Snorkeling and island hopping at a glance
The national tourism organization places boat and snorkeling trips in the southern An Thoi archipelago, and names Fingernail Island as one boat destination. Trips usually start at the An Thoi harbor in the south of Phu Quoc, then call at several islands with time in the water at some of them.
There is no public ferry line to each small island. You normally go with an operator on a day trip. Which islands you visit depends on the operator and the weather, so no route or reef can be promised. Coral and visibility are not guaranteed either.
How a day trip works
The schedule below is from one local operator's listing for a boat trip to Xuong or Buom, Gam Ghi and May Rut Trong. Other operators differ, so use it as a typical pattern.
Morning pick-up
Pick-up from Duong Dong is listed at 08:15 to 08:30, and the boat leaves the operator's office at 08:30. Check the pick-up for your own hotel when you book.
Boarding at An Thoi harbor
The group boards at the An Thoi harbor and sails to the islands. An Thoi is also where Sunset Town is, which you can read about on our Sunset Town page.
Islands and snorkeling
The route lists three island stops. Time in the water is shared between them, and the operator may change the route because of weather.
Lunch and return
Lunch is included in the listing, and the trip runs until about 17:00.
Our picks: snorkeling
A small speedboat group, a three-island boat day and a combo with the cable car.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Cable car and three islands with lunch
A ten-hour day with transport, cable car and water park tickets, a guide, lunch on board, water, snorkeling gear and life jackets. Around New Year and Lunar New Year a 10 percent surcharge applies.
Check availability →
Southern islands snorkeling by speedboat
A speedboat for up to 10 people with an English-speaking guide, snorkeling gear, life jackets, water, fruit and juice. Hotel pickup covers central Duong Dong, Bai Truong and An Thoi; transfers from other areas and holiday surcharges cost extra.
Check availability →
Three-island boat tour with snorkeling
Transport by car and boat, an English-speaking guide, lunch, water, mask, snorkel, fins and life jackets. Bring your own towel and sun protection.
Check availability →Island hopping and snorkeling tours
Boat trips, snorkeling and island tours around Phu Quoc, with live prices and availability.
Prices and what is included
One operator's published day trip. Prices are in USD as listed by the operator, and are an example and not a market average.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Age 10 and up | USD 32 |
| Age 4–9 | USD 22 |
| Under age 4 | Free |
| Included | Transfer, boat, guide, lunch, snorkel gear and life jackets |
| Not included | Showers, loungers and extra beach services. No fins in child sizes. |
If you book such a trip direct, payment terms may apply: groups of up to 5 pay in full 1 day before, groups of 6 or more 2 days before. These are that operator's terms, not a rule for every trip. Also ask whether any landing or protection fees apply on top of the price, since fees for the islands are not set out in one island-wide list. Do not assume they are included.
Safety on the water in 2026
Boat safety is a serious point this year. On 11 July 2026 a boat accident on the way back from May Rut Ngoai to An Thoi killed 15 people, according to a VnExpress report of 14 August 2026. The police named bad weather and the skipper's conduct as preliminary causes. There is no final ruling, so do not read more into it than that.
After the accident, the local transport authority set out requirements. Boats must be technically approved, registered and inspected, carry enough life-saving equipment and respect the passenger limit. Passengers must wear life jackets before the boat leaves, which goes beyond simply carrying them aboard.
- Put on your life jacket at boarding and keep it on, as required.
- Count the life jackets and check that they match the passenger numbers, including for children.
- Ask the operator what happens in bad weather. In the example above, the route may change, and a refund is offered if the authorities forbid sailing.
- Skip the trip if sea conditions look poor. A cancelled trip does not mean the islands are closed for good.
Sea services can also be suspended for wind and waves. On 14 August 2026 ferry links between Rach Gia or Ha Tien and Phu Quoc, and between Phu Quoc and Tho Chau, were reported suspended until conditions were safe. That does not tell you what is running now, so ask when you plan.
Snorkeling rules and reef etiquette
The operator in the example sets out simple rules, and they are good ones for any trip. Do not touch, stand on, remove or take coral. Wear your life jacket. Avoid strong currents and snorkel together as a group. No fixed distance in meters is given for staying away from the reef, so use common sense and keep your fins well clear of it.
Bring sun protection, a rash guard or a shirt, water and a towel. Do not feed fish or lift sea stars out of the water. Mask and snorkel are normally provided, but ask about child-size fins before you go.
When to go
The national tourism organization lists November to April as the favorable travel period, and the rainy months run roughly from May to October. A rainy month can still have calm days, and a dry month can have rough seas. Check the forecast the day before and again on the morning of your trip. Our weather and best time to visit guide shows the monthly rainfall.
If you would rather stay on land for a day, our beach guide covers the main stretches. To combine a trip with a park day, see VinWonders and Safari.
Other Vietnamese islands: Nha Trang also has islands and snorkeling on the mainland coast. Cat Ba has Lan Ha Bay in the north.
Phu Quoc snorkeling: frequently asked questions
Where do snorkeling boats leave from?
Most trips start at the An Thoi harbor in the south and go to the An Thoi archipelago. Pick-up from Duong Dong and other areas is often arranged by the operator.
How much is a snorkeling day trip?
One local operator lists USD 32 for age 10 and up, USD 22 for ages 4 to 9 and free for under 4. That is a single example, not an average.
Do I have to book in advance?
No general rule requires it, but individual operators set terms. The example operator asks groups of up to 5 to pay in full 1 day ahead and groups of 6 or more 2 days ahead.
Do I have to wear a life jacket?
Yes. Since the July 2026 accident, the authority requires passengers to wear life jackets before the boat leaves. Snorkeling operators also ask you to wear one in the water.
Will I see coral?
That cannot be promised. Visibility and reef conditions vary with weather and the day. Never touch or step on coral.
Can I go in any month?
The favorable period is November to April, but trips can be changed or canceled for weather in any month. Ask the operator about its weather policy.