Anyone coming to Phu Quoc has heard of May Rut Island with its crystal-clear emerald water. But scrolling online, you see endless sparkling photo-ops, yet when arriving, many are “stunned” because they hit a day with big waves, get terribly seasick, or exhaustingly squeeze through photo spots.
We are island tour operators in Phu Quoc who have stuck to the sea for over a decade. This article will “strip bare” every corner of May Rut Island Phu Quoc, using no empty advertising brochure words, only harsh but necessary practical experiences.
After reading this, you will know how to tell May Rut Trong and Ngoai apart, clearly understand the cost breakdown of going to May Rut Island on your own versus taking a tour, and especially how to catch the “golden time” to get a lifetime photo without photobombers.
Why do you need to research carefully before going to the island?
Don’t be fooled by the “always beautiful” promises online. Going to South Phu Quoc island by speedboat is not an experience for everyone, especially if your family has elderly people prone to seasickness or kids under 3. You will face practical questions: Are there waves? Does the island have restrooms? Is the food on the island a “rip-off”? Below are the truths we have summed up after thousands of speedboat trips to the island.
What to play at May Rut Island Phu Quoc? Distinguishing May Rut Trong & Ngoai
Many guests mistakenly think there is only one May Rut Island. In reality, this area is divided into two small islands with completely different “identifying features”.
May Rut Trong Island: Photo-op paradise but easily “overcrowded”
Tourists checking in at the bird’s nest swing on May Rut Trong Island beach Pros: Possesses the longest beach among the small islands in the South, with sand as fine as ice cream. This is the “headquarters” for million-view photo-ops with bird’s nest swing check-ins, SUP boards, and hammock nets in the middle of the sea.
- Local truth: This island is very beautiful but extremely crowded between 1 PM – 3 PM. Sometimes you have to line up in the sun just to take a flycam picture.
May Rut Ngoai Island: Pristine, rocky and more chill
- Pros: Smaller beach, surrounded by many rocky reefs, but in return the space is very pristine and quiet. The feeling of swaying on a hammock under the coconut shade, listening to the blowing sea breeze here is much “better” than May Rut Trong.
- Note: This place is suitable for those who like to chill quietly, without focusing on taking 7,749 photo-op pictures.
The “golden” time to visit May Rut Island: The water isn’t always blue!
Which month is the best? When is the sea calm?
- Dry season (November – April next year): This is the true love! The sea at South Phu Quoc island is as calm as a lake during this time, with crystal clear water where you can see the bottom, making it excellent for coral snorkeling.
- Rainy season (May – October): The sea often has big waves, and the water is frequently murky due to churned-up sand. Honest warning: If you happen to go during this time, you should check the weather forecast carefully. If the sea is rough, stay on the mainland and go to a cafe to be safe. Trying to force a speedboat trip to the island is very dangerous and easily causes exhausting seasickness.
Best time frame for photos
Most tours will crowd onto the island in the afternoon. Our experience is that you should schedule your island trip early in the morning (from 8 AM – 11 AM). At this time, the slanted sunlight is gorgeous, the water is crystal clear, and most importantly, the beach hasn’t been “swarmed” by hundreds of other tourists.
Cost breakdown: Go to May Rut Island on your own or buy a group tour?
This is definitely the question that gives many of you the biggest headache.
- If you go on your own: You have to travel to An Thoi port yourself, rent a Phu Quoc speedboat (prices range from 1,500,000 VND – 2,500,000 VND/boat depending on capacity, ≈ $60 – $100 USD). Calculating it out, if you go in a small group (2-4 people), bearing the speedboat cost and various May Rut Island ticket prices (like island landing fees, chair rentals, service fees…) will be very expensive. However, if you travel with a large extended family and want to be 100% proactive with your time, renting a private speedboat to May Rut is an extremely reasonable option.
- If you go on a group tour: Choosing a Phu Quoc 4-island tour or a joined South Island speedboat tour is the safest and most economical choice for a small group. These tours take care of everything from shuttle buses, speedboats, and snorkeling gear, to a seafood lunch and even a backup team for flycam filming and photography. Practical experience shows that going on a tour will be much more relaxing and cheaper than fumbling around on your own. You can check out the detailed 3-island tour itinerary here to compare prices and services.
Practical guide: The hidden corners few people mention
As tour operators, we have to speak frankly about the following issues so you can mentally prepare:
- Traveling with small children: Speedboats running on the sea will definitely have moments of bouncing over waves. We do not recommend bringing children under 3, pregnant women, or elderly people with a history of spinal/cardiovascular diseases.
- Are there restrooms? There are temporary restrooms on the island. However, freshwater on the island is a luxury good transported from the mainland. Rinsing off with freshwater will cost you around 20,000 VND – 30,000 VND/bucket (≈ $0.80 – $1.20 USD).
- Food and drinks on the island: The island has leaf-roofed restaurants selling seafood, fresh coconut, fried noodles… The food is fresh but the price will be slightly higher than the mainland by about 20-30% due to transportation costs. Don’t be surprised!
Perfect itinerary suggestion: Exploring the small islands by speedboat usually ends around 3 PM – 4 PM. If you aren’t tired, combine it with the Hon Thom cable car to fully admire the South Island sunset from above. Experiencing a full-day South Island itinerary that involves both the beach and taking the world’s longest cross-sea cable car will certainly not disappoint you.
Conclusion
The most honest May Rut Island review boils down to: The island is very beautiful and highly worth a trip, but you must go in the right season, at the right time, and choose the right transportation. Don’t blindly follow trends if your health doesn’t allow it.
We are based in Phu Quoc so we clearly understand every wave and coral reef. If you are hesitating and don’t know how to design an itinerary so your family doesn’t get tired, or need a reputable speedboat tour that isn’t rushed, feel free to send a message. We will advise you with all the honesty of locals.
