Phu Quoc: Cable Car Ride and 3 Islands Boat Tour with Lunch

REVIEW · PHU QUOC

Phu Quoc: Cable Car Ride and 3 Islands Boat Tour with Lunch

  • 4.3403 reviews
  • From $61
Book on GetYourGuide →

Operated by JOHNS TOURS PHU QUOC · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Traveller rating 4.3 (403)Price from$61Operated byJOHNS TOURS PHU QUOCBook viaGetYourGuide

Cable car views in Phu Quoc set the mood fast. This tour strings together An Thoi Archipelago scenery with real time in Aquatopia at Thom Island, so your day doesn’t feel like one long bus ride. I also like that it’s built around sea time: snorkeling gear and life jackets are included, plus lunch is served right on the boat. The one thing to watch is the boat-to-boat transfers: you may have to climb over the sides to reach the smaller boats, and getting back onto the beach can feel a bit challenging.

You’ll spend your morning on the water and your afternoon at a big, modern water park—two very different rhythms that work well in the Phu Quoc heat. If you get motion-sick easily, bring a plan for choppy conditions, because some days mean rougher water and cloudier visibility for snorkeling.

Key Points at a Glance

Phu Quoc: Cable Car Ride and 3 Islands Boat Tour with Lunch - Key Points at a Glance

  • Cable car panoramas over the An Thoi Archipelago make a strong centerpiece for the day
  • Thom Island’s Aquatopia adds a break from salt air, with 20+ modern games
  • Snorkeling gear and life jackets are included, so you’re not scrambling for equipment
  • May Rut’s white-sand lagoon is the main chill/swim stop after lunch on board
  • Boat transfers can be awkward, so wear grippy footwear and keep expectations realistic
  • Guide quality matters here, and names like Mrs. Hanh, Melan, Lya, Mr Sin, and Mr Bang have been praised for keeping things organized

Phu Quoc Cable Car Over the An Thoi Archipelago: The View Sets the Pace

Phu Quoc: Cable Car Ride and 3 Islands Boat Tour with Lunch - Phu Quoc Cable Car Over the An Thoi Archipelago: The View Sets the Pace

The cable car is more than a photo stop on this tour. It’s the moment when you see the scale of Phu Quoc’s southern island cluster and understand why An Thoi gets so much attention. You’ll ride after the island portion and do it with a plan for sunset and broad, panoramic sightlines.

The ride itself is timed at about 25 minutes, and the guide coordinates exactly how you’ll experience it. I like this approach because it keeps you from feeling rushed at the top while still wrapping the day with something memorable.

Also, the cable car is one of those “works even if the weather changes” parts of the day. If conditions force adjustments, the itinerary can swap islands or shift the cable car timing, and the tour continues.

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

Thom Island and Aquatopia Water Park: A Real Activity, Not a Short Detour

Phu Quoc: Cable Car Ride and 3 Islands Boat Tour with Lunch - Thom Island and Aquatopia Water Park: A Real Activity, Not a Short Detour

After the boat portion, Thom Island is where the day pivots. Aquatopia is a full-on water park stop with more than 20 modern games from leading manufacturers. In practical terms, it means you’re not just getting a quick look—you’ll have time to choose what fits your energy level.

This is also where the tour becomes family-friendly in a very direct way. Even if you’re not a snorkeling person, water slides and pool areas give everyone something to do. Reviews consistently point out that Aquatopia was a highlight, especially for people who wanted a break from boat motion and sun on the water.

Two considerations to keep in mind:

  • Time can feel short if you’re slide-focused. Some people felt the water park time didn’t match their expectations, especially on days when they wanted more soaking time or more exploring.
  • It’s still a lot of heat. If you’re sensitive to hot sun, bring sunscreen you trust and plan to take shade breaks.

Snorkeling at Gam Ghi (or Xuong): Coral Reef Time With Real Weather Limits

Phu Quoc: Cable Car Ride and 3 Islands Boat Tour with Lunch - Snorkeling at Gam Ghi (or Xuong): Coral Reef Time With Real Weather Limits

The morning sea stop centers on Gam Ghi (also called Xuong in some descriptions). This is the snorkeling area where you’re supposed to hit a coral reef and look for colorful marine life. The included snorkeling kit—mask, snorkel, and fins—is a big value win, and life jackets are provided too.

Here’s how to set your expectations the right way:

  • Snorkeling tends to be a short, focused window. One review notes the snorkeling itself wasn’t long, which is a fair heads-up if you came mainly for reef time.
  • Visibility depends on the day. Some participants reported that choppier water led to cloudy visibility and less coral detail.

If you want the best odds of seeing more fish and clearer reef patches, pay attention to the water conditions once you arrive. Don’t assume every day delivers the same clarity.

Also note a practical rhythm: on the first sea stop, you may not actually go fully onto the island like you would on a typical beach tour. If you snorkel, you get the sea action. If you don’t, you might stay on the boat during that snorkeling segment.

Sea walking?

A few reviews mention doing sea walking. Since it isn’t explicitly listed in the core inclusions, treat it as something you may be able to do only if it’s offered on the day and where/when it’s available.

Lunch on the Boat: The Fuel Part That Actually Matters

Lunch is served on board, and it’s not an afterthought. Reviews describe the food as delicious and with plenty of options—basically a “buffet-style” setup. You’ll also get a bottle of water included.

This is worth highlighting because boat days rise or fall on meal logistics. If you’ve ever done a tight island day where lunch is an awkward handful of snacks, you’ll feel the difference here. Having a proper lunch helps you enjoy the water park without running low.

One more practical point: if you have dietary needs, you might want to ask directly in advance about vegan options, since one comment specifically requested vegan food.

May Rut Trong Island: White-Sand Lagoon, Swimming, and Easy Beach Time

Phu Quoc: Cable Car Ride and 3 Islands Boat Tour with Lunch - May Rut Trong Island: White-Sand Lagoon, Swimming, and Easy Beach Time

May Rut Trong Island is your main “get off and relax” island stop. The description is clear: it’s a white-sand lagoon, with beach time, water sports, a beach bar, and chill-out opportunities.

This stop is also where the tour balances out the earlier snorkeling. Even if your reef visibility wasn’t perfect that day, you can still enjoy:

  • a long-ish chance to swim at a lagoon-style beach,
  • time to simply hang out in the sun and water,
  • and a less structured feel than the snorkeling segment.

That said, one caution showed up in feedback: some people found the rocky areas slippery and didn’t find it easy to swim in certain spots. Translation: wear footwear that can handle wet surfaces, and stick to the areas that feel stable.

If you’re the type who wants one “anchor” beach stop where you can do nothing and still feel happy, this is the portion you’ll likely love most.

Getting There and Getting Around: Pickup, Boat Transfers, and Timing Reality

Phu Quoc: Cable Car Ride and 3 Islands Boat Tour with Lunch - Getting There and Getting Around: Pickup, Boat Transfers, and Timing Reality

Phu Quoc tours live or die by how they handle getting you from hotel to dock and back. This one includes transport, and pickup generally happens around 08:15–08:30 from the Duong Dong town center area or from John’s Tours office (143 Tran Hung Dao) if you’re not being picked up.

You should be ready on time. The bus won’t wait if you’re late, and some reviews mention the day can run behind schedule when pickup takes longer. In other words: if your plan is super tight, build in margin.

Boat transfers: the part people don’t always prepare for

One of the most repeated practical notes is about transfers. You may need to climb over the side of boats to reach smaller boats, and the end step onto the beach can be challenging.

Also, some reviews mention boats being loaded on the ferrying segments. You can’t control that, but you can control your prep:

  • bring sunscreen and a towel (you’ll need both),
  • wear swimwear under clothes so you’re not improvising in public,
  • and consider water shoes for the final beach exit and any slippery edges.

Motion and choppy water

Choppy waters can change snorkeling conditions. If you’re prone to motion sickness, consider a travel remedy you trust before you go, and keep an eye on how the ride feels early on.

What’s Included for $61: Real Value Math for a Packed Day

Phu Quoc: Cable Car Ride and 3 Islands Boat Tour with Lunch - What’s Included for $61: Real Value Math for a Packed Day

At $61 per person for a 9-hour day, the big value isn’t just the sightseeing. It’s the bundle of paid activities and transport that you’d otherwise piece together yourself:

  • transportation
  • cable car ticket
  • Aquatopia entrance
  • guide (English and Vietnamese)
  • snorkeling equipment (mask/snorkel/fins) plus life jackets
  • lunch on the boat
  • one bottle of water

When you price those separately, the tour starts to look like a practical deal—especially if you want both the sea portion and Thom Island’s water park in one day. The cable car and Aquatopia admissions alone can be costly if you plan them independently, and the snorkeling kit saves you time.

There is one add-on: 10% extra can apply if you travel on New Year/Lunar New Year. If you’re booking around those dates, factor it in.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Prefer Something Else)

Phu Quoc: Cable Car Ride and 3 Islands Boat Tour with Lunch - Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Prefer Something Else)

This is a great fit if you want a day that mixes:

  • sea time (snorkeling off a reef),
  • a beach-and-water portion (May Rut),
  • and a major afternoon activity with slides and games (Aquatopia),
  • all capped with scenic cable car views.

You’ll likely enjoy it if you’re traveling as a couple or solo and you like structured days that still include genuine free time for swimming and relaxing.

You may want to skip or choose differently if:

  • you’re pregnant (it’s listed as not suitable),
  • you have mobility impairments (also listed as not suitable),
  • you’re a stroller family (baby strollers aren’t allowed),
  • or you’re mainly chasing long snorkeling time. Snorkeling here is included, but it’s not built as an all-morning reef session.

Practical Tips So Your Day Feels Smooth

Phu Quoc: Cable Car Ride and 3 Islands Boat Tour with Lunch - Practical Tips So Your Day Feels Smooth

Here’s how I’d prep based on the realities of the schedule and sea conditions:

  • Pack a towel and swimsuit you don’t mind getting wet quickly.
  • Bring sunscreen and sunglasses. You’ll be outside a lot.
  • If you’re worried about slick rocks at May Rut, wear grippy water shoes.
  • If you get cold easily on boats, bring a light layer for the transfer times.
  • If you want better snorkeling results, go ready to adapt when the water is rougher.

And for comfort, remember: the cable car and water park are your two biggest “land-based breaks.” Plan to use them intentionally, not just “endure” them.

Should You Book This Phu Quoc Cable Car and 3 Islands Tour?

If you want a single ticket that delivers Phu Quoc cable car views, Thom Island Aquatopia, reef snorkeling, and a relaxing beach lagoon—this is a strong option. The biggest advantage is that it’s packed but not random: each stop plays a role in the day’s pacing.

My main reason to hesitate is the boat-transfer effort. If you dislike steps, climbing over boat sides, or slipping risks near the waterline, you’ll want a different style of tour.

If you’re okay with that and you like the idea of a fun, structured, full-day mix, I’d book it—especially at this price, since your cable car and water park entry are built in from the start.

FAQ

What time does the pickup start?

Pickup is typically scheduled between 08:15 and 08:30 from John’s Tours office or from the lobby of your hotel in the center of Duong Dong town. If you’re not in the Duong Dong area, an extra pickup fee may apply.

What islands and attractions are included?

The tour visits three islands in the south area: Gam Ghi (or Xuong) for snorkeling, May Rut Trong Island for white-sand lagoon time and swimming, and Thom Island for Aquatopia water park.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included on the boat as part of the tour.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. You’ll get snorkeling equipment including a mask, snorkel, and fins (fin sizes are not available for child sizes). Life jackets are also provided.

How long is the cable car ride?

The cable car portion is arranged by the guide and is about 25 minutes, usually timed with sunset and panoramic views.

Who might not be able to join this tour?

The tour is listed as not suitable for pregnant women and people with mobility impairments. Baby strollers are also not allowed.

Not for you? Here's more nearby things to do in Phu Quoc we have reviewed

Scroll to Top

Find your next day in the islands

Every archipelago worth the trip, island by island.