Cheaper Alternatives to a Private Boat Tour in Phu Quoc

The main cheaper option than a private boat is a shared island-hopping tour, where you pay for a seat instead of a whole boat. One operator lists a private speedboat for 4 to 10 people at USD 98 to 196 (VND 2,500,000 to 5,000,000) per trip, a guide range checked on 5 November 2026. A shared tour is usually cheaper per person.

How much cheaper is a shared island-hopping tour?

A shared tour costs less per person because you split the boat and the crew with other travellers instead of paying for the whole vessel.

The only price this page can back up is the private one. We do not have a shared-tour figure that matches this page, so we will not guess one. Shared tour prices depend on the date, the route and the operator. Message us on WhatsApp and we arrange it with local partners and confirm the exact price in the chat before you pay.

One more thing to know before you compare: tourist pricing applies to boat trips as well as to street food, so boat trips cost more than in the rest of Vietnam. Do not judge a Phu Quoc quote by prices you saw on the mainland.

Why does the pickup surcharge change the comparison?

Group cars and private cars count the surcharge differently, so the lower headline price is not always the cheaper day.

Operators report that group-car pickup surcharges are charged per passenger, while private-car surcharges are charged per tour. A family of five in a group car pays the surcharge five times. The same family in a private car pays it once. If your hotel is outside the main pickup area, this can eat into the saving from choosing a shared tour.

Always ask for the total with pickup included, not just the seat price. If you are staying in the south, resorts there often help book island tours or sell packages that include tours and Hon Thom cable car tickets. Compare that package with a stand-alone tour before you decide.

What do you give up compared with a private boat?

You give up control: a shared tour runs on the operator’s route and timetable, while a private boat can follow your plan.

Check these trade-offs before you pick the cheaper option:

• Timing. A shared tour usually leaves and returns at set times. A private boat is easier to adjust, but ask the operator what is possible.
• Stops. On a shared tour the group moves together, so you cannot stay longer at a stop you love or skip one you do not.
• Space. A shared boat carries other passengers. A private boat is yours and your group’s.
• Pace. A smaller party usually means less waiting at each stop, but confirm the numbers with the operator.

What you keep is the core of the day: the islands, the swimming and the snorkeling. Some tours include mineral water, and some provide a snorkel mask, snorkel and fins. Fins are not available in children’s sizes, so if you travel with young children, ask what gear fits them before you book.

How can friends split a private boat?

The private price is per trip, not per person, so the cost per head falls as more people join, up to the boat’s limit.

The private speedboat in the guide range is listed for 4 to 10 people. Here is a simple way to share it:

1. Agree the date and the number of people first, then ask for one quote for the whole boat.
2. Ask the operator to confirm in writing what the quote covers: pickup, fuel, gear, food and drinks, and any holiday surcharge.
3. Divide the quote by the number of people who have confirmed. Do not divide earlier, because one dropout raises everyone else’s share.
4. Agree how you will collect each person’s share and who pays the operator, so nobody is left covering a gap.

A group at the lower end of the 4 to 10 range pays the same trip price for a boat with empty seats. A group of ten uses every seat. If your party is smaller than the boat suits, ask whether a shared tour or a smaller boat is available.

Which low-cost days are still worth it?

A shared tour on a day when you are happy to follow a set plan gives the best value, because you still see the islands without paying for a whole boat.

A shared tour is a good fit when:

• You want to swim, snorkel and see several islands, and you do not need to control the schedule.
• You travel as a couple or a small family and could not fill a private boat.
• You can be ready for the pickup time and stay with the group.

Prices change with the date, so ask on WhatsApp which dates are cheapest for your plans. Avoid choosing a tour on price alone. A very low quote is only a bargain if it covers the stops, the transfer and the safety basics you expect, so compare like for like.

What should you ask before booking the cheapest option?

Ask the same short set of questions of every operator, so the quotes can be compared fairly.

• Is pickup included, and is the surcharge per passenger or per tour?
• Is mineral water included?
• Which snorkel gear is provided, and what fits children?
• Which islands and how many stops are on the route?
• How many passengers are on the boat?
• What time do we get back to the hotel or the pier?
• Is the final price confirmed in writing before I pay?

Some operators include extras such as water, gear or transfers. Ask whether your quote includes them, and do not assume that every tour does.

What to do next

If you are still deciding between a shared day and your own boat, read 4-Island Tour vs Private Boat: Which to Choose for a side-by-side view. For a per-person figure on the shared tour, see 4-Island Tour Price From An Thoi Per Person. If you are travelling with a large party, Group Boat Day Phu Quoc for 12 People explains how a bigger group can be handled. When you are ready, message us on WhatsApp with your dates and headcount.