Phu Quoc: Cable Car Ride and 3 Islands Boat Tour with Lunch

Phu Quoc’s longest day tours often try to do too much. This one has a clear appeal: you get three island stops, a water park, lunch, and the famous cable car in one outing. The final ride above the An Thoi Archipelago is the grand finish, with wide sea views that are hard to match from the boat.

I like the mix of activities. You can snorkel in the morning, slow down at a beach bar on May Rut Trong, then spend time at Aquatopia on Thom Island. I also like the guides’ care with the group. Tuan, Ruby, Bang, Lya, and other guides are singled out for being friendly, helpful, and attentive. The main drawback is that the day is full, and the boat transfers can be awkward, especially when you have to climb over the side into a smaller boat.

Key points to know before you book

• The cable car is the signature moment: The ride takes about 25 minutes and gives you a high view of the sea and the An Thoi islands.
• Snorkeling time is limited: Expect roughly an hour in the water, and conditions can affect visibility.
• May Rut Trong is the slower stop: You get a white-sand lagoon, beach time, water sports, and a beach bar.
• Thom Island is also a water-park stop: Aquatopia has more than 20 rides and games, but it may not suit you if slides and amusement parks are not your thing.
• Lunch is served aboard the boat: The food is generally substantial, though vegetarian and vegan choices should be confirmed before departure.
• Transfers require care: You may need to climb from the main boat into a smaller boat and then onto the beach.

What this Phu Quoc day tour is really trying to do

At $61 per person, this is not a quiet, specialist snorkeling trip. It is a broad sampler of southern Phu Quoc. You pay for transport, a guide, the boat, lunch, snorkeling equipment, cable car admission, and Aquatopia entry. That makes the price reasonable if you plan to use most of the inclusions.

The day begins with pickup from the Johns Tours office or from hotels in central Duong Dong, generally between 8:15 and 8:30 in the morning. The stated pickup route runs from the Phu Quoc night market along Tran Hung Dao Street toward Eden Resort. If you stay elsewhere, an extra pickup fee may apply.

Expect a full day, returning around 5:30 in the afternoon. Pickup can take time because the vehicle collects people from several locations. One account describes more than two hours spent gathering everyone, while another says the group size was about 29 people. I would allow patience at the start and avoid scheduling anything important soon after the stated return time.

Once you reach the harbor, you board the boat for the southern islands. The guide organizes the order of the stops, and weather can change the plan. In rough conditions, an island may be replaced, or the cable car may happen earlier in the day.

Xuong or Gam Ghi Island for snorkeling

The first island visit is listed as Xuong Island or Gam Ghi Island, with the exact choice depending on conditions. This is the tour’s main snorkeling stop. Masks, snorkels, fins, and life jackets are provided, although fins are not available in children’s sizes.

The water can be clear enough to see coral and small sea life, and snorkeling is one of the most praised parts of the day. Still, you should set your expectations carefully. Snorkeling lasts about an hour rather than taking up the whole day, and visibility changes with the sea. On one outing, the water was choppy and cloudy, making the coral hard to see.

That matters if snorkeling is your main reason for coming to Phu Quoc. I would choose a dedicated snorkeling trip instead if you want long sessions at several reefs. This tour gives you a pleasant introduction, not a deep-water survey.

The boat ride to the snorkeling area can also feel long, especially in choppy water. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a towel, and keep your swimwear ready. The boat provides life jackets, but you should still take care when moving around on deck.

May Rut Trong: beach, lagoon, and a chance to do less

May Rut Trong is the day’s best pause. Here, the focus shifts from coral and boat movement to a white-sand lagoon, beach time, water sports, and a beach bar. You have about an hour and a half at this stop, depending on the day’s schedule.

I like this part because it gives you room to choose your own pace. You can swim, use an available water activity, sit at the beach bar, or simply enjoy the shore. One useful detail is that you do not have to join every activity. Some people use this stop to relax rather than add another paid or active experience.

The beach time also balances the faster parts of the itinerary. After a boat ride and snorkeling, a quiet stretch by the water can be exactly what you need. On the other hand, if you prefer rides and water attractions, you may find the stop a little long.

Lunch is served on the boat, usually after the island visits or during the transition in the schedule. The meal is described as plentiful and enjoyable by several people, but it is not presented as a gourmet meal. One person found it below the standard of island-hopping food in the Philippines, and another specifically wanted vegan food included.

If you have dietary needs, ask about the meal before you go. The supplied details confirm lunch, but they do not promise vegetarian or vegan dishes.

Lunch aboard the boat

Eating on the boat is part of the social side of the tour. The meal is shared, and the group eats together before continuing toward Thom Island. It is a practical arrangement that saves time and keeps the full itinerary possible.

The food has received mixed but mostly favorable reactions. Some found it delicious and plentiful, while the main criticism was that it lacked vegan choices or did not match the quality found elsewhere. I would treat lunch as a useful included meal rather than a reason to book the tour.

Because the food may be arranged for the whole group, keep your own requirements in mind. If you need a particular diet, confirm it before paying or bring a suitable snack. There is also one bottle of water included, but you may want additional water for a full day in the sun.

Thom Island and Aquatopia’s 20-plus rides

Thom Island brings a sharp change of mood. Instead of another quiet beach, you visit Aquatopia water park, part of the Sun World attraction on the island. The park has more than 20 modern games and rides from major international manufacturers.

This stop is excellent for families, couples who like water slides, and anyone who wants a little amusement-park energy after the slower island visits. Some people also used time near the park for a roller coaster before entering Aquatopia, though you should ask the guide about what is available and included on your date.

The time here varies in the accounts, from around two hours to two and a half. That gives you enough time to try several rides, but it may feel excessive if you prefer beaches, markets, or snorkeling. One sensible criticism is that the tour gives a large block of time to a water park when some people would rather have more time in the sea.

This is the most important booking decision. If Aquatopia sounds like fun, the inclusion adds real value because admission is already covered. If you do not enjoy slides, pools, or amusement rides, the package may feel less balanced. The tour price does not change if the water park is closed for maintenance, although you can still take the cable car and continue with the rest of the day.

The cable car across the An Thoi Archipelago

The cable car is the tour’s strongest feature. The ride lasts about 25 minutes and offers a high, open view over the sea and the scattered islands of the An Thoi Archipelago. From above, the scale of the water and the route between the islands become much easier to appreciate than they are from the boat.

Many people consider this the best part of the day. The smooth ride feels very different from the boat trip, and the height gives you a full view in every direction. If the timing works out, you may ride near sunset, which makes the return especially attractive.

The guide decides when you take the cable car. It may come after Thom Island, as planned, or earlier if weather conditions require a change. Do not assume the sunset timing is guaranteed. The cable car schedule belongs to the day’s operating plan, not to an individual booking request.

The ride may end near a town area that looks interesting from above. The schedule does not allow much extra time there, so you should not book this tour expecting a separate town visit. The cable car itself is the point.

The practical parts that affect your comfort

This is a group outing, so you trade some independence for convenience. A guide leads the day, manages the island sequence, and helps keep the group moving. The strongest guide comments praise people such as Tuan, Ruby, Bang, and Lya for being friendly, funny, responsible, and helpful when someone needed to return to the hotel early.

Guide quality can shape the day. Some people found the explanations and support excellent, while one person felt the guide did not offer enough information or engage equally with the whole group. I would see this as a typical risk of a busy group tour rather than a reason to dismiss the experience.

The boat transfers deserve special attention. At some stops, the main boat cannot pull directly onto the beach, so you transfer into a smaller boat. You may need to climb over the side of the larger boat, then step out of the smaller one onto the beach. This can be difficult in waves or if you have limited balance.

The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, pregnant women, or families relying on a baby stroller. Children’s cable car prices are based on height: under 1 meter rides free, from 1 meter to under 1.4 meters uses a child ticket, and those 1.4 meters or taller pay the adult rate.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Extra drinking water if you need more than one bottle
• A dry bag or waterproof pouch for small valuables

Is the $61 price good value?

I think the price is fair for a full day, particularly if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, snorkeling gear, Aquatopia, and the cable car. Transport from central Duong Dong and lunch also reduce the planning work.

The value drops if you mainly want snorkeling. You get one principal snorkeling session, and sea conditions may limit what you see. The price works best for someone who wants variety: a little reef time, a beach, a meal, a water park, and a major cable car ride.

It is also good value for families with older children who will use Aquatopia. The water park entry alone makes the package more useful for that group. Couples and solo visitors can also enjoy it, especially if they like meeting people during a shared meal and group outing.

I would not choose it for a slow, private island day. The pickup process, full schedule, group movement, and boat transfers make it active from morning to late afternoon.

Who should book this tour?

You should consider it if you want to see several sides of Phu Quoc in one day and do not mind changing activities often. It suits families, first-time visitors, couples who enjoy a busy day, and anyone keen to ride the cable car without arranging several separate tickets.

I would choose it for the cable car and overall variety, with snorkeling as a welcome extra. I would not book it if you want long beach hours, extensive reef time, a quiet boat, or a purely natural island experience.

The tour can be canceled up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. English and Vietnamese are available. A 10 percent extra charge applies during New Year or Lunar New Year.

Final call: book it for variety, not for one perfect island

Book this tour if the idea of moving from coral reef to beach bar to water park to cable car sounds like a good day to you. The cable car, attentive guides, included admissions, and broad mix of activities make the $61 cost sensible.

Skip it if snorkeling is your sole priority or if climbing between boats would be uncomfortable. For everyone else, this is a practical way to cover southern Phu Quoc in one packed day, with the high cable car ride giving the trip its most memorable finish.

FAQ

What time does the tour start and finish?

Pickup is generally between 8:15 and 8:30 in the morning, with return to the hotel around 5:30 in the afternoon.

Where is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from the Johns Tours office or hotel lobbies in central Duong Dong, along the route from Phu Quoc night market on Tran Hung Dao Street toward Eden Resort. Other areas may require an extra fee.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

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

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Xuong Island or Gam Ghi Island for snorkeling, May Rut Trong Island for beach time and water activities, and Thom Island for Aquatopia and the cable car.

Is the cable car always the last activity?

Not always. The guide arranges the cable car timing, and weather conditions may require it to take place before the island visits.

Can children join, and how are their cable car tickets priced?

Children can join, with cable car prices based on height. Children under 1 meter ride free, those from 1 meter to under 1.4 meters need a child ticket, and anyone 1.4 meters or taller pays the adult rate.