Robinson Tour By Private Speedboat with BBQ Lunch

The best part of this Phu Quoc outing is the private speedboat. Instead of sharing a boat with a large crowd, your group travels from An Thoi to four southern islands, with time for swimming, coral viewing, and lunch beside the sea. The day combines easy transport with several different coastal stops.

I like the hotel-to-hotel service, which takes the sting out of reaching An Thoi pier. I also like the simple meal plan: a seafood BBQ, bottled water, and one beer or Coca-Cola are included. The main caution is important: confirm the exact island route before paying, since one booking reported that the actual program did not match the promised stops.

Key points to know before booking

• Four southern islands in one day: Fingernail, Bom, Gam Ghi, and May Rut are the planned stops.
• Private boat and minivan: Only your group participates, with hotel pickup and return.
• Best water time: Fingernail Island is for swimming, while Bom and Gam Ghi are the main coral stops.
• Lunch on May Rut: Expect a BBQ meal with fresh seafood and a cool drink included.
• Seven to eight hours total: Pickup is scheduled around 8:30 a.m., with a return to An Thoi at about 3:30 p.m.
• Check the route carefully: Names and descriptions vary, so ask the provider to confirm the stops for your date.

A private start from your Phu Quoc hotel

Your morning begins with pickup at about 8:30 a.m. An air-conditioned minivan takes you to An Thoi pier, a drive listed at roughly 30 minutes. An English-speaking local guide travels with you, and the same private arrangement applies to the return trip.

That hotel-to-hotel setup matters in Phu Quoc. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi to the pier, find the right boat, or worry about getting back after a full day in the sun. The drive is part of the package, not an extra charge.

At An Thoi, your group boards a modern private speedboat at around 9 a.m. The private format is the clearest reason to consider this experience. You can spend more time at a stop that suits your group, within the guide’s planned schedule, and you avoid being assigned to a large shared boat.

The published schedule allows roughly five hours at the islands, plus boat travel and the road transfer. The listed island times are one hour at Fingernail, one hour at Bom, one hour at Gam Ghi, and two hours at May Rut. That is a full tropical day, so bring patience for sun, spray, and a busy schedule.

Fingernail Island for white sand and easy swimming

Fingernail Island, also called Mong Tay Island in the tour description, is the classic postcard stop. The draw is a white-sand beach and clear water, with about one hour set aside for swimming and relaxing.

This is the least technical part of the day. You do not need to snorkel to enjoy it. If you want a quick swim, a quiet hour on the sand, or photographs of shallow blue water, this is where you get it.

One hour is enough for a taste, but not enough for a slow beach day. You will need to keep an eye on the schedule and move on when the boat crew is ready. That tradeoff is typical of a four-island tour: you see more places, but no single beach gets your whole afternoon.

The name issue deserves attention here. The overview uses Mong Tay, while the stop is labeled Fingernail Island. Those names refer to the same island in this context, but the changing labels can make the route harder to follow. Ask the provider to confirm that Fingernail or Mong Tay is included.

Bom Island and shallow coral viewing

Bom Island is planned as a snorkeling stop, with coral in water about one to three meters deep. That shallow depth makes it approachable for people who are comfortable in the water but do not want to swim far from the boat or shore.

The tour supplies snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. The description highlights blue, red, and white coral, along with schools of fish. It also suggests bringing a small piece of bread or cake to attract fish, though you should follow the guide’s advice and local rules about feeding marine life.

I like that this stop is described with a clear depth range. It gives you a better idea of what to expect than a vague promise of snorkeling. Still, water conditions can affect visibility, and coral viewing is never guaranteed to look exactly the same each day.

Bom receives about an hour. Use the first few minutes to adjust your mask and get comfortable, rather than rushing straight into the water. If you are a confident swimmer, you may wish the stop were longer. If you are new to snorkeling, the shallow water can make this one of the more manageable parts of the trip.

Gam Ghi Island for clear water and more coral

Gam Ghi Island is the second coral-focused stop. The coral grows close to a large beach, and the water is described as clear enough for you to see fish simply by looking down.

The spelling varies between Gam Ghi and Gham Ghi. Treat them as the same planned stop, and confirm the name when you book if exact routing matters to you.

This island adds variety after Fingernail’s beach time and Bom’s shallow reef. You get another hour in the water, with the possibility of seeing more coral and fish from close to shore. For many people, this will be the main reason to carry a phone or camera in a waterproof case.

The practical drawback is shared by all reef stops: clear water depends on sea and weather conditions. The tour includes the equipment, but it does not promise a particular visibility level or a guaranteed amount of marine life. Poor weather can cancel the full trip, and changing water conditions may also affect what you see.

May Rut Island turns lunch into the main pause

May Rut receives the longest stop, about two hours. That makes sense because this is where lunch is served, and the beach is meant to be a slower break after the morning’s swimming and snorkeling.

The setting is described through coconut trees, waves, and a quieter feel away from the streets. You can expect the BBQ meal to include fresh seafood dishes prepared by the staff, along with bottled water and one cold beer or Coca-Cola per person.

The meal is included in the $170 price, which is useful when comparing this outing with a cheaper boat trip that adds lunch and drinks later. The food is presented as a prepared BBQ rather than a restaurant meal, so you should choose this tour for the whole island day, not for a high-end dining experience.

Two hours also gives you time to dry off and slow down. After three earlier island stops, that pause matters. You are not simply eating quickly beside the boat before moving on.

Personal expenses are not included. The tour also lists tips as optional but strongly encouraged. If you want snacks beyond lunch, additional drinks, souvenirs, or other purchases, budget for them separately.

What the $170 price really covers

At $170 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Phu Quoc’s southern islands. The price becomes easier to justify if you value privacy and convenience.

Included in the fare are:

• Private round-trip speedboat
• Private air-conditioned minivan
• English-speaking local guide
• Snorkeling equipment
• BBQ lunch
• Bottled water
• One beer or Coca-Cola per person
• Hotel pickup and return

If your group would otherwise hire a taxi to An Thoi, arrange a boat, rent snorkeling gear, and buy lunch and drinks, the package can offer reasonable value. The private boat is the biggest part of that calculation.

The value is weaker if you are happy to share a boat, already have transport, or mainly want one beach and a short swim. You are paying for a full-day arrangement and exclusive transport, not just access to the islands.

Group discounts are available, so the final cost may make more sense for a larger private party. The experience is designed only for your group, but the supplied information does not state the maximum group size. Ask before booking if you need a particular boat size or seating setup.

The tour is usually booked about 22 days ahead. That is a useful planning clue, especially if you are visiting during a busy period. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a new date or full refund.

The route needs one careful confirmation

Most of the details point to a straightforward four-island day, but the route description is not perfectly consistent. The overview names Mong Tay, Bom, Gham Ghi, and May Rut. The detailed schedule uses Fingernail, Bom, Gam Ghi, and May Rut.

The first and third names appear to be spelling or naming variations. More important, one published account reported that the actual program did not match the advertised route and specifically objected to the promised white-sand island. That makes a quick confirmation worthwhile.

Before you pay, ask two direct questions:

• Will the boat stop at Fingernail Island, also called Mong Tay?
• Will the boat visit both Bom and Gam Ghi for coral viewing?

Also ask whether weather or sea conditions could change the order or remove a stop. The operator requires good weather, and a boat route can change for safety. Clear answers will help you decide if this is the right purchase.

Who will enjoy this private boat day

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a full southern-island outing without arranging each piece yourself. Families, couples, and small groups who value a private boat will get the most from it.

It also suits people who want several kinds of scenery in one day: white sand at Fingernail, shallow coral at Bom, another reef stop at Gam Ghi, and a longer lunch break at May Rut. You do not need to be an expert snorkeler, since the coral is described in shallow water and equipment is supplied.

You may want another option if you dislike fast schedules or are mainly seeking a long, quiet beach stay. The day covers four stops, and each of the first three gets only about an hour. If the route is the most important part of your decision, confirm it in writing before booking.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The supplied details do not give specific information about boat boarding assistance, mobility equipment, or child pricing, so ask the provider directly if any of those points affect your plans.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a waterproof way to protect your phone. The tour supplies snorkeling equipment and bottled water, but the details do not say that towels, reef shoes, or additional snacks are included.

Wear something that dries quickly. You will move between boat, beach, and water several times before lunch. A dry bag is useful for keeping personal items safe from spray.

Use the morning stops for water time and save your longest rest for May Rut. The schedule gives you two hours there, so you do not need to treat lunch as a rushed stop.

Keep expectations realistic about the coral. Bom and Gam Ghi offer the chance to see colorful reefs and fish in shallow water, but the sea is a natural setting. Weather, water clarity, and marine conditions can change the view from day to day.

The return boat is scheduled for about 3:30 p.m., followed by the minivan ride back to your hotel. The total day is listed as seven to eight hours, so avoid booking an evening plan that requires a precise arrival time.

Should you book the Robinson tour?

Book it if you want a private, all-in-one day with hotel transport, a speedboat, snorkeling, four southern islands, and a BBQ lunch. The private format and included transport give the $170 price a clear purpose, especially for a group that prefers comfort over the lowest fare.

I would not book it without confirming the route. The naming differences are manageable, but the reported mismatch between the promised and delivered stops is a serious reason to ask questions first.

If the provider confirms Fingernail or Mong Tay, Bom, Gam Ghi, and May Rut for your date, this is a practical choice for a packed island day. If you want long hours on one beach, guaranteed coral conditions, or a lower-cost shared excursion, keep looking.

FAQ

Where does the tour take place?

The tour operates in southern Phu Quoc, Vietnam. The boat departs from An Thoi pier and visits Fingernail Island, Bom Island, Gam Ghi Island, and May Rut Island.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately seven to eight hours. Pickup is scheduled for about 8:30 a.m., and the speedboat is scheduled to return to An Thoi at about 3:30 p.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. A private air-conditioned minivan picks you up from your hotel in the morning and returns you after the island tour.

Is the speedboat private?

Yes. The package includes a private round-trip modern speedboat, and only your group participates in the activity.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, with coral viewing planned at Bom Island and Gam Ghi Island.

What food and drinks are included?

A BBQ lunch with seafood dishes is included at May Rut Island. Each person also receives bottled water and one cold beer or Coca-Cola.

What is not included in the price?

Personal expenses are not included. Tips are optional, though they are strongly recommended by the operator.

Are group discounts available?

Yes. Group discounts are offered, although the supplied information does not state the discount amount or the minimum group size.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund.