Quần đảo An Thới (An Thoi Islands): sea trips, snorkelling and choosing a tour

Where island trips depart

Many programmes depart from An Thoi port, Cảng An Thới, in southern Phu Quoc. Some cruises may use another pier, including in the Sunset Town area. Do not arrive at just any waterfront expecting to find the boat there.

Distinguish your hotel transfer time, group meeting and vessel boarding. Save the location, receiving party’s contact and booking confirmation. An island marker shows the direction of travel, not the boarding point on Phu Quoc.

Main stops: Gam Ghi, May Rut and Mong Tay

Gam Ghi is often included as a reef snorkelling stop. In John’s Tours’ programme, it is listed separately from Xuong or Buom: do not treat all these names as synonyms for one island. The operator may change the stop according to the weather.

May Rut Trong and May Rut Ngoai are different island locations. Ask which you will land on and how much beach time is allowed. Swings, paddleboards, a bar and photo areas depend on the particular section and package; they are not automatically included in every May Rut visit.

Mong Tay appears in beach itineraries in the southern archipelago. An island name in advertising does not determine the lunch location or number of snorkelling stops. If a particular reef or Kim Quy matters, ask for it to be confirmed in the programme rather than assuming it will be visited.

Hòn Thơm (Hon Thom) and cable car combos

Hòn Thơm (Hon Thom) has the Sun World complex with Aquatopia and Exotica. A sea excursion visiting the island and an ordinary cable car trip are different ways to spend the day. For a combo, check where the itinerary begins and which transport is used for the return.

Check whether the cable car, water park, meals and transfer after returning are included. Do not assume any boat stop at Hòn Thơm (Hon Thom) grants entry to every attraction. Confirm the cable car timetable with the operator for your date.

Trip formats: group boat, speedboat or private outing

A group excursion on a leisure boat suits those interested in socialising, lunch on board and several stops. A speedboat offers a different travel pace. In both cases, compare group size, vessel layout, boarding and the ability to sit in shade.

Names such as “3 islands”, “4 islands” and “5 islands” do not standardise the programme. A count may include landings, reef stops and entertainment venues. Look at specific activities and time, not just the number.

A private outing allows you to discuss the route and group composition. Agree on the price for the whole vessel, duration, pier, fuel, crew, lunch and possible extras. Do not treat an arrangement with a private captain as equivalent to a verified excursion programme without clarifying the terms.

Prices: an example and how to compare

On the John’s Tours page checked on 14 October 2026, a three-island trip on a regular boat is listed at USD 32 for adults aged 10 and over and USD 22 for children aged 4-9. This is an example of a specific operator offer, not a guaranteed rate for all An Thới (An Thoi) excursions.

Before paying, check the price for your selected date, age categories, surcharges for remote accommodation and island services. A Russian-speaking guide, drone and photographs do not follow automatically from the name “five islands”. Check the commentary language and how photographs are delivered separately.

Private charter and VIP cruise price ranges from other people’s trips do not replace an individual quote. Compare identical service bundles and do not convert an approximate amount in dong into dollars as a fixed equivalent.

Yacht or catamaran: what to look for in the description

An evening cruise and daytime snorkelling may serve different purposes. For a sunset outing, find out the route, duration, vessel type, number of guests and included food and drinks. If you specifically want a reef, confirm a water stop and its duration.

Fireworks or a Sunset Town show cannot be promised simply because a cruise runs in the evening. You need the programme for your date, the vessel’s position and visibility conditions. A private charter and a per-person ticket in a shared group are different products.

Equipment and inclusions: check before setting out

A mask, snorkel and life jacket are often included in organised programmes, but “always” is not appropriate here. Check the equipment set, sizes, children’s life jackets and beginner assistance. Fins, a personal instructor, scuba diving and sea walking may cost extra.

Before boarding, ask how to enter and leave the water, who accompanies the group and what to do if you do not want to swim. Check equipment fit before departure, not for the first time above the reef. For a private trip, also check vessel capacity and cancellation terms in rough seas.

Bring swimwear, a towel, dry spare clothes, water and splash protection for belongings. Water shoes may help at a permitted rocky entrance, but do not give permission to walk on coral.

Responsible snorkelling: no bread or walking on the reef

Do not feed fish bread or other human food. PADI recommends not feeding or touching marine animals and not standing on the living seabed. Observe natural behaviour from a distance.

Stay above the reef, watch your fins and do not stand on coral to rest or take photographs. If tired, use the agreed assistance from your guide and return to the vessel as instructed. Do not chase animals or take anything from the seabed.

Visibility, coral condition and fish numbers depend on the location and that day’s conditions. A promise of “the island’s clearest water” or comparison with the Red Sea does not help choose a particular outing. Ask how the operator selects a location based on weather and the group’s experience.

Weather and a flexible itinerary

Keep the option of rescheduling a sea trip. Wind, waves and the crew’s decision matter more than the desire to visit every listed stop. Find out in advance how an island substitution differs from programme cancellation and which refund terms apply to your booking.

Do not make the cable car, five islands, extended snorkelling and a late show compulsory parts of one day. If reefs are your priority, choose time in the water; for rest with children, choose easy boarding, shade and a relaxed pace.

A quick check before booking

Islands and replacement options, the number of landings and reef stops, guide language, vessel type, group size, transfer, lunch and equipment are confirmed. You know the additional charges and procedure in poor weather.

Save the confirmation and precise meeting arrangements, and relate your impressions to the date and programme. One good or poor reef does not describe the entire archipelago. For a separate Hòn Thơm (Hon Thom) trip, see its guide in the related materials section.