A day at sea feels simple, but details matter. This small-group SCUBA experience for certified divers is built around less hassle for you: hotel pickup, equipment included, an English-speaking instructor with you, and a boat plan that takes you to the reef areas around the An Thoi Islands.

Two things I really like: you don’t have to arrange equipment rentals, and the instructor stays with you underwater for safety and good control of the timing. One thing to consider is the day can run as a join-in group with pick-up and drop-off timing that may shift depending on weather and routing between North and South Phu Quoc.

Key highlights worth caring about

• Equipment is included, so you show up ready instead of chasing rentals
• Instructor-led underwater time gives you a clearer, safer plan than going solo
• An Thoi Islands reef and colorful fish are the main reason to come to this area
• Boat lunch plus cold water and an icebox keep you comfortable during the long day
• Small-group format (listed max 12 travelers, with join-in noted up to 15 adults) helps everyone stay together

Certified divers start fast, with a clear limit

This trip is for certified divers only, so you do not need to take a course before getting into the water. That matters because it turns the day into actual time seeing marine life, not spending hours training in shallow water.

You’ll also have a straightforward ceiling to plan around: you’ll reach a maximum depth of 18 meters with the instructor’s guidance. Underwater time is built around 40–50 minutes, which is long enough to see fish behavior and reef structure without dragging the schedule into an endless afternoon.

If you’ve been certified for a while, you’ll likely appreciate how quickly this feels like a real day of scuba practice: briefing, kit up, then back out to see the reef.

Hotel pickup and the North vs South pier shuffle

The day starts early. Pick-up is typically between 7:30 and 8:30 am, then you transfer to the pier for the boat—either South or North Phu Quoc depending on the operation that day.

This is one of those tours where timing can be a little “real life.” It’s join-in (up to 15 adults noted), and the exact pick-up/drop-off time can depend on the group route and what’s happening on the island. The provider also notes they’ll contact you one day prior to confirm pick-up time.

What I’d do as a practical move: plan nothing right after the drop-off. The schedule lists return to the harbor and transfer back around 2:00 pm, but it’s also shown as finishing around 1:30 pm—so the safe assumption is “early afternoon,” not a hard clock time.

What’s onboard: included gear, cold water, and basic comfort

The tour includes scuba equipment, which is a huge value if you’re staying in a place where rentals are an extra step. You’ll also be getting cold water and an icebox on the boat, which helps a lot when you’re out for hours and you’re between wetsuit/gear and breathing gear.

Transportation is on a shared wooden boat. That’s part of the charm, but it also means you should expect the physical reality of a working boat. In one recent review, the boat was described as having seen better days, while the team’s professionalism and organization were still praised.

So think of this as “gear and logistics are handled,” not “luxury yacht day.” You’re here for the reef—and the boat is the platform that gets you there.

The first underwater session near the An Thoi Islands reef

The morning schedule lines up like this: you transfer out to the first site around 9:30 am, then do a briefing right at the site. After that, you kit up and enter the water with the instructor leading you.

The main point is the reef and colorful fish in the An Thoi Islands area. Even if you’ve done scuba elsewhere, seeing fish that hang around reef structure is usually what makes this kind of outing worth it. You’re not just going to deeper water and hoping for the best—you’re there for the reef life.

Length and depth stay within the planned limits: roughly 40–50 minutes underwater, with 18 meters max. The instructor being with you matters here. It keeps buoyancy and safety tighter, and it also helps manage your air consumption so you’re not worrying about whether you’re falling behind the group.

One more practical note: scuba sites may change due to sea weather without advanced notice. That doesn’t mean you’ll lose the plan; it means you should stay flexible about the exact location.

Lunch on the boat, then a second reef time slot

After the first underwater session, lunch happens onboard. The schedule lists lunch between 11:00 and 12:00.

This is a small detail, but it’s a real comfort upgrade. You’re already dressed for sun and salt air, so getting food on the boat reduces the stress of finding a place to eat while the rest of your group waits.

Then you head to the second site. The plan shows proceeding around 1:00 pm, entering the water again after a briefing and kit-up, and then returning to harbor in the mid-afternoon.

How long is the second underwater session? Your itinerary gives a general underwater range, and one review indicated the second session was about one hour, while the first was around 40 minutes. So expect the day to be structured, but not identical by minute for every booking.

Safety and small-group energy with an English-speaking instructor

This tour is led by an English-speaking scuba instructor, and the wording is clear that the instructor will be with you on each underwater session. For certified divers, that still matters. Certified does not always mean experienced in that specific environment, and having someone guide the plan keeps the day calmer.

Group size is another reason the experience feels manageable. The max is listed as 12 travelers, but the join-in note says up to 15 adults. Either way, you’re not dealing with a giant boat lineup that makes people scramble and lose track of their gear.

One review also highlighted strong communication: the team sent a driver photo, confirmed the car, and asked about gear sizing such as suit and flippers, plus health concerns. That kind of prep doesn’t replace your own checklist, but it does reduce the common day-of surprises.

If you’re traveling solo and you’d rather not scramble to find a partner, the group format is also a plus. You’re likely to talk with a few people in the waiting and lunch portions, then share the reef experience without the awkward effort of arranging everything yourself.

Price and value: why $108 can make sense

At $108 per person, this can be good value compared to the common alternative: booking separate scuba equipment, separate boat transport, and paying for a guided day once you’re already on the island.

Here’s what you’re getting in the base price (as listed):

• Shared van pickup/drop-off for hotels from Duong Dong center to the harbor
• Scuba equipment included
• English-speaking instructor leading underwater sessions
• Lunch on board
• Cold water and an icebox
• Shared wooden boat

Now the important part: what can change your total cost.

Pickup outside the Duong Dong center has added fees:

• Ong Lang area & The Shells Resort: ₫250,000 per booking
• Cua Can area & Movenpick Resort: ₫350,000 per booking
• Vinpearl area & Mai Phuong Resort: ₫450,000 per booking
• Ganh Dau area: ₫500,000 per booking
• Ham Ninh area: ₫300,000 per booking

Also, there’s a 150,000 VND holiday surcharge on National Holidays (Sep 01–02). So your $108 is more accurate when you’re within the included pickup zone and you’re not traveling during that holiday window.

What I like about the pricing structure is that it’s transparent. You can quickly estimate the real cost based on your pickup area, rather than getting hit with hidden costs late.

Weather and site changes: expect a plan that adapts

This is a sea-and-weather dependent activity. The operator notes diving sites may change due to sea weather without advanced notice.

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s the kind of safety-first policy you want for a day that depends on water conditions.

My practical advice: keep your schedule flexible. If you’re the type who books a bunch of tight connections right after this trip, build in cushion time. Even when the day runs, your exact return time can vary.

Who should book this SCUBA day?

This one is best for:

• Certified divers who want a guided day without the hassle of planning boats and sites
• People who prefer an English-speaking instructor staying with the group underwater
• Anyone who values included basics like equipment, lunch, cold water, and an icebox
• Small-group travelers who’d rather meet a few people than manage a crowd

It may not be ideal if you’re expecting a casual beginner-style outing. The day is designed for people who already have scuba certification and know how to manage their gear and air consumption under instruction.

Also, the provider lists moderate physical fitness. If you have mobility issues related to getting in and out of the water or handling gear comfortably, you should think carefully before booking.

Should you book OnBird’s Phu Quoc certified-diver sessions?

Yes, if you match the core fit: certified diver, comfort with early pickup, and you want an organized reef-focused day with gear handled for you. The value is strongest when your hotel is within the included pickup zone, because you avoid extra transportation fees.

I would book this confidently if your priority is a smooth, instructor-led plan and you’re okay with the normal reality of a working boat and weather-adjusted sites. If you need the day to be perfectly timed to the minute, or you’re picky about boat comfort, then consider it a tradeoff.

If you want, tell me where you’re staying in Phu Quoc (area or hotel name) and your planned travel dates. I can help you estimate the true all-in cost and the timing risk based on the pickup area and holiday surcharge rules.

FAQ

Is this experience only for certified divers?

Yes. This activity is for certified divers, so you can go straight into the water without taking a course first.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is listed as 7:30 am.

How long is the trip?

The duration is listed as about 8 hours.

What underwater limits are planned?

The plan lists 40–50 minutes underwater with a maximum depth of 18 meters.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. Scuba equipment is provided, so you do not need to rent it elsewhere.

Do I get an instructor and is it English-speaking?

Yes. An English-speaking scuba instructor leads the underwater sessions for safety and stays with you during the experience.

What’s included for food and drinks?

Lunch is provided on board, along with cold water and an icebox.

Where does hotel pickup happen, and is it included?

Pick-up and drop-off are included by shared van for hotels located from Duong Dong center to the harbor. Other areas (like Ong Lang, Cua Can, Vinpearl, Ganh Dau, and Ham Ninh) have additional fees per booking.

What happens if weather is bad?

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

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.

You Might Also Enjoy

BIG BOSS Private LIMOUSINE To Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong deltaLuxury Facial in a Tranquil & Private SpaFrom HCM: Mekong Delta & Cai Rang Floating Market 2-Day TourHo Chi Minh: Authentic boat trip – Cai Rang Floating Market