Private SpeedBoat Trip To 3 Islands In PQ With Cable Car (Option)

Phu Quoc’s best water time comes south of the main island, where a private speedboat links three small islands in one lively half-day. You get coral snorkeling, simple fishing, a beach BBQ, cold beer, and time to swim without being tied to a large group schedule. I especially like the two short snorkeling stops, plus the chance to ask for a little more swimming or fishing.

I also like the easy, social feel. The boat carries masks, snorkels, fishing gear, fruit, snacks, and drinks, while the local team, including guides Wee Wee, Thong, and Thomas, can adjust the day for your group. The main caution is the price: at $175 per person, plus a fuel surcharge and possible cable-car cost, this is best value for a family or small group that wants privacy.

Key points at a glance

• Three southern islands in one trip: Visit Kim Quy or Buom Island, Gam Ghi, and May Rut, with snorkeling built into the route.
• Private boat and guide: Only your group participates, and the schedule can be adjusted a little.
• Two 30-minute snorkeling stops: The water may offer views down to about 5 meters, with coral and colorful fish.
• Beachside BBQ lunch: Eat grilled prawns, pork, chicken, fish, and vegetables on a less developed beach.
• Fishing is part of the fun: A short fishing session comes before lunch, with equipment provided.
• Optional Hon Thom cable car: Add a one-way cable-car ride, but confirm the current adult price before booking.

Why this southern Phu Quoc trip works

Phu Quoc is a large island surrounded by a scatter of smaller ones. The southern cluster is where this trip earns its keep. Instead of spending the day at one beach, you move between several islands and get three different kinds of activity: snorkeling, fishing, and beach time.

The boat is a mini speedboat, also described as a high-speed canoe. That means the ride itself is part of the outing. You skim across the water quickly, with spray and open views, rather than sitting on a slow sightseeing boat. If you like a bit of motion, this is more fun than a standard island transfer.

The private format matters. You are not placed with a large mixed group, so the guide can respond to your group’s pace. A family with children may want less time in the water and more time on the beach. A confident snorkeler may prefer to use every available minute. The tour allows some customization, though the published timing still gives the day a clear shape.

This is not a quiet luxury cruise. It is an active, practical outing with basic beach conditions and a casual lunch. You should expect a fun day on the water, not a polished resort experience.

Getting to An Thoi and boarding the speedboat

Pickup is offered by air-conditioned van or minibus. The stated route begins with hotel pickup around 9:30 a.m., arrival at An Thoi Harbor around 10:30, and boarding the mini speedboat there. Another booking detail lists a 1 p.m. start time and a meeting point at 1 Duong Nguyen Trai in Duong Dong, so confirm your exact pickup time and location after booking.

An Thoi is the departure point for the southern islands and for the Hon Thom cable car area. Once you board, the schedule moves quickly. The boat ride gives you a fast look at the coast before the first water stop.

Private transportation is included, along with parking and visiting fees. That removes some of the usual small costs, though a $25 fuel surcharge per booking is listed separately. For one person, that charge is more noticeable. For a family or group, it has less effect on the per-person total.

Kim Quy or Buom Island: your first snorkeling stop

The first water stop is Kim Quy, also called Golden Turtle Island, or possibly Buom Island. You get about 30 minutes for snorkeling. That is enough for a useful introduction, but not a long session for anyone who wants to spend hours studying the reef.

The water is described as clear enough to see down roughly 5 meters. Coral and colorful fish are the main attraction. Conditions can change with weather, so treat that depth as an approximate expectation rather than a guarantee.

I like having this first stop early in the trip. You can test the mask, get comfortable in the water, and see how the day feels before committing to longer swimming. Equipment is supplied, including snorkeling gear and fishing equipment.

The short time also creates a limit. If you need a leisurely start, or if members of your group are new to snorkeling, 30 minutes may pass quickly. On the other hand, the compact stop keeps the tour moving and leaves room for two more islands.

Gam Ghi Island and the best coral time

Gam Ghi is the second snorkeling stop, again with about 30 minutes in the water. This is likely to be the strongest part of the trip for people who care most about coral and fish. The available description points to coral reefs and many fish in different colors, while the family review describes good coral at three separate spots.

That does not mean every visit will look the same. Sea conditions, visibility, and recent weather affect what you see. Still, Gam Ghi gives you another chance to find clearer water or a better patch of coral if the first stop is less impressive.

The guide can help make this stop useful, especially if your group has mixed swimming ability. You should tell the guide what you need at the start of the day. Since this is a private trip, you have a better chance of getting practical help than you would on a crowded boat.

Bring realistic expectations. The tour provides masks and snorkels, but it does not promise professional instruction or a long guided session. This is a casual island trip with snorkeling included, not a specialist reef excursion.

Fishing near Hon Thom before lunch

At about 12:30, the boat stops for 30 minutes of what the schedule calls funny fishing. Fishing equipment is provided. The activity is simple and short, but it gives non-snorkelers something to do and breaks up the time in the water.

A small family may especially enjoy this part. One person can fish while another swims or relaxes, depending on the guide’s arrangements and sea conditions. A family review describes catching a few small fish, so think of this as light entertainment rather than a serious fishing trip or a promise of a substantial catch.

The location is listed around An Thoi and Hon Thom. This portion of the day also helps explain the tour’s broad appeal. You are not buying only a snorkeling transfer. You are getting several easy activities that work for a group with different interests.

The wild beach BBQ lunch

After fishing, the boat takes you to a less developed beach for swimming, relaxation, and a BBQ lunch. This is the longest part of the itinerary, about two hours. It is the point where the day slows down.

Lunch includes prawns, pork, chicken, fish, and vegetables. Cold beer and bottled water are available during the journey, with chilled fruit and snacks also described as part of the onboard service. The food is cooked and eaten in a casual beach setting, rather than at a formal restaurant.

I like this setup because it gives you time to sit down after the boat rides and snorkeling. You can swim, dry off, eat, and talk without being rushed through another short stop. The grilled meal is also a useful value point in a $175 tour, since it replaces the need to arrange lunch separately.

The tradeoff is comfort. A wild beach may have limited facilities and a simpler setup. The itinerary lists bathroom access later at May Rut, not necessarily at the lunch beach. If you need regular facilities, keep that in mind and ask the guide about timing.

May Rut Island and the ride back

May Rut is an optional final stop, listed for swimming and bathroom access. The published schedule gives it a short visit around 2:30 p.m., followed by departure for An Thoi at 3 p.m. The boat should reach the harbor around 3:15, with a return to your hotel around 3:30.

Because May Rut is optional, it can help the guide adjust the day. If everyone has had enough sun, you may prefer a shorter stop. If your group wants one final swim and a proper bathroom break, this island is useful.

The stop is not presented as another long snorkeling session. Think of it as a final chance to get in the water, use facilities, and enjoy the island setting before heading back.

The full experience is advertised as roughly five to seven hours. The difference depends on pickup location, weather, and how the private group uses its flexible time. Plan for half a day, but avoid scheduling a tight connection afterward.

Adding the Hon Thom cable car

The cable car is an optional add-on rather than part of the standard tour price. The information gives two different adult prices, $32 or $27, and two different Vietnamese dong amounts, 750,000 or 650,000. Confirm the current price before you pay.

A one-way cable-car ride can make sense if you want to combine a boat day with a major southern Phu Quoc sight. It changes the outing from a simple return boat trip into a broader route through the Hon Thom area. The added cost is more reasonable for people who already planned to use the cable car.

If you are choosing based on price, skip the add-on. The boat already includes the main island activities, and the cable car is not needed for the snorkeling, fishing, or BBQ. If you want both experiences, settle the route and meeting point with the operator in advance.

What the $175 price really buys

At $175 per person, this is not a budget island transfer. You are paying for a private vehicle, private boat arrangement, English-speaking local guide, snorkeling and fishing equipment, lunch, drinks, visiting fees, parking, and the ability to adjust the day for your own group.

The value improves as the group grows, particularly for families or friends who would otherwise need several separate arrangements. The private format also has real value if you dislike waiting for strangers, want to keep children on a flexible schedule, or want to choose how much time to spend swimming.

The extra fuel charge of $25 per booking should be included in your calculation. The cable car costs extra as well. Personal expenses are not included, so carry money for anything outside the stated package.

This price is harder to justify if you are alone, do not care about privacy, or mainly want a short beach visit. A shared excursion may cost less, though it would not offer the same control over timing.

Weather, season, and practical preparation

The best season is given as December through June. The tour requires good weather, and a cancellation caused by poor conditions brings either a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside 24 hours, refunds are not available and changes are not accepted.

Wear swim clothing and bring anything you need for sun protection. The supplied details confirm snorkeling equipment, cold beer, bottled water, fruit, and snacks, but they do not specify towels or personal sun gear. Pack those yourself rather than counting on them.

The tour is suitable for most people, but it includes a speedboat, water entry, snorkeling, fishing, and time in direct sun. If someone in your group has concerns about swimming or boat travel, discuss them with the operator before booking.

The English-speaking local guide is an important part of the day. The team names connected with this experience include Wee Wee, Thong, and Thomas. Thomas is specifically associated with accommodating customized trips, while the overall service is built around a small private group rather than a fixed crowd.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this trip for a family, a small group of friends, or anyone who wants several southern-island activities without arranging them separately. It works particularly well when people in the group have different priorities. One person can snorkel, another can fish, and everyone can meet again for lunch.

Children can take part, but the water and speedboat format still require sensible supervision. The available family experience included children aged 11, 14, and 18, so the format can suit a mixed-age family. That is not a guarantee for every child, but it shows why the private setup is helpful.

I would look elsewhere if you want a slow, quiet cruise, a long specialist snorkeling session, or high-end beach facilities. The day is active, informal, and built around movement between stops.

Should you book it?

Book it if you value privacy, want three island stops, and like the idea of combining snorkeling with fishing and a grilled beach lunch. The strongest reasons are the private boat, two dedicated snorkeling stops, supplied equipment, and the guide’s ability to adjust the outing for your group.

Think twice if the $175 price feels high, especially after the fuel surcharge and optional cable car. Confirm the pickup time, the cable-car rate, and what May Rut access will look like before paying. For the right small group, this is a useful way to see Phu Quoc’s southern islands in one energetic half-day.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately five to seven hours. The stated schedule runs from hotel pickup around 9:30 a.m. to return around 3:30 p.m., but another booking detail lists a 1 p.m. start time, so confirm your exact schedule.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point provided is 1 Duong Nguyen Trai, Duong Dong, Phu Quoc. Pickup is also offered from your hotel by air-conditioned van or minibus.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates, and the day can be customized a little.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The route includes Kim Quy or Buom Island, Gam Ghi Island, and May Rut Island. May Rut is listed as an optional stop.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and fishing equipment are included.

What food is included?

The BBQ lunch includes prawns, pork, chicken, fish, and vegetables. Cold beer, bottled mineral water, fruit, and snacks are also provided during the journey.

Does the price include the cable car?

No. The Hon Thom cable car is an optional extra. The listed adult prices differ, so confirm the current amount before booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.