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

The best part of this Phu Quoc boat trip is its mix of hands-on fishing and easy snorkeling. You are not simply ferried from one beach to the next. You get time to try recreational fishing, swim near the An Thoi islands, and eat lunch onboard, with the crew able to prepare freshly caught fish. I also like the included hotel pickup and snorkeling equipment, two small details that keep the morning simple.

The main caution is the condition of the floating piers. One pier was reported as very shaky, and staff did not offer a helping hand. The weather can also change the route, so book this for a flexible day on the water rather than for one fixed island promise.

Key points at a glance

• Fishing comes twice: You get two short recreational fishing sessions, one in the morning and another in the afternoon.
• Gam Ghi is the main snorkeling stop: Plan for clear-water swimming and time with the provided snorkeling gear.
• Lunch is served onboard: The crew can prepare fish caught during the outing, adding a local touch to a simple boat meal.
• Mong Tay or May Rut offers downtime: You can swim, relax, take SUP photos, or pay separately for activities such as jet skiing and parasailing.
• The group can reach 30 people: This is a shared boat trip, not a quiet private charter.
• The price is low for a full day: At $29.34 per person, transport, lunch, water, and snorkeling equipment make this a useful budget option.

Why this Phu Quoc boat trip works

Phu Quoc’s southern islands are best seen from the water. The An Thoi archipelago gives you small islands, warm swimming spots, coral areas, and short stretches of sand, all in one day. This tour packages those pieces into an eight-hour outing without the cost of a private boat.

I like the balance here. You have enough structure to avoid wasting time, yet the day is not limited to a single photo stop. Fishing adds a practical activity early and late in the day. Snorkeling gives you a chance to see the water below the boat. The island stop gives you time to sit back, swim, or spend more money on optional water sports.

The current rating is 4.8 from 82 ratings, with 98 percent recommendation. That is a strong result, but it should not hide the shared-group nature of the trip. Up to 30 people may join, and the pace follows a set schedule. If you want a quiet boat, long snorkeling sessions, or full control over every stop, a private charter would suit you better.

Starting at 8:00 am from Dương Tơ

The day begins at 8:00 am with pickup from your hotel. The listed meeting point is 379 Đường Trần Hưng Đạo in Dương Tơ, Phu Quoc. An air-conditioned vehicle handles the transfer, and the package includes bottled water.

The early start matters. You need time to reach the port, board the boat, and travel toward the southern islands before the first activities begin. By about 9:30 am, you should arrive at the port, where the English-speaking driver guide takes the group to the boat.

The pickup service is useful if you are staying along the main hotel areas. Still, confirm the exact pickup arrangement when booking, since the supplied details give a meeting point rather than a full list of hotel zones. Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a towel. These are practical choices for a day built around swimming and snorkeling, even though they are not listed as included items.

The first fishing session and Hon Roi

The first fishing period begins around 9:30 am and lasts about 30 minutes. This is recreational fishing with guidance from local fishermen, so the appeal is the activity itself rather than a serious fishing expedition.

Thirty minutes is enough to learn the basic rhythm and try your luck without letting fishing take over the day. If you have never fished from a boat, this short session gives you a low-pressure introduction. If you already fish often, you may find it brief.

At about 10:00 am, the route reaches Hon Roi or Coconut Island. The schedule describes Coconut Islet as home to the Ocean World Sea Sports Entertainment Center. You may also have the option to visit Coral Park, where sea walking and a scuba activity are available for an extra fee.

This is an important cost detail. Your booking includes snorkeling equipment, but sea walking and scuba are self-funded. The same applies to several later water sports. The base price is attractive because it covers the main boat day, not every activity available at each stop.

Gam Ghi and the first real snorkeling

Around 11:00 am, the boat reaches Gam Ghi Islet for snorkeling. This is likely to be one of the more important stops for you if underwater time is your main reason for booking.

The supplied snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from arranging a separate rental. The schedule allows time for sightseeing and snorkeling, but it does not state the exact length of the stop. Conditions in the water can vary with weather, visibility, and sea movement, so keep your expectations practical.

The trip is a good fit for someone who wants an accessible introduction to snorkeling around Phu Quoc. It is less suited to someone seeking a specialized marine excursion with detailed reef instruction or long underwater sessions. No specialist certification is required for the included snorkeling, and the tour notes that most people can participate.

Take care around the boat and any boarding points. One specific safety complaint concerned a shaky floating pier at an island stop. Staff apologized for the lack of help, but you should still move slowly, use handholds when available, and ask for assistance if you need it.

Lunch on the boat from 12:30 to 1:00 pm

Lunch is scheduled between 12:30 and 1:00 pm, served onboard. The crew can prepare a meal with freshly caught fish, giving the fishing activity a useful purpose beyond entertainment.

I like this detail because it connects the day’s activities. You try a local fishing method, then may see part of the catch used for lunch. The meal is also included, which keeps the total cost easier to predict.

Do not expect a long restaurant-style break. The schedule gives roughly 30 minutes for lunch, so the meal is meant to keep the outing moving. If you have dietary needs, confirm them before departure, since the supplied information does not list vegetarian, allergy, or special meal choices.

Eating on the boat also means you should be ready for movement. If you are prone to seasickness, consider taking sensible precautions before boarding. The tour includes bottled water, but it does not list drinks beyond that or any motion-sickness support.

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 exact island can change, so the day is not tied to one guaranteed beach.

This is the relaxed part of the schedule. You can swim, sit by the water, or take photos. The tour also offers SUP photos and Flycam video, depending on the arrangements available that day. These extras are a good fit if you want polished holiday footage, but confirm the cost before agreeing to anything outside the package.

Additional water sports may include flyboarding, jet skiing, and parasailing. All are self-funded. That gives you choice, but it also means the advertised price does not cover the more dramatic activities.

I would treat this stop as free time rather than a formal guided visit. You get room to enjoy the water at your own pace, but you may need to manage your own time so you are back when the group departs. With a shared boat and a schedule that continues into the afternoon, late returns can affect everyone.

The second fishing stop and final snorkeling

At about 2:30 pm, you get another 30-minute recreational fishing session. Having fishing at both ends of the day gives the tour a distinct character. It breaks up the swimming and makes the outing feel more active than a standard island transfer.

The final destination runs from roughly 3:00 to 4:20 pm and is another snorkeling stop. This gives you a second chance to get in the water if the first site is crowded, murky, or less appealing than expected.

The two snorkeling sessions are especially useful for beginners. You can get comfortable with the equipment during the first stop, then enjoy the second session with a better sense of how to swim, float, and look for underwater sights. Still, the itinerary does not promise specific coral or fish sightings, and the route may shift in poor weather.

The boat returns to An Thoi port between 4:30 and 5:00 pm. From there, the vehicle transfers you back to your hotel. This is a full day, so plan a quiet evening afterward rather than stacking another major activity onto the same night.

What $29.34 really gets you

At $29.34 per person, this is priced as a budget-friendly full-day outing. The value comes from the number of basics bundled together:

• Hotel pickup transportation
• An air-conditioned vehicle
• An English-speaking driver guide
• Boat transport around the southern islands
• Bottled water
• Lunch
• Snorkeling equipment
• Two fishing sessions
• Multiple island and snorkeling stops

That is a solid package for someone who wants to see several places without arranging transport, boat tickets, food, and gear separately. The price is also easier to justify if you plan to use the included snorkeling equipment and attend both fishing sessions.

The extra charges are the main point to watch. Sea walking, scuba, flyboarding, jet skiing, parasailing, Flycam video, and possibly other island activities are not included. Personal expenses, fees, and taxes are also excluded. Keep some money available if you want options, but do not feel pressured to buy extras. The included program already fills the day.

Group size, comfort, and safety

The maximum group size is 30 people. That is large enough to make boarding, disembarking, lunch, and snorkeling gear distribution feel busy at certain moments.

The shared format helps keep the price low. It also means you will not control the route or timing. You may wait while other people board, take photos, or return from an optional activity. The tour’s strong rating suggests the format works well for many people, but you should choose it for value and variety, not privacy.

The shaky floating pier deserves more attention than a routine disclaimer. A floating structure can move underfoot, especially when several people board at once. Wear secure footwear, keep your hands free when possible, and ask the guide or crew for help before crossing if you feel unsteady. The operator responded to the complaint with an apology and said safety is a priority, but your own caution remains important.

The tour notes that most people can participate and that it operates near public transportation. It does not provide detailed accessibility information. If you have mobility, balance, or boarding concerns, ask before booking rather than assuming every pier and boat transfer will be easy.

Weather and route changes

This is a weather-dependent outing. If conditions are poor, the destination may change. If the operator cancels because of bad weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

That policy is sensible for a boat day, but it also means the named islands are not absolute guarantees. You should book this when you can accept a change of scenery. The best reason to go is the overall mix of fishing, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and island time, not one specific beach.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. The cutoff follows local time, so keep that in mind if your plans change.

Who should book this day on the water

I would recommend this tour to budget-conscious people who want a broad taste of Phu Quoc’s southern islands. It works particularly well for couples, friends, and families who enjoy swimming, simple fishing, and a busy day with several stops.

It also suits first-time visitors who do not want to organize a boat outing on their own. The pickup, guide, lunch, water, and snorkeling gear remove several small decisions from your day.

I would think twice if you want a private, quiet trip or a serious fishing charter. The fishing sessions are short, the group may reach 30 people, and the schedule leaves limited room for lingering. It is also not the best match if you dislike unstable piers or need detailed accessibility support.

Should you book the Red River Tour?

Book it if you want an affordable full-day introduction to Phu Quoc’s An Thoi islands, with two fishing sessions, two snorkeling opportunities, lunch, and hotel transport included. At $29.34, the package offers strong value as long as you understand that paid water sports and special activities cost extra.

Skip it if your priority is privacy, a guaranteed visit to one named island, or a highly flexible schedule. For everyone else, this is a practical way to spend a day at sea, provided you pack for swimming, allow for weather changes, and take care around the floating piers.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins at 8:00 am. The listed meeting point is 379 Đường Trần Hưng Đạo, Dương Tơ, Phu Quoc, Vietnam.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. The planned return to An Thoi port is between 4:30 and 5:00 pm, followed by hotel transfer.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on the boat between about 12:30 and 1:00 pm. The crew can prepare a meal using freshly caught fish.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Are scuba, sea walking, and water sports included?

No. Sea walking, scuba, flyboarding, jet skiing, parasailing, Flycam video, and similar optional activities are self-funded.

Can the island route change?

Yes. The destination may change if the weather is bad. The route includes stops such as Gam Ghi and Mong Tay or May Rut, but the exact destination can vary.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.