ATTRACTIONS - Boat Tours
Also see Motorcycle Trips.
Snorkel and diving trips go principally to the An Thoi islands off the southern tip of the island, but also to a handful of islands off the northern tip (which gets murkier during rainy season, May to September). Some operators (see below) go regardless the conditions, others only go when visibility is high – and it often is during dry season. If the current is too strong off An Thoi, operators will opt for Turtle Island in the north. Your hotel will be happy to help arrange a trip.
Sample costs for snorkel trips, from Saigon-Phu Quoc Resort are 100,000D ($6.25) per person for a group up to four.
It’s also possible to arrange interesting night trips squid fishing – which are those lighted boats you see go offshore at dusk. They use lights to attract masses of squid. Trips go around 5pm and last three hours. Sample costs from Saigon-Phu Quoc Resort is $55 for one person, $33 per person if two or three go, and $28 if four or five go. Ask around to undercut it.
OPERATORS
Rainbow Divers
Overwhelmingly the most popular choice for dives and snorkel trips, Rainbow operates only during the dry season (roughly October through April). Their diving certification courses take four days and cost $325 (including equipment, materials, training, everything).
Tel 0913-400-964; www.divevietnam.com; Tran Hung Dao St
Vietnam Explorer
The only operator open all year, this friendly place sends its diving and snorkeling trips to farther flung An Thoi islands (such as Golden Turtle Island) than some cheapie operators. A day’s trip lasts from 8am to 3pm, with a max of 14 people. It’s $20 per person to snorkel, including lunch and equipment. It’s on the south end of town, between Rainbow and Saigon-Phu Quoc Resort.
Tel 0773-846-372; www.divingvietnam.com; 36 Tran Hung Dao St
Anh Tu Travel
This cheapie outfit – often hanging around the Palm Tree restaurant (see Restaurants) – offers day-long snorkel trips that include an afternoon visit to Bai Sao (Star Beach). It’s $15 per person for groups of eight to 12, $38 per person for two or three people (including lunch, transport, equipment). Trips start at 8.30am and get back by 5pm.
Tel 0913-820-714; [email protected]
Mai Phuong Resort
Up north, Mai Phuong (see Accommodation/North Phu Quoc) offers diving/fishing trips to islands off the north coast. A trip to one/two islands costs $25/44 (including equipment).
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