Quieter Alternatives to the 4-Island Tour
Editorial team · Checked 5 November 2026
In short
For a quieter day, take a private boat from An Thoi to Hon Xuong or Xuong Island and avoid midday. One operator lists a half-day private boat at USD 31 (VND 800,000) per boat, a guide figure checked on 5 November 2026.
The quietest way to see the southern islands is a private or small-group boat from An Thoi port to calmer islands such as Hon Xuong and Xuong Island, timed to avoid the midday rush. One operator lists a half-day private boat from An Thoi port at USD 31 (VND 800,000) per boat, a guide figure checked on 5 November 2026.
Which southern islands are calmer than the usual stops?
Hon Xuong and Xuong Island are the calmer, less developed choices, while Hon Vong has better facilities but gets busy.
| Island | What it is like | Facilities and limits |
|---|---|---|
| Hon Xuong | A small island in the An Thoi archipelago off the southern tip of Phu Quoc. The reef is shallow, with rocks, some hard coral and small reef fish, and is fine for a swim with a mask. | No hotels. Sunbeds, umbrellas and hammocks cost extra. Not on every standard tour. |
| Xuong Island | About 15 kilometers south of An Thoi port. A small beach with around 50 meters of white sand in a sheltered cove. The sea cave, reached by a short walk along the shore, is the main highlight. | One beach restaurant, glamping, no shops or card payments. Snorkeling is no longer a highlight because the coral has been damaged. |
| Hon Vong | Run as a private beach where everything is paid, including sun loungers, drinks, food and showers. Cleaner toilets, showers and a bar than the wilder islands. | No public ferry. Outside food and drink can be refused. Busy at midday. |
Pick Hon Vong if comfort and facilities matter most to you, and pick Hon Xuong or Xuong Island if you want something wilder and calmer.
What are the least crowded months and hours?
The facts we have describe calm-sea months and busy hours, and not exact crowd counts, so plan around the hours first.
For months, local sources report that November to April is the best time for Hon Xuong, Xuong Island and Hon Vong, because the sea is calm. This is the dry season. We do not have month-by-month crowd figures, so treat this as a sea-condition guide. If you want the quietest days within the season, ask the operator on WhatsApp which dates are lighter.
For hours, avoid the middle of the day at the popular stops. Operators report that at midday the beach and the jetty at Hon Vong get busy with boats, because many tours stop there. Ask for an earlier or later landing, and check that the plan still gives you enough time on the island.
What private or small-group options are there?
A private boat from An Thoi port is the simplest route to the calmer islands, because it lets you choose the island and the timing.
A private boat from An Thoi port takes about 20 to 30 minutes by speedboat to reach Hon Xuong. Hon Xuong is not on every standard three- or four-island tour, so check the itinerary before booking. Hon Vong has no public ferry, so you reach it by tour or private speedboat from An Thoi. Xuong Island overnight stays must be arranged in advance, and independent camping is not permitted, according to local sources, so confirm the current rule with the operator.
Safety comes first on every crossing. Choose an established operator, wear the life jacket for the whole crossing, and do not go out in rough weather.
Questions to ask before you book a private or small-group trip:
- Which island will we visit, and how long do we stay there?
- What size is the boat, and how many passengers will be on it?
- What time do we land, and is it before or after the midday rush?
- Does the price cover the boat only, or also food, drinks and island charges?
- Is the final price confirmed in writing before I pay?
How much more does a quieter trip cost?
A private half-day boat is listed at a low per-boat price by one operator, so a quieter trip is not automatically much more expensive. The catch is that the units differ.
| Option | Unit | Guide price (checked 5 November 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Half-day private boat from An Thoi port | Per boat | USD 31 (VND 800,000), one operator lists it |
| 4-island package tour | Per person | USD 22 (VND 550,000), one operator lists it |
| 4-island speedboat tour, with or without the Hon Thom cable car | Per person | USD 31 to 57 (VND 790,000 to 1,450,000), one operator lists it |
| 4-island tour with the Hon Thom cable car and a buffet lunch | Per person | USD 47 to 57 (VND 1,200,000 to 1,450,000), one operator lists it |
The half-day private boat figure is per boat, while the tours are per person, so do not compare them line by line. The final price depends on the boat size, the island, the hours and the date. Message us on WhatsApp and we arrange it with local partners and confirm the exact price in the chat before you pay.
What should you bring and expect on the calm islands?
Expect fewer services, so bring what you need.
- Cash. Xuong Island has no shops or card payment facilities, so visitors should bring cash.
- Drinks. On Hon Vong, outside food and drink can be refused, so drink before landing.
- Extras. On Hon Xuong, sunbeds, umbrellas and hammocks cost extra.
- Gear. Snorkeling around Xuong Island is no longer a highlight, so do not plan the trip around it. A mask is enough for a swim at Hon Xuong.
- Expectations. There is one beach restaurant on Xuong Island and no hotels on Hon Xuong. Plan a day trip, not a stay.
What to do next
To weigh a private boat against a group tour, read 4-Island Tour vs Private Boat: Which to Choose. If you are choosing between Hon Thom and the southern islands, see Hon Thom vs the Southern Islands for a Day Trip. For the half-day option, check Private Boat Charter Phu Quoc Half Day Options. Then message us on WhatsApp with your dates and the island you prefer.
Guide price, not an offer. Checked: 5 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is a quieter alternative to the 4-island tour?
When is the sea calmest for the southern islands?
What time of day is busiest?
Is Hon Xuong on a standard island-hopping tour?
What should I bring to the quieter islands?
How much more does a quieter trip cost?
Read next
-
Guides4-Island Tour vs Private Boat in Phu Quoc
One operator lists a 4-island group tour at USD 31 (VND 799,000) per person; another lists a private speedboat for 4 to 10 people at USD 98 to 196 (VND 2,500,000 to 5,000,000) per trip. Groups save money, private boats buy freedom.
Read → -
GuidesHon Thom vs the Southern Islands for a Day Trip
Hon Thom is a full, easy day out with a cable car and a water park, and suits families. The smaller southern islands have the best snorkelling and quieter beaches, and you reach them by boat from An Thoi. Pick by whether you want rides or water.
Read → -
ServicesPrivate Boat Charter Phu Quoc Half Day Options
A half-day private boat trip in Phu Quoc runs about 4 to 5 hours. Boat hire per trip is listed at about USD 110 to 196 depending on size, a guide range checked on 5 November 2026; confirm the hours.
Read →