REVIEW · PHU QUOC
Robinson Tour By Private Speedboat with BBQ Lunch
Book on Viator →Operated by Feel The Phu Quoc · Bookable on Viator
Four islands on a private speedboat. This Phu Quoc day trip is built around an early hotel pickup, a fast run out of An Thoi port, and timed beach + snorkeling stops, finishing with a BBQ lunch on May Rut. I like the fact it feels properly private (not a cattle-car tour), and I also like that snorkeling gear is included and the route focuses on coral areas. One thing to consider: the island order/naming in the written description can vary, so double-check what your confirmation lists before you set off.
The pace is very intentional: about an hour at several islands, and closer to two hours at the lunch island. If you want long beach wandering or hours of uninterrupted snorkeling, this schedule may feel a bit short—still, it’s a solid way to see the highlights without spending your whole day on the water.
Value-wise, you’re paying for a private round-trip modern speedboat plus an A/C minivan, an English-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, lunch, and bottled water (with one cold beer or Coca-Cola per person). The trip runs roughly 7–8 hours (pickup 8:30am, back around 3:30pm), which makes it easier to fit into a holiday plan.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Entering the day at An Thoi: why this port matters
- Hotel pickup and the private speedboat feel
- Fingernail Island: the easy swim-and-relax stop
- Bom Island: coral viewing at 1–3 meters
- Gam Ghi Island: clear-water fish spotting and calm beach time
- May Rut Island: BBQ lunch plus a quieter rhythm
- What’s included (and what you should bring)
- Price and logistics: does $170 make sense?
- Who this tour suits best
- The one issue to watch: itinerary naming and order
- Should you book this Robinson private speedboat with BBQ lunch?
- FAQ
- What’s the duration of the Robinson private speedboat with BBQ lunch tour?
- Where does the tour start in Phu Quoc?
- What time does pickup and departure happen?
- Which islands are included in the tour?
- How long do you spend at each island?
- Is snorkeling gear included?
- Is lunch included, and what’s it like?
- Are drinks included with lunch?
- Is this a private tour for just my group?
- What happens if weather is poor?
Key things to know before you go
- Private boat, not just a seat: Your group does the island loop together in a private speedboat setup.
- Snorkeling gear is provided: You get equipment for the stops where seeing coral is the point.
- Coral-focused timing: Bom and Gam Ghi are scheduled for about an hour each with clear-water viewing.
- BBQ lunch happens on May Rut: Seafood + cool drinks are part of the plan, not an optional extra.
- Bring bread or cake if you want fish: Bom Island is specifically suggested for feeding fish at the coral depth range.
- Confirm the island list/order: If your printed itinerary doesn’t match your final confirmation, that’s worth sorting out early.
Entering the day at An Thoi: why this port matters
Most Phu Quoc island-hopping routes funnel through An Thoi, and this tour follows that same logic. You start with a hotel pickup in the morning, then head straight to the pier so the speedboat portion can begin right away.
Why you’ll like that: it reduces the dead time that can happen when a tour has to collect too many people or wait on late arrivals. The drive is handled by an A/C minivan, so you’re not baking on a scooter before you even reach the water.
Hotel pickup and the private speedboat feel
Pickup is scheduled for 8:30am, and departure from the port is around 9:00am. The whole day runs until about 3:30pm, so you’re not stuck in the dark with a long return.
What makes this setup practical is the private round-trip speedboat concept. You’re not negotiating the chaos of shared boats, and your guide can keep the timing tighter—important when you have about an hour at most islands.
Also worth noting: you’ll have an English-speaking local guide, plus snorkeling equipment is included. Even if you’re comfortable in the water, it’s nice not to chase gear rental on the day.
Fingernail Island: the easy swim-and-relax stop
Fingernail Island (often described as white-sand and very clear) is the first big beach break, with about one hour to swim and relax. The plan here is straightforward: get your legs wet, enjoy the sand, and soak up the classic postcard beach view without needing any special gear.
The upside for most people: it’s a low-pressure start. You can ease into the day and decide how much effort you want to put into the later snorkeling stops.
The main drawback is also simple—one hour passes fast. If you’re the type who wants a long, slow beach morning, arrive on time, put your sunscreen on early, and keep your essentials handy so you’re not wasting minutes on logistics.
Bom Island: coral viewing at 1–3 meters
Bom Island is where the tour shifts from beach time to coral time. You’ll have about one hour, and the snorkeling suggestion is specific: you can swim over coral at roughly 1m to 3m depth.
That range matters. You don’t need to be a deep-water swimmer to see coral and fish movement, and you can keep your head up while scanning the reef. The tour description also points out colorful coral and schools of fish.
A neat local tip is included: bring some bread or cake if you want to feed the fish (at a place like Bom, it’s often part of the fun). If you do this, keep it controlled and small so you’re not turning the reef area into a feeding frenzy.
The possible drawback: coral depends on water conditions. If visibility is less clear that day, you may still enjoy the swim, but the “wow” factor can drop.
Gam Ghi Island: clear-water fish spotting and calm beach time
Gam Ghi Island comes next, again with around one hour on the schedule. The big promise here is water clarity—so clear that you can see fish by looking downward.
The tour emphasizes how the colors shimmer and how the water transparency lets you spot fish while staying relatively relaxed. It’s the kind of stop where people who like gentle snorkeling tend to enjoy it, because you don’t need to chase anything far out.
What could limit the experience is, again, conditions. Wind and swell can affect how comfortable snorkeling feels, even if visibility is good. Since the tour requires good weather, you’re somewhat protected from extreme conditions—but some days are still better than others.
May Rut Island: BBQ lunch plus a quieter rhythm
May Rut is both the lunch stop and a shift in atmosphere. You get about two hours here, which is longer than the other islands, giving you time to eat properly and not just graze.
The lunch is a BBQ with fresh seafood dishes and cool drinks served on the island. You’re also getting bottled water as part of the included package, and there’s a cold beer or Coca-Cola allocated per guest. In other words: this isn’t just a snack break, it’s a real meal.
What I like about making lunch the island “anchor” is that you can slow down for a bit. When you’ve just done multiple fast transitions, sitting down for a meal away from the pier noise gives your day structure.
One consideration: you’ll want basic swim-readiness even here. The schedule is still island-based, so if you plan to keep your swimsuit on for post-lunch time, you’ll be glad you brought a change of clothes.
What’s included (and what you should bring)
This tour includes a lot of the items that usually add up fast on island days:
- private round-trip modern speedboat
- private round-trip A/C minivan
- English-speaking local tour guide
- snorkeling equipment
- BBQ lunch with selected seafood dishes plus cool drinks
- bottled water
- one cold beer or Coca-Cola per person
- mobile ticket and group discounts (when offered)
What’s not included is your personal spending and tips. Tips aren’t compulsory, but they’re highly recommended, so keep a little cash ready.
What I’d pack for a smoother day, based on how these stops work:
- sunscreen (you’re on the water and on sand)
- a lightweight cover-up for between islands
- water shoes or something with grip (coral areas can be unpredictable)
- a small dry bag for phone + valuables
- bread/cake if you want to follow the fish-feeding suggestion
- a towel or quick-dry item for after swimming
Price and logistics: does $170 make sense?
At $170 per person, you’re not buying a generic boat rental. You’re paying for the whole machine: hotel pickup and A/C transport, a private speedboat for your group, snorkeling gear, an English-speaking guide, and a BBQ lunch with drinks.
The value logic is simple. You’re getting multiple paid components bundled into one scheduled circuit:
- transport (land + sea)
- guide support
- equipment
- food and drinks
If you were to piece those together separately, you’d likely spend time negotiating rentals, schedules, and meeting points. Even without comparing to other tour companies, this is the kind of package that can feel “worth it” when you want one-day clarity and minimal hassle.
The other practical piece: the tour runs about 7–8 hours. That’s long enough to feel like an experience, but not so long that it eats a full day of your trip.
Who this tour suits best
This is a strong match if you want a structured island day with a private feel. I’d steer you toward it if you:
- like the idea of seeing several islands in one go
- want snorkeling gear included so you don’t manage rentals
- enjoy coral viewing around shallow depths
- prefer having lunch handled as part of the schedule
- are traveling as a couple or small group and want your own flow
It’s less ideal if you’re aiming for an all-day beach getaway or if your priority is long snorkeling sessions. The time blocks are set—one hour here, one hour there, lunch island closer to two hours—so you’ll do the highlights rather than a slow roam.
One more thing: since the experience requires good weather, plan to stay flexible. If conditions are rough, the operator may adjust or offer an alternate date.
The one issue to watch: itinerary naming and order
There’s a clear caution from at least one unhappy booking: the written program description didn’t match what was expected on the day, specifically around the island lineup and the sequence. That doesn’t mean this happens often, but it’s enough to justify a simple habit.
Before you go, compare:
- the island names listed
- the order you’re expecting
- the times shown on your confirmation
If anything looks off, ask for clarification early. It’s a small step that can prevent a big letdown.
Should you book this Robinson private speedboat with BBQ lunch?
I’d book it if you want a tidy, private-feeling island circuit with snorkeling gear and a real BBQ meal included, and you’re comfortable with a 7–8 hour schedule. The combination of shallow coral-focused stops, the option to feed fish with bread or cake, and the BBQ lunch on May Rut makes it more than just a boat ride.
Skip (or look closer) if you’re the kind of traveler who needs long, flexible beach time, or if you’re very sensitive to island order details. In that case, confirming the exact island list on your confirmation is non-negotiable.
FAQ
What’s the duration of the Robinson private speedboat with BBQ lunch tour?
It lasts about 7 to 8 hours.
Where does the tour start in Phu Quoc?
You’re picked up from your hotel in the morning and driven to An Thoi port, where the boat departs.
What time does pickup and departure happen?
Pickup is around 8:30am, and the speedboat boards and departs around 9:00am.
Which islands are included in the tour?
The tour visits four southern islands: Mong Tay, Bom, Gham Ghi, and May Rut (with Fingernail Island also referenced in the schedule).
How long do you spend at each island?
You typically get about 1 hour at Fingernail, 1 hour at Bom, 1 hour at Gham Ghi, and about 2 hours at May Rut.
Is snorkeling gear included?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.
Is lunch included, and what’s it like?
Yes. Lunch is a BBQ with fresh seafood dishes and cool drinks served on May Rut Island.
Are drinks included with lunch?
Yes. Bottled water is included, and there is 1 cold beer or Coca-Cola per person.
Is this a private tour for just my group?
Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.
What happens if weather is poor?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
