An Thoi Area Guide for Bungalow Guests on Phu Quoc
By Phu Quoc Bungalow Owners · Updated September 2026 · 7 min read
- An Thoi is at Phu Quoc's southern tip — a working fishing port, 25–28 km by road from Long Beach bungalows (~35–45 min ride).
- Hon Thom cable car departs from the An Thoi area — one of the world's longest sea-crossing cable cars at ~7.9 km, real and operating.
- An Thoi archipelago boat tours leave from here daily — better snorkelling than anything on the west coast.
- Bungalow accommodation near An Thoi is almost nonexistent — budget stays are on Long Beach and Ong Lang; An Thoi is a day trip.
- Best combined with Bai Sao beach (6 km north of the port) for a full south-coast day.
- November–April for calm seas and reliable boat tours.
What Is An Thoi and Why Do Guests Ask About It?
An Thoi is the southernmost settlement on Phu Quoc — a port town at the island's tip, about 28 km by road from Duong Dong. Most guests first hear about it because the Hon Thom cable car departs from here, or because organised snorkelling tours list "An Thoi port" as the pickup point. It is not a beach resort. It is a fishing town with a working harbour, a morning market, fuel stations, and a few small restaurants catering mainly to local workers and island-hopping tour groups.
From Long Beach bungalows the drive is 35–45 minutes on a motorbike, depending on your starting point. The road south from Long Beach is straightforward — main island road all the way, paved, with one turn into An Thoi town near the end. It passes through Bai Sao junction, so a combined south-coast day is easy to plan.
The reason An Thoi matters for bungalow guests is mostly what you can access from it, not what is in the town itself. The An Thoi archipelago — around 18 small islands scattered 3–8 km offshore to the south — has the best snorkelling on Phu Quoc. The reef systems around islands like Hon Roi and Hon Mong Tay are in noticeably better shape than anything close to the main island's west coast. And the cable car across to Hon Thom is, for many guests, a Phu Quoc highlight they didn't expect. Full snorkelling guide here.
Is the Hon Thom Cable Car Worth the Trip?
It is real, it runs, and it is genuinely impressive if you have any interest in infrastructure at scale. The cable crosses approximately 7.9 km over open sea from the An Thoi cable car station to Hon Thom (Pineapple Island), with three towers rising from the water. The gondola takes about 15 minutes each way. At the midpoint, on a clear day, you can see south toward Cambodia and north back up the Phu Quoc coastline simultaneously.
Hon Thom itself has been developed into a theme park and beach resort complex run by Sun World. There is a water park, a beach area, restaurants, and a small animal park. It is busy on weekends — families from the mainland make it a specific destination. If a water park is not your priority, the cable car crossing itself plus 90 minutes on the island is a reasonable allocation. Cable car tickets and Hon Thom entry fees apply; check current rates as pricing has changed several times since the attraction opened.
My honest take: go in the morning when the light is softer and the cable cars are less crowded. We've had guests go at 10 AM and be done before the midday rush. The cable car station is about a 10-minute ride from An Thoi port — not in the port itself, so factor that in if you're combining both.
What Are the Island-Hopping Boat Tours Like?
Boats leave An Thoi port each morning — typically around 8:00–8:30 AM — on full-day tours visiting three or four islands in the archipelago. A standard day includes snorkelling at two reef sites, a fish-feeding stop, and lunch served on the boat (usually grilled fish, rice, morning glory, and the obligatory bucket of local beer that some groups treat as essential equipment). The tours are back at port by around 4:00–4:30 PM.
Prices were running at 300,000–500,000 VND per person in 2026, depending on operator and whether meals are included — check current rates. Budget operators use older wooden boats and smaller groups; the step up to an air-conditioned speedboat with a younger crew costs more but covers more ground. We can connect guests with an operator we've used repeatedly — ask at check-in and we'll give you the number directly.
The snorkelling at Hon Roi and around Hon Mong Tay is the part worth going for. The coral is not pristine — there has been bleaching damage — but the fish density is higher than what you'll find on the west coast, and on a calm dry-season morning the visibility can reach 8–10 metres. More on snorkelling spots around Phu Quoc.
What Is There to Do in An Thoi Town Itself?
An Thoi has a functioning fishing port where boats unload early morning — worth seeing before 7 AM if you want to watch the catch come in. There is a morning market near the port selling fresh seafood, local fruit, and basic supplies. Island-hopping boat tours depart from here daily, and the Bai Sao beach road passes through An Thoi town, so it is a natural stop on any south-coast day trip.
If you arrive after 9 AM, the market is winding down and the port is quieter. The town has a few com tam (broken rice) places and banh mi stalls open through the morning — good for a cheap breakfast before boarding a tour. One stall near the main market junction, Quan Hai San Thanh Tam, has been there for years and does grilled squid from mid-morning that's worth stopping for on your way back from Bai Sao. Not a recommendation I'd put in a formal brochure, but it's a real place and it's good.
By afternoon, An Thoi is fairly quiet. Most tour boats are back at port by 4:30 PM, the market has long since closed, and the town has a working-community feel rather than anything tourist-facing. It is not a place to linger over dinner — plan to be back on the road to Long Beach by late afternoon.
Why Are There Almost No Bungalows Near An Thoi?
The short answer is that the southern tip was largely allocated to large resort development. The JW Marriott took Bai Khem, the Sun World group took Hon Thom, and the remaining coastline near An Thoi town is either port infrastructure or not beach-facing. There is no equivalent of the Long Beach or Ong Lang strip — no stretch of accessible waterfront with guesthouses and bungalows at different price points.
Budget bungalow stays in the $25–55 range are concentrated on the west coast. Long Beach gives you sunset, convenience to Duong Dong's night market (~6 km from our property), and a beach at your door. Ong Lang is quieter, 8 km north. Neither is an inconvenient base for An Thoi — 35–45 minutes on a motorbike is a normal Phu Quoc day-trip distance.
If you're reading this because you specifically want to stay as close as possible to the southern islands and Hon Thom, the honest answer is: the only practical options near An Thoi are guesthouses in town (very basic, not beach-facing) or the JW Marriott. There is nothing in between. The west coast bungalow, day-trip south approach is what actually works for most people. Compare all Phu Quoc areas here.
How Do You Plan a Full South-Coast Day from Long Beach?
The itinerary that actually works: leave your bungalow by 7:00–7:30 AM on a motorbike. Ride south on the main road — about 20 minutes to the Bai Sao junction. Continue south another 6 km to An Thoi port. Arrive around 8 AM, walk the morning market for 30–40 minutes, watch the fishing boats. If you have a boat tour booked, board here. If not (or after a short visit), ride back north to Bai Sao for the beach.
Bai Sao is about a 10-minute ride from An Thoi port — straight north on the same road, then left at the junction. Arrive mid-morning before the beach fills up. Swim, rent a sun lounger (around 50,000–70,000 VND, check current rates), have lunch at one of the beach restaurants. Leave by 2–3 PM to beat the mid-afternoon heat on the ride back. You're back at Long Beach by 3:30–4:30 PM, in time for the sunset. Bai Sao beach guide with more detail here.
If you are adding the Hon Thom cable car, that needs its own half-day or you end up rushing everything. The cable car station is 10 minutes from An Thoi port, the crossing is 15 minutes each way, and Hon Thom itself warrants at least 2 hours. Combine it with An Thoi port but skip Bai Sao on that day — they don't all fit comfortably in one trip unless you are genuinely trying to cover distance for its own sake.
South Coast Highlights at a Glance
Distances by road from central Long Beach bungalow strip:
| Destination | Distance / time | What it is | Half-day / Full day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bai Sao beach | ~22 km, 30–35 min | White sand, public beach, food stalls | Half-day works |
| An Thoi port & market | ~28 km, 40–45 min | Fishing port, morning market | 1–2 hrs, combine with Bai Sao |
| Hon Thom cable car | ~30 km to station, 45 min ride | 7.9 km sea-crossing cable car to Hon Thom island | Half-day minimum |
| Island-hopping boat tour | Departs An Thoi port ~8 AM | 3–4 islands, snorkelling, lunch on board | Full day (back ~4:30 PM) |
When Is the Best Time to Visit An Thoi and the Southern Islands?
November through April. The An Thoi archipelago sits in open water south of Phu Quoc, which means it catches the southwest monsoon directly from May through October. During those months some boat tour operators reduce frequency or suspend departures entirely when the sea state is too rough for a safe day trip. The cable car generally runs year-round (check current status), but the island crossing is less pleasant in heavy rain.
December and January are the calmest months for the boat tours — visibility at the reef sites is at its best and the days are long enough that a 4:30 PM return leaves you with time before dark. February and March work well too; March sometimes brings short plankton blooms that reduce visibility briefly, but this is rare around the southern islands compared to Long Beach.
If you are visiting in the wet season (May–October) and the boat tours are unavailable, An Thoi is still reachable — the port and market are open regardless of sea conditions, and the cable car usually runs. But the primary draw (the archipelago snorkelling) won't be available. Plan the south coast day around Bai Sao instead; it faces east and stays swimmable even in the wet months. See the areas guide for seasonal tips by location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is An Thoi on Phu Quoc?
An Thoi is at the southern tip of Phu Quoc island, roughly 28 km by road south of Duong Dong town. It is a small fishing port and the main departure point for boat trips to the An Thoi archipelago — a cluster of about 18 islands lying 3–8 km offshore to the south.
How far is An Thoi from Long Beach bungalows?
From the central Long Beach bungalow strip, An Thoi port is approximately 25–28 km by road, depending on where your bungalow sits on Long Beach. The ride on a motorbike takes around 35–45 minutes. The road is paved and straightforward — south on the main island road, then into the port area.
Is the Hon Thom cable car real and worth it?
Yes, the Hon Thom cable car is a real operating attraction — it runs from An Thoi port area across to Hon Thom island (Pineapple Island) and at roughly 7.9 km is one of the longest sea-crossing cable cars in the world. The crossing takes about 15 minutes each way and the views over the southern islands are genuinely impressive. Budget a half-day minimum for the cable car plus time on Hon Thom.
What can you do in An Thoi besides the cable car?
An Thoi has a functioning fishing port where boats unload early morning — worth seeing before 7 AM if you want to watch the catch come in. There is a morning market near the port selling fresh seafood, local fruit, and basic supplies. Island-hopping boat tours depart from here daily, and the Bai Sao beach road passes through An Thoi town, so it is a natural stop on any south-coast day trip.
Are there bungalows to stay in near An Thoi?
Very few. An Thoi itself is a working port town with limited accommodation, and the southern tip of the island is dominated by resort developments (JW Marriott at Bai Khem, and Sun World's Hon Thom complex). Budget bungalow options in the $25–55 per night range are concentrated on Long Beach and Ong Lang on the west coast — from there, An Thoi is a comfortable day trip rather than a base.
What is island-hopping from An Thoi like?
Boat tours from An Thoi typically visit 3–4 islands in the An Thoi archipelago over a full day, with stops for snorkelling, swimming, and lunch on board. Tours run daily and usually cost 300,000–500,000 VND per person (check current rates; prices shift seasonally). The snorkelling around the southern islands is better than anything available from Long Beach — coral cover is more consistent and visibility tends to be cleaner.
Is An Thoi worth visiting without the cable car?
Yes, if you are on a south-coast day trip anyway. Combine An Thoi port with Bai Sao beach — they are about 6 km apart. Arrive at the port in the morning to see fishing activity, walk the small market, then ride north to Bai Sao for swimming and lunch. The cable car adds a separate cost and two or three hours; you can skip it and still have a full, useful day.
What is the best time of year to visit An Thoi and the southern islands?
November through April is the best time — the sea is calm, boat tours run reliably, and the snorkelling visibility around the An Thoi islands is at its clearest. From May through October the southwest monsoon can produce rough seas, and some island-hopping operators suspend tours or reduce departure frequency. The cable car generally operates year-round, but check conditions in monsoon months.
Can I combine An Thoi and Bai Sao in one day trip?
Yes, and this is actually the most practical itinerary. Ride to An Thoi first (the road from Long Beach passes near Bai Sao, so you go past it). Spend an hour or two at the port and market in the morning, then double back 6 km to Bai Sao for swimming and lunch. Return to Long Beach in the mid-afternoon. The total riding distance is roughly 55–60 km round trip from central Long Beach, manageable in a day on a motorbike.
Who should base themselves near An Thoi rather than Long Beach?
Almost nobody on a bungalow budget. The southern tip is resort territory — fine for guests at the JW Marriott or Sun World Hon Thom, but there is no practical bungalow accommodation nearby. If your main reason for visiting Phu Quoc is the southern islands and the cable car, you could base at a mid-range guesthouse in An Thoi town, but the food, nightlife, and beach options are thin compared to Long Beach.
About the Authors
We've run bungalows on Long Beach since 2018. The south coast question comes up at almost every check-in — guests have heard about An Thoi or seen the cable car photos and want to know if they should have booked down there instead. The short answer is no, for bungalow guests. This guide is what we actually tell people, written down so you can read it before you arrive and plan your days accordingly.
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