A private tour with Cable car & Boat trip to An Thoi islands

REVIEW · PHU QUOC

A private tour with Cable car & Boat trip to An Thoi islands

  • 5.037 reviews
  • From $250.00
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Operated by Truly Vietnam Travel · Bookable on Viator

That cable car ride gives you instant wow. This private An Thoi islands tour pairs the Hon Thom cable car with a speedboat cruise along Phu Quoc’s south shore, so you get views from land, sea, and air in one half-day plan. It’s designed for people who want “more islands, less waiting,” with stops timed for swimming, photos, and snorkeling.

I really like two things here. First, the pace and order of stops—Hon Thom, then Gam Ghi, May Rut, Bom, and finally Finger Nail—keeps the day feeling full without feeling rushed. Second, you get the kind of attention you usually only get on true private tours, including an English-speaking guide and snorkeling gear plus mineral water to make the water time smoother. One possible drawback: the snorkeling can be weather-dependent, and some sea conditions can make the water less calm than you’d hope.

Quick take: what stands out most

  • Hon Thom cable car views over the island coast and boats/farms below
  • A true private speedboat with stops at multiple named islands in one trip
  • Snorkeling gear included plus mineral water and organized time on the water
  • Finger Nail lunch break with a short drone video memory made for you
  • Plenty of photo and swim windows during each island stop

Hon Thom Cable Car: the view that makes the whole day

A private tour with Cable car & Boat trip to An Thoi islands - Hon Thom Cable Car: the view that makes the whole day
The day starts with pickup from your hotel, then a drive toward the south side of Phu Quoc. From there, you take the cable car up to Hon Thom Island. Even if you’re not the “cable car person,” this is one of those rides that flips your brain from beach mode to scenery mode in minutes. From above, you get a clearer sense of how scattered the islands are and how the coast opens out—helpful when you later look back from the boat.

Hon Thom also has a small golden-sand beach area that’s more fun than it sounds on paper. It includes a little jumping-castle-style play area, which can add a playful vibe if you’re with kids or just want a lighter moment after riding up.

Practical tip: the cable car gives you some of your best “before you get splashed” photos. If you’re bringing a camera or phone you care about, keep it handy early.

The private speedboat plan: fewer logistics, better timing

After your Hon Thom time, you board a private speedboat for the island loop. This is where the tour earns its private-tour label. With a boat that’s only for your group, you’re not stuck waiting for other people’s pace or counting down other groups’ swim cycles. The itinerary is built around short, usable windows—time to get in the water, take a few photos, and move on before you’re bored.

The tour stops across three islands for swimming and sightseeing, plus two more moments that add up to a full day. You’re looking at roughly 4–6 hours total, depending on how the day flows and how long you want to spend in the water.

Also included is an air-conditioned vehicle for transfers and an English-speaking guide. In practical terms, that matters because the guide can help you make quick calls—what’s worth photographing, when to time your snorkeling, and how to enjoy the downtime on islands without wasting daylight.

You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Phu Quoc

Hon Thom Island stop: beach time plus that cable car payoff

A private tour with Cable car & Boat trip to An Thoi islands - Hon Thom Island stop: beach time plus that cable car payoff
At Hon Thom, you’re scheduled for about an hour, and that hour is a smart size. It’s long enough to enjoy the small beach and take a few photos, but short enough that you don’t feel like you’re burning time before the boat portion.

What makes this stop worth it is the way it connects to the rest of the day. When you later see the islands from the water, the angle you got from above makes more sense. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes understanding where things are in relation to each other, Hon Thom works.

Possible consideration: this beach time is not described as a huge, all-day beach. If you want a slow, lounge-by-the-sun-timer kind of beach day, you’ll still get beach time here—but the real “big beach” energy comes later.

Gam Ghi Island: white sand and turquoise water moments

A private tour with Cable car & Boat trip to An Thoi islands - Gam Ghi Island: white sand and turquoise water moments
Next up is Gam Ghi Island. This is the first major speedboat stop, and it’s described as one of Phu Quoc’s most idyllic islands, with soft white sand, turquoise water, and coral teeming nearby.

In a good tour plan, the first swim stop matters. It sets your expectations for the water and gives you a first chance to snorkel before you’ve tired out. The itinerary frames Gam Ghi as a place for both swimming and snorkeling, which is ideal if you want to get in the water early while you still have the energy to adjust to buoyancy gear and saltwater.

Practical tip: if you’re camera-focused, you’ll usually get better photo conditions in the earlier part of the day before everyone’s sunscreen habits and wet hair chaos take over. Keep your “quick shots” priority high.

May Rut (Ocean Pearl): relaxed exploring and a “best beach” feel

A private tour with Cable car & Boat trip to An Thoi islands - May Rut (Ocean Pearl): relaxed exploring and a “best beach” feel
After Gam Ghi, the tour moves to May Rut Ngoai, also known as Ocean Pearl Island. The highlight here is downtime: exploring, swimming, and relaxing on what the tour describes as one of the most beautiful beaches.

This stop is useful because it breaks up snorkeling intensity. You get a calmer rhythm—less of a “gear on, fins on, check the reef” feeling and more of a beach-and-breathe segment. If your group has different energy levels (one person wants maximum snorkeling, another wants shade and photos), May Rut is the kind of stop that gives both people something.

Small reality check: water clarity and sea conditions can influence how fun snorkeling feels across all islands. If the day is a little rough, you may still enjoy swimming and scenic views even when visibility isn’t perfect.

Bom Island: the snorkeling stop designed for marine life

A private tour with Cable car & Boat trip to An Thoi islands - Bom Island: the snorkeling stop designed for marine life
Bom Island is scheduled as the second snorkeling moment. The description here is specific: the water is shallow, about 10 meters deep, and that shallow zone is presented as a great place for coral and marine life.

This is exactly the kind of detail you want to hear when snorkeling is a priority. Shallow snorkeling can be more comfortable because you can spend more time near the surface and feel less “too far out.” It also tends to work better for a mixed-skill group, especially if you’re using provided snorkeling equipment.

Possible drawback: some feedback points to coral and snorkeling not matching expectations on certain days, and rougher water can reduce the comfort factor. If you’re booking with a “must see fish everywhere” mindset, keep flexibility. You’re still going to islands and swimming, but the underwater show isn’t guaranteed in every condition.

Finger Nail Island: lunch by the beach and a drone memory

A private tour with Cable car & Boat trip to An Thoi islands - Finger Nail Island: lunch by the beach and a drone memory
Finger Nail Island (also called Mong Tay Island) is where the tour turns into a longer, more relaxed finish. You get about two hours here, including lunch, beach time, and even a short drone video made during the stop that gets sent to you afterward.

That drone detail is one of the more “modern travel memory” touches on this itinerary. It means you don’t need to rely on someone else’s shaky phone footage. You get a quick visual keepsake from above that matches the islands-and-ocean theme of the day.

What to do with the time: use the first part for lunch so you don’t feel hungry while you’re beach-hopping for photos. Then, if sea conditions allow, spend the second part floating and relaxing rather than trying to cram one last frantic snorkeling attempt.

Price and value: what $250 per person buys you

A private tour with Cable car & Boat trip to An Thoi islands - Price and value: what $250 per person buys you
At $250 per person, you’re not paying for a mass-group bus tour. You’re paying for a package that includes a cable car ticket, a private speedboat, air-conditioned ground transport, an English-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, mineral water, all fees and taxes, and lunch.

Here’s the value logic: when a tour includes both transport to the launch area and the private boat itself, the cost is mostly “locked in” by the logistics. The difference is you control the schedule and avoid extra group delays. For couples and small groups, that private focus can turn the price into real convenience.

Also included is a mobile ticket, which can reduce hassle on the day. And the tour offers group discounts, which can help if you’re traveling with friends who want the same island loop.

One cost to plan for: tips are not included. They’re listed as highly recommended, though not compulsory, so decide your tip comfort level before you go.

Weather and snorkeling reality in Phu Quoc waters

A private tour with Cable car & Boat trip to An Thoi islands - Weather and snorkeling reality in Phu Quoc waters
This tour is described as requiring good weather. That’s not marketing fluff—sea conditions affect everything you do on a boat and how pleasant snorkeling is when the surface is choppy.

Even with perfect planning, the underwater view can vary. The tour is built around multiple snorkeling stops (Gam Ghi and Bom), which gives you more chances for good water. But if the sea is rough, you might find swimming more enjoyable than the snorkeling portion, or you might spend more time watching the coastline and coral from the surface.

My practical advice: if snorkeling is the headline for you, bring a flexible mindset. You’re still getting island beaches, clear-water moments when conditions cooperate, and gear support from the tour. If you’re there for a scenic island day, rougher water can still be worth it because the boat ride and cable car views stay the star.

Who should book this An Thoi cable car and island speedboat tour

This tour fits best if you want:

  • A private experience with only your group on the speedboat
  • Multiple named islands in one day without switching tours
  • Snorkeling included, not as a separate add-on
  • A mix of views and beach time, ending with lunch on Finger Nail

If you’re traveling with kids, the Hon Thom beach area with its jumping-castle-style play setup can add a little extra “fun break” value. If you’re a couple, the private pacing often feels romantic in a simple way: fewer crowds, more space for photos, and less waiting around.

If your priority is a long, slow beach day or only one island, you might find other simpler day trips better. This one is a “see a lot” format.

Should you book? My decision guide

Book it if you want a well-structured half-day that mixes Hon Thom cable car views with a private speedboat loop across Gam Ghi, May Rut, Bom, and Finger Nail. The best reason to book is the balance: you get real logistics handled for you (vehicle, tickets, boat, guide, snorkeling gear, lunch) and you still get multiple swim and photo stops.

Think twice if snorkeling perfection is your only goal. Water quality and sea conditions can change how coral and fish viewing feels, and one feedback highlight mentions rough water and snorkeling not matching expectations. You’ll still be on beautiful islands, but the underwater “wow” is weather-linked.

If you can travel on a day with better conditions and you like action-paced island hopping, this is strong value for a private format.

FAQ

What islands are included on this private tour?

You’ll visit Hon Thom Island by cable car, then stop at Gam Ghi Island, May Rut Island (Ocean Pearl Island), Bom Island for snorkeling, and Finger Nail Island (Mong Tay Island) for lunch and relaxation.

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as about 4 to 6 hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. The tour offers pickup from your hotel, and it returns to the meeting point at the end.

What’s included in the price?

Included are an air-conditioned vehicle, a private speedboat, all fees and taxes, cable car tickets to Hon Thom Island, an English-speaking tour guide, snorkeling equipment, mineral water, and lunch.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

No. Snorkeling equipment is included, and mineral water is provided.

What happens if weather conditions are poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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