REAL snorkel &island hopping by SPEEDBOAT-EXPLORE CUISINES(MAX12)

The best part of this Phu Quoc outing is the fast ride to the southern islands, where you trade the resort shore for warm Gulf of Thailand water, coral sites, and quiet coves. You get two main snorkeling sessions, time on sandy beaches, and a Vietnamese meal for about $55 per person.

I like the small-group format, usually around 12 people, and I like that Pacific Boat focuses on swimming and snorkeling rather than shopping stops. Guides such as Windy, Ben, Hugo, and Si have been praised for clear English, good humor, and careful help in the water. The main drawback is that sea conditions can change the schedule, and the coral and water quality are not equally good at every site.

Key points to know before booking

• Two main snorkeling stops: Kim Quy is known for hard coral, while Coconut Island is associated with soft coral and fish.
• Beach time breaks up the boat ride: May Rut, Gam Ghi, Bom Island, or another nearby beach may be included depending on weather and the day’s route.
• Small boat, quick ride: The speedboat makes the southern island circuit lively, but the ride can be bumpy.
• Lunch is on Phu Quoc: The meal takes place at a restaurant on the island, not at a beach barbecue table.
• Weather matters: Wind, waves, jellyfish, cloudy water, and shifting sea conditions can affect the snorkeling.
• Pickup has limits: Central Phu Quoc pickup is included or available, but distant hotels cost extra, and Ham Ninh pickup is not offered.

What the six-hour trip is really like

Pacific Boat sells this as a real snorkeling trip, not a photo circuit. That difference matters. You will spend most of the outing moving between southern island sites, swimming, resting on beaches, and riding the speedboat. There are no shopping stops built into the route.

The advertised group size is small, with a maximum of 12 in the main description. Another part of the tour information lists a maximum of 15, and some departures have included around 14 people. If group size is important to you, confirm the number before you pay. It is still much smaller than large boat trips carrying 35 to 40 people.

There are morning and afternoon departures. The morning plan begins with pickup around 8:00 or 8:30, reaches An Thoi Port around 8:45, and begins island stops around 9:15. The afternoon version follows the same pattern later in the day. The total outing is listed at about six hours, although the exact return time can shift with weather, pickup routes, and the sea.

The speedboat gives the day its character. You cover ground quickly and get open-water views on the way to the islands. It also means more bouncing than you would feel on a larger boat. If you have a sensitive back or dislike rough rides, sit where the motion is easiest and ask the crew for advice.

Leaving from An Thoi Port

Your day begins with hotel pickup if you are staying in a covered area. Pickup from central locations is included, while distant hotels may carry a group surcharge. The listed examples include 300,000 Vietnamese dong for Movenpick and 500,000 dong for Vinpearl, though one booking account paid 200,000 dong for a pickup from Movenpick. Confirm the current amount when booking.

The operator does not provide pickup and drop-off in the Ham Ninh area. That is a small detail, but it can affect the real price of the tour. Add the transfer cost before comparing this trip with another boat company.

After the pickup run, the vehicle heads south to An Thoi Port. The port is the launch point for the island chain, and the transfer from hotel to boat is air-conditioned when a minibus is used. Once you board the speedboat, the day becomes much more direct: ride, stop, swim, ride again.

Kim Quy Island and the first coral site

Kim Quy Island is presented as the best hard-coral location on the route. You are scheduled to spend about 60 minutes here, which gives you a useful amount of time to get comfortable with the mask, test the water, and look for fish among the coral.

This is often the strongest snorkeling stop when visibility and sea conditions cooperate. Some outings have found plenty of fish and clear water, while others have encountered cloudy water or coral that looked tired. That contrast is important. Phu Quoc snorkeling is not a guaranteed tropical aquarium every day, even when the sky looks clear from shore.

The crew supplies masks, snorkels, and other basic equipment. Some people have found the gear good quality, but one practical concern is sanitation. If you have your own mask and snorkel, bringing them is sensible. It also helps if standard masks do not fit your face well.

The guide gives instructions before you enter the water. Windy, one of the guides frequently associated with this trip, has been praised for clear directions and for keeping the mood light. Crew members have also stayed beside less confident swimmers and helped children or family members who needed extra support.

May Rut, Gam Ghi, and the beach breaks

After the first snorkeling session, the boat usually heads to May Rut or Gam Ghi, depending on weather and the day’s route. This is the part of the trip for swimming, sitting on the sand, taking a breath, and having fruit or a drink. One beer, soft drink, or soda is included per person, along with bottled water.

May Rut and Gam Ghi can be beautiful, but do not expect untouched beaches. Some stops are busy and set up for visitors, with a more commercial feel than the snorkeling sites. That may disappoint you if your main goal is a quiet island picnic, but it can be a welcome pause after an hour in the water.

The beach stop also gives you time to dry off and reset before the next boat ride. Several route versions include two swimming or beach locations, sometimes involving Bom Island or another nearby island. The exact selection depends on weather, sea conditions, and local operating decisions.

You may find floating plastic at some beach or snorkeling areas. That is an unpleasant reality in parts of Phu Quoc’s island circuit, and it can affect the view both above and below the water. The trip is best approached as a good-value way to reach several sites, not as a promise of untouched nature.

Coconut Island and the second snorkeling session

The second main water stop is generally Coconut Island. Here the focus shifts toward soft coral, reef fish, and a fish-feeding activity. The scheduled stop is about an hour, though some people have felt that actual snorkeling time was shorter when the sea was rough or the group needed to move on.

Fish feeding may bring animals close to you, which makes it easy to see them. It also raises an environmental concern. Feeding fish with bread or other food can change their behavior and is not ideal for the reef. You should avoid standing on coral, touching marine life, or adding food yourself.

The quality of this stop can vary sharply. Some outings have found clear water, many fish, and attractive coral. Others have found cloudy water, dead coral, or only a limited range of fish. Visibility depends on wind, rain, currents, recent weather, and the number of boats using the site.

For a beginner, this can still be a useful introduction to snorkeling. The water is warm, the crew provides basic instruction, and you can stay close to the boat or guide. Stronger swimmers and experienced snorkelers may want more time, less beach time, and a more remote reef than this shared route provides.

The Vietnamese meal back on Phu Quoc

The lunch arrangement is worth understanding before you book. Despite the barbecue wording used in the tour description, the meal takes place at a restaurant on Phu Quoc after the island stops. It is not normally a seafood lunch served on a remote beach.

The meal presents food from three regions of Vietnam, with the guide explaining local specialties. The menu has included a broad selection, vegetarian choices, and a beer. Several meals have been described as a highlight of the day, and that makes the lunch more than a simple refueling stop.

The restaurant is about 25 minutes from the harbor in one account. If you expected to eat beside the sea or on one of the islands, adjust your expectations. I see the restaurant meal as a practical advantage in one sense: you get a proper Vietnamese lunch in a more comfortable setting. It just does not match the image of a barbecue on the sand.

This is also where the tour can feel shorter than the phrase full day suggests. The listed duration is about six hours, and some departures have returned to accommodations around 2:00 p.m. The outing is better described as a half-day or extended half-day trip than a full sunrise-to-sunset island expedition.

Guides, equipment, and group care

The guide can make a big difference on a boat trip, and this operator has several names associated with strong service. Windy has been praised for humor, English, safety information, and smooth timing. Ben has been described as friendly and attentive, while Hugo has been noted for easy communication and a relaxed manner. Si has also helped with pickup, photos, food, and the boat routine.

Guide quality can vary by departure, but the pattern is clear: the staff are expected to manage the practical details as well as lead the snorkeling. That includes fitting equipment, explaining what to expect, helping less confident swimmers, and adjusting plans when weather changes.

The equipment is included. Masks may not fit every face, particularly if you need a larger size, so bring your own if you have one. One family chose not to use the supplied equipment because they were unsure how well it had been sanitized. That concern is easy to address with personal gear.

The tour allows service animals and is near public transportation, according to the booking information. The provided details do not explain every physical requirement, so ask before booking if you have mobility, swimming, or medical concerns.

Weather can make or break the day

This is a sea trip, and the weather clause is not just fine print. Strong wind can force a cancellation or cause the operator to suggest another date. Jellyfish have also led the company to advise changing plans. Taking that advice may give you a much better outing.

On calm, sunny days, the speedboat is fun, the water can be clear, and the snorkeling can be excellent. On rough or windy days, the ride becomes hard, stops may be shortened, and visibility can fall. Even a clear sky does not guarantee calm water.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings cancels the trip, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund. Last-minute changes by you are not accepted under the stated policy.

Is $55 a fair price?

At $55 per person, the tour offers a lot for a shared outing: hotel pickup in covered areas, speedboat transport, snorkeling equipment, water, one included drink, an English-speaking guide, island stops, and a Vietnamese meal. You also avoid arranging a private boat, negotiating at the port, and organizing separate transfers.

The value is strongest if you want a simple first snorkeling day. You get a taste of several islands without paying private-boat rates, and the small-group format is more personal than a large cruise.

The value is weaker if you want complete control. You cannot choose how long to stay at each reef, and you may spend more time on busy beaches than you prefer. A private boat may suit you better if you want to skip the swimming stops, stay longer at a reef, or eat on an island.

Add any hotel surcharge to the $55 price. Also remember that tips and personal expenses are not included. The included lunch and drinks help keep the final cost predictable.

Who should book this island trip?

I would choose this tour if you want a lively introduction to Phu Quoc’s southern islands, especially if you are new to snorkeling or prefer having transport, equipment, food, and a guide handled together. Families can benefit from the crew’s help, and the beach breaks keep the day from becoming two long hours in the water.

It also suits you if you value a smaller boat and dislike shopping stops. The speedboat, warm water, and mix of reefs and beaches create a good active half-day.

I would look elsewhere if you are an experienced snorkeler seeking pristine reefs, long uninterrupted water time, or remote beaches. The coral condition varies, some sites have litter, and the public beach stops can be crowded. For the best chance of a good day, choose a calm-weather date, bring your own snorkel if you have one, and confirm the pickup fee and group size.

FAQ

How much does the Pacific Boat snorkeling tour cost?

The listed price is $55 per person. Extra pickup charges may apply for some distant hotels, and tips and personal expenses are not included.

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration is approximately six hours. Morning and afternoon departure options are available, and the actual timing can change with weather, pickup arrangements, and sea conditions.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes stops such as May Rut, Kim Quy, Coconut Island, Gam Ghi, and Bom Island. The exact combination can change according to weather.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The planned route includes two main snorkeling sessions, one at Kim Quy Island and another around Coconut Island or a similar southern island site.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. If you have concerns about fit or sanitation, you can bring your own mask and snorkel.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Vietnamese meal is included, featuring food from three regions of Vietnam. The meal is served at a restaurant on Phu Quoc rather than on a remote island beach.

Are drinks included?

Bottled water is included, along with one beer, soft drink, or soda per person.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off are available for central Phu Quoc locations. Some distant hotels require a surcharge, and pickup is not offered in the Ham Ninh area.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The operator may also suggest changing dates when wind, jellyfish, or other conditions could reduce safety or snorkeling quality.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a well-organized, small-group introduction to Phu Quoc’s southern islands at a reasonable price. The best reasons are the speedboat, friendly guides, included lunch, and chance to combine two reef stops with beach time.

Skip it in favor of a private boat if reef quality is your top concern or you want to set your own pace. This is a practical shared excursion, not a guaranteed pristine-reef adventure. Pick a calm day, confirm the group size and pickup cost, and you will know exactly what kind of island day you are buying.