PHU QUOC ISLAND ACTIVITIES

PHU QUOC ISLAND ACTIVITIES

WHAT TO DO ON PHU QUOC ISLAND

Clearly one of Phu Quoc's main activities, if you can call it that, is to lay on the beach and sunbathe, perhaps taking the odd swim now and then. But for many there's only so much 'doing nothing' you can do.

Looking beyond the beach, nature lovers have lots to explore around the center of Phu Quoc, where there’s verdant rainforest with the Suoi Ban River running through it, waterfalls and natural springs.

The natural park is definitely worth a look. 

Explore the Island on a Motorbike

Travelling around the island is one of most fun things you can do, but beware – many of the island's roads are not paved. Sturdy shoes and long trousers are a prerequisite. Scooters are easily rented from most hotels. In Duong Dong town you can see (and smell!) the fish sauce factories. Nearby is Suoi Tranh waterfall which is about 4m high (sometimes from January to May water can be a little lacking).

Checkout Bai Sao on the east coast, reputed to be the best beach on the island, think white sand and turquoise sea. Find a deserted spot on long beach to stop for a swim. In the northern part of the island the terrain gets more mountainous, and the roads a little more bumpy. Lots of isolated beaches are waiting to be found, along the way up to Dai Beach and beyond, many small fishing villages are passed. 

National Park

The national park, created in 2001 by the Vietnamese government, covers more than half the island. Thick foliage covers the mountainous slopes that are home to langurs, macaques, loris', otters, hornbills and fruit bats.

The best way to visit the park is to book a tour with your hotel as most of the trails are not signposted very well. It's not a good idea to visit the park when it's been raining heavily as you will get very muddy. 

Scuba Diving

There are some dive sites around the north of Phu Quoc but most dive trips head to the pristine reefs of both hard and soft corals that teem with colourful fish around An Thoi.

Nice reasonably shallow dive sites are numerous but don't expect to any manta rays or large pelagic fish. Dive centres can be found easily around the island. 

Snorkelling

Phu Quoc's crystal clear waters offer some of Vietnam's best snorkelling. Reefs fringe many of the islands and islets that make up the archipelago and snorkelling tours run daily during high season and will show you underwater habitats full of life and colour.

The An Thoi archipelago consists of 12 islands located due south of Phu Quoc with pristine scenenery and an abundance of colourful reef fish, daytrips here often include a spot of fishing.