Visiting the Pearl Island without riding the waves out to sea means you’ve truly missed out on 50% of the trip’s essence. But whenever standing in front of the crowded An Thoi port with dozens of touts offering “very cheap prices,” many of you will probably feel overwhelmed: Should you charter a private boat or join a shared one? What is the standard price so you don’t get ripped off? And most importantly, is riding a speedboat safe and as bumpy as rumors say?
Don’t worry too much! With over 10 years of experience running tours and guiding guests here, I will lay all the cards on the table about the hidden sides of this service.
In today’s article, we will clearly break down everything from the Phu Quoc speedboat charter price, the pros and cons of each type, to the real-world traps so you can have a trip that is worth every penny. Let’s start!
1. Why does looking to charter a speedboat at the port easily lead to losing money and getting frustrated?
The harsh reality is: During peak season (from November to April of the following year), An Thoi port is always like a real “battlefield.”
If you drive down to the port yourself and have no experience chartering a speedboat in Phu Quoc, you can easily fall into the maze of “port touts.” The most common pain point tourists complain to us about is: being quoted sky-high prices when boats are scarce, or if you agree on a cheap price, you get an old speedboat with an engine reeking of oil. Even worse, the boat driver might just drop you off on a scorching hot beach and rush back to the port to pick up another group of guests. This exhaustion will completely ruin your holiday mood.
2. Real analysis: Phu Quoc private speedboat charter or a shared boat?
To avoid being caught off guard, you need to clearly define your group’s needs to choose one of the two options below:
Joining a shared speedboat in Phu Quoc (Cheap and fun, but strict on schedule)
This is the option where you buy a ticket (Seat-in-coach) and hop on a speedboat with 15-25 strangers.
- Pros: Cost-saving. The current shared ticket price hovers around 650,000 VND – 750,000 VND (≈ $25 – $30 USD) per person (depending on whether lunch is included). The atmosphere on the boat is usually very lively.
- Cons: You completely lose your freedom to decide. If the boat rules say snorkeling is 45 minutes, you must get back up at exactly 45 minutes. If you are chilling on the beach and the whole group calls, you have to grab your sandals and run after them. Sometimes you have to wait for passengers who are extremely late, which is very frustrating.
Phu Quoc private speedboat charter (You get what you pay for, absolute freedom)
Chartering a whole speedboat for your family or group of close friends.
- Pros: You are truly the “customer is king.” What time to depart, which island to stay longer at, which one to skip, when you want to snorkel… the boat driver will accommodate your wishes 100%. Very suitable for families with young children, elderly people, or couples who prefer privacy.
- Cons: The total price will be higher than a shared boat if your group is too small (under 4 people). You also have to manage your own food and drinks on the island (or ask the driver to help book, but the price must be clear upfront).
3. Updated Phu Quoc Speedboat Charter Price List (Latest)
The price for a private speedboat charter (whole boat) will depend on the boat size and the route you take. Below is the general market price at the port (excluding touts):
- Small speedboat (Max 5 – 8 people): Around 2,800,000 VND – 3,200,000 VND (≈ $112 – $128 USD) per trip.
- Medium speedboat (Max 10 – 15 people): Around 3,500,000 VND – 4,000,000 VND (≈ $140 – $160 USD) per trip.
- Large speedboat (Max 20 – 25 people): Around 4,500,000 VND – 5,000,000 VND (≈ $180 – $200 USD) per trip.
💡 Tip from locals: When checking prices, you must ask this question: “Does this price include snorkeling gear (life jackets, diving goggles), island cleaning fees, and a flycam for taking photos on the SUP?”. Many places quote an extremely cheap price to bait guests, but once you are on the boat, they charge you out of pocket for everything separately.
4. The ideal itinerary when taking a Phu Quoc private speedboat charter to the South Island
Usually, when you charter the whole boat, the driver will suggest a route covering 3 or 4 islands depending on the weather conditions. Below is the best route that we usually set up for guests:
- Natural snorkeling: The best area is the reef at Hon Gam Ghi Phu Quoc Review. The water here is crystal clear to the bottom, and the corals are right near the surface. Warning: The rocks here are very sharp; the driver must be really skilled and know the channels well to dare pull up close to the beach for you to get off. Remember to never step on the coral!
- Photo-taking paradise: You can’t skip Hon May Rut Phu Quoc (which includes May Rut Trong and May Rut Ngoai). There are endless white sand beaches, leaning coconut trees, and many setups for flycam shots with SUP boards. However, food and drinks here are a bit pricey compared to the mainland, so you should ask for the price before ordering.
- A bit of pristine relaxation: A peaceful stop at the “mini Maldives” – Hon Mong Tay Phu Quoc. This place is tiny but the water is very calm, suitable for swimming and resting after a tiring swim.
- Combining with the Cable Car: If you want to optimize your time, ask to design an itinerary to charter a speedboat to Hon Thom. This means the speedboat will take you around the small islands and then drop you off at Aquatopia Water Park on Hon Thom. At the end of the day, you take the sea-crossing cable car on your own to watch the sunset and return to An Thoi station. This method prevents seasickness on the way back in the afternoon and doubles the experience!
5. Speedboat “survival” guide (It’s not redundant!)
- Dealing with seasickness: Don’t be careless! A speedboat bounces on the waves and pitches much harder than a wooden boat. If you get seasick easily, take medication 30 minutes beforehand. The golden spot: Grab the very last bench, right next to the driver. That is the smoothest spot. Sitting at the front of the boat is cool for photos, but it’s the place that gets “chopped” by the waves the hardest; your stomach will drop!
- Protecting your belongings: Buy zip bags or specialized waterproof phone pouches in advance. The splashing wind and crashing waves will 100% get your stuff wet.
- Check the weather: If you go during the rainy South wind season (May to October), the sea is rough. Confirm with the boat rental provider early that morning to see if the waves are calm enough to set sail. Don’t force it just because you regret spending the money; getting severely seasick is a real thing!
6. Final words
Doing a DIY Phu Quoc private speedboat charter brings a free and open experience but also requires you to have negotiation skills and careful preparation. If you travel in a large group and are used to planning on your own, renting privately is the perfect choice.
But if you just want to “pack your bag and go,” and don’t want the headache of dealing with the port, bargaining, or designing the itinerary yourself, check out our all-inclusive speedboat tours. PhuQuocGo guarantees quality vehicles, modern speedboats, fun local drivers, and absolutely no hidden costs.
👉 Read more pocket guides: Phu Quoc Travel Experience From A-Z to prepare perfectly for your upcoming trip!
