Robinson Tour By Private Speedboat with BBQ Lunch

The best part of this Phu Quoc day trip is the private speedboat. You leave An Thoi port with only your own group, then move between four southern islands without waiting for a large boat to load and unload. The water is clear, the beaches are pale and sandy, and the pace leaves room for swimming rather than simply taking photos from offshore.

I like the easy door-to-door plan and the fact that lunch, snorkeling gear, bottled water, and one beer or Coca-Cola are included. I also like the mix of stops: Fingernail Island is for beach time, Bom and Gam Ghi are for shallow-water coral viewing, and May Rut provides a slower lunch break under the palms.

The main caution is route reliability. A past booking reported that the islands visited did not match the promised sequence, so confirm the day’s route before departure. At $170 per person, this is best for a small group that values privacy and a dedicated boat, not for anyone seeking the lowest-cost island excursion.

Key points to know before booking

• Private speedboat from An Thoi: Your group has its own modern boat and crew for the island route.
• Four southern islands: The plan includes Fingernail, Bom, Gam Ghi, and May Rut, with a different purpose at each stop.
• Shallow coral viewing: Bom Island has coral at roughly 1 to 3 meters, making it suitable for basic snorkeling.
• Two-hour May Rut stop: The longest break includes a BBQ lunch, drinks, beach time, and the sound of the sea under coconut trees.
• Hotel pickup included: An air-conditioned minivan collects you around 8:30 a.m. and returns you after the boat trip.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours ahead.

Why the private boat changes the day

This is not a shared sightseeing cruise with a fixed crowd. Your group receives round-trip transport from the hotel, a private minivan, a private modern speedboat, and an English-speaking local guide. That matters most at the pier, where a smaller party can get moving without the repeated boarding process of a large excursion boat.

The morning begins around 8:30 a.m. with pickup at your hotel. The drive to An Thoi port takes about 30 minutes, so you should reach the pier around 9:00 a.m. The boat then heads toward the four islands in Phu Quoc’s south.

A private boat also gives you a little more control over the feel of the day. You are not sharing lunch tables or a boat deck with a large mixed group. Still, private does not mean completely flexible. The published plan gives each island a set block of time, and the boat returns to An Thoi at about 3:30 p.m.

The price is $170 per person. That is a substantial day-trip cost in Phu Quoc, but it covers the private boat, private vehicle, guide, snorkeling equipment, lunch, bottled water, and one cold beer or Coca-Cola per person. The value improves for a group that can use the private setup together, especially if privacy and a quieter pace matter more than finding the cheapest seat on the water.

Fingernail Island, one hour of sand and swimming

Fingernail Island, also called Mong Tay Island, is the classic beach stop. The plan allows about one hour for swimming and relaxing on white sand beside clear water. This is the point in the day for a simple island pause: walk along the beach, cool off, and enjoy the setting without a scheduled meal or long activity.

The appeal is easy to understand. You do not need special skills to enjoy a beach, and the stop gives you a break from the speedboat and snorkeling equipment. If you prefer floating in shallow water to chasing fish with a mask, this may be your favorite part of the route.

One hour is enough for a swim and a little time on shore, but it is not a long beach stay. You should not book this tour expecting to spend half the day on one perfect strip of sand. The attraction comes from seeing several islands in one outing.

The name Fingernail Island can create some confusion because the tour description also uses Mong Tay Island. Treat these as the same scheduled stop, not two separate islands. It is worth confirming the names and route with the operator before leaving the hotel, particularly because a past booking reported a mismatch between the promised island plan and the actual stops.

Bom Island, coral in shallow water

Bom Island is the first clearly focused snorkeling stop. Coral is found at a depth of about 1 to 3 meters, so you can view it without needing advanced water skills. The stated marine life includes blue, red, and white coral, along with schools of fish.

That shallow depth is useful. You can keep your face in the water and see the reef without making a long descent. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, which means you do not need to bring your own mask and fins unless you prefer your personal gear.

The tour information suggests bringing bread or cake to feed the fish. I would treat that as optional, not a reason to disturb the water or handle the coral. The important part of the stop is the reef itself, and you should avoid touching it. Clear water does not make coral indestructible.

You receive about one hour here. That gives you time to get comfortable with the equipment, swim over the reef, and return to the boat or shore. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, this stop and Gam Ghi are the heart of the day.

Gam Ghi Island, the second reef stop

Gam Ghi Island offers another hour in the water, with coral growing close to a large beach. The description emphasizes clear water and the ability to see fish by simply looking down. That makes this a good continuation of the Bom Island stop, rather than a completely different activity.

The two reef stops are valuable because sea conditions can change. If visibility is less impressive at one island, the second site gives you another chance to see coral and fish. At the same time, you should keep expectations sensible. Snorkeling depends on weather, water clarity, and conditions on the day, so no operator can guarantee perfect visibility.

Gam Ghi also gives you a beach setting. You can choose to spend the full hour in the water or use part of the time on shore. The tour includes snorkeling equipment and a guide, but the supplied information does not promise specialist instruction or scuba equipment. This is a basic surface-snorkeling outing, not a certified diving trip.

If you are not a strong swimmer, pay attention to the guide and stay within the area used by the group. The stated coral depths at Bom give you a useful idea of the general style, but exact conditions at Gam Ghi may vary.

May Rut Island, the long lunch break

May Rut is the longest stop, with roughly two hours allocated for a BBQ lunch and time by the sea. This is where the day slows down. Coconut trees and the sound of waves replace the engine noise, and you have more room to sit, eat, and recover after the morning in the water.

The lunch centers on fresh seafood and other BBQ dishes prepared by the staff. Bottled water is included, along with one cold beer or Coca-Cola per person. That is a practical inclusion because you do not need to arrange a separate meal after snorkeling.

The food is described as carefully selected and prepared by the staff, but the supplied details do not give a full menu. If you have dietary restrictions, ask about the dishes before booking or at pickup. Do not assume that a seafood BBQ will suit every diet.

Two hours is a sensible length for this stop. It allows time to eat without rushing, take a short walk, and enjoy the beach. It also prevents the day from becoming four quick photo stops with no chance to rest. For many people, this will be the most comfortable part of the outing.

May Rut is not presented as a major cultural site or a place with historical sights. Its appeal is physical and simple: sand, palms, water, lunch, and a pause in the schedule. If you want a quiet island lunch after snorkeling, it fits well. If you want a packed program of activities, the longer break may feel slow.

What the transport and timing mean for you

The total outing takes about 7 to 8 hours. Pickup is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., the speedboat leaves An Thoi around 9:00 a.m., and the return boat reaches the port at about 3:30 p.m. Your guide then takes you back to the hotel by minivan.

That timing gives you a full day without an evening finish. You should keep the morning open, since the tour involves hotel pickup, a road transfer, four island stops, lunch, and the return drive. The air-conditioned minivan is especially helpful before and after the boat ride.

The private format also means this is suitable for a family, couple, or small group that wants to stay together. Group discounts are available, though the supplied information does not state the discount amount. Since the activity is private, only your own group participates.

The tour is listed as suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. It is also near public transportation, though hotel pickup is already included. The key physical demands are the boat ride, beach access, swimming, and snorkeling. If you do not want to enter the water, you can still enjoy the beaches and lunch, but you would miss the main reason for the Bom and Gam Ghi stops.

What is included, and what is not

The package covers the expensive pieces of a private island day:

• Private round-trip modern speedboat
• Private round-trip air-conditioned minivan
• English-speaking local guide
• Snorkeling equipment
• BBQ lunch
• Bottled water
• One beer or Coca-Cola per person

Personal expenses are not included. Tips are optional but highly encouraged. You should also plan your own personal items, such as sun protection and anything you prefer for swimming, because the supplied details do not list those items as part of the package.

There is no stated promise of professional underwater photography, premium drinks, a larger alcohol selection, or a detailed seafood menu. Those omissions do not make the tour poor, but they help set the right expectation. This is a straightforward private island-and-snorkeling day, not an all-inclusive luxury charter.

The route concern you should settle first

The biggest practical issue is the possibility of a route change. One past account described a disappointing mismatch between the advertised island program and the actual day, including the expected white-sand beach stop. The provider issued an apology and explained that it was a new service on the sales channel, but that does not remove the need for you to confirm the plan.

Before pickup, ask the operator to confirm these four names: Fingernail or Mong Tay, Bom, Gam Ghi, and May Rut. Also ask if weather, sea conditions, or local restrictions could change the order or replace a stop. This is especially important because the tour costs $170 per person and the individual islands are a major part of its value.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would choose this tour if you are traveling with people who want a private boat, a full southern-island route, and a proper lunch stop. It suits couples, families, and small groups that want to stay together rather than join a large boat party.

It is also a good match if you want a mix of activities. You get one beach stop, two snorkeling stops, and one relaxed meal stop. The schedule does not force you to snorkel all day, and it gives you enough time to enjoy the shore at each island.

I would hesitate if your first priority is price. At $170 per person, the private setup is the main justification. If you are happy to share a boat and accept a less personal schedule, a cheaper option may offer better value.

I would also hesitate if you need a guaranteed exact route. The operator should confirm the island plan before departure, and sea conditions may still affect the day. The tour is strongest when you view the route as a well-planned southern-island outing rather than a promise of perfect beach conditions.

Should you book the Robinson tour?

Book it if you value privacy, hotel pickup, a dedicated speedboat, and a balanced day of swimming, snorkeling, and BBQ lunch. The four-stop structure gives you more variety than a single-island visit, while the two-hour May Rut break keeps the schedule from feeling rushed.

Before paying, confirm the route and ask what happens if a specific island cannot be visited. If the operator confirms Fingernail, Bom, Gam Ghi, and May Rut, and your group is comfortable with the price, this is a practical way to see Phu Quoc’s southern islands in one day.

FAQ

How long does the Robinson tour take?

The experience lasts about 7 to 8 hours. Pickup is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., the boat returns to An Thoi port at about 3:30 p.m., and the guide then takes you back to your hotel.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. A private air-conditioned minivan and an English-speaking local guide collect you from your hotel and return you after the boat trip.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The planned route includes Fingernail Island, also called Mong Tay Island, Bom Island, Gam Ghi Island, and May Rut Island.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the tour provides snorkeling stops at Bom Island and Gam Ghi Island.

What food and drinks are included?

A BBQ lunch with seafood dishes is included at May Rut Island. Each person also receives bottled water and one cold beer or Coca-Cola.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.