Fingernail Island – One of the Southern An Thoi Islands
Fingernail Island is located south of Phu Quoc and is part of the An Thoi Archipelago, a large group of tropical islands known for island hopping tours, snorkeling, diving, and speedboat trips. Several other popular islands are nearby, including May Rut Island, Gam Ghi Island, and Hon Thom Island, which are often combined into the same day tours around southern Phu Quoc.
Compared to some of the larger islands in the archipelago, Fingernail Island is relatively small and still mostly undeveloped, without large resorts or villages on the island itself. Most visitors come here as part of a day trip to swim, snorkel, relax on the beach, and enjoy the island scenery with its white sand and turquoise water. While the island can still feel beautiful and tropical, especially during sunny dry-season mornings, it is good to keep expectations realistic. Fingernail Island is no longer completely untouched, and during busy hours multiple tour boats, crowds, and occasional trash can affect the atmosphere a bit.
What to expect on Fingernail Island (Hon Mong Tay)
Fingernail Island is mainly a place to relax on the beach, swim in tropical water, and enjoy a few hours away from mainland Phu Quoc. Most people visit as part of an island hopping tour around the An Thoi Islands, usually combining beach time with snorkeling and nearby island stops. The island itself is relatively simple, without major attractions or luxury facilities, but that relaxed atmosphere is exactly why many travelers enjoy it.
1. The beach and water
The beach is the main highlight of Fingernail Island. The island is known for its soft white sand, shallow turquoise water, and tropical scenery with palm trees close to the shore. During the dry season, especially from December to April, the sea is often calm enough for easy swimming and relaxing in the water.
Because the island is fairly small, it usually feels more intimate than many beaches on mainland Phu Quoc. Most visitors spend their time swimming, walking along the beach, taking photos, or simply relaxing for a few hours between boat stops.
Water clarity can vary depending on weather conditions and the number of boats visiting at the same time. Early mornings during sunny weather usually offer the clearest water, while busy midday periods can make the sea look more cloudy because of waves and boat traffic. Many of the famous online photos are also taken during ideal conditions, so it helps to keep expectations realistic.
2. Snorkeling around the island
Snorkeling is the main reason most tours stop here, and for good reason. The water is shallow and calm, visibility is generally decent, and the conditions are forgiving enough for complete beginners and children. You can expect to see reef fish, coral formations, and sea anemones without needing to go far from shore.
That said, the snorkeling is not what it once was. Tourist pressure over the years has taken a toll on the coral closer to the beach, and the water gets noticeably cloudier when multiple boats are anchored nearby. It is still an enjoyable experience for most visitors — just not the untouched reef paradise that some older guides describe. If snorkeling is your priority, Gam Ghi remains the better choice in the archipelago.
3. Island hopping atmosphere
Most visitors arrive at Fingernail Island by organized speedboat tours from southern Phu Quoc. These tours usually stop at several islands during the day, combining snorkeling, swimming, sightseeing, and seafood lunches into one trip.
Because tours follow similar schedules, the atmosphere on the island changes throughout the day. Early mornings and later afternoons can feel relatively peaceful, while midday is often the busiest period with several boats arriving at the same time. During peak hours, the beach can feel more crowded and active than many people expect from the quiet paradise photos online.
Fingernail Island is commonly combined with stops at May Rut Island, Gam Ghi Island, and sometimes Hon Thom Island, depending on the type of tour you book.
4. Seafood and simple island facilities
Facilities on Fingernail Island are fairly basic. There are usually small beach restaurants or temporary dining areas where visitors can buy drinks, seafood, and simple meals during the day. Fresh seafood is popular, especially on private tours or tours that include lunch on the islands.
It is a good idea to bring some cash, since card payments are not always available. Some places charge separately for sunbeds, beach chairs, toilets, or freshwater showers, even for visitors already joining a paid tour.
The island should not be expected to have luxury facilities or beach clubs. Toilets and changing areas can feel simple, and prices sometimes feel more tourist-oriented than on mainland Phu Quoc. Most people come here for the scenery and beach atmosphere rather than comfort or high-end services.
5. Photography and scenery
Fingernail Island is one of the most photographed islands around Phu Quoc because of the contrast between the white sand, turquoise water, and palm trees along the beach. Drone photography is especially popular here, as the shallow blue water around the island looks very impressive from above.
The best conditions for photos are usually during sunny dry-season mornings, when the sea is calmer and the water colors look brighter. Sunset around the island can also look beautiful, although most organized tours leave before sunset, so many visitors only experience the island during the daytime.
How to get to Fingernail Island
Where is Fingernail Island?
Fingernail Island is located south of Phu Quoc in the An Thoi Archipelago, a large group of islands off the southern coast of the island. The area is known for island hopping tours, snorkeling trips, and speedboat excursions around small tropical islands.
Most boats to Fingernail Island depart from the An Thoi area in southern Phu Quoc. Depending on the departure point, sea conditions, and type of boat, the journey usually takes around 30 to 45 minutes by speedboat.
Join an island hopping tour
Joining an island hopping tour is the most common and easiest way to visit Fingernail Island. These tours usually depart from the An Thoi area and combine several islands and snorkeling stops into one day trip.
Most shared tours include speedboat transport, snorkeling equipment, and stops at nearby islands such as May Rut Island or Gam Ghi Island. Some tours also include lunch, seafood, or extra activities like sea walking or scuba diving. The full experience usually lasts around half a day to a full day, depending on the route and number of stops.
There are many different tour styles available. Budget shared speedboat tours are the most common and usually follow fixed schedules with larger groups. More expensive luxury tours often offer smaller groups, better food, more comfortable boats, and a more relaxed pace throughout the day.
Private speedboat charter
A private speedboat charter is the best option for travelers who want more flexibility. Instead of following the schedule of a shared tour, you can decide when to leave, how long to stay at the island, and which other islands to visit during the day. Arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon can make a big difference in how crowded the island feels.
The main disadvantage is the price. Private speedboats are significantly more expensive than shared island hopping tours, but many travelers find the added flexibility and quieter experience worth the extra cost.
Read more about boat tours in Phu Quoc.
Practical information for visiting Fingernail Island
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Fingernail Island is during the dry season from November to April, when southern Phu Quoc usually has calmer seas, more sunshine, and better conditions for island hopping tours. The clearest water and best visibility are often between December and March, especially on sunny mornings with little wind.
During the rainy season, sea conditions can become rougher and less predictable. Heavy rain, waves, and cloudy water can affect snorkeling visibility and sometimes even cause tours to change routes or get canceled because of weather conditions.
Read more about best time to visit Phu Quoc
What to bring
Since Fingernail Island has only simple facilities, it is best to come prepared for a few hours in the sun and on the water. Useful things to bring include sunscreen, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and a waterproof bag to protect your phone and valuables during the speedboat trip.
If snorkeling equipment is not included in your tour, you may also want to bring your own mask and snorkel. Bringing some cash is recommended as well, especially if you want to buy drinks, seafood, rent beach chairs, or pay for small extras on the island.
Protecting the coral and environment
The coral and marine life around the An Thoi Islands are one of the reasons why the area became popular, but the ecosystem is also sensitive to increasing tourism. When snorkeling or swimming, try to avoid stepping on coral or touching marine life, even in shallow water.
It is also important not to leave trash behind or take shells and coral from the beach or sea. If possible, reef-safe sunscreen is a better option, especially if you plan to spend a long time swimming or snorkeling around coral areas.
Seasickness and boat conditions
Although Fingernail Island is not extremely far from Phu Quoc, the journey still involves open sea conditions that can sometimes become rough, especially during windy weather or the rainy season. Speedboats can feel quite fast and bumpy depending on wave conditions.
Travelers who are sensitive to motion sickness may want to take medicine before departure, especially on longer island hopping routes with multiple boat transfers throughout the day.
Can you stay overnight?
Fingernail Island is mainly a day-trip destination and does not have real accommodation, resorts, or hotels on the island itself. Most visitors only stay for a few hours before continuing to other islands or returning to Phu Quoc mainland.
Some private tours occasionally organize temporary BBQ dinners, camping setups, or sunset experiences on remote islands in the An Thoi Archipelago, but these are not standard overnight stays with proper facilities. For most travelers, staying on mainland Phu Quoc remains the most practical and comfortable option.
Is Fingernail Island worth visiting?
Fingernail Island (or Hon Mong Tay) is one of the prettier island stops around Phu Quoc and is definitely worth visiting if you enjoy tropical scenery, swimming, island hopping tours, and relaxing beach time. The combination of white sand, turquoise water, and small-island atmosphere makes it especially enjoyable during good weather, particularly on calmer mornings in the dry season. For first-time visitors to Phu Quoc wanting the classic tropical island experience, Fingernail Island is one of the better options in the An Thoi Archipelago.
At the same time, it is important to keep expectations realistic. Fingernail Island is no longer a completely untouched hidden paradise, and during peak tour hours the beach can become crowded with speedboats and tour groups. Occasional trash and heavy boat traffic can also affect the atmosphere and water clarity on busy days. It is best viewed as a beautiful tropical island stop rather than a remote deserted island. Travelers expecting ultra-clear Maldives-style snorkeling everywhere may leave slightly disappointed, but for most visitors looking for a fun and scenic island day trip around Phu Quoc, Fingernail Island remains a very enjoyable place to visit.
