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

Colorful reefs await offshore. This Phu Quoc scuba trip takes certified divers to the An Thoi Islands for two guided underwater sessions, with equipment, boat transport, lunch, and hotel pickup included. I like the in-water instructor support and the simple all-day setup, which saves you from arranging gear and boat transport separately. I also like that the group format can make it easy to meet other people without turning the trip into a large crowd.

The main consideration is the schedule. Boat and pickup times can shift, sites depend on sea conditions, and the published finish times do not fully match. The boat has also seen better days, according to one guest, though the crew’s organization and safety focus earned strong praise.

Key points to know before booking

• Two underwater sessions near An Thoi: Expect roughly 40 to 50 minutes underwater on the first session, with a second session after lunch.
• Certified divers only: You need prior certification, so this is not a beginner course or introductory lesson.
• Maximum group size is unclear: The information gives both 12 and 15 adults, so ask for the expected group size.
• Hotel pickup is included in selected areas: Shared van service covers hotels from Duong Dong center toward the harbor, with extra fees for several outlying zones.
• Lunch and equipment come with the price: Cold water, an icebox, scuba gear, and an English-speaking instructor are included.
• Weather can change the plan: The exact sites may change without advance notice, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

What a full day in the An Thoi Islands looks like

This is an eight-hour group outing built around two underwater sessions. The day begins early, usually with hotel pickup between 7:30 and 8:30 in the morning. You then ride in a shared van to the pier, either in the north or south of Phu Quoc, depending on the operating plan.

That early pickup matters. Phu Quoc is spread out, and the extra road time can be significant if you stay outside central Duong Dong. You are not simply walking from a hotel to a marina, so check your pickup zone before you pay. Several areas require an additional charge, including Ong Lang, Cua Can, Vinpearl, Ganh Dau, and Ham Ninh.

At the pier, you board a shared wooden boat. The boat carries the group, equipment, lunch, cold water, and an icebox. The trip is practical rather than polished. One detailed account praised the staff’s preparation but noted that the boat itself had seen better days. That is useful information: you are paying for access to the water and a guided experience, not a luxury yacht.

The schedule gives the first underwater session around 9:30. You receive a briefing at the site, prepare your equipment, and enter the water with the instructor. The stated maximum depth is 18 meters, and the first session lasts about 40 to 50 minutes. Exact underwater time depends on conditions, air supply, comfort, and the instructor’s plan.

Afterward, lunch is served on board between roughly 11:00 and noon. The meal is included, as are cold water and use of the icebox. This keeps the day easy, since you do not need to pack a full meal or search for food between sessions. Still, bring any personal snacks or drinks you know you need, since the included provisions may not suit every appetite.

The second session is planned for around 1:00 in the afternoon. You kit up again and return to the water at another location if conditions and the captain’s plan allow. The boat is scheduled to return to the harbor around 2:00, followed by the ride back to your hotel.

There is a timing problem in the supplied schedule: one line says the trip finishes at 1:30, while another places the harbor return at 2:00. Pickup and drop-off times can also vary. Ask the operator to confirm your exact return plan the day before.

Why the underwater sites are the main attraction

The appeal here is the An Thoi Islands, where the stated goal is to see reef areas and colorful fish. The experience gives you two chances to look below the surface rather than relying on a single short session. That is valuable because visibility and marine life can vary from one location to the next.

You should keep your expectations sensible. The supplied information does not promise a particular species, coral formation, or visibility level. The captain may change the sites because of sea conditions, and the operator can do so without advance notice. That flexibility is a good safety measure, but it means you should not book this expecting one fixed underwater scene.

The maximum depth of 18 meters suits certified divers who want a guided recreational outing rather than a technical program. The instructor remains with you during each session, giving you a clear point of contact underwater. That is especially helpful if you are unfamiliar with local conditions or have not been in the water recently.

The first session is described as lasting 40 to 50 minutes, while one response from the operator noted that recreational sessions can run around 45 to 60 minutes. In practical terms, plan for a normal recreational session, not a race to the bottom and back. Your actual time underwater depends on your air consumption and the group’s pace.

One guest gave the trip three out of five after finding the underwater sessions longer than expected. That is a useful warning for anyone with a tight afternoon schedule. If you need to be back at your hotel at a precise hour, leave a generous buffer.

Equipment and instructor support

The price includes scuba equipment, so you do not need to arrange a separate rental before reaching the pier. That is one of the strongest practical points of the trip. You can make one booking and let the operator handle the basic gear, boat, and underwater supervision.

The team also asks about suit and fin sizes and checks on health concerns before departure. That sort of preparation can save time in the morning. Send accurate measurements and mention any relevant health issue when contacted, rather than waiting until you are already on the boat.

You should still expect a group setup. The activity is not a private guide service, and the instructor must supervise several people. The listing gives a maximum of 12 participants in one section and up to 15 adults in another. Because those figures conflict, ask how many people are expected on your date.

The English-speaking instructor leads the underwater portions. This is not just a language convenience. Clear briefings matter when you are checking equipment, reviewing the route, and responding to changing sea conditions. One highly positive account praised the team’s communication, driver confirmation, equipment questions, and general organization.

That praise is worth giving real weight. A boat can look ordinary, but careful communication and a well-managed group make a major difference on a scuba day. The staff’s professionalism appears to be the strongest part of the operation.

Hotel pickup, the pier, and the shared boat

Pickup is offered from hotels located from central Duong Dong toward the harbor. A shared van collects you between 7:30 and 8:30, with the exact time confirmed one day before departure. The driver may send a photo and car details, which helps you identify the vehicle and avoid a morning guessing game.

Extra transport fees apply outside the main service area:

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

These charges are per booking, not per person, according to the supplied details. If you are traveling with friends, that may make the added cost easier to absorb. Confirm the amount before departure, especially if your hotel is near, but not clearly inside, one of the listed zones.

The shared wooden boat is part of the local character of the outing, but do not confuse it with a high-end day charter. You may find the boat basic. For many people, that is a fair trade for a lower total price and direct access to the islands. If comfortable seating, a spacious deck, or polished facilities matter greatly to you, this may feel too simple.

Is $108 a fair price?

At $108 per person, the cost covers quite a lot for an eight-hour outing. You receive shared hotel transport in the main pickup zone, boat transport, scuba equipment, an English-speaking instructor, lunch, cold water, and two underwater sessions.

To judge the value, compare the whole package rather than the ticket alone. Booking a boat separately, arranging equipment rental, finding an instructor, and sorting out lunch would take time and could cost more. The convenience is particularly useful if you are visiting Phu Quoc for only a few days.

The price is less attractive if you need an outlying pickup, since the added transport fee raises the total. It also makes less sense if you want a private boat or a small personal group. This is a shared outing with a maximum group size listed between 12 and 15 adults.

The strongest value comes from the combination of logistics and supervision. You can get to the islands without organizing the moving parts yourself, and an instructor stays with the group underwater. The weaker point is comfort: the boat is functional, and the schedule can shift.

A 150,000 dong per-person holiday surcharge applies on September 1 and 2. Factor that in before comparing the price with other local options.

Who will enjoy this Phu Quoc outing?

This trip suits you if you already hold a scuba certification and want a straightforward day on the water. It is a good fit for someone who values included gear, shared transport, a planned lunch, and an instructor in the water.

It also works well for solo visitors who like meeting people during a group activity. The group size is large enough to create a social setting, but the stated limit keeps it from becoming a huge boat tour.

You should look elsewhere if you are not certified. The wording is inconsistent in places, with one note calling it a try-scuba trip, but the main description clearly says certified divers only. Do not assume you can join without certification. Confirm the requirement before booking.

You may also want another option if you need a fixed return time, premium boat comfort, or a private guide. Sea conditions can alter the sites, pickup times can move, and one account specifically found the underwater sessions longer than expected.

A moderate level of physical fitness is required. You will travel by van, board a boat, handle scuba equipment, and enter the water for two sessions. The provided information does not give a detailed accessibility plan, so ask the operator directly if you need specific assistance.

Weather, cancellations, and small planning details

The sea controls much of this day. The sites may change without advance notice because of weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and the local time at Phu Quoc controls the cutoff.

Bring only what you need for a day on a shared boat. The operator provides the main scuba equipment, lunch, water, and an icebox, but personal expenses are not included. The supplied details do not specify a full packing list, so confirm any special equipment or dietary needs in advance.

The operator contacts you one day before departure to confirm pickup. Pay attention to that message. It should settle the meeting time, vehicle details, and any questions about gear sizing.

Final verdict: book it if the basics suit you

I would choose this trip if I were a certified diver looking for an easy, reasonably priced way to reach the An Thoi Islands. The strongest reasons are the included equipment, two underwater sessions, boat lunch, and an instructor who remains with the group. The careful pre-trip communication also adds confidence.

I would hesitate if I wanted a luxury boat, private attention, or a tightly controlled timetable. Before paying, confirm three things: your pickup fee, the expected group size, and the return time. If those details work for you, $108 is a sensible price for a full day of local scuba access and handled logistics.

FAQ

Is this experience for certified divers only?

Yes. The main description says it is for certified divers only. Although one note uses the phrase try scuba, you should confirm your certification requirement with the operator before booking.

How many underwater sessions are included?

Two underwater sessions are planned. The first lasts about 40 to 50 minutes, and the second follows lunch at another site, subject to sea conditions and the instructor’s plan.

What is the maximum depth?

The stated maximum depth is 18 meters, with instruction provided during the session.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What is included in the $108 price?

The price includes shared van transport in the included pickup zone, a shared wooden boat, scuba equipment, an English-speaking instructor, lunch, cold water, and an icebox.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The exact sites may change because of sea conditions. If the trip is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.