Phu Quoc: 4 Islands By Speedboat & Cable Car Trip

The big prize on this Phu Quoc day trip is the Hon Thom cable car, a roughly 25-minute ride over the sea with wide views of the southern islands. Before that, you’ll race between small islands by speedboat, snorkel at two stops, eat lunch on May Rut Trong, and have time for Hon Thom’s water park.

I like the mix of fast boat rides and slow beach time. I also like that the $68 price includes the cable car, water park, lunch, transport, guide, snorkeling gear, and a short drone video with three photos. The main catch is time: late pickups, cloudy water, or a long water-park stop can make the day feel less relaxed.

The tour suits you best if you want to see several parts of southern Phu Quoc in one day without arranging boats yourself. Snorkeling conditions can vary, and rubbish has been seen at one first-island stop, so book this for the full package rather than for perfect coral alone.

Key points at a glance

• The cable car is the day’s headline: Enjoy a long aerial ride to or from Hon Thom, with sea views and island scenery below.
• Three water stops plus Hon Thom: Visit Xuong or Buom Island, Gam Ghi Island, May Rut Trong, and Hon Thom.
• Snorkeling is included: Masks, snorkels, fins, and life jackets are supplied, though child-sized fins are not available.
• Lunch comes with a beach setting: Eat on May Rut Trong beside a white-sand lagoon.
• The $68 package covers a lot: Car transfers, speedboat, cable car, water park, guide, lunch, water, and drone images are included.
• The schedule can change: Weather may alter the island order or replace a stop, and the cable car timing is set by the guide.

Why this day works for first-time island explorers

Phu Quoc’s southern islands are scattered offshore, and seeing several of them independently takes planning, boat arrangements, and some patience. This tour bundles the main transport into one day. You start with a hotel pickup, transfer to the harbor, then switch to a speedboat for the island circuit.

The morning pickup runs from 8:15 to 8:30. Pickup is available from the John’s Tours office or from hotels in central Duong Dong, along Tran Hung Dao Street between the Phu Quoc night market and Eden Resort. If you stay elsewhere, an extra fee may apply, so check your exact address before paying.

I like the practical setup here. You do not have to find the harbor, rent snorkeling gear, or buy a separate Hon Thom ticket. An English or Vietnamese-speaking guide stays with the group and explains the day’s movements, which matters when the boat, islands, lunch, cable car, and water park all have to fit together.

The tradeoff is that this is a planned group day, not a private island escape. A delay caused by late arrivals can create waiting time. If you want to linger on one quiet beach, the fixed route may feel rushed.

Xuong or Buom Island starts the water time

The first snorkeling stop is Xuong Island, also called Buom Island in the schedule. You’ll have the chance to jump into clear water, look for coral, and see small aquatic life. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are provided, so you only need to bring your swimwear, towel, and sunscreen.

The name of the stop can change, and the exact water conditions matter more than the label. On a good day, this is your first chance to get comfortable in the sea and test the mask before the next stop. If the water is cloudy, visibility may be modest.

There is one important environmental reality to keep in mind. Rubbish has been seen around the first island stop. That can be upsetting, especially when you are hoping for a postcard-perfect reef. I would set your expectations at pleasant island snorkeling, not a carefully protected marine park experience.

The boat itself is part of the fun. The fast transfer gives you a clear sense of the southern islands, but it also means exposed travel between stops. Keep your belongings secure and use the life jacket as directed.

Gam Ghi Island brings another coral stop

Gam Ghi Island is the second main snorkeling location. The goal is a coral-reef stop, giving you another chance to see fish and underwater life after the first swim.

Two snorkeling stops are useful because conditions can differ from one island to the next. If visibility is poor at Xuong or Buom, Gam Ghi may give you a better look. If both are cloudy, however, the snorkeling portion will be the weak link of the day.

I would bring a waterproof pouch for small valuables if you have one, though the supplied information does not promise storage facilities. Wear clothes that dry quickly, and remember that fins are not available in child sizes. Children may still have access to masks, snorkels, and life jackets, but the fin limitation is worth noting before booking.

The tour also offers seawalking for an extra charge. This is not included in the $68 price. You walk beneath the sea among fish and coral, and it can be an appealing add-on if you want more underwater time, but the extra cost is described as high. Ask about the current price before committing.

May Rut Trong is the pause in the middle

May Rut Trong shifts the mood from active water stops to beach time. Its white-sand lagoon is the place to slow down, dry off, and enjoy the setting. Lunch is served here, so this is not simply a quick photo stop.

I like this part of the schedule because a day of boat transfers and snorkeling needs a proper break. You can eat, sit by the shore, and enjoy the island without having to move immediately to another activity. The supplied tour details do not specify the exact menu, so do not book this expecting a particular dish.

A short drone package is included here: one 45-second video and three photos from May Rut Trong. That is a nice extra at no added cost, especially if you want a few aerial images of the beach. It is not a substitute for your own camera time, and the details do not say exactly when the drone footage will be delivered, so ask the guide if timing matters to you.

The beach stop is also where you may notice the limits of a full-day circuit. Lunch and free time must fit between the morning snorkeling and the Hon Thom section. If you prefer long, quiet stretches on one beach, this itinerary gives you a taste rather than a full beach day.

Hon Thom combines cable car views with a water park

After the island stops, the speedboat reaches Hon Thom. The plan includes access to a water park with more than 20 modern rides from major international manufacturers. The water park adds a family-friendly element that many island-hopping trips do not offer.

The exact amount of time there is arranged by the guide. That flexibility helps the group manage weather and transport, but it also means you may not control every minute. One part of the day may feel too short, while the water park can feel too long if rides are not your priority.

If you do not enjoy water slides, the cable car is still the main reason to value this stop. If you are traveling with children or want a break from snorkeling, the water park gives the day more variety. Maintenance can occasionally affect the water park. If that happens, the cable car and the rest of the journey still go ahead, and the tour price does not change.

The cable car is the strongest part of the package

The Hon Thom cable car is the visual highlight. The ride takes about 25 minutes and offers a broad view over the sea and islands. This is not a quick lift from one street to another. It is a long aerial crossing and gives you a different view of Phu Quoc after seeing the islands from water level.

The ride is scheduled by the guide and may happen before the island visits if weather conditions require a change. That matters because you should not build your whole plan around seeing the cable car at one exact time.

The return ride is described as a chance to enjoy sunset views. Sunset timing depends on the day and the group schedule, so treat it as a possible bonus rather than a guarantee of perfect colors. Still, the contrast is appealing: speedboat spray in the morning, bare feet on May Rut Trong, water rides on Hon Thom, then a high view over the sea.

For many people, the cable car alone helps justify the price. You get an experience that is hard to reproduce with ordinary island transfers, and it gives the day a clear finale.

Is $68 good value?

At $68 per person, this is a strong bundle if you plan to use most of what is included. The price covers round-trip car transport, the speedboat, cable car ticket, water park admission, English-speaking guide, lunch, one bottle of water, snorkeling gear, life jackets, and the drone package.

Buying each major piece separately could be more work and may cost more, though no separate ticket prices are provided here. The real value depends on your interests. If you want island hopping, snorkeling, a cable car, and a water park in one day, the package saves planning time and combines several paid activities.

The value is weaker if you only want a quiet beach day. You are paying for movement between several stops, and the schedule may include waiting when people arrive late. It is also less compelling if you dislike water parks or already plan to visit Hon Thom on another day.

Lunch and equipment are useful inclusions, but bring your own towel and sunscreen. Personal expenses are not covered, and seawalking costs extra. Pack sunglasses, swimwear, comfortable clothes, and a towel in a small bag that can handle a wet boat day.

Timing, weather, and comfort matter

The stated return time is around 17:30. That makes the tour a full day, with an early pickup and several changes of transport. You will move from hotel car to harbor, speedboat to islands, boat to Hon Thom, then cable car and car transfer again.

Weather can change the order or replace some islands. The cable car may happen before the boat stops if conditions require it. This is a normal concern for an island tour, but it means you should keep your evening plans flexible.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. Baby strollers are not allowed. Children are charged according to height for the cable car: under 1 meter ride free, from 1 meter to under 1.4 meters pay the child rate, and from 1.4 meters pay the adult rate.

Late arrivals can affect everyone. One useful improvement would be extra free time in Sunset Town before the return, but that is not part of the stated schedule. If you care about exploring the town, plan it separately rather than counting on it.

Who should book this Phu Quoc day trip?

I would choose this tour if you want a broad introduction to the southern islands and prefer one organized day over several separate bookings. It is especially useful for first-time visitors with limited time, families who want both snorkeling and water rides, and couples who care about the cable car views.

You should also book it if the included extras matter to you. The drone video, three photos, lunch, gear, and water reduce the number of small arrangements you need to make.

I would hesitate if your main goal is excellent reef snorkeling. Water clarity can change, and one stop has had rubbish. The tour gives you two snorkeling chances, but it does not promise perfect visibility or untouched coral.

I would also skip it if you want a very quiet, slow island day. The speedboat is quick, but the full itinerary includes several stops, group timing, and a water park. You get range, not solitude.

Final verdict: a busy day with a strong cable car finish

Book this tour if you want to combine four southern-island stops, snorkeling, a beach lunch, Hon Thom’s water park, and the cable car for $68. The cable car is the strongest reason to go, while May Rut Trong supplies the best pause in a packed schedule.

Go with realistic expectations about the snorkeling and group pace. The sea may be cloudy, the first island may have rubbish, and late arrivals can create waiting. But the package gives you a lot for one day, and the mix of speedboat travel, white sand, underwater stops, and a long aerial ride makes it a practical choice for seeing the south of Phu Quoc.

FAQ

Where does the tour pick up in Phu Quoc?

Pickup runs from the John’s Tours office or from hotel lobbies in central Duong Dong, along Tran Hung Dao Street from the Phu Quoc night market to Eden Resort.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup is scheduled between 8:15 and 8:30 in the morning.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Xuong Island or Buom Island, Gam Ghi Island, May Rut Trong Island, and Hon Thom.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, fins, and life jackets are included. Fins are not available in child sizes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on May Rut Trong Island.

Is the cable car ticket included?

Yes. The cable car ticket and water park entrance are included in the tour price.

Can children join the tour?

Children can join, but cable car pricing depends on height. Children under 1 meter ride free, those from 1 meter to under 1.4 meters pay the child rate, and those 1.4 meters or taller pay the adult rate.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. Personal expenses are not included, and seawalking costs extra.