[GROUP] SCUBA DIVING for Certified Divers in Phu Quoc Island

The best part of this Phu Quoc outing is simple: you get two chances to see the fish and reef around the An Thoi Islands without arranging a boat, equipment, lunch, and local transfers yourself. After a hotel pickup, an English-speaking instructor leads the safety briefing and stays with you underwater, with each session reaching a maximum depth of 18 meters.

I like the all-in-one setup, especially the supplied equipment and boat lunch. I also like the practical communication before departure, including confirmation of the vehicle and questions about wetsuit and fin sizes. The main consideration is that this is a shared trip, so pickup times can shift, and the boat is functional rather than polished.

Key points to know before booking

• Two underwater sessions: Expect roughly 40 to 50 minutes at the first site, followed by a second session after lunch.
• An Thoi Islands setting: The route takes you toward Phu Quoc’s southern island group, with colorful fish and reef scenery as the main attraction.
• Certified divers only: You must already hold a scuba certification. This is not a course or beginner lesson.
• Equipment is included: Scuba gear, cold water, an icebox, lunch, and a shared wooden boat are part of the package.
• Shared transport: Hotel pickup begins around 7:30 to 8:30 am, depending on your location and the day’s arrangements.
• Weather can change the plan: Dive sites may be changed without advance notice, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or full refund.

Two reef sessions around the An Thoi Islands

This is a full-day scuba outing from Phu Quoc, built around two underwater sessions in the An Thoi Islands. You will not spend the day learning basic skills. Instead, the instructor handles the safety talk, equipment checks, and underwater guidance while you concentrate on the reef and marine life.

The advertised maximum depth is 18 meters. That is suitable for many certified divers, but you should still be comfortable with your own certification limits, equipment, and current fitness level. The stated underwater time for the first session is about 40 to 50 minutes.

The exact sites are not fixed. Sea conditions can change the route without advance notice, so you should think of the An Thoi area as the destination rather than a promise of one named reef. This is normal for a boat-based trip, since weather and water conditions matter more than a printed schedule.

You might see colorful fish and reef life, but the supplied information does not promise particular species or a certain level of visibility. That is worth keeping in mind when comparing this trip with a specialist marine-life excursion.

The early hotel pickup and ride south

Pickup runs from about 7:30 to 8:30 am. The shared van service covers hotels from Duong Dong center toward the harbor, and the exact time depends on your hotel and the day’s pickup order.

That shared format keeps the price lower, but you should allow some flexibility in the morning. The operator confirms the pickup time one day before departure, so keep your phone available and check the message rather than relying only on the original booking time.

The standard service covers central locations. Extra charges apply for several outlying areas:

• Ong Lang and The Shells Resort: 250,000 VND per booking
• Cua Can and Movenpick Resort: 350,000 VND per booking
• Vinpearl and Mai Phuong Resort: 450,000 VND per booking
• Ganh Dau: 500,000 VND per booking
• Ham Ninh: 300,000 VND per booking

National holiday surcharges also apply, with 150,000 VND per person listed for September 1 and 2. Check your hotel location and date before paying, since these add-ons can change the total value of the package.

The transfer takes you to a harbor, described in the schedule as either the northern or southern pier. From there, you board the shared wooden boat and head toward the first site. The boat has an icebox and cold water, which matters in a warm climate and on a day when you will be outside for several hours.

What the first underwater session is like

After reaching the first site, the instructor gives a safety briefing. You then put on the supplied equipment and enter the water for the first session.

The listed underwater time is 40 to 50 minutes, with a maximum depth of 18 meters. Having the instructor beside you is useful if you are unfamiliar with the local conditions or want someone focused on group safety while you watch the reef.

The package includes the scuba equipment, so you do not need to find a separate rental shop in Phu Quoc. The operator also asks about your suit and fin sizes before the trip, a small but useful detail that can reduce morning delays and improve comfort.

You should still expect standard shared-trip limitations. Equipment is provided, but the information does not specify brand, model, or individual gear preferences. If you are particular about your regulator, mask, exposure protection, or buoyancy setup, ask for details before booking.

The first session may be at a site near Bai Sao or another location selected for the day. One recorded trip description refers to Bai Sao, but the stated plan allows sites to change with sea conditions. Treat the exact location as flexible.

Lunch on the boat, then a second session

Lunch is scheduled between 11:00 am and noon on board. Cold water is included, and the boat has an icebox. This is not a waterfront restaurant stop, and that is part of the appeal: you stay with the boat, refuel, and avoid losing time to another transfer.

I like this arrangement for a day with two water sessions. You can eat shortly after the first session and keep your belongings nearby. The tradeoff is comfort. A shared wooden boat may feel basic, and one highly positive account still noted that the boat had seen better days.

After lunch and a surface interval, the boat proceeds to the second site at about 1:00 pm. You kit up again and return to the water. The schedule gives a clear time for the second session but does not state an exact underwater duration.

One account described a first session of about 40 minutes and a second of about one hour. The operator explained that recreational sessions can last about 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the circumstances. Your actual time may therefore vary with air supply, conditions, group pace, and safety decisions.

That variation is important if you are planning an afternoon flight, massage, meal, or other fixed appointment. The published schedule says the boat returns to the harbor around 2:00 pm, while another line says the trip finishes at 1:30 pm. Those times do not fully match, so leave a generous buffer and ask for the current return estimate when your pickup is confirmed.

The guide and group setup

An English-speaking scuba instructor leads the underwater portion. The supplied details do not provide the instructor’s name, so you should not expect to choose a particular guide when booking.

The group is shared rather than private. The additional information lists a maximum of 12 travelers, while the trip note says the number can reach 15 adults. That discrepancy is worth clarifying before you book if group size is important to you.

A smaller group generally makes equipment preparation and underwater supervision easier, but this is not advertised as a private charter. You will share the boat, transfers, meal setting, and schedule with other certified participants.

The instructor remains with you on each underwater session for safety. That is especially useful if you have not been in the water recently, though the trip is not a refresher course. You should arrive ready to use your certification and manage basic scuba procedures.

The operator’s pre-trip communication is one of the strongest practical features. Expect questions about your health concerns and equipment sizes, plus confirmation of the vehicle. A driver photo and car confirmation were also part of one well-organized booking process, which can make an early hotel pickup less stressful.

Is $108 a fair price?

At $108 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a complete day rather than a bare boat ride. The package combines shared hotel transport, a boat to the sites, two underwater sessions, scuba equipment, an instructor, lunch, cold water, and an icebox.

Booking these pieces separately could take time and create uncertainty, especially if you do not speak Vietnamese or do not know the local harbors. The price also saves you from arranging equipment rental at a separate location.

The value is strongest for a certified visitor staying near Duong Dong who wants a straightforward day with logistics handled. It is less attractive if you already have a private boat, personal equipment, or a strong preference for a particular reef.

The shared format keeps the rate below a private charter, but it means you accept set departure times, other people’s pace, and a basic boat. Consider the added transport charge if you are staying outside the central pickup zone. A 500,000 VND Ganh Dau supplement, for example, can make the final cost notably higher.

The lunch is practical rather than a reason to choose the trip by itself. You are paying for convenience and a full day on the water, not a luxury boat service.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend it to a certified diver who wants two recreational sessions around Phu Quoc and prefers a single booking for transport, equipment, instruction, and food. It suits people who are comfortable with a shared boat and a flexible schedule.

It is also a good fit if you are traveling alone or as a couple and would like to meet other divers. The group format gives you company without the cost of booking a private boat.

This trip is not suitable for someone who has never scuba dived. It is also not the right choice if you need a carefully timed private itinerary, high-end boat comforts, or a guaranteed named site.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The day involves hotel transport, boat travel, handling scuba equipment, getting in and out of the water, and spending several hours in a marine setting.

If you have health concerns, disclose them during the pre-trip communication. The operator asks about health issues before departure, giving you a chance to confirm that the activity is appropriate.

Weather, timing, and practical planning

Sea weather controls the day more than the clock does. The operator can change the sites without advance notice, and poor weather can cancel the trip. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund.

I would avoid placing this outing immediately before a flight or an important afternoon booking. The listed schedule contains slightly different finish times, and water conditions can affect the route.

Bring only what you need for the day. The boat provides cold water and an icebox, while lunch is included. The supplied information does not specify personal items such as towels, sunscreen, or dry storage, so ask the operator what to bring rather than assuming every comfort is supplied.

The cancellation policy is friendly if your plans change early. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, except when poor weather causes the operator to cancel.

The activity normally requires confirmation at booking, and the start time is listed as 7:30 am, with hotel pickup windows running later depending on location. Confirm the final pickup time the day before.

My take on the boat and overall comfort

The boat is best viewed as transport and a working base, not a polished leisure vessel. One account praised the team’s organization and professionalism while also noting that the boat had seen better days.

That is a fair way to frame the experience. The quality of the day depends more on the instructor, equipment fit, sea conditions, and group management than on decorative boat features. The icebox, lunch, and water cover the basics, but you should not book this expecting a luxury cruise.

The strongest service detail is the attention before pickup. Confirming the car, sharing driver information, checking equipment sizes, and asking about health concerns are all signs of useful preparation. Those steps matter more than fancy presentation when you are heading to the harbor before breakfast.

Should you book this Phu Quoc scuba trip?

Book it if you are certified, want two underwater sessions around the An Thoi Islands, and value having transport, gear, lunch, and an English-speaking instructor arranged in one package. The $108 price is fair for that combination, especially from central Phu Quoc.

Pause before booking if you need a private group, a named site, a luxury boat, or a firm return time. Also confirm your hotel transfer fee and the actual maximum group size, since the supplied information lists both 12 and up to 15 adults.

For the right person, this is a practical way to spend a full day on the water. Go in expecting a shared, weather-dependent trip with a basic boat and flexible timing, and the package offers solid value.

FAQ

Is this activity suitable for beginners?

No. It is for certified scuba divers only, and no beginner course is included.

How many underwater sessions are included?

Two sessions are included. The first is listed at about 40 to 50 minutes, while the second has no fixed duration in the schedule and may last around 45 to 60 minutes depending on conditions.

What is the maximum depth?

The first session is listed with a maximum depth of 18 meters under the instructor’s guidance.

Is hotel pickup included?

Shared pickup and drop-off are included for hotels located from Duong Dong center to the harbor. Extra charges apply for several areas, including Ong Lang, Cua Can, Vinpearl, Ganh Dau, and Ham Ninh.

Is lunch provided?

Yes. Lunch, cold water, and an icebox on the shared wooden boat are included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather.