Phu Quoc is an island, so day trips work differently here than on the mainland - you are either exploring different parts of the island by motorbike, crossing to the mainland at Ha Tien, or taking a boat to the An Thoi Archipelago in the south. Each option gives a genuinely different experience from the beach resort zone.
Ha Tien by speedboat (1 hour each way)
Ha Tien is a quiet riverside town on the Cambodian border, 60km from Phu Quoc by sea. Two ferry operators run the route: Superdong and Phu Quoc Express. Both depart from An Thoi pier in the south or from Duong Dong. Crossing time: approximately 1 hour. Ticket cost: approximately 200,000–250,000 VND ($8–10) one way as of 2026.
What to do in Ha Tien: The town’s covered market (Ban Thanh Market) sells fresh seafood, tropical produce, and local preserved foods at genuinely local prices. Thach Dong cave (₫10,000 entry) is a Buddhist cave pagoda 4km from town - inside, monks maintain an active shrine. Mui Nai beach is a calm sandy stretch 6km west. The town is compact and walkable.
Practical: The last return boat to Phu Quoc typically departs Ha Tien in the mid-afternoon (check the exact time when buying your outbound ticket - schedules shift seasonally). Allow 5–6 hours in Ha Tien for a relaxed visit. The Ha Tien leg makes sense only during dry season (November–April) - rough weather can cancel ferry services in monsoon months.
Hon Thom Cable Car and Southern Islands
The Sun World Hon Thom cable car runs 7.9km across the Cua Can Strait from An Thoi on Phu Quoc’s southern tip to Hon Thom island - one of the longest non-stop cable car lines in the world. The crossing takes approximately 15 minutes and the views over the archipelago are excellent.
Cost: Round trip approximately 700,000 VND ($28) as of 2026. The cable car station has a small beach club and Sun World waterpark on Hon Thom.
Combine with island hopping: An Thoi pier, adjacent to the cable car, is also the departure point for the traditional wooden boat island-hopping day trips to the An Thoi Archipelago’s 19 islands. Organised group tours covering snorkelling, lunch, and multiple island stops: approximately 350,000–600,000 VND ($14–24) per person. Private speedboat charter: approximately 2,000,000–4,000,000 VND ($80–160) for the boat.
The islands worth including on a snorkelling trip: Hon May Rut (clear water, coral patches), Hon Roi (quieter beach), and the Hon Dam reef system. The An Thoi snorkelling is better than anything on the mainland coast.
North Coast and Ganh Dau
Phu Quoc’s far north - accessible by motorbike from Duong Dong in 45 minutes (30km) - is a different landscape from the resort south: fishing villages, the Ganh Dau cape, and the edge of the national park forest. The cape at Ganh Dau gives clear views toward Cambodia on clear days (the Cambodian coast is visible just 15km away).
Bai Dai beach (Long Hai) on the northwest coast, 15km south of Ganh Dau, is a long quiet beach with far fewer visitors than Long Beach. Accessible only by motorbike - no resort infrastructure, small local seafood restaurants.
Motorbike hire: 100,000–150,000 VND ($4–6) per day from Duong Dong guesthouses. The north coast road is paved and straightforward for confident riders.
Phu Quoc National Park access
The national park covers the northern two-thirds of the island. The forest is classified as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and contains endemic bird species, wild pigs, and macaques. Formal trekking access is limited - there is no visitor centre with walk-in trail access.
What is accessible independently: The park edge near Suoi Tranh waterfall (3km east of Duong Dong town) has a short trail and picnic facilities, ₫20,000 entry. For serious birding or multi-hour forest treks, arrange a guide in advance through agencies in Duong Dong - John’s Tours and Tony’s Tours on Tran Hung Dao Street both offer half-day forest programmes for approximately 400,000–700,000 VND ($16–28) per person.
Suoi Da Ban stream
A granite boulder stream 18km north of Duong Dong in the national park. Wide, shallow water flowing over smooth boulders through forest - swimming is possible in the upper sections. Entry â‚«20,000. A quiet alternative to beach activity during hot afternoons. Accessible by motorbike (30 minutes from town).
Practical notes for day trips
- Dry season only for Ha Tien: November–April. Rough seas cancel ferry services in monsoon months.
- Book cable car and island tours in advance during peak season (December–February and July–August). Walk-up tickets are available but queues form early.
- Motorbike is the best tool for north coast exploration - Grab is available from Duong Dong but coverage thins out on the north coast.
- Browse Phu Quoc tours and activities for pre-booked island hopping, snorkelling, and boat excursions.
Book a Day Trip from Phu Quoc
Here’s how the main day trip options compare:
| Tour | Duration | Price (from) | Group Size | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phu Quoc South Island 4-Island Snorkel Trip | Full day | from $28/person | Group | Boat to An Thoi islands, snorkelling, seafood BBQ lunch on beach |
| Phu Quoc North — Ganh Dau and Cua Can River Day | Full day | from $30/person | Group | Cua Can mangrove kayak, Ganh Dau cape, north island beaches, lunch |
| Phu Quoc Pepper Farm and Fish Sauce Factory Tour | Half day | from $20/person | Group | Unique island agriculture, Phu Quoc pepper plantations, famous fish sauce |
| Phu Quoc National Park Half-Day Trek | Half day | from $28/person | Small group | Primary forest trail, bird watching, Ganh Dau peninsula viewpoint |
| Phu Quoc to Can Tho 2-Day Mekong Extension | 2 days | from $95/person | Group | Ferry or flight to mainland, Can Tho floating market, return Phu Quoc |
Browse all Phu Quoc day trips → GetYourGuide
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