RED RIVER TOUR (Share group): DISCOVERY 3 ISLANDS BY BOAT

Phu Quoc’s southern islands are best seen from the water, and this eight-hour boat trip gives you a lively sample of them for $29.34. You fish with help from local fishermen, snorkel at more than one stop, eat lunch onboard, and have time to swim or relax on shore.

I like the mix of hands-on fishing and snorkeling, since the day is not just a boat ride with one short swim. I also like that lunch, hotel transport, bottled water, and snorkeling equipment are included. The main caution is the size of the group, which can reach 30 people, and the floating pier may feel unsteady when you board or return.

Key points at a glance

• Try fishing twice: You get a 30-minute fishing session in the morning and another in the afternoon.
• Three island stops: The route includes Coconut Island, Gam Ghi, and Mong Tay or May Rut, depending on the day’s plan.
• Lunch is served onboard: The crew can prepare a meal using freshly caught fish.
• Several activities cost extra: Sea walking, scuba, flyboarding, jet skiing, and parasailing are not part of the $29.34 price.
• Pickup and equipment are included: An air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, snorkeling gear, and an English-speaking driver guide are provided.
• Weather can change the route: Poor conditions may mean a different destination, a new date, or a full refund.

Why the fishing makes this more than a standard boat trip

Many island excursions rush from one photo stop to the next. This one adds two short fishing sessions, each about 30 minutes. You will not spend the whole day fishing, but the activity gives the trip a local touch and breaks up the time spent moving between islands.

The first fishing session begins after the boat leaves port. You work with guidance from local fishermen, so it is aimed at a casual try rather than a serious fishing expedition. The second session comes later in the afternoon, after your first round of snorkeling and island time.

The freshly caught fish may be used as part of the onboard lunch. That detail gives the meal a direct connection to the morning’s activity, though you should not expect a large seafood feast built entirely around your own catch. The tour description promises lunch and preparation of freshly caught fish, but it does not give a set menu.

The 8:00 am start and ride to An Thoi

Pickup begins at 8:00 am from the hotel, with the listed starting point at 379 Đường Trần Hưng Đạo in Dương Tơ. The air-conditioned vehicle matters in Phu Quoc’s heat, especially before and after several hours outdoors.

At about 9:30 am, you reach the port and board the boat with the guide. The schedule places the first fishing session at 9:30, followed by the Coconut Island stop at 10:00. Timing can shift, so treat the clock as a useful outline rather than a guarantee.

The tour has a maximum of 30 people. That is small enough for an organized group outing, but it is not a quiet private cruise. If you want personal attention at every snorkeling stop, a smaller boat would likely suit you better. If you want a lower-cost way to see several southern islands, the group format helps keep the price down.

Coconut Island and Ocean World

The first island stop is Hon Roi, also called Coconut Island in the schedule. Here you can visit the Ocean World Sea Sports entertainment center. This is the most activity-focused part of the day, with options that can be added for an extra charge.

Sea walking and scuba activities at Coral Park are self-funded. The package includes snorkeling equipment, but it does not include those paid activities, so ask about prices before committing to anything at the center.

This stop may appeal to you if you want more than simple swimming. It may feel less appealing if you are looking for an unstructured beach stop, since the focus here includes organized water activities. Keep some energy in reserve. The day still has several hours of swimming and snorkeling ahead.

Gam Ghi at 11:00 am for snorkeling

Gam Ghi is the first clear snorkeling stop in the schedule. You arrive at about 11:00 am, giving you a chance to get into the water while the day is still relatively fresh.

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, which saves you from renting a mask and fins separately. Still, fit matters. Try the equipment early and tell the crew if the mask leaks or the fins are uncomfortable. A poor-fitting mask can spoil a good stop faster than cloudy water can.

The exact underwater conditions depend on the weather. The schedule promises a snorkeling stop, not a guaranteed level of visibility or a particular marine species. That is worth keeping in mind when you compare this with specialist snorkeling trips. This excursion aims to combine several activities and islands, so snorkeling is one part of a broader day.

Lunch onboard between 12:30 and 1:00 pm

Lunch is scheduled for 12:30 to 1:00 pm and is served on the boat. This is practical. You do not lose time returning to shore, and you can stay near the islands instead of breaking the route for a restaurant meal.

The crew can prepare a meal with freshly caught fish. That is one of the nicer details of the trip, especially if you enjoy food that connects with the place you are visiting. The supplied information does not list the full menu or provide dietary details, so contact the provider before booking if you have food restrictions.

Eating onboard also means the meal is part of an active sea day, not a long sit-down break. You may prefer that pace, but anyone wanting a slow, comfortable lunch on land should set expectations accordingly.

Mong Tay or May Rut for swimming and photos

From about 1:00 to 2:30 pm, the boat heads to Mong Tay Island or May Rut Island. The route can use either island, so do not book this expecting one fixed beach every time.

This is the most relaxed portion of the schedule. You can chill, swim, and take photos with a SUP board or a flycam video. The mention of a flycam video is useful for anyone who wants a more polished holiday clip, but check exactly what is included before assuming it costs nothing. The package details do not list a flycam video as an included service.

Extra water sports are available at the island, including flyboarding, jet skiing, and parasailing. These are self-funded. At $29.34, the base tour is priced as an island and snorkeling outing, not as an all-inclusive water-sports package.

If you are watching your budget, you can enjoy the island without adding an activity. If you want a high-energy afternoon, bring extra spending money and confirm the charges before you start.

A second fishing session and final snorkeling stop

At about 2:30 pm, you get another 30-minute fishing session. Placing fishing here gives the day a change of pace after swimming and beach time. It also gives you a second chance if your morning attempt produces nothing.

The final snorkeling stop runs from 3:00 to 4:20 pm. That is a long scheduled window compared with many quick boat tours, though actual time in the water can depend on conditions and group movement.

You may appreciate having a second major snorkeling period rather than trying to do everything at Gam Ghi. On the other hand, the length of the day can catch up with you. Bring enough interest for a full day outside, and use the island break to rest instead of treating every stop as a race.

The boat returns to An Thoi port between 4:30 and 5:00 pm, followed by transfer back to your hotel. With an 8:00 am start and an evening return, this is a full day rather than a short morning outing.

What the $29.34 price really covers

At $29.34 per person, the value is strong if you want several basics bundled together. You receive hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking driver guide, lunch, bottled water, and snorkeling equipment.

The price also covers the boat route and the listed island stops, but the details say personal expenses and all fees and taxes are not included. Paid activities at Coral Park and the later water sports are clearly extra.

I would think of this as a good-value shared excursion for someone who wants variety. You get transport, food, equipment, fishing, swimming, and snorkeling in one day. The tradeoff is control. You do not choose the exact pace, and you may share the boat with as many as 30 people.

The 98% recommendation rate and 4.8 rating from 82 reviews point to a consistently well-received outing, but that should not hide the practical limits. One specific safety concern involved a very shaky floating pier with a John’s Tours logo, where a participant nearly fell overboard and did not receive a helping hand from staff. The operator apologized and said safety was a priority, but you should still take care at floating piers and ask for assistance when boarding.

How the English-speaking guide affects the day

The trip includes an English-speaking driver guide, and the schedule also places a tour guide with the group when you board the boat. Clear instructions matter here because the day has several transfers, water activities, and optional paid add-ons.

A direct comment on the tour describes the guide as friendly and good at English. That is useful when you need help with snorkeling gear, want to understand the fishing method, or need to confirm which island you are visiting.

Do not expect a private guide devoted only to you. With up to 30 people, instructions may be given to the full group. Stay close when the guide explains the next activity, especially when moving from the boat to a pier or island.

Weather, route changes, and the best time to book

This experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the destination may change. If the operator cancels because of weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

That policy makes sense for a boat day with several open-water stops. It also means you should keep some flexibility in your Phu Quoc plans, particularly if this is one of your final days on the island.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that period are not accepted. The cut-off follows local time.

Who will enjoy this Phu Quoc boat day

I would choose this tour if you want an affordable first look at the An Thoi archipelago and prefer a full schedule. It suits couples, families, and small groups who like to combine fishing, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and photos without arranging each part separately.

It is also a good fit if you want an easy way to reach the southern islands with transport included. The mobile ticket and hotel pickup reduce the number of details you need to manage.

I would hesitate if you dislike group outings, want a fixed island route, or plan to spend most of the day on one quiet beach. The optional water sports can also raise your final cost, and the floating-pier issue means you should be careful with footing and ask the crew for help.

Should you book the Discovery 3 Islands tour?

Book it if you want variety at a low base price. Fishing, two snorkeling periods, island time, lunch, equipment, and transport give you a lot for $29.34.

Skip it if you want a private boat, a set menu, specialist snorkeling attention, or guaranteed access to one particular island. For most people who want a practical introduction to Phu Quoc’s southern islands, this is a sensible choice, provided you accept the shared group format, possible route changes, and extra charges for Coral Park and motorized water sports.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed starting point is 379 Đường Trần Hưng Đạo, Dương Tơ, Phú Quốc, Kiên Giang 92509, Vietnam.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup starts at 8:00 am.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours, with the return to An Thoi port scheduled between 4:30 and 5:00 pm before transfer back to your hotel.

Is hotel pickup offered?

Yes. Pickup transportation is offered, and the tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 30 people.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served onboard between about 12:30 and 1:00 pm.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The schedule includes Coconut Island, Gam Ghi, and either Mong Tay Island or May Rut Island. The exact destination can change if the weather is bad.

Are scuba, sea walking, and other water sports included?

No. Sea walking, scuba activities, flyboarding, jet skiing, and parasailing are self-funded extras.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.