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

Southern Phu Quoc is at its best from the water, and this private trip keeps the focus where it belongs: long stretches of snorkeling rather than waiting for a large group to take photos. You leave from An Thoi, reach the islands in about 20 to 30 minutes, and can spend roughly three hours in the water or on a beach.

I like the flexible departure times and the fact that your boat can move on when a spot gets crowded. I also like the generous snorkeling time, bottled water, fruit, fins, and life jackets included in the price. The main thing to consider is that this is a driver-led outing by default, not a fully guided marine tour. The driver may not speak English, so an English-speaking guide costs extra.

Key points

• About three hours in the water: Most of the outing is reserved for snorkeling at Gam Ghi and Kim Quy islands.
• Private speedboat: You avoid the long waits and fixed pace of a large group boat.
• Gam Ghi for general snorkeling: The first stop is chosen according to weather, swimming ability, water clarity, and coral conditions.
• Kim Quy for stronger swimmers: This site is deeper and is recommended with a life jacket or diving certification.
• May Rut Ngoai is optional: Add beach time, drinks, showers, sun beds, parasailing, or jet skis if you want a break from snorkeling.
• Simple, flexible logistics: Meet at An Thoi Port or a nearby agreed point, with hotel pickup available for an extra fee.

A private boat that puts snorkeling first

This outing is a good fit if you care more about time in the water than about checking off several islands. Many boat trips spend large parts of the day collecting passengers, waiting for other boats, or stopping for group photos. Here, the plan is narrower and more useful: get out to the islands quickly, snorkel for a long time, and return when your private group is ready.

The advertised duration is four hours, though the actual time on the water can feel closer to three hours after the ride out and return. That is a useful half-day shape. You can snorkel in the morning and still have the afternoon free, or choose the 1 or 2 PM departure after a slow morning.

The private format matters most for couples, families, or small groups with different energy levels. You can spend longer at a coral patch, leave a site if it becomes crowded, or choose beach time instead of forcing everyone through the same schedule. Several arrangements are possible, but the boat crew has the final say on the safest and clearest location because weather and sea conditions change.

Starting at An Thoi Port

Your usual meeting point is An Thoi Port Stadium, though the operator may shift the meeting point to Roma Phu Quoc Hotel or another nearby location if weather or local conditions require it. Send a WhatsApp number with the country code when booking, and send a selfie so the driver can recognize you at the port.

That last step sounds minor, but An Thoi is a busy departure area with many boats and drivers. A clear photo and working phone number make the meeting less fiddly. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, but the operator can arrange them for a fee said to be similar to a Grab fare.

The speedboat ride takes about 20 to 30 minutes. It is short enough that you do not lose the day to transport, but the ride can still be sunny and breezy. Bring a hat, sunscreen, flip-flops, and a change of clothes. A towel is also worth packing, since you will likely be wet for much of the return journey.

Gam Ghi Island: the main snorkeling stop

Gam Ghi is usually the first serious water stop and is scheduled for about 90 minutes. The exact place depends on the weather, your swimming ability, water clarity, and where the coral looks best that day.

This is the more accessible part of the outing. You can expect turquoise water, coral formations, and plenty of small fish. The boat crew can point you toward a sheltered section with shade and clearer water, rather than simply dropping you at one fixed location.

The biggest advantage here is time. Ninety minutes gives you room to swim out, settle your breathing, look closely at the reef, and take a rest without feeling hurried. You can also split the stop into two swims if you prefer. That works well for anyone who enjoys snorkeling but does not want to stay in the water continuously.

Do not expect a formal marine biology talk. The standard trip operates with a driver only, and that driver may not speak English. The driver’s job is to get you safely to the chosen site and follow the schedule. If you want detailed explanations of coral, fish, or local ecology, ask for an English-speaking guide when booking and expect a surcharge.

Kim Quy Island for confident swimmers

The second scheduled stop is Kim Quy Island, also planned for about 90 minutes. This site is deeper and better suited to confident swimmers. A life jacket is recommended, and anyone planning to go below the surface should have suitable experience or a diving license.

The reward is a different kind of snorkeling. Kim Quy can offer clearer views of coral and fish in deeper water, with less of the shallow, beach-like feel of Gam Ghi. It is the more exciting stop for strong swimmers, but it is not the place to prove anything. Stay within your comfort level and use the provided life jacket if you need it.

Because this is a private trip, you can talk with the driver about how long to stay and whether the group is ready to move. That does not mean every request can be met. The crew may change the stop if currents, rain, or visibility make conditions poor. In southern Phu Quoc, that flexibility is practical rather than decorative.

If one person in your group is not a confident swimmer, discuss that before setting out. The first snorkeling site can be adapted more easily, while Kim Quy may not suit everyone. The operator specifically frames it as an advanced option, so families and mixed-ability groups should treat it as a choice, not an obligation.

May Rut Ngoai when you want a break

May Rut Ngoai is an optional third stop. It is the place to add a beach break, cocktails, a sun bed, a shower, or a change of clothes. Parasailing and jet skis may also be available for an additional fee.

This option changes the character of the trip. If you want a pure snorkeling session, stay with the two reef stops and return to An Thoi. If you have had enough salt water, May Rut Ngoai gives you a chance to dry off and relax.

Food, drinks, toilet access, and shower tickets at this stop are not included. Neither are sea-walker activities, parasailing, jet skis, the waterpark, or the cable car option that may be available on the way back. Ask about prices before agreeing to extras, since the advertised fare covers the boat and snorkeling equipment, not a full beach-club package.

What the private format really buys you

The strongest part of this outing is not luxury. It is control over the clock. You are not waiting for a bus-sized group to finish lunch, gather equipment, or pose for another round of photos.

That freedom is especially useful when the sea is busy. If another boat arrives at your snorkeling site, you can ask to move rather than accept a crowded patch of water. You can also stay longer at a good reef if conditions are pleasant.

The boat itself has been described as being in good condition, with enough room for a small private group and some cover from the sun. Bottled water and seasonal fruit are included. Snorkels, fins, and life jackets are provided, though you should still check that the mask seals comfortably before leaving the port.

The standard arrangement is not a polished guided tour. Katie has helped with confirmations, communication, hotel pickup, and changes to plans, while drivers such as Mr Ty and Mr Ok have handled boat and transport duties. This can work very well if you are comfortable with simple instructions and a relaxed setup. If you need constant English commentary, book the optional guide.

Price and value at $64 per person

At $64 per person, this costs more than a basic shared boat trip, but the comparison is not quite fair. You are paying for a private speedboat, reduced waiting, flexible timing, equipment, fruit, and up to three hours dedicated mainly to snorkeling.

The value improves with two or more people sharing the boat. A couple gets a private outing without sacrificing most of the day, and a small family or group can shape the stops around its own pace. Solo visitors should compare the price with a shared tour, since the private format is less economical for one person.

You should also add the costs that matter to your plans: hotel transport, an English-speaking guide, and any beach activities or food at May Rut Ngoai. The base price is clear, but it does not cover every possible service.

I see this as a good value if your priority is time in the water. It is less compelling if you mainly want a broad sightseeing day with lunch, commentary, and several organized activities included.

Weather, safety, and swimming ability

This activity needs good weather. If conditions are poor, the operator may suggest changing the date or canceling with a full refund. That policy is sensible for a sea trip, but do not book it as your only fixed plan if your schedule has no room for a weather change.

The itinerary is also shaped by swimming ability. Gam Ghi can serve as the easier starting point, while Kim Quy is deeper and intended for stronger swimmers. The crew chooses the clearest and safest available section based on local conditions, so the named island is not a guarantee of one exact reef.

Bring the essentials:

• Hat and sunscreen
• Towel and change of clothes
• Flip-flops
• A phone in a waterproof case if you want photos
• Your WhatsApp number and booking contact details

The equipment supplied includes a mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket. Still, comfort varies from person to person. If you own a well-fitting mask, bringing it is reasonable, though not required.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would choose this trip for a couple wanting a private morning or afternoon, a small group that dislikes rigid schedules, or confident snorkelers who want a lot of water time. It also suits people who want to combine reef time with an optional beach stop without committing to a full-day excursion.

Families can enjoy it too, especially if everyone understands that Kim Quy is deeper. A family with young children or weak swimmers should ask about the safest available shallow area and should not feel pressured to use the advanced stop.

This is not the best choice for someone who wants a highly narrated experience. The driver may speak little or no English, and the basic package is about transport and access rather than lessons about marine life. Add the English-speaking guide if that knowledge is important to you.

It is also not ideal if you want every meal, shower, attraction, and transfer bundled into one price. The simple format is part of its appeal, but it means you need to budget for optional extras yourself.

Booking details worth knowing

You can choose a morning departure around 8 or 9 AM, or an afternoon departure around 1 or 2 PM, subject to availability. The activity ends back at the meeting point in An Thoi.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The listed languages are English and Vietnamese, but remember the important distinction: the standard boat may have a driver only, while an English-speaking guide requires an additional payment.

The overall rating is 4.4 from 38 ratings, with particular praise for the quick boat transfer, uncrowded snorkeling locations, helpful communication, and freedom to stay longer or change the order of stops. The recurring practical lesson is simple: confirm your meeting point, send a selfie, and make clear before departure whether you want extra beach time or a guide.

Should you book this private Phu Quoc snorkeling trip?

Book it if you want a focused half-day on the water, dislike group-tour delays, and are happy with a practical driver-led setup. The long snorkeling sessions at Gam Ghi and Kim Quy, plus the option of May Rut Ngoai, give you more control than a standard group outing.

Think twice if you need a full English-speaking guide included, have limited swimming ability, or want meals and beach activities covered in the base rate. For strong swimmers and small groups, $64 per person can be a fair price for the private boat and extra time. For a solo visitor, a shared trip may offer better savings.

FAQ

How long does the private snorkeling trip last?

The activity is listed as four hours, including the speedboat ride. The schedule allows about 1.5 hours at Gam Ghi and about 1.5 hours at Kim Quy, with an optional third stop at May Rut Ngoai.

What departure times are available?

Morning departures are usually around 8 or 9 AM. Afternoon departures are usually around 1 or 2 PM, subject to availability.

Where do I meet the boat?

The usual meeting point is An Thoi Port Stadium in the An Thoi area. Depending on weather and local conditions, the meeting point may change to Roma Phu Quoc Hotel or a similar nearby location.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the base price, but the operator can arrange the service for an additional fee similar to a Grab fare.

Is an English-speaking guide included?

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

What is included in the price?

The price includes a private speedboat, life jacket, snorkel, fins, seasonal fruit, and bottled water. Food, drinks, shower and toilet tickets, hotel transfers, beach activities, and the optional cable car or waterpark are not included.