Phu Quoc: Cable Car Ride and 3 Islands Boat Tour with Lunch

The big payoff is the 25-minute cable car ride over the An Thoi Archipelago. From high above the sea, you get a broad view of small islands, open water, boats, and Phu Quoc’s southern coast. It is an impressive way to finish a busy day.

I like the mix of activities here: snorkeling and beach time come first, while Aquatopia water park adds slides and rides for families. Guides such as Tuan, Ruby, Mr Bang, and Lya have been praised for friendly service and careful attention to the group.

The main drawback is that this is a packed day, not a slow island escape. Pickup can take a long time, the boat may be choppy, snorkeling conditions depend on the weather, and the water park takes up a large part of the final stop.

Key points to know before booking

• The cable car is the grand finale: Expect about 25 minutes above the sea, with wide views of the An Thoi island chain.
• You visit two natural island stops before Thom Island: Snorkel at Xuong or Gam Ghi Island, then spend time at May Rut Trong.
• Aquatopia changes the tone of the day: This is part island trip, part water park outing, with more than 20 rides and slides.
• Lunch is served on the boat: It is included and generally filling, though special diets such as vegan meals are not confirmed.
• Transfers require care: You may need to climb over the side of the main boat into a smaller boat and later step onto the beach.
• The $61 price covers a lot: Transport, guide, lunch, snorkeling gear, life jacket, cable car, and water park admission are all included.

A full southern Phu Quoc day from 8:15 to 17:30

This tour begins with pickup between 8:15 and 8:30 from the John’s Tours office or from hotels in central Duong Dong. The usual pickup area runs from Phu Quoc Night Market along Tran Hung Dao Street toward Eden Resort.

If you stay outside that central area, an extra charge may apply. It is worth confirming the pickup point before booking, since collecting everyone can take time. One day, the opening bus ride reportedly lasted more than two hours for some passengers, while other departures ran late by more than 30 minutes.

Once the group reaches the harbor, you board the boat for the southern islands. The day is built around variety rather than long stays. You will snorkel, sit on a beach, eat aboard the boat, visit a water park, and ride the cable car, all before returning to your hotel at about 17:30.

That structure suits you if you want to see and do a lot in one outing. If you prefer an unhurried day with hours on one quiet beach, this schedule may feel too tightly packed.

Snorkeling at Xuong or Gam Ghi Island

The first island stop is Xuong Island, also called Gam Ghi Island in the itinerary. This is the snorkeling section, with masks, snorkels, fins, and life jackets supplied.

The water is described as clear, with coral and small sea life visible when conditions are good. Allow roughly an hour for the snorkeling portion. That is enough for a pleasant look around the reef, but not enough for a full day focused on underwater exploration.

Weather matters here. On calm days, the reef can be the highlight of the morning. On a rough or cloudy day, the boat ride may be choppy and the water may be too cloudy for good visibility. One account described a long ride in rough water followed by limited views of the coral because the sea was cloudy.

I would book this trip for a general island experience, not as Phu Quoc’s best specialist snorkeling outing. You get a worthwhile taste of the reef, but you should not expect several snorkeling sites or many hours in the water.

The boat transfer also deserves attention. To reach some smaller islands, you may need to climb over the side of the main boat into a smaller boat. Getting out at the beach later can be awkward, especially if the water is moving. Wear secure footwear if you have it, and take care when carrying phones, cameras, or bags.

May Rut Trong for sand, water, and a beach bar

May Rut Trong Island is the slower middle act. The stop includes a white-sand beach, a lagoon, water sports, a beach bar, and space to sit back.

You can use this time in different ways. Swim, try an available water activity, or simply claim a little beach time with a drink. Several hours here would be excessive for some people, but the stop gives the morning a needed pause after the boat ride and snorkeling.

This is also where the tour’s mixed character becomes clear. One passenger preferred more time at the water park, while another would have traded some water park time for more beach or town time. You cannot customize the whole schedule, so consider what you actually enjoy before booking.

The beach stop is best for couples, families, and anyone who wants a break from organized activity. If your priority is coral and sea life, this is time that could feel underused. If your priority is variety, the contrast works well.

Lunch on the boat, with a few limits

Lunch is included and served aboard the boat. The meal has been described as plentiful and, on some departures, very good. Eating with the group also gives you a chance to share the table and compare notes about the morning.

The food is not the strongest reason to choose this tour. Some people found it less impressive than island-hopping meals in the Philippines, and vegan food is not specifically listed. If you follow a strict vegan diet or need a particular meal, ask before paying rather than assuming a substitute will be available.

Because lunch is part of the shared boat schedule, timing is fixed. Keep your expectations practical: this is a convenient included meal during a busy excursion, not a private restaurant experience.

Bring your bottle of water, sun protection, and a towel. The tour provides one bottle of water per person, but a full day in the sun can make that feel modest. Sunglasses, swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel are specifically recommended.

Thom Island and Aquatopia water park

After the island stops and lunch, the boat reaches Thom Island. Here you enter Sun World Nature Park and Aquatopia water park, which has more than 20 modern rides from major manufacturers.

This is not a quiet island ending. It is a lively amusement stop with slides and water attractions, and it will appeal most to families, teenagers, and adults who enjoy water parks. Some people also used the time for a roller coaster near the park entrance.

You get about two hours at the water park on some schedules, while other accounts describe up to two and a half hours. That is plenty of time for a few rides, but it may feel long if you do not like slides, pools, or amusement rides.

The water park is a major part of what makes this tour different from a standard island-hopping trip. Admission is included, so you are not paying again once you reach Thom Island. Still, do not book this excursion expecting three natural islands. The third island stop is primarily a built attraction.

Maintenance can occasionally affect the water park. If that happens, the cable car and the rest of the tour continue, and the price does not change. The guide controls the exact timing of the cable car, so you may not be able to choose your preferred ride time.

The cable car above the An Thoi Archipelago

The cable car is the experience’s signature moment. You board after the Thom Island visit and travel for about 25 minutes above the sea.

The height gives you a completely different view from the boat. Instead of looking across the water from sea level, you see the island chain laid out beneath you. The route offers wide views of the archipelago, distant beaches, boats, and the changing color of the sea.

The ride may be timed for late afternoon or sunset, depending on the guide and the day’s conditions. That can make it a fine closing scene, but do not treat sunset as guaranteed. Weather may force the cable car to run earlier, or the order of the islands and cable car may change.

The cable car is smooth, but the height is real. If you dislike heights, sit where you feel comfortable and focus on the view rather than looking straight down. For most people, this is the easiest part of the day physically, though the station and earlier boat transfers still require some walking and stepping.

What the $61 price really covers

At $61 per person, this tour offers solid value if you intend to use its main inclusions. Your fee covers transportation, the guide, cable car ticket, Aquatopia admission, lunch, one bottle of water, snorkeling equipment, and life jackets.

Buying these separately would require more planning and could cost more, especially once transport and park admission are added. The real value comes from combining several southern Phu Quoc highlights into one booking.

The price is less attractive if you plan to skip the water park or do not care about the cable car. In that case, part of your fare pays for activities you may barely use. The same applies if you want a serious snorkeling day, since the reef time is relatively short.

A 10 percent surcharge applies during New Year and Lunar New Year. Children’s cable car pricing is based on height: under 1 meter is free, from 1 meter to under 1.4 meters requires a child ticket, and children 1.4 meters or taller pay the adult rate.

Guides, group rhythm, and practical comfort

The guide can make a big difference on a day with so many moving parts. Tuan has been singled out for keeping a good pace and looking after families. Ruby, Mr Bang, and Lya have also led departures praised for friendly, attentive service and clear English.

The experience is conducted in English and Vietnamese. Some groups have been around 29 people, described as a manageable size, but the boat and transfers can still feel crowded when everyone moves between vessels.

A good guide helps with timing, safety, and the cable car schedule. The guide may also adjust the order of activities if weather changes or someone in the group needs help. There have been cases where the cable car time was moved earlier so a sick passenger could return to the hotel sooner.

You should be comfortable with a full day in the sun, boat movement, swimming, and steps or transfers between boats. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments, and baby strollers are not allowed.

Who should choose this tour?

I would choose this tour if you have one free day in Phu Quoc and want a broad sample of the south without arranging transport, tickets, lunch, and equipment yourself.

It works especially well for:

• Families who want both beach time and Aquatopia rides
• Couples who want the cable car views and a relaxed island stop
• First-time visitors with limited time
• Solo visitors who enjoy a social group day
• People who like mixing nature, swimming, food, and amusement rides

I would choose another excursion if snorkeling is your main goal. The sea conditions are unpredictable, and the snorkeling session is only about an hour. I would also look elsewhere if you want a quiet beach day, a small private boat, or a schedule you can change as you go.

Bring only what you need. A swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a secure waterproof bag are sensible choices. Keep valuables to a minimum because the boat transfers and beach landings can be awkward.

Should you book the cable car and three-island tour?

Book it if you want the most variety in one day. The cable car is memorable, the beach stop breaks up the schedule, the snorkeling provides a useful look at the reef, and Aquatopia gives children and active adults something different to do.

Skip it if you want a slow island escape or several hours of snorkeling. The day can involve long pickup times, crowded boat transfers, changing weather, and a water park that may not suit everyone.

At $61, the package is strongest for families and first-time visitors who will use both the cable car and Aquatopia. For a mixed Phu Quoc day with transport and tickets handled for you, it is a sensible choice. Just book it with the right expectations: this is an energetic sampler of the south, not a peaceful cruise from one empty beach to the next.

FAQ

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from the John’s Tours office or from hotel lobbies in central Duong Dong, from Phu Quoc Night Market along Tran Hung Dao Street toward Eden Resort. Pickup from other areas may cost extra.

What time does the tour begin and end?

Pickup is scheduled from 8:15 to 8:30. The tour is expected to return to your hotel at about 17:30.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Xuong Island or Gam Ghi Island for snorkeling, May Rut Trong Island for beach and lagoon time, and Thom Island for Aquatopia water park and the cable car.

Is the cable car ticket included?

Yes. The cable car ticket is included in the tour price, along with entrance to Aquatopia water park.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The tour provides a mask, snorkel, fins, and life jackets. Fins are not available in child sizes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on the boat. Vegan meals are not specifically confirmed, so ask about dietary needs before booking.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. You may also want a secure bag for items you carry during boat and beach transfers.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. Weather may cause the tour to visit different islands, or the cable car may operate before the island stops. The guide arranges the cable car timing.

Are children, pregnant women, and people with mobility impairments allowed?

Children’s cable car pricing is based on height: under 1 meter is free, from 1 meter to under 1.4 meters uses a child ticket, and from 1.4 meters is charged at the adult rate. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments, and baby strollers are not allowed.