An Thoi Islands Phu Quoc — aerial view of the harbour and fishing fleet at the southern tip of the island near the cable car

Phu Quoc

An Thoi Islands & Snorkelling

Vivu Vietnam / Unsplash

Trade-off

The cable car to Hon Thom, Vietnam's best coral reefs, and the gateway to 19 offshore islands.

The southernmost tip of Phu Quoc is defined by two things: the An Thoi archipelago of 19 small islands with some of the best coral reefs in the Gulf of Thailand, and the cable car from the mainland to Hon Thom island — at 7.8 kilometres the world's longest non-stop sea cable car. Diving and snorkelling operators run daily trips from the An Thoi port, targeting reefs with good fish life, sea turtles, and clear visibility in the dry season. The Hon Thom island itself houses the VinWonders water park and a long undeveloped beach that few visitors linger on. This is not an area to base yourself for a whole trip, but it is essential for anyone visiting Phu Quoc in the dry season.

Scores

3/10

Walkability

4/10

Transit

5/10

Price

4/10

Local feel

3/10

Nightlife

8/10

Family-friendly

3/10

Centrality

What you gain

  • ↑The best snorkelling and diving in the Gulf of Thailand: the An Thoi reefs have colourful hard coral, clownfish, reef sharks, and sea turtles accessible to beginners and experienced divers alike
  • ↑The cable car to Hon Thom: the 15-minute crossing over open sea is genuinely spectacular and the views back to the main island on a clear day are among Phu Quoc's highlights
  • ↑Fingernail Island (Hon Mong Tay) day trips offer pristine white sand and protected shallow water ideal for non-swimmers and children

What you sacrifice

  • ↓Getting here from Long Beach requires a 45-minute drive south — it is not a casual trip; plan the full day around an island excursion
  • ↓The area is heavily dependent on weather: boat tours are cancelled during the wet season and even in the dry season, rough days mean postponements
  • ↓Accommodation options in the immediate area are limited; most visitors day-trip from Long Beach or stay on Hon Thom in the VinWonders complex

Best for

snorkellers and diversfamilies wanting a cable car and water park daythose wanting Phu Quoc's best natural underwater experienceisland-hopping enthusiasts

Avoid if

those visiting in the wet season (May–October)travellers who do not enjoy boat tripsthose staying only 2–3 nights without time for a full-day excursion

Other Phu Quoc neighbourhoods

Long Beach (Bai Truong)

The island's main resort strip — Duong Dong town, the night market, beach clubs, and most of the action.

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Phu Quoc National Park

UNESCO-protected jungle covering the northern half of the island — hiking trails, pepper farms, and Ganh Dau cape.

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Sao Beach (Bai Sao)

Powdery white sand and clear turquoise water on the quiet southeast coast — Phu Quoc's most beautiful beach.

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Know where to stay — now find when to go.

Best time to visit Phu Quoc →