REVIEW · PHU QUOC
Phu Quoc Speedboat Trip: 3 Islands By Speedboat
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by JOHNS TOURS PHU QUOC · Bookable on GetYourGuide
This 3-islands-by-speedboat day keeps moving in the best way: you get snorkeling over coral reefs, plus real beach time and a proper island lunch. I especially like that the trip gives you snorkeling gear, life jackets, and time on multiple islands instead of banking everything on one stop. One consideration: if weather isn’t cooperating, islands can swap, so expect a plan that adapts.
The route is simple to follow. You’re picked up in central Duong Dong (often from John’s Tours office or your hotel near Tran Hung Dao Street/Eden Resort), then you head to An Thoi harbor to board the speedboat and start island-hopping. I also appreciate the small “extra memories” touch: drone video (about 45 seconds) and 3 photos are included on May Rut Trong.
Is it perfectly “chill” the whole time? Not exactly. You’ll be on a speedboat between stops, and the snorkeling depends on conditions on the day. Still, at $36 per person, the lunch, gear, and organized timing make the value feel fair.
In This Review
- Key Points You’ll Want to Know First
- The Duong Dong Pickup That Sets the Pace (and Reduces Headaches)
- The Full Itinerary: Xuong, Gam Ghi, May Rut Trong (Plus Optional Seawalker)
- Xuong Island Coral Reef Snorkeling: Where You’ll Spend Your First Hopes
- Gam Ghi Island: Second Snorkel, Real Beach Time
- May Rut Trong Island: Lunch, White Sand Lagoon, and the Drone Photo Moment
- Snorkeling Gear, Life Jackets, and the Small Stuff That Impacts Comfort
- Why the Coral Reef Experience Feels Special Here
- Weather Changes: What to Expect When Conditions Don’t Cooperate
- Price and Value: What $36 Really Buys You
- Who Should Book This Speedboat 3-Islands Day
- Should You Book the Phu Quoc 3 Islands Speedboat Tour?
- FAQ
- What islands are included on the Phu Quoc 3 islands speedboat trip?
- Where do pickup and drop-off happen?
- What time does the tour start and when do we return?
- What snorkeling equipment is included?
- Is lunch included?
- Do I need to bring a towel and sunscreen?
- Is there anything extra I might need to pay for?
- What if the weather is bad?
Key Points You’ll Want to Know First

- Three islands, one smooth day: Xuong Island, Gam Ghi, and May Rut Trong are packed into a single outing.
- Snorkeling equipment is included: mask, snorkel, and fins (fins aren’t available in child sizes).
- Lunch happens on the island: you eat while enjoying the scenery, not back on the mainland.
- Coral reef focus: you’ll snorkel at coral reef areas with lots of sea life to look for.
- A photo/video bonus on May Rut Trong: a short drone video plus 3 photos are included.
- Optional seawalker near Hon Thom: available at your own expense if you want to try something different.
The Duong Dong Pickup That Sets the Pace (and Reduces Headaches)

This tour starts early-ish: pickup runs at 08:15 to 08:30. If you’re staying in the center of Duong Dong, you’re typically picked up from John’s Tours office or your hotel lobby along Tran Hung Dao Street in the Eden Resort area. The goal is to make it easy for you to show up, get on the boat, and start exploring without figuring out harbor logistics.
If your hotel is outside the usual pickup area, there can be an extra fee. That’s normal for most Phu Quoc tours, but it’s worth checking when you confirm. The smarter move is to ask for the exact pickup point and time window based on where you’re staying.
From pickup, the schedule is geared toward getting you to An Thoi harbor so the speedboat can head out. You’ll then be back at your hotel by around 16:00, which is a big deal when you want your evening free for Phu Quoc night market wandering or a sunset meal.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Phu Quoc.
The Full Itinerary: Xuong, Gam Ghi, May Rut Trong (Plus Optional Seawalker)

Here’s what the day looks like in plain terms, with what each stop is really for.
- An Thoi harbor → speedboat: you board and head to the south-side island circuit.
- Xuong Island: snorkeling at a coral reef area, plus time to relax in the water/sun.
- Gam Ghi Island: snorkeling again at a coral reef area and beach time.
- May Rut Trong Island: lunch on the island, island exploring, and a white sand lagoon style chillout moment.
- Seawalker near Hon Thom (optional): you can add this at your own expense.
- Return: back to your hotel around 16:00.
The value here is that you’re not stuck choosing between beaches and snorkeling. You can do both, and you get multiple “tries” at reef time instead of one single short session.
Xuong Island Coral Reef Snorkeling: Where You’ll Spend Your First Hopes

Xuong Island is your first snorkeling stop, and it’s designed to get you into the water early while the day is fresh. The focus is on the coral reef area, so you’re not just swimming for the sake of it—you’re looking around for fish and reef life. The water tends to look inviting once you’re off the boat, and snorkeling gear is provided (mask, snorkel, fins).
A practical tip: if you’re not a confident swimmer, go slow at first. Life jackets are provided, and they help you stay relaxed while you find your rhythm. Also, since fins aren’t available in child sizes, families with younger kids may want to double-check fit needs before the trip.
The best way to get the most out of Xuong is to treat snorkeling like birdwatching: move calmly, look left and right, and don’t chase. Reef viewing is often about small adjustments, not speed.
Gam Ghi Island: Second Snorkel, Real Beach Time

After Xuong, the itinerary moves you to Gam Ghi Island for snorkeling at a coral reef area plus beach time. This is where you get a bit more balance. One stop is more focused on reef viewing; the next keeps the reef experience but adds a stretch of shoreline time where you can actually come up, reset, and enjoy the sun.
What makes this stop worth it is the repetition. Even if the conditions aren’t identical across islands, you’re getting a second opportunity to spot sea life. If you had a “blink and you missed it” moment earlier, Gam Ghi is your chance to slow down and see more.
Also, the beach time matters because it prevents snorkeling fatigue. Speedboat days can wear you out if every hour is water-based. Here, you get a natural pause built into the schedule.
May Rut Trong Island: Lunch, White Sand Lagoon, and the Drone Photo Moment

May Rut Trong is the day’s big relaxation-and-reward stop. You’ll have lunch on the island, plus time for exploring and chilling by the white sand lagoon. This is the part of the trip where the day turns from activity to atmosphere.
Lunch is included, and multiple people note that it’s not a sad “tour sandwich” setup. It’s described as a seafood-forward meal with options that can work for different diets (including vegan and vegetarian options). Even if you’re not a picky eater, you’ll probably appreciate that you can find something that fits your preferences without extra hassle.
The other nice bonus: drone video (about 45 seconds) and 3 photos are included for May Rut Trong. That’s helpful if you want scenic shots without asking strangers to take pictures while your hair is salty and your snorkel is still in your hand.
If you like photo moments, go a little earlier than you think for the lagoon area. You’ll get better light and fewer rushed transitions.
Snorkeling Gear, Life Jackets, and the Small Stuff That Impacts Comfort

This tour includes snorkeling equipment: mask, snorkel, and fins, plus life jackets. You also get one bottle of water, so you’re not relying on finding something to drink right away.
Two practical comfort notes:
- Bring swimwear. You’ll want to be ready to change quickly.
- Towel and sunscreen are not included, so plan ahead. (Phu Quoc sun can be honest about its power.)
Also, fins aren’t available in child sizes. If you’re traveling with a child, check ahead so you’re not stuck using gear that doesn’t fit properly.
Guides are English-speaking, and names like Emma, Leyla, Mia, and Sally come up in the guide descriptions. That matters because good explanations can turn snorkeling from random looking into something more fun: knowing what to watch for (coral shapes, fish behavior, and reef zones) makes your time in the water feel more meaningful.
Why the Coral Reef Experience Feels Special Here

You’re not just doing a generic beach stop. The snorkeling focus is on coral reef areas, and that’s a big reason this itinerary gets strong feedback. Coral reefs are fragile, and a well-run tour helps you enjoy them without turning it into a chaos contest.
Another reason it works: you get multiple reef chances. If you’re lucky and conditions are good, you’ll see more. If conditions aren’t perfect, you still have beach time and a strong lunch stop—so the day doesn’t fall apart.
Finally, there’s an optional add-on if you want one more adrenaline tick: a seawalker near Hon Thom island. It’s not included, so you pay on your own, but it’s a nice option if you’re curious about what’s below without only relying on surface snorkeling.
Weather Changes: What to Expect When Conditions Don’t Cooperate

One line in the tour info can save you stress: if weather conditions are tricky, some islands will be changed to another island. That’s not a failure—it’s how you keep the outing safe and functional.
If you’re the type who likes certainty, be flexible. The itinerary is built around the general idea of reef snorkeling plus beach/lunch islands, and swaps keep that goal alive. If you really care about a specific island, it’s worth asking how common swaps are during your travel window.
Price and Value: What $36 Really Buys You

At $36 per person, the price feels reasonable when you look at what’s included. You’re getting:
- Round-trip car and speedboat
- English-speaking tour guide
- Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins) and life jackets
- Lunch on the island
- Water
- Plus a small media bonus on May Rut Trong (drone video and 3 photos)
If you try to piece this together independently—boat transport, reef access timing, gear rental—it can quietly add up. Here, you’re paying for organization as much as you’re paying for transit and equipment.
There is one extra cost scenario to note: New Year/Lunar New Year has a 10% extra charge, paid directly on-site. If your dates fall near a holiday peak, that matters for budgeting.
Who Should Book This Speedboat 3-Islands Day
This is a great fit if you:
- Want a one-day plan that mixes snorkeling and beach time
- Prefer a guided day where logistics are handled
- Like the idea of multiple reef opportunities (Xuong plus Gam Ghi)
- Care about scenery and a lunch break that feels part of the day, not an interruption
It’s also a good choice if you’re traveling in a group that can handle a full day outdoors. The schedule is active, and you’ll be happiest if you’re okay with speedboat travel between stops.
If your top priority is a long, slow beach vacation with zero schedule pressure, you might prefer a different style of tour. This one is built for action + water time.
Should You Book the Phu Quoc 3 Islands Speedboat Tour?
I’d book it if you want a well-rounded day that gives you coral reef snorkeling, multiple islands, and an island lunch—without the guesswork. The included gear and water take friction off your morning, and the May Rut Trong stop adds a memorable lounge-style moment with a white sand lagoon and a drone photo/video bonus.
Skip it only if you know you don’t enjoy speedboat rides, you dislike snorkeling variability, or you’re traveling around a period where the 10% holiday surcharge would stretch your budget.
If you’re aiming for a “best of Phu Quoc” day on water, this itinerary does a lot right for the money.
FAQ
What islands are included on the Phu Quoc 3 islands speedboat trip?
You’ll visit Xuong Island, Gam Ghi Island, and May Rut Trong Island. There’s also an optional seawalker near Hon Thom island at your own expense.
Where do pickup and drop-off happen?
Pickup is in central Duong Dong, either from John’s Tours office or from your hotel lobby along Tran Hung Dao Street up to the Eden Resort area. Drop-off is back at your hotel in the same general area, around 16:00.
What time does the tour start and when do we return?
Pickup runs from 08:15 to 08:30, and you return to your hotel at about 16:00.
What snorkeling equipment is included?
You get snorkeling equipment including a mask, snorkel, and fins. Fins are not available in child sizes.
Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch is included on May Rut Trong Island.
Do I need to bring a towel and sunscreen?
Yes. The tour info says clients should bring their own towel and sunscreen.
Is there anything extra I might need to pay for?
The seawalker near Hon Thom island is an extra cost at your own expense. Also, there’s a 10% extra charge during New Year/Lunar New Year, paid directly on-site.
What if the weather is bad?
If weather conditions are an issue, some islands can be changed to another island.























