RedRiverTours – Enjoying Sunset & Night Squid Fishing

REVIEW · PHU QUOC

RedRiverTours – Enjoying Sunset & Night Squid Fishing

  • 2.73 reviews
  • 4 hours
  • From $14
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Operated by Red River Tour - Tour Phu Quoc · Bookable on GetYourGuide

The ocean turns orange, then the boat goes quiet. This Phu Quoc sunset-at-sea outing turns into real night squid fishing fast, with an English-speaking guide and the right gear handed to you. It’s the kind of activity where the scenery matters, but the whole point is what happens after dark.

I like how the evening is built around timing: you leave around 5:00 pm, you watch the sunset while you’re already out on the water, and then you fish when it’s darkest. I also like that dinner is included onboard, so you’re not hunting for food afterward with sand in your shoes. One thing to keep in mind: this isn’t a guaranteed-squid experience, and if you’re prone to seasickness, this one may be a rough call.

In rainy season, the plan can shift. The fishing spot can move from the usual area to An Thoi (April to October), and you should expect cloudier weather. That can still work for night fishing, but it can change the look of the sunset and the overall vibe.

Key highlights to look for

RedRiverTours - Enjoying Sunset & Night Squid Fishing - Key highlights to look for

  • Sunset in the middle of the sea with an easy, set 4-hour format
  • English tour guide and onboard help with the traditional setup
  • Night squid fishing gear and baits provided, plus a short instruction session
  • Breakfast and lunch on the board, plus dinner afterward (menu varies by season)
  • Works as a budget night activity at around $14 per person, with insurance included

Sunset on the water: the timing that makes it feel special

RedRiverTours - Enjoying Sunset & Night Squid Fishing - Sunset on the water: the timing that makes it feel special
This trip starts with a 5:00 pm pick-up, and that timing is the secret sauce. You’re not rushing to the “night fishing part” with no context. Instead, you’re out on the sea while the sky changes color, and that first hour gives you something relaxing to anchor the night.

As the light fades, you’ll notice the ocean shifting into those deeper oranges and browns that make night fishing feel like an event, not just another tour. Even from the boat ride toward the harbor, the views can be part of the payoff. In one real departure, the guide got guests picked up promptly and the group enjoyed a nice look at the island before they ever reached the fishing stage.

If you’re the type who needs a clear plan, you’ll appreciate how this one moves in a simple arc: sunset, instruction, fishing, then food, then back to your hotel. No long wandering. No “maybe we’ll do it later.”

You can also read our reviews of more evening experiences in Phu Quoc

How night squid fishing actually happens (and what you should expect)

RedRiverTours - Enjoying Sunset & Night Squid Fishing - How night squid fishing actually happens (and what you should expect)
Squid fishing in Phu Quoc is a traditional night activity, and the tour is set up so you don’t have to show up with experience. You get taken to the fishing area (usually with a possible seasonal shift to An Thoi), you get equipment and bait, and you try your luck.

Here’s what matters for your expectations:

  • You’ll get a brief introduction and then gear assigned to you.
  • The tour provides the required equipment for the activity, including deep-sea fishing equipment and baits.
  • Your results can vary. Some groups have luck; some don’t, even with full effort.

One guiding detail that stands out from the experience: the guide and staff can be very on-point with setup in some departures. In a top-rated experience, the guide (named Sinner in that booking) was picked up from the hotel more than on time, and everyone received equipment after a short instruction. The dinner afterward was also described as tasty.

At the same time, there’s a mismatch risk. In lower-rated experiences, some people felt left mostly to fish on their own while staff focused on their own rods. That doesn’t mean the tour is “bad,” but it does mean your enjoyment may depend on how well the crew manages attention during your particular departure, especially if the boat has only a small number of guests.

If you’re going with kids, the tour includes a rule: under 10-year-olds need to join with parents. That’s a good sign for family safety and control, but it also means you should be realistic about how much patience the staff will have during a hectic moment on the water.

The onboard meal: what you eat after the fishing tries

RedRiverTours - Enjoying Sunset & Night Squid Fishing - The onboard meal: what you eat after the fishing tries
Food is a big part of why this activity can feel worth the money. The dinner is included onboard, and it’s tied to what you might catch. The tour notes the dinner menu can change by season, but there are specific items listed.

The dinner menu includes options like:

  • Steamed shrimp or steamed squid
  • Squid porridge
  • Stir-fried noodle
  • Fresh fruit

One practical takeaway: if you’re the kind of traveler who judges a trip by quality of meals, pay attention to consistency. In one highly rated experience, the dinner was described as delicious. In lower-rated experiences, dinner quality was criticized, with comments suggesting it fell short compared to how good Vietnamese food can be on the island.

So I’d treat dinner as “included comfort food” rather than a culinary highlight you’d compare to the best restaurants on Phu Quoc. Still, it’s a real benefit. You don’t have to schedule dinner around the tour, and you’re already out on the water, so the fact that meals are handled for you is a value win.

Why the route can change to An Thoi in rainy season

RedRiverTours - Enjoying Sunset & Night Squid Fishing - Why the route can change to An Thoi in rainy season
Phu Quoc weather is not always predictable, and this tour has a built-in adjustment. During the rainy season (April to October), the fishing location can be moved to An Thoi. That’s explicitly stated.

You should also expect that rainy season weather can be cloudy. That can change two things:

  • The look of the sunset (less dramatic sky, more gray-blue water)
  • The feel of the boat ride (cooler, damp air, sometimes less visibility)

But cloudiness doesn’t automatically ruin night squid fishing. Night fishing relies on different conditions than a bright sunset does. The main reason to mention this is that your expectations should match the season you book. If you’re traveling in the dry months, you’re more likely to get the classic orange sunset feel. If you’re traveling in April to October, you’re more likely to get a different mood—still fun, just not the same postcard lighting.

Price and value: what $14 gets you on this 4-hour night outing

RedRiverTours - Enjoying Sunset & Night Squid Fishing - Price and value: what $14 gets you on this 4-hour night outing
Let’s talk money in a practical way. At about $14 per person for a roughly 4-hour outing, you’re buying several things at once:

  • Boat time during sunset and after dark
  • An English-speaking guide
  • Fishing gear and bait for night squid fishing
  • Meals onboard (the info states breakfast and lunch are on the board, plus dinner listed)
  • A bottle of water per person
  • Tourism insurance up to 30,000,000 VND per case

For a budget night activity, that bundle makes sense. Where value can feel less great is when you go expecting a “hosted experience” with heavy staff attention all the way through. Some departures may feel more like “here’s the gear, good luck,” while others feel guided and supportive.

If your goal is to be on the water, try a local style of night fishing, and eat without planning dinner, it’s a fair price. If your goal is guaranteed action—every cast, every guest helped constantly—that expectation needs adjusting.

Also note the pickup pricing. Pick-up and drop-off are free inside Duong Dong town. Outside that area, there can be a surcharge, so it’s worth confirming where your hotel sits before you assume the $14 covers everything end-to-end.

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

Logistics you can control: boats, timing, and motion

RedRiverTours - Enjoying Sunset & Night Squid Fishing - Logistics you can control: boats, timing, and motion
This is a night boat tour. That means you should think about how you handle motion before you book.

It’s not suitable for people prone to seasickness. If you’ve been seasick on ferries in Vietnam before, this is the part where you should be honest with yourself. The tour’s structure also means you’re on the water during sunset and afterward, not just a quick hop.

Timing-wise, the tour description is clear:

  • 5:00 pm pick-up and start the journey
  • Enjoy sunset and fish at night
  • Return around 9:00 pm to Bach Dang port, then transfer back to your hotel

In one positive experience, the guide was picked up more than on time and the ride from the harbor area included good views. In a negative experience, someone reported timing issues and early stoppage near the port. You can’t fully control whether a given departure runs perfectly, but you can reduce stress by being ready at the pick-up location on time and keeping your phone charged for simple coordination.

What to bring (and what not to bring)

RedRiverTours - Enjoying Sunset & Night Squid Fishing - What to bring (and what not to bring)
This activity is simple, but night fishing comes with a few basics.

Bring:

  • A camera (the sunset and night fishing scenes can be worth a few photos)

Also bring if you have it:

  • Sunscreen and a towel, since these are not included
  • Comfortable closed-toe shoes that can handle wet decking

Don’t bring:

  • Alcohol and drugs, which are not allowed

If you’re planning for comfort, pack light layers. Even in warm places, night wind over water can feel cooler.

Who this tour fits best

RedRiverTours - Enjoying Sunset & Night Squid Fishing - Who this tour fits best
I’d target this tour if you want a straightforward Phu Quoc night experience with a local twist.

It’s a great fit if:

  • You want to see the sunset from the sea before trying night fishing
  • You like hands-on activities where you cast, not just watch
  • You want meals handled on the water
  • You’re traveling on a budget and $14 feels reasonable for gear + guide + dinner

It may be a poor fit if:

  • You get seasick easily
  • You need constant staff attention and reassurance to enjoy an activity
  • You’re mainly chasing a guaranteed catch (no tour can promise that)

The bottom line: should you book RedRiverTours squid fishing?

RedRiverTours - Enjoying Sunset & Night Squid Fishing - The bottom line: should you book RedRiverTours squid fishing?
If your idea of fun is sunset on the water, then trying night squid fishing with gear and a guide, this tour can be a solid value. The biggest strengths are the simple 5:00–9:00 pm structure, the inclusion of meals onboard, and the fact that you’re provided with the fishing setup. In at least one highly rated run, the guide name Sinner was punctual and the group received equipment after instruction, with dinner described as good.

My caution: results and staff attention can vary by departure, and dinner quality is not consistently praised. Also, if you’re sensitive to sea motion, don’t gamble on it.

My practical recommendation: book if you’re flexible, like trying local night activities, and you’re okay with the reality that squid fishing can be hit-or-miss. Skip if you need guaranteed action, are seasick-prone, or expect a “restaurant-level” dinner.

FAQ

How long is the RedRiverTours sunset and night squid fishing trip?

It lasts about 4 hours.

What time does the tour start?

You are picked up around 5:00 pm.

When do you return?

You return around 9:00 pm to Bach Dang port, then get transferred back to your hotel.

Is pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are free for boarding locations inside Duong Dong town. There is a surcharge for pickup/drop-off outside Duong Dong; you’re asked to contact for details.

Is a tour guide included, and what language do they speak?

Yes. The tour includes a live tour guide who speaks English.

What is included in the price besides fishing gear?

A bottle of water per person, dinner onboard (menu can change by season), and tourism insurance with a maximum of 30,000,000 VND per case.

What dinner items can you expect?

The dinner menu can change by season, but the listed options include steamed shrimp or steamed squid, squid porridge, stir-fried noodle, and fresh fruit.

Is the fishing location the same year-round?

Not always. During the rainy season (April to October), the fishing location can be moved to An Thoi, and weather can be cloudy.

What should you bring and what is not allowed?

Bring a camera. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Towels and sunscreen are not included.

Who should avoid this tour?

People prone to seasickness are not suitable for this activity. Also, under 10-year-old children have to join with parents.

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