Phu Quoc: 4 Islands By Speedboat & Cable Car Trip

The big draw here is the Hon Thom cable car, a roughly 25-minute ride high above Phu Quoc’s southern islands. Before or after that sky-high view, you’ll zip by speedboat to snorkeling spots and a white-sand lagoon, making this a busy but rewarding day.

I like the easy mix of sea time and sightseeing, plus the fact that lunch, equipment, cable car, and water park entry are included in the $68 price. The guide keeps the day moving, and the included drone video and photos give you a useful souvenir. The tradeoff is simple: you cover a lot of ground, so this is not a quiet beach day, and coral quality can vary.

Key points

• The Hon Thom cable car gives you a broad view of Phu Quoc’s southern islands during a 25-minute ride.
• Gam Ghi and Xuong or Buom islands provide the main snorkeling stops, with masks, snorkels, fins, and life jackets supplied.
• May Rut Trong combines a white-sand lagoon, lunch, and time to relax after the water activities.
• A 45-second drone video and three photos are included, giving you more than ordinary phone snapshots.
• The $68 rate covers major extras, including transport, lunch, cable car tickets, and water park entry.
• Central Duong Dong pickup is free, while hotels outside the town area may require an extra fee.

What the $68 Phu Quoc island tour actually gives you

At $68 per person, this is priced as a full-day package rather than a basic boat trip. You are paying for round-trip transport, the speedboat, an English or Vietnamese-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, lunch, the Hon Thom cable car, water park admission, and a small set of drone images.

That matters because the cable car and water park can add a fair amount to a do-it-yourself day. You also avoid arranging separate transport to the harbor and figuring out how to connect the islands with the cable car. If you want one organized day in the south of Phu Quoc, the price is reasonable.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the water park. If you only want a calm beach and snorkeling day, part of the cost pays for attractions you may not care about. The schedule also packs several activities into one day, so you should expect movement, boarding, waiting, and changing from boat to beach rather than a slow island escape.

One optional activity is seawalker, which lets you walk underwater among fish and coral. It is not included, so you pay for it yourself. Treat it as an add-on, not part of the advertised value.

Starting in Duong Dong before the southern speedboat ride

Pickup runs around 8:15 to 8:30 in central Duong Dong. That includes the area from Phu Quoc Night Market along Tran Hung Dao Street toward Eden Resort. You need to provide your hotel details when booking, then be ready at reception or your pickup point 15 minutes early.

If you are staying outside central Duong Dong, ask about the extra charge before booking. The Shells Resort, in particular, is not considered part of the free Duong Dong pickup area. You can also meet at the John’s Tours office at 143 Tran Hung Dao, arriving at least 15 minutes before departure.

The bus may arrive 5 to 30 minutes late because of traffic or other delays, but it will not wait if you are not ready. That is worth taking seriously on a tightly timed day. Keep your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and phone easy to reach rather than buried in luggage.

From the harbor, you board the speedboat. The boat is the practical link between the islands, and the ride itself adds a sense of occasion. Expect a quick, active transfer rather than a quiet cruise. Life jackets are supplied, and you should follow the guide’s instructions when boarding and moving around the boat.

Xuong or Buom Island brings the first snorkeling stop

The first island stop is listed as Xuong Island or Buom Island, depending on the day and conditions. Here you can get into the clear water, look for coral, and watch small marine life.

This is a good first water stop because you can settle into the equipment and get comfortable in the sea before the rest of the itinerary. Masks, snorkels, fins, and life jackets are included, though fins are not available in child sizes. Children may need to manage without fins, so plan accordingly.

Keep your expectations sensible. One account of the trip described rubbish at the first island, which is a useful warning rather than a reason to dismiss the whole outing. Tropical water and coral are not equally attractive at every stop, and the condition of a site can change with weather, currents, and use.

Bring reef-safe sunscreen if you have it, and avoid standing on coral. The tour provides the gear, but it cannot control every condition beneath the surface. The water may be clear and pleasant while the reef itself is only average in places.

Gam Ghi Island offers the second reef stop

Gam Ghi is the main coral reef stop in the itinerary. You again snorkel from the boat and look at coral and fish in the surrounding water.

I like the two-stop approach because it gives you another chance if the first site is less impressive. It also breaks up the day. You are not asked to spend one long session in the water, then wait around for the afternoon.

Still, this is not a specialist marine tour. The trip is designed for a broad mix of people, including visitors who mainly want a taste of snorkeling along with beaches and the cable car. The coral may be enjoyable without being pristine. If reef quality is your sole reason for booking, keep that distinction in mind.

The guide can help you understand when to enter and leave the water, and life jackets are available. You should bring your own towel because one is not provided. Sunglasses, comfortable clothes, swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel are the practical basics.

May Rut Trong is the day’s best pause

May Rut Trong shifts the mood from active snorkeling to beach time. The island is known here for a white-sand lagoon and a relaxed place to sit, swim, and take a break.

This is where the itinerary earns its full-day format. After the speedboat and two snorkeling stops, you get time to enjoy the shore without immediately rushing back into another activity. The beach stop is also the setting for lunch, which is included.

The exact lunch menu is not given, so do not book this expecting a particular dish. What is clear is that you eat on May Rut Trong rather than returning to the mainland. That saves time and lets you keep the island setting during the midday pause.

The drone package is also tied to May Rut Trong. You receive one 45-second video and three photos by drone on the island. This is a nice extra if you want an overhead view of the white sand and surrounding water, though the short video should be treated as a souvenir rather than a professional production.

May Rut is likely to be the part of the day you appreciate most if you want a balance of activity and rest. You can enjoy the shore, eat lunch, and recharge before the final major attraction. Just remember that the island is one stop in a shared day, not a private beach retreat.

Seawalker adds an optional underwater experience

Seawalker is offered as an extra service at the island portion of the trip. The concept is straightforward: you walk beneath the surface while fish swim around you and you look at coral.

It may suit you if snorkeling feels awkward or if you want a different way to see the reef. The cost is not included, however, so ask about the current price and timing before committing. Since the main day already includes snorkeling, seawalker is best viewed as a personal upgrade rather than a necessary part of the tour.

You also need to keep an eye on the clock. The schedule includes several islands, lunch, the cable car, and the water park. Adding an optional activity may reduce your time on the beach or at another stop.

Hon Thom cable car is the visual highlight

The speedboat later reaches Thom Island, where you ride the cable car. The ride takes around 25 minutes and gives you a wide view over the southern islands and the sea.

This is more than a quick transfer. It is the day’s clearest change of perspective. On the boat, you see the water at sea level. From the cable car, you look down across the islands and routes you have just traveled. The combination makes the day feel larger than a standard snorkeling excursion.

The cable car timing is arranged by the guide, so you do not control exactly when you ride. Weather can also change the order. On some days, the cable car may come before the island stops, and some islands may be replaced if conditions are poor.

The ride may be scheduled around sunset, offering a warm end-of-day view. Do not count on a perfect sunset, since cloud and weather are beyond anyone’s control, but the panoramic view remains the main reason to choose this package over a boat-only trip.

Water park entry is useful for some, optional in spirit for others

The package includes entry to the water park on Thom Island, with more than 20 modern rides from major manufacturers. This gives families and active adults another block of entertainment after the boat portion.

You should decide in advance how much this matters to you. If you enjoy water rides, the inclusion improves the package value. If you prefer beaches, snorkeling, and scenery, you may spend little time there. The tour price does not change if the water park is under maintenance, although you can still ride the cable car and continue with the day.

The itinerary does not give a fixed length of time for the park. The guide arranges the schedule, so the cable car and water park portion should be seen as part of a guided group day rather than a fully independent visit.

The schedule is full, with weather as the main wildcard

The planned return to your hotel is around 17:30. That makes this a long day, but the timetable is sensible for the number of stops. You start in the morning, visit several islands, eat lunch, reach Thom Island, and return by cable car before heading back.

Weather can change the order or substitute islands. This is common sense for a sea-based excursion, but it is worth accepting before you book. If rough conditions make one stop unsuitable, the tour may use another island or put the cable car earlier in the day.

The itinerary also involves getting on and off a boat, walking around beaches, snorkeling, and using cable car facilities. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. Baby strollers are not allowed.

The tour is also not a good fit if you want a completely unstructured day. You will have a guide, set transfers, planned stops, and a return time. The reward is that you do not need to manage the transport yourself.

What to pack for a day in the water

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and comfortable clothes. The operator supplies one bottle of water, snorkeling equipment, and life jackets, but not a towel or personal sun protection.

Wear clothes that dry reasonably quickly and keep valuables to a minimum. You will move between vehicle, speedboat, beach, and cable car, so a small, practical bag is easier than a large suitcase.

Children’s ticket prices are based on height. Children under 1 meter ride free, those from 1 meter to under 1.4 meters need a child ticket, and anyone at least 1.4 meters pays the adult rate. Fins are not available in child sizes.

The tour can operate in English or Vietnamese. Ms. Rosie is listed as the emergency contact and can be reached by text or several messaging services, including Zalo, WhatsApp, KakaoTalk, WeChat, Line, and Viber. Save the contact details before departure if you think you may need help with pickup.

Who will get the most from this Phu Quoc trip

I would choose this tour if you want to see several sides of southern Phu Quoc in one day. It suits first-time visitors who want snorkeling, a beach, lunch, a cable car, and a water park without arranging separate tickets and transfers.

Families may like the clear structure and the mix of activities, though young children need attention around the boat and water. The cable car gives non-snorkelers something to enjoy, while the beach and water park offer alternatives to staying in the sea.

It also suits couples and friends who want strong views and a full day out. The included drone images are a pleasant bonus for anyone who values a few ready-made holiday pictures.

I would look elsewhere if your priority is untouched coral, a private boat, or hours of quiet beach time. The coral is not guaranteed to be exceptional, the first island may have rubbish, and the schedule moves quickly. This is a broad sampler of the south, not a specialist reef expedition.

Should you book the four-island speedboat and cable car trip?

Book it if you want a convenient, activity-packed day and value the cable car as much as the snorkeling. At $68, the combination of transport, lunch, gear, cable car, water park, guide, and drone images is a solid package, especially if you use several of those inclusions.

Skip it if you want full control over your time or care most about perfect coral. The strongest parts are the Hon Thom cable car, May Rut Trong’s beach break, and the easy mix of land and sea activities. Go with realistic expectations, pack your own towel and sunscreen, and arrive early for pickup.

FAQ

Where does pickup take place?

Free pickup is available from hotels in central Duong Dong, covering the area from Phu Quoc Night Market along Tran Hung Dao Street toward Eden Resort. Pickup from other areas may cost extra.

What time does the tour begin and end?

Pickup is scheduled around 8:15 to 8:30 in the morning, and the planned return to your hotel is around 17:30. Exact starting times should be checked when booking.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The itinerary includes Xuong Island or Buom Island, Gam Ghi Island, May Rut Trong, and Thom Island for the cable car and water park. Weather may change the order or replace some islands.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket are included. Fins are not available in child sizes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on May Rut Trong Island.

Is the seawalker activity included?

No. Seawalker is an optional activity and must be paid for separately.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour may change the island stops or arrange the cable car before the boat visits. If the water park is under maintenance, you can still use the cable car and continue the tour, with no change to the tour price.