2-3 hours of Private Snorkeling Trip in South of Phu Quoc

Southern Phu Quoc’s best feature here is simple: you spend your time in the water, not waiting for a large group to load, pose, and move on. A private speedboat carries you from An Thoi to coral reefs and fish around Gam Ghi and Kim Quy islands, with the route adjusted to weather and your swimming ability.

I like the flexible timing, with morning and afternoon departures, and I like the freedom to stay longer at a good snorkeling spot. The main consideration is that the standard trip comes with a driver, not an English-speaking guide, and the deeper water at Kim Quy is not right for weak swimmers.

Key points at a glance

• Private speedboat for your group: You avoid the long waits and fixed pace of a large boat tour.
• About three hours in the water: Gam Ghi receives about 1.5 hours, followed by another 1.5 hours at Kim Quy.
• Flexible morning or afternoon start: Choose 8 or 9 a.m., or 1 or 2 p.m., subject to availability.
• Kim Quy requires care: This stop has deeper water and is recommended with a life jacket or suitable swimming ability.
• May Rut Ngoai is optional: Add beach time, drinks, shower access, jet skis, parasailing, or a sun bed at your own cost.
• Practical equipment is included: You get a mask, snorkel, fins, life jacket, bottled water, seasonal fruit, and a private boat.

A private boat changes the whole pace

This is a snorkeling trip for people who would rather get on with the main event. You meet near An Thoi, board a private speedboat, and reach the southern islands in about 20 to 30 minutes. There is no standard sightseeing circuit to pad out the day, and you are not tied to the preferences of a large mixed group.

That matters in Phu Quoc. A group boat can spend a surprising amount of time gathering people, waiting for late arrivals, and moving everyone along at the same moment. Here, you can tell the driver when you have had enough at one spot, or ask to stay longer if the water is good.

The boat has shade, according to the trip details and recent bookings, and bottled water is provided. Some groups have spent nearly three hours snorkeling while still finishing within a half-day. That makes this a useful choice if you want time for another activity later.

The private format does not mean the trip is fully guided. The usual arrangement is a driver who speaks Vietnamese and may not speak English. The driver follows the planned route and takes you to the selected snorkeling areas. An English-speaking guide can be added for a surcharge, and Katie has helped people confirm details and arrange hotel transport.

Meeting at An Thoi and getting on the water

Your meeting point is An Thoi Port Stadium, though the exact place can change with weather and local operating conditions. The alternative listed meeting point is Roma Phu Quoc Hotel or a similar nearby location.

Send your WhatsApp number with the international country code when booking. You should also send a selfie so the driver can recognize you at the port. That may sound fussy, but ports can be busy and a clear photo makes the meeting easier.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You can ask the operator to add it, with a rate described as similar to a Grab fare. If you are staying well north of An Thoi, remember that the listed four-hour duration does not include your hotel transfer.

The speedboat ride takes about 20 minutes in the basic itinerary, though the general description allows 20 to 30 minutes. It is a quick transfer rather than a scenic cruise. Bring sunscreen, a hat, flip-flops, a towel, and dry clothes. You will want something dry for the ride back.

Gam Ghi Island gives you the main reef time

Gam Ghi is the first planned snorkeling stop, with about 1.5 hours in the water. The operator chooses the clearest and most sheltered section available, taking account of the day’s weather and your swimming ability.

This is where most people should expect the easiest introduction to the trip. The focus is on coral and fish, not on a long explanation of marine life. Put on the provided mask, snorkel, and fins, then spend the time swimming over the reef at your own pace.

The water can be clear and turquoise, with colorful coral and plenty of fish to spot. Conditions in the sea are never fixed, so do not treat the exact visibility or marine life as guaranteed. The important advantage is that the driver can select the better part of the island for the conditions rather than blindly following a fixed script.

You can also ask for help with photos. Some bookings included time for the crew to take pictures, while still keeping the trip focused on snorkeling. Bring a waterproof phone case only if you already have one. It is not listed as included.

At 1.5 hours, this is not a quick ten-minute dip. You have time to swim, rest on the boat, and return to the water. If you are new to snorkeling, that extra time is useful because it lets you settle into breathing through the tube without feeling rushed.

Kim Quy is for stronger swimmers

The second planned stop is Kim Quy Island, where the water is deeper. The operator recommends a life jacket unless you are a confident swimmer or hold suitable diving certification. Since this is a snorkeling trip, you do not need to take part in the deeper section if it makes you uncomfortable.

Kim Quy is the more adventurous part of the route. The coral and fish may be especially rewarding in the deeper water, but you should be honest about your ability before leaving shore. A private boat gives you flexibility, not immunity from currents, waves, or fatigue.

Wear the life jacket if asked, stay close to your group, and tell the driver if you want to move to a shallower area. A private trip is especially helpful here because you are not pressured to keep up with strangers or follow a large group into water beyond your comfort level.

The planned time is another 1.5 hours. That makes the day strongly focused on snorkeling, which is a good thing if coral reefs are your priority. It is less suitable if you want a broad sightseeing trip with many islands, food stops, and organized commentary.

May Rut Ngoai offers a different kind of stop

May Rut Ngoai Island is optional rather than part of the basic two-stop route. You can use it as a beach break or add paid activities, including cocktails, food, parasailing, jet skis, a sun bed, shower access, and a place to change.

This option lets you shape the afternoon. If you have had enough water, a beach stop can make the trip feel more relaxed. If you want nonstop snorkeling, ask to skip it or keep the stop short. The operator says there is plenty of time on a private trip, but food, drinks, showers, and activities cost extra.

The optional stop is also where some people may expect more than the price includes. Sea-walker activities, parasailing, jet skis, a waterpark, and a cable car are all separate expenses. Ask about the price before joining anything.

The waterpark and cable car may be available on the way back, but they are not part of the standard itinerary and should not be assumed. This is a snorkeling trip first, with add-ons for people who want a fuller southern Phu Quoc day.

What the $64 price buys you

At $64 per person, the value depends heavily on your group size. You are paying for a private speedboat rather than a seat on a large shared tour, plus equipment and a route centered on snorkeling. For two people, the total cost is higher than a basic group excursion, but you gain control over timing and stops.

That control has practical value. You can skip a beach stop, spend longer at a reef, move away if an area becomes crowded, and avoid waiting for a boatload of people. Several small private groups were able to spend almost all of their time snorkeling and still finish in about four hours.

The included equipment keeps the price from creeping up immediately. You receive fins, a snorkel, a mask, a life jacket, bottled water, seasonal fruit, and the boat. Hotel transfers, meals, drinks, beach facilities, and paid water activities are not included.

The driver-only setup also keeps the base price lower. If you want historical context, marine-life explanations, help with translation, or more active supervision, add an English-speaking guide. If you are comfortable following a simple schedule, the driver-only format may be enough.

Timing, weather, and comfort

You can choose a morning departure at 8 or 9 a.m., or an afternoon departure at 1 or 2 p.m., depending on availability. Morning may suit you if you want the rest of the day free. Afternoon works well if you prefer a slower start or have other plans earlier.

The published duration is four hours, though the actual time can be a little shorter or longer depending on the ride, sea conditions, and how long you spend at each place. The snorkeling itself is planned for roughly three hours across the two main stops.

Weather matters. The operator can suggest changing the date or cancelling for a full refund if conditions are poor. This is not a minor footnote. Wind and waves affect comfort, water clarity, and the safety of getting in and out of the boat.

Do not book this as a guaranteed reef-viewing experience for a specific date. Book it with some flexibility, especially during unsettled weather. If conditions force a change, the stated cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours in advance, and poor weather may lead to a date change or full refund.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would choose this for a couple, family, or small group that already knows snorkeling is the main goal. It suits confident swimmers who want long reef sessions and do not need constant commentary. It also works for beginners who prefer a private pace and are happy to use a life jacket.

It is a particularly good fit if you dislike crowded boat tours. The speedboat reduces transfer time, and the private format means you can change the order or leave a stop when you are ready.

I would think twice if you need a polished English-speaking guide included in the base price. You can pay extra for one, but the standard arrangement is a driver who may not speak English. I would also reconsider if your group includes non-swimmers who want a full sightseeing day, since the trip spends most of its useful time around snorkeling stops.

Families should judge the deeper Kim Quy stop carefully. The operator makes clear that it is for more advanced swimmers or people using life jackets. A private group can adjust the plan, but children and weak swimmers should not be pushed into water that feels unsafe.

What to bring and what not to expect

Pack a hat, sunscreen, towel, flip-flops, and spare clothes. A waterproof pouch for phones and valuables is sensible, though it is not listed among the included items.

You do not need to bring snorkeling gear, fins, or a life jacket. Those are supplied, along with water and seasonal fruit. Still, fit and comfort can vary, so tell the driver early if a mask leaks or fins feel wrong.

Do not expect lunch, a full drink service, or free use of beach showers. Those are linked to the optional third stop and cost extra. Do not expect hotel pickup unless you arrange it ahead of time.

The trip is also not designed as a formal marine education program. You will get practical direction on where to enter the water, and the crew can help select a good area, but an English-speaking guide and detailed explanations require an added fee.

Should you book this private Phu Quoc snorkeling trip?

Book it if you want maximum water time, a private boat, and the freedom to make small changes during the day. At $64 per person, it offers a fair deal for a small group that values privacy and avoids the stop-and-go pace of a big tour.

Choose another option if you want meals included, a full guide included, guaranteed hotel transfers, or a long list of land attractions. The standard trip is narrow by design: get to southern Phu Quoc’s reefs quickly, snorkel for a generous stretch, and return.

My practical choice would be the morning departure for confident swimmers, with the English-speaking guide added if communication matters. Confirm the meeting point, hotel transfer, and weather plan before you go. If your priority is coral, fish, and time in the sea rather than a crowded social boat, this private format makes good sense.

FAQ

How long does the snorkeling trip last?

The listed duration is four hours. The basic route includes about 20 minutes by speedboat and roughly 1.5 hours of snorkeling at Gam Ghi Island followed by 1.5 hours at Kim Quy Island.

Where do I meet the boat?

The main meeting point is An Thoi Port Stadium. Depending on weather and local conditions, the meeting point may be Roma Phu Quoc Hotel or a similar nearby location.

What departure times are available?

Morning departures are offered at 8 or 9 a.m. Afternoon departures are offered at 1 or 2 p.m. Starting times depend on availability.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The activity uses a private speedboat for your group rather than a shared group boat.

Is an English-speaking guide included?

No. The standard trip can operate with a driver only. The driver may speak Vietnamese and may not speak English. An English-speaking guide is available for an extra charge.

What snorkeling equipment is provided?

The trip includes snorkels, fins, and life jackets. Bottled water and seasonal fruit are also included.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the listed price. You can contact the operator to add a transfer service.

Is Kim Quy Island suitable for all swimmers?

Kim Quy has deeper water and is recommended for confident swimmers or people using life jackets. The route can also be adjusted according to your swimming ability and the weather.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the operator may suggest changing the date or cancelling with a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance.