat may be larger than expected, and the popular stops can be crowded. In that case, ask the operator for the exact boat type and the likely plan for avoiding the busiest areas before booking.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you value privacy, convenience, and variety more than solitude. Four island stops, a second snorkeling opportunity, lunch, equipment, hotel transfer, and an English-speaking guide make it an easy way to sample the An Thoi archipelago.

Think twice if the words speed boat mean a small, fast vessel to you. The most useful practical step is to confirm the boat size and beach access in advance. If you accept that the route may include busy public islands, this can be a well-organized private introduction to Phu Quoc’s southern waters. If you need an uncrowded beach and a truly private boat experience, look for a more specialized charter.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Pickup starts at 8:30 a.m. from hotels in Duong Dong town. Pickup elsewhere may be possible by request.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four to six hours, including transfers and island stops.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The planned route includes Fingernail Island, Gam Ghi Island, May Rut Island, and Hon Thom Island.

Is the tour private?

Yes. The car, speed boat, guide, and activity are reserved for your group only.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included. A vegetarian meal is available on request.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour may be canceled if the weather is poor. You can be offered another date or option, or receive a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time to receive a full refund.