An Thoi 4 Islands and 2 Reefs Snorkelling Speedboat Trip, Phu Quoc

Island-hopping in the An Thoi archipelago

South of Phu Quoc the sea is dotted with the islands of the An Thoi archipelago, some forested and uninhabited, others with tiny fishing settlements and pale sand beaches. Many visitors search for the best An Thoi islands tour, and the honest answer is that the experience depends less on the islands themselves than on how crowded they are when you arrive. This trip is planned to reach quieter islands and reefs, avoiding the larger beaches where the big boats land.

Travelling by speedboat keeps the transfers between islands short, so the day feels relaxed rather than rushed. The guide reads the water conditions every day and sets the departure for the morning or the afternoon accordingly, which is why the timing is confirmed the evening before. Expect turquoise shallows, rocky headlands and wide views back to the southern tip of the main island.

First island: shallow water to warm up

The first stop is a calm, shallow bay where you can stand on sand, try your mask and get used to breathing through the snorkel. The guide gives a full safety briefing, checks the fit of each mask and shows first-timers how to float with a flotation aid. This gentle start, about thirty to forty minutes, is the reason nervous swimmers and children over four enjoy this trip so much.

Small fish often gather around the rocks even here, so many guests see their first parrotfish or sergeant majors before reaching the reefs. Gear is cleaned and sanitised after each trip: anti-fog masks, snorkels and adjustable fins in a range of sizes. Once everyone feels at ease, the speedboat moves on to the deeper, more colourful sites.

Second and third islands: the hidden reefs

The heart of the day is ninety minutes to two hours of discovery snorkelling over two coral reefs off the second and third islands. These sites are chosen for healthy coral and good visibility rather than easy access, so they see far fewer visitors than the well-known spots. Look for branching and table corals, giant clams, sea anemones with clownfish, schools of fusiliers and the occasional blue-spotted ray resting on the sand.

The guide snorkels with the group, points out marine life and keeps everyone together. People often ask about Phu Quoc snorkelling for beginners: with a life jacket and a guide beside you, these reefs are very approachable, while confident swimmers can dive down for a closer look. The team keeps a no food discharge rule, never feeding fish, to keep the reef ecosystem natural.

Fourth island: beach or pineapple garden

The last stop, about an hour, is for recharging. Depending on the day it is either a quiet beach where you can swim and lie in the shade, or a small pineapple garden on one of the inhabited islands, a glimpse of how families live and farm on these islets. Fresh fruit, snacks and juice are served here while you dry off and compare underwater photos.

Lunch is not included, which keeps the trip to about six hours and leaves the rest of your day free. Seafood and vegetarian dishes are easy to find in An Thoi and Duong Dong afterwards; halal restaurants on Phu Quoc are limited, but we can suggest suitable places. After this stop the speedboat returns to the harbour and you are driven back to your hotel.

Best time to visit the An Thoi islands

The best time to visit the An Thoi islands is the dry season from November to April, when the sea is calmest and visibility is at its best. From May to October the south-west monsoon can bring wind and showers; the trip still runs, but the guide may adjust the order of islands or switch to more sheltered reefs. Sea conditions can change the plan on the day, always with your safety first.

How to get to the An Thoi islands is simple on this trip, as hotel pickup is included in the central areas and the speedboat does the rest. Wear a long-sleeved top and use biodegradable sunscreen, as the tropical sun is strong on the water. Guests prone to seasickness should consider whether a speedboat suits them, since the sea can be choppy between islands.