Phu Quoc: Snorkeling & Fishing in the South Island

Two islands, one modest day at sea. This Phu Quoc outing combines local fishing and snorkeling with a beach break on May Rut Trong, making it an easy way to see the south coast without arranging boats and transfers yourself. I like the simple mix of activity and downtime, plus the useful touch of lunch served onboard.

I also like that the tour includes a guide, equipment, hotel pickup, and a tourism boat for about $30 per person. The main concern is inconsistent beach conditions and extra costs. One strongly negative account describes only about ten minutes of fishing, a crowded and dirty island stop, paid chairs, and pressure to buy more activities. That makes expectations important.

Key points to know before booking

• Fishing is brief: The scheduled fishing stop lasts about 30 minutes, but the actual time spent holding a rod may be shorter.
• Snorkeling is at Xuong or Gam Ghi Island: You are shown local coral areas, with masks, snorkels, fins, and life jackets supplied.
• May Rut Trong is for rest: Expect beach time, coconut shade, photographs, drinks, and possible sunbed charges.
• Lunch is served onboard: This saves time, but it is not a quiet restaurant meal beside the sea.
• The schedule runs from about 9:15 to 16:30: Pickup time depends on your hotel area, followed by a return by car.
• The price is fair for an organized day: At $30, transport, guide, lunch, water, equipment, and fishing gear are included, but personal purchases are not.

What this south Phu Quoc boat day is really like

This is a straightforward shared excursion from southern Phu Quoc. A car collects you from your hotel around 9:15 to 9:30, with the exact time based on where you stay. You then travel to An Thoi harbor and board a tourism boat bound for the islands south of Phu Quoc.

The day is built around three simple pleasures: trying local fishing, looking at coral while snorkeling, and sitting on a beach. It does not promise a private boat, a quiet cove, or a carefully controlled island visit. For $30, you are paying for convenience and a full schedule rather than exclusivity.

I see this as a useful choice if you want to get out on the water but do not want to arrange a car, boat, guide, meals, and equipment separately. It also suits people who prefer a relaxed pace. The fishing and snorkeling provide activity, while May Rut Trong gives you time to sit down and enjoy the coast.

The trade-off is that popular south-island stops can feel busy. The published rating of 3.3 from three submitted ratings reflects that mixed picture. One person described a very disappointing day, while another gave the experience four stars and called it very good. That gap tells you something useful: the basic plan is appealing, but the quality of the day may depend on crowd levels and how the operator handles the island stops.

Pickup at 9:15 and the run to An Thoi harbor

Your day starts with hotel pickup between 9:15 and 9:30. The exact time depends on your location, so you should allow a little flexibility rather than planning another activity immediately before or after the tour.

The included round-trip car is a real part of the value. You do not need to find An Thoi harbor yourself, and the return transfer is included after the boat comes back. The package also includes an English-speaking or Vietnamese-speaking guide, so you can choose based on the language offered when booking.

At An Thoi, you join the tourism boat for the trip to the southern islands. The supplied details do not state the boat size, group size, or whether the ride is covered, so I would not assume a private or especially spacious setup. If you care about seating, shade, or a quieter ride, ask AZ Vietnam Travel before paying.

The boat transfer is not just transport. It gives you a broad look at the southern island area and links several activities into one day. Still, the tour works best when you view the boat as a practical base rather than a luxury vessel.

The 30-minute fishing stop and local gear

The first activity is fishing at a designated point. The planned time is around 30 minutes, and the guide demonstrates how to use local fishing equipment before you start.

That short session is best treated as a fun introduction rather than a serious fishing trip. You get a chance to try the method, enjoy the water, and see how local equipment is used. You should not book this expecting a long quiet session or a dedicated fishing charter.

One important detail comes from the negative account of the day: the actual fishing felt closer to ten minutes. That may have been due to timing, crowding, or how the stop was managed, but it is worth keeping in mind. The advertised schedule allows 30 minutes, yet the practical experience may feel shorter.

The equipment is included, so you do not need to bring fishing gear. The guide’s demonstration should help if you have never used this type of equipment. This makes the stop suitable for first-timers and families who want a low-pressure activity.

I would rate the fishing as a pleasant extra, not the main reason to book. If you are choosing between this trip and a specialist fishing excursion, choose the specialist trip for fishing. Here, the better value comes from combining fishing with snorkeling, lunch, and beach time.

Snorkeling at Xuong Island or Gam Ghi Island

After fishing, the boat heads to Xuong Island, also identified as Gam Ghi Island in the tour details. This is the main underwater stop, with a chance to see coral reefs and a range of coral types.

The tour supplies a mask, snorkel, fins, and a life jacket. Fins are not available in children’s sizes, so families with young children should plan around that limitation. Life jackets are included, which is useful if you are not a confident swimmer.

The coral is presented as relatively unspoiled, but I would keep expectations measured. Reef conditions can change with weather, tides, boat traffic, and the number of people in the water. The details do not promise specific fish, visibility, water temperature, or a particular coral species list.

Still, this is likely the strongest part of the day for anyone who enjoys being in the water. You can use the supplied gear without renting it separately, and the guide helps organize the stop. If snorkeling is your priority, bring your own mask if you already have one you trust, but the included equipment covers the basics.

You should also expect a shared swimming area rather than a private reef visit. One account described a stop that was packed with people and boats, with limited room to swim. That is a serious consideration for anyone hoping for calm water and a quiet reef. The location may be attractive, but the feeling of the stop could be less peaceful during busy periods.

Lunch onboard between the island stops

Lunch is served on the boat after the snorkeling stop. This keeps the day moving and avoids using beach time for a restaurant visit.

I like this arrangement for a seven-hour tour. You can eat while the boat is acting as your base, then continue to May Rut Trong without another transfer or long pause. It also means the meal is included in the $30 price, which helps keep the total cost predictable.

The supplied information does not specify the menu, dietary options, or serving style. If you have food restrictions, ask AZ Vietnam Travel before departure. Do not assume that vegetarian, allergy-friendly, or child-specific choices are available unless they confirm them.

Lunch onboard is practical, not a major culinary event. The same applies to the included bottle of water. You should budget for any other drinks, snacks, or personal purchases because those are not covered.

May Rut Trong beach time and coconut shade

The final main stop is May Rut Trong Island. This is the slower part of the day, designed for resting and sunbathing after the morning activities.

You can stroll along the beach, walk across bridges, sit under shaded coconut trees, take photographs, or order a drink at the Beach Bar. Sunbeds are also available, though the price details do not say that they are included.

This stop gives the tour a useful change of pace. After fishing and snorkeling, you can stop trying to do things and simply enjoy the coast. If you are traveling with someone who does not want to snorkel for long, May Rut Trong may be the part they appreciate most.

There is a clear warning here. One harsh account describes the island as dirty and crowded, with no good place to swim, paid chairs, and attempts to sell additional activities. That is not a minor complaint, since beach time is a large part of the afternoon plan.

You should therefore treat the beach as an organized island stop, not a private tropical escape. Bring patience, keep some money available for drinks or seating, and ask the guide which areas are included before settling down. If you want a quiet beach with no commercial activity, this tour may not match your ideal day.

What the $30 price includes and what it does not

At about $30 per person, the package is reasonably priced for a full day of organized transport and activities. You receive hotel pickup and return, the car transfer, the tourism boat, an English or Vietnamese-speaking guide, lunch, one bottle of water, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and local fishing gear.

That list removes several common costs. You do not need to rent a mask, snorkel, fins, or fishing equipment, and you do not need to pay separately for the main boat transfer. For someone staying away from An Thoi, the included car adds even more value.

The price does not cover personal expenses. Drinks at the Beach Bar, sunbeds, extra activities, and other purchases come from your own pocket. Since one account specifically complained about paid chairs and sales pressure, I would ask what is included before you choose a seat or activity.

The tour also adds a 10 percent surcharge during Lunar New Year, from January 28 to February 2, 2025. That date range has already passed, but it shows that holiday pricing can apply at busy times. Check the current rate for your travel date.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a simple introduction to Phu Quoc’s southern islands. It works well for first-time visitors, couples who like a mix of water and beach time, and families who want equipment and lunch handled for them.

It is also a good fit if your hotel is not near An Thoi. The included pickup saves planning time and makes the day easier to manage.

You may want another option if you care most about solitude, serious fishing, or a pristine beach. The short fishing period may disappoint keen anglers, and the island stops may feel crowded. Children can use life jackets, but the lack of child-sized fins is worth noting.

I would also avoid booking it as your one precious final day if a disappointing beach stop would bother you. One person specifically regretted using a last day for this outing. A more flexible day gives you room to accept the tour’s basic, shared-excursion style.

Booking advice and the final call

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans are still changing. These terms make it easier to keep the tour as an option while you check the forecast and compare other boat trips.

My practical advice is to ask four questions before booking: How large is the group? Are sunbeds included? How long will the boat stop for actual fishing? Which parts of May Rut Trong are included without extra payment?

Book this tour if you value convenience, a low price, included equipment, and a full seven-hour schedule. Skip it if you want a private boat, a quiet reef, or a long dedicated fishing session. At $30, it can be good value, but only if you see it as a shared island day with some commercial activity, not as a secluded beach adventure.

FAQ

How long does the Phu Quoc snorkeling and fishing tour last?

The tour lasts about seven hours. Pickup is scheduled around 9:15 to 9:30, depending on your hotel area, and the return to your hotel is planned for about 16:30.

Where does the boat depart?

The car takes you to An Thoi harbor, where you join the tourism boat for the trip to the southern islands.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Xuong Island, also called Gam Ghi Island in the tour details, for snorkeling, and May Rut Trong Island for beach time and relaxation.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Local fishing equipment is included, and the guide demonstrates how to use it. The planned fishing stop lasts about 30 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The tour includes a mask, snorkel, fins, and a life jacket. Fins are not available in children’s sizes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served onboard, and one bottle of water is included. Other personal expenses, including additional drinks, are not included.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.