Phu Quoc Tours & Activities: Snorkelling, Safaris, Night Fishing & More

Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island and, increasingly, one of its most developed resort destinations. The north retains substantial national park forest; the south is where the major theme parks, beach clubs, and seafood markets cluster. Between those extremes sits a practical range of tours and activities that suit day-trippers from the mainland, week-long beach holidays, and serious divers alike.

The island is best visited between November and April, when the sea is calm and visibility for snorkelling and diving peaks. May through October brings heavier rain and rougher water - boat tours run less frequently, and some operators close.

Snorkelling and Diving: An Thoi Archipelago

The An Thoi islands - a chain of 15 small islands off Phu Quoc’s southern tip - offer the best snorkelling conditions in the region. Coral coverage is healthiest around Gam Ghi, Hon May Rut, and Hon Dam. Most group snorkelling tours visit three to four islands, spending 20–30 minutes in the water at each stop.

Group snorkelling tours depart from An Thoi pier (around 45 minutes south of Duong Dong by road) and run approximately 8am–3pm. Cost is typically 200,000–350,000 VND/person including fins, mask, and a basic seafood lunch on the boat. Lunch quality varies considerably - read recent reviews before booking.

Phu Quoc Divers is an established PADI operator in Duong Dong town, running fun dives for certified divers from approximately $35–45/dive including equipment, and Open Water courses from approximately $280–320 (as of 2026). Two-dive boat trips depart around 8am and return by 1pm.

Rainbow Divers has a branch on Phu Quoc and is one of the most reputable dive schools in Vietnam, with a strong safety record and multilingual instructors. Fun dives from approximately $40/dive. Pre-booking is strongly recommended during peak season (December–March) as trips fill early.

Private snorkelling charters cost approximately $80–150 for a half-day boat, accommodating 4–8 people. Worth considering for groups wanting to control timing and avoid the lunchtime rush at popular snorkel spots.

Visibility ranges from 8–20 metres depending on season and weather. Best underwater colour is in January–March when plankton levels are lowest.

Phu Quoc National Park Trekking

The national park covers roughly 31,400 hectares across the island’s northern half - one of the last stretches of lowland tropical forest in southern Vietnam. The terrain is less dramatic than Sa Pa or the northern mountains, but the birding is exceptional: over 130 species have been recorded, including several endemic to the island.

Trekking routes are not well-marked and require a local guide. Most tour operators in Duong Dong offer half-day park treks departing at 6:30–7am (before the heat builds). Cost runs approximately 350,000–600,000 VND/person with guide. Birdwatching-focused tours are available through specialist wildlife guides - ask at the park headquarters in Ganh Dau village for referrals, or check with eco-tour operators in town.

The terrain is hilly with stream crossings. Proper shoes (not sandals), a full water bottle, and insect repellent are essential. Rain gear is worth packing even in dry season - afternoon showers are common in the forest even when the coast is clear.

Night Squid Fishing

One of Phu Quoc’s most distinctive activities. Boats depart from the main pier in Duong Dong around 7:30–8:00pm, anchor offshore in the dark, and deploy powerful LED lights above the water to attract squid. Guests use hand lines with weighted lures - no skill required, and the catch rate on calm nights is high enough that even first-timers usually land something. A cook on board grills or fries the catch fresh.

Cost is approximately 200,000–350,000 VND/person for a 3–4 hour trip, usually including beer and soft drinks. Most fishing tour boats hold 8–15 people. Trips run year-round but are most reliable November–May when seas are calmer. The experience is considerably different (rougher, wetter, less catch) during monsoon season.

Book through your hotel or directly at the pier - the larger night fishing operators have signs and sell same-day tickets most evenings.

Pepper Farm Tours

Phu Quoc has been famous for its pepper since the 18th century. Kien Giang province pepper is exported worldwide, and several working farms on the island offer tours that explain the cultivation, harvesting, and drying process. The farms cluster along the island’s central spine between Duong Dong and Ham Ninh.

Khai Hoan Pepper Farm is the most visited, with guided tours in English and Vietnamese daily (approximately 9am–4pm). Entry is free or by donation; pepper products are sold on site. Tours take around 30 minutes and cover the full growing cycle.

Most half-day island tours from Duong Dong include a pepper farm stop alongside the fish sauce factory (Phu Quoc’s other famous export) and a local market. Cost is approximately 150,000–250,000 VND/person for a guided minibus tour covering three to four sites. Standalone visits by motorbike take about 20 minutes from Duong Dong.

Vinpearl Safari and VinWonders

Two major theme parks operated by Vingroup sit on Phu Quoc’s northern coast.

Vinpearl Safari is an open-plan wildlife park home to around 1,500 animals across 380 species, including white lions, rhinos, and Asian elephants. The park operates a guided safari bus tour through the drive-through zone plus a walkable zoo section. Entry fee approximately 700,000–850,000 VND/adult, 500,000–650,000 VND/child (as of 2026); check the Vinpearl website for current pricing and any bundled deals, as ticket structures change seasonally.

VinWonders Phu Quoc (formerly Vinpearl Land) is a large waterpark and entertainment complex directly adjacent to the safari, with water slides, a wave pool, fairground rides, and performances. Entry fee approximately 650,000–800,000 VND/adult (as of 2026). Combination tickets with the safari are available and typically save 100,000–150,000 VND per person. Book VinWonders Phu Quoc tickets on Klook for advance booking and skip-the-queue entry.

Both parks are best visited on weekdays - weekends draw significant crowds from Vietnamese domestic tourists, particularly during school holidays. Allow a full day for either, or a very long day if combining both. The northern location means 45–60 minutes’ drive from most southern beach hotels; factor this into your planning.

Cable Car to Hon Thom (Sun World)

The Hon Thom cable car connects An Thoi pier to Hon Thom island (Pineapple Island) via a gondola spanning approximately 7.9 kilometres - listed among the longest non-stop cable car rides over water in the world. The crossing takes around 15 minutes each way with views across the An Thoi archipelago.

On Hon Thom, Sun World operates a beach club, waterpark, restaurant, and walking trails. The cable car round trip costs approximately 200,000–250,000 VND/adult (as of 2026); access to the Sun World beach and waterpark requires a separate entry fee of approximately 300,000–400,000 VND/person. Check the Sun World website for current pricing.

The cable car runs 8:30am–5:30pm daily. Morning departures have shorter queues; afternoons can build up, particularly on weekends. The island’s beaches are less crowded than Phu Quoc’s main Long Beach.

Sunset Cruise

Several operators run evening cruises along Phu Quoc’s western coast, timed to arrive at open sea for sunset. The western coastline is one of the best places in southern Vietnam to watch the sun go down over the Gulf of Thailand - no clouds permitting.

Standard sunset cruise: approximately 2–3 hours, including drinks, snacks, and sometimes a seafood dinner. Cost runs approximately 400,000–800,000 VND/person depending on the boat quality and what’s included. Premium catamarans with open bar and canapés run toward the higher end.

Most cruise operators depart from Dinh Cau pier in Duong Dong between 4:00–4:30pm. Hotels can arrange bookings; independent booking is also easy at the pier on the day. Sunset time varies seasonally - roughly 5:30pm in November and 6:30pm in April.

Practical Notes

Getting around: Phu Quoc is large enough that a motorbike (approximately 100,000–150,000 VND/day rental) significantly expands what you can reach independently. Taxis and Grab are available in Duong Dong but thin out in the north and south.

Booking timing: December through February is peak season. Vinpearl Safari, diving trips, and snorkelling tours sell out during Vietnamese public holidays (Tet, National Day) - book at least 3–5 days ahead during these periods. Most other activities can be booked same-day outside peak season.

Water quality: Jellyfish are occasionally present around An Thoi and main beaches, particularly in May–June before the monsoon peaks. Ask operators about conditions on the day before committing to a water-based tour.

Phu Quoc offers more genuine variety than most Vietnamese beach destinations - it’s possible to fill a week with substantively different activities rather than repeating beach and bar. Planning a day at sea, a day in the national park, and a day at one of the major theme parks gives a reasonable cross-section of what the island does best.

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