What it is
The An Thoi Islands are a cluster of about 15 islands scattered off the southern tip of Phu Quoc. Most are uninhabited — just limestone, jungle, and reef. The main ones travelers actually visit are Hon Thom (Pineapple Island), Hon May Rut, Hon Gam Ghi, Hon Mong Tay (Fingernail Island), and Hon Dam Ngang. Until 2018, these islands were mostly known to Vietnamese fishermen and the occasional backpacker willing to charter a boat. The Hon Thom cable car changed that, but the smaller islands remain genuinely quiet.
Fishing families have lived on some of these islands for generations, harvesting anchovies for "nuoc mam" (fish sauce) — the same trade that made Phu Quoc (푸꾸옥 / 富国岛 / フーコック) famous. You'll still see wooden boats draped in purple nets pulled up on white sand beaches that look like stock photos but smell like diesel and dried squid.
Why travelers go
The water. That's the short answer. Visibility regularly hits 10-15 meters between November and April. The coral around Hon Gam Ghi and Hon May Rut is in better shape than anything near Phu Quoc's developed west coast. Snorkeling here doesn't require a boat ride to the middle of nowhere — most reefs start 20-30 meters from shore.
Beyond snorkeling, people come for the pacing. There are no nightclubs, no Russian restaurant strips, no jet ski operators yelling at you. If Phu Quoc's Long Beach has become too developed for your taste, the An Thoi Islands feel like what the main island was 10 years ago.
Best time to visit
Dry season runs from November through April. January to March is ideal — calm seas, low humidity, and water clarity at its best. The southwest monsoon (June–September) makes boat crossings rougher and can shut down island-hopping tours entirely. Hon Thom cable car operates year-round but gets windswept in heavy weather.
Peak domestic tourism hits during Tet (late January or February) and summer holidays (June–August). For the quietest experience, aim for weekdays in November, December, or March.
How to get there
From Phu Quoc's main town (Duong Dong), drive or ride south about 25 km to An Thoi port. The road is paved and takes 30-40 minutes by motorbike, 25 by taxi.
From An Thoi port, you have three options:
Hon Thom cable car
The Sun World cable car runs from An Thoi to Hon Thom — 7.9 km over open water, about 15 minutes one way. Tickets cost around 150,000 VND for a round trip (prices shift seasonally). It's part of a larger amusement complex, so expect crowds on weekends.
Island-hopping boat tours
Day tours depart from An Thoi port between 8:00–8:30 AM, typically covering 3-4 islands with snorkeling stops, lunch on board, and a beach break. Budget 400,000–600,000 VND per person for a group tour, or 2,500,000–4,000,000 VND to charter a private speedboat for 4-6 people.
Private speedboat
If you want to reach Hon Mong Tay or Hon Dam Ngang — the least visited islands — a private charter is the only reliable option. Negotiate at the port the afternoon before; morning walk-ups pay more.
Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels
What to do
Snorkel at Hon Gam Ghi — The reef on the island's east side has healthy table coral and decent fish diversity. No facilities on shore, so bring water.
Beach day on Hon May Rut — Two sections: May Rut Trong (inner) is more developed with beach chairs and a bar; May Rut Ngoai (outer) is quieter with just a few wooden platforms. Entry fee around 50,000 VND.
Hike on Hon Thom — Beyond the cable car's waterpark complex, there's a fishing village on the island's north side and a trail through scrubby jungle to a viewpoint. Not well-marked, but locals can point you right.
Dive — A couple of Phu Quoc dive shops run trips to An Thoi sites. Expect 1,500,000–2,000,000 VND for a two-dive day trip. Visibility is better here than the northern dive sites around Turtle Island.
Watch the sunset from An Thoi port — If you're not staying overnight on an island, the port area has a few seafood shacks facing west. Cold "bia hoi", grilled scallops, and an orange sky.
Where to eat
On the islands themselves, food options are limited. Most boat tours include lunch (grilled fish, rice, vegetables — functional, not memorable). Hon May Rut Trong has a small restaurant serving seafood at island-markup prices (a plate of grilled squid runs 150,000–200,000 VND).
Back at An Thoi port, the seafood is fresher and cheaper. Look for the row of tin-roof restaurants on the waterfront road — point at what's swimming in the tanks. A meal for two with beer rarely exceeds 400,000 VND.
For proper dining, head back to Duong Dong. The night market on Vo Thi Sau street does solid "goi cuon" and grilled "com tam" plates for 40,000–80,000 VND.
Where to stay
Hon Thom has a few resort developments (Sun Group's properties dominate). Budget 2,000,000–5,000,000 VND per night. These are package-resort experiences — fine if that's your thing.
Hon May Rut Trong has basic bungalows (thatched roof, fan, shared bathroom) from 500,000–800,000 VND per night. Book via Zalo or phone — these places don't always show up on booking apps.
Most travelers base themselves in Phu Quoc's south coast or Duong Dong and visit the islands as day trips. This is the practical choice unless you specifically want the overnight-on-a-tiny-island experience.
Photo by Luke Dang on Pexels
Practical tips
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen and your own snorkel mask. Rental gear on boats is hit-or-miss.
- Cash only on the smaller islands. ATMs are in An Thoi town and Duong Dong.
- Phone signal (Viettel, Mobifone) works on Hon Thom but drops to nothing on outer islands.
- Jellyfish appear more frequently from May onward. Ask your boat crew about conditions.
- Trash is a growing problem on some beaches. Hon Mong Tay was pristine five years ago; it's less so now on busy weekends.
Common mistakes
Booking the cheapest group tour and expecting solitude. Budget tours pack 20+ people on a boat and hit the same three islands every operator uses. If quiet beaches matter, pay for a private charter or go on a weekday.
Skipping the islands entirely because Hon Thom cable car "covers it." The cable car deposits you at an amusement park. The actual island experience — reef, fishing villages, empty coves — requires a boat.
Not checking sea conditions in shoulder season. May and October are unpredictable. Tours get cancelled without refund if waves are too high. Build flexibility into your Phu Quoc itinerary.
Final note
The An Thoi Islands won't stay quiet forever — development is creeping south from Phu Quoc's main beaches. For now, a day on the water here still feels like a discovery rather than a tour. Go before the next cable car gets built.
Last updated · May 19, 2026 · independently researched, never sponsored.
