Phu Quoc: Speedboat Tour of 4 Islands with Snorkeling & BBQ

Small boats make island hopping better. This six-hour trip visits Kim Quy, May Rut Ngoai, Buom, and Fingernail Islands from southern Phu Quoc, with two snorkeling sessions, beach time, and a seafood BBQ on the mainland. I like the small-group speedboat approach and the decision to serve lunch at a proper restaurant rather than an island buffet.

The best parts are the clear water around Kim Quy and Buom Islands, plus the careful guiding from people such as Windy, Ben, Hugo, and T. Guides are frequently praised for being funny, attentive, and good with families. The main drawback is that not every stop feels equally worthwhile. Some beaches can be crowded, and one stop may feel more like a paid beach facility than a peaceful island escape.

At $56 per person, this is good value if you want snorkeling, transport, equipment, drinks, fruit, entrance fees, and lunch wrapped into one morning-to-afternoon outing. It is less appealing if you want a completely quiet boat trip or dislike a fast ride over open water.

Four details that shape the day

• A small speedboat group: Groups can be as small as 13 people, a major advantage over boats carrying 35 to 40.
• Two main snorkeling stops: Kim Quy usually opens the day, followed by Buom Island, where coral and fish are the main attraction.
• Lunch on the mainland: The seafood BBQ takes place at a restaurant in Duong Dong rather than on an islet, a sensible choice for food hygiene and comfort.
• Flexible island order: Weather can change the plan, with May Rut Ngoai or Gham Ghi used as the second stop when conditions require it.
• Helpful guides: Windy receives especially strong praise for humor, organization, photos, and family care. Ben, Hugo, and T are also singled out for friendly service.
• A full kit included: Hotel pickup, speedboat transport, snorkeling gear, fruit, bottled water, one beer or soft drink, entrance fees, and lunch are included.

Why the small speedboat matters

This tour begins with pickup around 8:30 a.m. from hotels in central Phu Quoc, the Long Beach area, and the southern part of the island. You ride in an air-conditioned vehicle to the harbor, then change to the speedboat for the island portion.

The group size is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. A boat carrying around 13 people gives your guide more room to help with masks, explain the snorkeling areas, and keep an eye on the group. It also means less time spent gathering people at every stop.

The boat ride is fast, and most people find it reasonably comfortable. If you are prone to seasickness, take that seriously. The trip takes place on open water, and wind can change the feel of the ride quickly. The operator has postponed trips when jellyfish or rough seas made the conditions unsuitable, which is frustrating if your schedule is tight but sensible from a safety point of view.

A guide meets you throughout the day rather than simply pointing out the islands and disappearing. Windy is often praised for being funny, organized, and attentive. Families also appreciate guides who help children and take photos and short videos during the day.

English and Vietnamese guiding are available. The English level can vary slightly by guide, but the strongest feedback describes clear communication and good care.

Kim Quy Island starts the snorkeling

Kim Quy, also called Golden Turtle Island, is usually the first stop after the boat leaves the harbor. You get up to an hour here, making it the longest single snorkeling session of the day.

This is where the trip makes its first strong impression. The water is described as clear, with coral and plenty of fish. Guides may offer small pieces of bread for feeding fish, which can bring them close enough for memorable photos. That is fun, especially if this is your first time snorkeling, though I would follow the guide’s instructions and avoid treating fish feeding as the main point of the visit.

You receive snorkeling equipment as part of the price. Bring your own mask only if you are particular about fit, since a well-sealed mask makes the difference between enjoying the reef and constantly stopping to empty water.

The first stop is also a good test of your comfort in the sea. If you are new to snorkeling, tell the guide early. Several guides are praised for staying attentive and helping people feel secure, but you should still be honest about your swimming ability.

May Rut Ngoai or Gham Ghi for beach time

The next stop depends on weather and sea conditions. The planned choice is May Rut Ngoai Island, although Gham Ghi Island may be used instead.

This section of the day is less about coral and more about swimming, walking, and sitting on the beach. You can slow down after the first boat ride and snorkeling session. The setting is attractive, but expectations matter. Some island beaches can be crowded, particularly when several boat groups arrive at once.

One guide handled this well by moving the group to a quieter beach when another group became too noisy. That kind of flexibility is useful. You are not locked into standing beside a loud crowd if a nearby alternative is available, though the final decision will depend on weather, access, and the day’s boat traffic.

Some people enjoy this stop as a chance to sunbathe. Others find it less special than the snorkeling locations. If you prefer active water time, you might want to keep your beach visit short and save your energy for Buom Island.

Buom Island brings the best underwater time

Buom Island is generally the second snorkeling stop, and for many people it is the strongest part of the tour. The coral and fish are the main draw, with some descriptions highlighting an especially good snorkeling area near a secluded beach.

You get time to explore the reef rather than making a quick photo stop. The guides may again help you spot fish, and you can join in feeding them if you wish. The water conditions decide how good the visibility will be, so no operator can promise perfect underwater views every day. Still, the repeated praise for the coral, fish, and clear water makes this the stop I would most look forward to.

This is also where the small boat helps. A smaller group can spread out a little more in the water, and the guide has a better chance of noticing if someone needs assistance. You should still stay within the area the guide indicates. Coral can be delicate, and standing on it damages the very thing you came to see.

The tour is not designed as a serious marine biology outing. You will not get an extended reef lecture or specialist equipment. It is a straightforward, enjoyable snorkeling trip with enough time to see fish and coral without turning the day into a rushed checklist.

Fingernail Island adds a lighter final stop

Fingernail Island is used for fruit, a sandwich, and a beer or soft drink before the group returns toward the mainland. This is a more relaxed stop, with time for swimming, sunbathing, and taking photos.

The supplied drinks include bottled water plus one beer, soft drink, or soda per person. Fresh fruit is also provided. These are small inclusions, but they matter after a morning in the sun. Bring your own refillable water bottle if you prefer to drink more than the included amount.

This stop receives mixed practical reactions. Some people like the beach and the chance to rest. Others find it too touristy, with charges for items such as bathroom use or beach chairs. One person felt the swimming was not especially good and would have preferred a shorter stop.

I would treat Fingernail Island as a snack and rest break rather than the scenic high point. The tour’s real value lies in Kim Quy and Buom. If Fingernail is busy, use the time to eat fruit, cool down, and enjoy the water without expecting solitude.

The seafood BBQ is a real strength

After the island stops, the boat returns to the mainland for lunch at a restaurant. The meal is scheduled for around 2 p.m., followed by hotel drop-off near 3 p.m.

The restaurant choice is worth noting. The operator avoids preparing the main seafood meal on the islets and instead uses a mainland restaurant for better food hygiene. That means you lose the romance of eating beside a small beach, but you gain a more controlled dining setting and a larger meal.

The BBQ includes fresh seafood, along with other Vietnamese dishes. People describe the portions as generous and the food as one of the best parts of the day. Families in particular have praised the meal, and several menus are described as offering plenty of Vietnamese choices.

The schedule means lunch comes fairly late. You have fruit, a sandwich, and drinks earlier, so you should not be uncomfortable, but a small snack in your hotel bag is sensible if you eat early. The meal works as a satisfying finish rather than a quick sandwich grabbed between islands.

For $56, lunch adds genuine value. A separate boat trip, equipment rental, drinks, fruit, hotel transfer, and seafood meal could easily cost more when arranged independently. You are paying for convenience as much as for the boat.

What the $56 price really covers

The price includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in the central, Long Beach, and southern areas
• Speedboat transportation
• An English or Vietnamese-speaking guide
• Snorkeling equipment
• Seafood BBQ lunch
• Fresh fruit
• Bottled water
• One beer, soft drink, or soda
• Island entrance fees

Pickup from Ong Lang, Vinpearl, and Ham Ninh may cost extra. Check this before booking, since an apparently low price can change once a remote hotel surcharge is added.

The six-hour length is also well judged for most people. You get two snorkeling sessions, beach stops, lunch, and transport without giving up the entire day. The 8:30 a.m. start leaves time afterward for your hotel pool, another meal, or a quiet evening.

The trip is not private. Small group does not mean only your own family or couple. It means a shared boat with fewer people than the large excursion boats that can carry 35 to 40.

Practical things to pack

Wear swimwear under comfortable clothes and bring a change of clothing for the ride home. You will also want a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

Comfortable shoes help when walking on beaches or getting on and off the boat. Keep valuables to a minimum, and use a waterproof pouch if you bring a phone. Guides may take photos and videos, but you should not assume every image will be available after the trip.

Pets are not allowed, and the activity is not suitable for pregnant women. Good weather is required. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. If the minimum number of people is not reached, the operator offers a different date or experience, or a refund.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is useful if your Phu Quoc plans depend on weather.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this tour to first-time snorkelers, couples, families, and anyone who wants a well-organized island day without a large party boat. The guides’ friendly style is a real asset for families with older children, and the small group makes the day easier to manage.

It also suits you if you care more about time in the water than about visiting shops or staged photo stops. The operator specifically avoids shopping stops and crowded industrial-style attractions.

I would hesitate if your priority is total peace and quiet. Some beaches may be busy, and the island stops are part of the same popular southern Phu Quoc circuit used by other boats. I would also hesitate if you dislike speedboats, need a very late start, or want a private charter.

Phu Quoc’s rubbish problem is another uncomfortable reality. One otherwise positive experience was spoiled by litter around the island. The boat company cannot solve the island’s wider waste issue, so set your expectations accordingly and carry your own rubbish back with you.

Should you book the four-island speedboat tour?

Yes, if you want good snorkeling, a small group, and a proper seafood lunch at a fair all-in price. Kim Quy and Buom offer the strongest water time, while May Rut Ngoai, Gham Ghi, and Fingernail Island add beach breaks and a slower rhythm.

Book it early in your stay if possible, especially during a short visit. That gives you room to move the trip if wind, jellyfish, or rough seas cause a cancellation. If you have only one free day and cannot tolerate a schedule change, keep a backup plan.

For most people, this is a worthwhile Phu Quoc day out. It is not a deserted-island fantasy, and a couple of stops can feel commercial. But the small boat, attentive guides, solid snorkeling, and excellent mainland lunch make it a better choice than a crowded sightseeing cruise.

FAQ

How long does the Phu Quoc four-island tour last?

The experience lasts about six hours. The usual schedule runs from hotel pickup around 8:30 a.m. to hotel return around 3 p.m.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The main route includes Kim Quy, May Rut Ngoai, Buom, and Fingernail Islands. Depending on the weather, Gham Ghi Island may replace May Rut Ngoai.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in central Phu Quoc, the Long Beach area, and the southern area.

Are remote hotel pickups included?

Pickup from Ong Lang, Vinpearl, and Ham Ninh may require an additional charge.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and entrance fees are included in the price.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes a seafood BBQ lunch, fresh fruit, bottled water, and one beer, soft drink, or soda per person. A sandwich is also provided during the island stops.

Where is lunch served?

Lunch is served at a restaurant on the mainland, rather than at a restaurant on one of the smaller islands.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guides are available in English and Vietnamese.

Can pregnant women join the tour?

No. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip may be canceled for poor weather. You can then receive a full refund or choose a different date. If the minimum number of people is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.