Hon Thom vs the Southern Islands for a Day Trip

Hon Thom suits families and anyone who wants a full, easy day with rides and a water park, reached by a cable car over the sea. The smaller southern islands suit snorkellers and people who want quieter beaches, and you reach them by boat from An Thoi. Hon Thom has more crowds and more development, so choose by what you want from the day.

How far is each option, and how do you get there?

The cable car to Hon Thom takes around 15 to 20 minutes depending on operations, and it runs about 15 minutes from An Thoi station to Hon Thom station. The ride passes over the sea, the fishing fleet and two smaller islands, which gives panoramic views of the An Thoi archipelago.

The southern islands are visited by boat from An Thoi port. Canoe trips leave An Thoi in the morning and visit Mong Tay, Gam Ghi and May Rut islets. The three-island speedboat itinerary departs An Thoi port between 8 and 9 AM on some tours, so check the departure time for your operator.

What does Hon Thom offer?

Hon Thom is a large tourism and entertainment destination. The round-trip cable car ticket includes the main attractions, and free buggies run between them. Most cable car tickets include entry to the water park, which is the main reason many families visit. Ask your operator whether your ticket includes the water park before you buy.

The whole site covers about 300 hectares of attractions, and the amusement area is smaller than the largest park on the island. The site is still developing, and there is construction as hotels and villas are built across parts of the island. Some visitors reported litter on the beach and in the water in 2026, so be ready to find a clean spot.

Food on Hon Thom is generally more expensive than on mainland Phu Quoc. Bring water and a snack if you are on a budget. Hon Thom is a full, easy day out, especially with children, but it is not a sleepy tropical island.

What are the southern islands best for?

The smaller islands around Hon Thom feel more natural and peaceful than Hon Thom itself. The smaller islands with the best snorkelling and quieter beaches are visited by boat from An Thoi, and the usual trip includes Mong Tay, Gam Ghi and May Rut. Expect a day centred on the water rather than rides.

If snorkelling is your priority, the southern islands are the better choice. Snorkel-focused tours centre on coral sites rather than beach bars or photo stops, which keeps the day simple. Hon Thom is a good add-on if you want to see the water from the cable car too.

Which suits snorkelling, and which suits beaches?

Choose the southern islands for snorkelling and for quieter beaches. Choose Hon Thom for a beach day with extras, since it has beach time, but its main draw is attractions. Families who want a mix of rides and sea can combine the cable car with a boat trip in one day.

The combined itinerary adds the cable car ride, so the day has both attractions and water. Ask the operator for the time in each place, so you do not spend the whole day in transit.

Who should pick which?

Pick Hon Thom if you are travelling with children, want rides and a water park, or are visiting for the first time and want an easy day. Pick the southern islands if you want to snorkel, enjoy calm beaches and do not mind a boat ride.

• Hon Thom: families, rides, water park, easy planning, busier crowds.
• Southern islands: snorkelling, quieter beaches, boat-based day, weather-dependent route.
• Both: a combined itinerary, if the operator offers it and you have a full day.

Operators and local sources report that rough sea can change the boat route, so confirm the current position on WhatsApp or on the beach on the day.

Plan your time on Hon Thom around the cable car. An early car gives you the most time for the rides and the water park, and an earlier return avoids the late afternoon rush. Bring a towel and a change of clothes if you plan to use the water park, and keep valuables in a small bag. The midday heat is strong, so carry water and plan shady breaks. If you are travelling with a large group, agree a meeting point inside the complex, because the site is large and busy.

What to do next

Read Hon Mong Tay vs Hon Gam Ghi for Snorkelling to pick the right stop among the southern islands. For a speedboat day that visits Hon Thom, Mong Tay and Gam Ghi, see Speedboat Tour to Hon Thom, Mong Tay, Gam Ghi. If you want a calmer day than the usual 4-island route, Quieter Alternatives to the 4-Island Tour has options. Message us on WhatsApp with your group and dates, and we will confirm the plan and the exact price in the chat before you pay.