Hon Thom Island – Part of the Southern An Thoi Islands
Hon Thom Island is located south of Phu Quoc and is part of the An Thoi Archipelago, a group of small islands off the southern coast of the island. This area is the center of most island hopping tours in Phu Quoc and is especially popular for snorkeling, diving, fishing trips, and speedboat tours. Some of the best-known nearby islands include Hon May Rut, Hon Mong Tay, and Hon Gam Ghi, which are all common stops on southern Phu Quoc boat tours.
Unlike most of the smaller islands in the archipelago, Hon Thom has been heavily developed by Sun Group into a large tourism and entertainment destination. The island is now known more for its cable car, Aquatopia Water Park, theme park attractions, and growing resort developments than for untouched nature. You will find organized infrastructure, restaurants, beach areas, electric shuttles, and ongoing construction projects across parts of the island. While Hon Thom still has beautiful sea views and clear water in some areas, it is important to understand that this is no longer a quiet tropical island escape like some of the nearby islands.
What to expect on Hon Thom Island
Hon Thom Island offers a very different experience from the smaller islands around southern Phu Quoc. Instead of quiet beaches and simple island life, this is now a large entertainment destination focused on day trips, water parks, cable cars, and resort tourism. Some travelers love the convenience and activities, while others prefer the more natural atmosphere of nearby islands like Hon May Rut or Hon Mong Tay.
1. The world’s longest sea-crossing cable car
For many visitors, the cable car is the real highlight of Hon Thom Island. The ride connects southern Phu Quoc with Hon Thom and stretches for nearly 8 kilometers across the sea, passing over fishing boats, small islands, floating houses, and turquoise water along the way.
The cabins are large and comfortable, and the ride itself takes around 15 to 20 minutes depending on operations. On clear days, the views are genuinely impressive and give one of the best panoramic perspectives over the An Thoi Islands. Even many travelers who are less interested in water parks or theme park attractions still say the cable car alone is worth doing.
The experience is usually smooth, but timing matters. In the morning, queues are often manageable if you arrive early. Late afternoon can become much busier when large numbers of visitors try to return to the mainland at the same time. During holidays and peak season, waiting times for the return cable car can easily become long and crowded.
2. Aquatopia Water Park
Aquatopia is one of the largest water parks in Vietnam and the main reason many families visit Hon Thom Island. The park is especially popular with children, teenagers, and younger travelers looking for a full day of activities. Most cable car tickets already include entrance to the water park, making it part of the standard Hon Thom experience.
Inside, you will find large water slides, lazy rivers, wave pools, splash zones, rafting rides, and separate areas for younger children. The park is modern, colorful, and much larger than many visitors expect. Lifeguards are visible throughout the park, and overall maintenance is generally good.
That said, the experience is not perfect. Some rides or sections may still be under construction or temporarily closed depending on when you visit. Locker areas and shower facilities can become crowded and chaotic later in the day, especially during busy periods. The park also has strict safety rules for clothing and accessories on rides. Swimsuits with metal parts, zippers, watches, jewelry, goggles, and loose items are often not allowed on certain slides.
One of the best tips is simply to arrive early. Many rides open later in the morning, but the first few hours are usually much quieter before tour groups and larger crowds arrive.
3. Exotica Village and amusement rides
Besides the water park, Hon Thom also has a smaller amusement park area called Exotica Village. The most famous attraction here is the wooden roller coaster, which is surprisingly intense and one of the better rides on the island.
There is also an observation tower and several smaller attractions spread around the park. Compared to VinWonders Phu Quoc, this amusement section is still relatively small and not yet a full-scale theme park destination on its own. Some parts are also still being expanded or developed.
Still, if entrance is already included in your ticket, it is definitely worth spending some time here between water park sessions or before taking the cable car back.
4. Beaches and swimming
Hon Thom still has attractive beaches with white sand and relatively clear water, especially compared to more built-up parts of Phu Quoc. The sea can look very beautiful on sunny days, and there are beach areas where visitors can relax, swim, or take a break from the attractions.
However, the beach experience here feels more organized and developed than natural. Parts of the coastline have been landscaped for tourism, and some beach sections are connected directly to the entertainment complex and resorts.
For casual swimming and relaxing during a day trip, the beaches are perfectly enjoyable. But if you are looking for quiet tropical beaches with a more untouched atmosphere, the smaller islands around Hon Thom generally feel more natural and peaceful.
5. Snorkeling and marine activities
The waters around southern Phu Quoc are known for coral reefs and marine life, and many snorkeling and diving tours operate in this area. Visitors can join snorkeling trips, scuba diving tours, or sea walking experiences around the An Thoi Islands.
An important thing to understand is that most serious snorkeling tours do not stay directly around the main Hon Thom entertainment area. Instead, boats usually continue toward nearby islands such as Hon Gam Ghi or smaller coral spots with better underwater visibility and healthier reefs.
Visibility conditions depend heavily on weather, sea conditions, and tourist activity. During calm dry season days, visibility can be very good. During rougher weather or crowded periods, the water can become less clear. Visitors should also avoid touching coral or standing on reefs, as tourism pressure already affects some areas.
6. Restaurants and food options
Most restaurants on Hon Thom Island are designed for tourists and day-trip visitors. You will find buffet restaurants, fast food counters, cafes, seafood options, and food courts spread around the island and inside the entertainment complex.
Both Vietnamese and Western food are available, making it easy for families and international visitors to find something familiar. Combo tickets with buffet lunch are also common and can sometimes offer decent value compared to buying food separately inside the park.
Food on Hon Thom is convenient, but prices are generally higher than on mainland Phu Quoc. Reviews about food quality are mixed. Some visitors find the buffet options surprisingly reasonable for a theme park environment, while others feel the food is average for the price.
If you plan to spend the full day on the island, a combo ticket with lunch can be practical, especially during busy periods when restaurants become crowded around midday.
7. A heavily developed tourism island
One of the most important things to understand before visiting Hon Thom is that this is no longer an untouched island. Large parts of the island have been transformed by Sun Group into a tourism and entertainment destination with cable cars, resorts, artificial architecture, amusement attractions, and major infrastructure projects.
In some areas, especially around the main complexes, the atmosphere feels more like a resort city or entertainment park than a tropical island. There are Mediterranean-style buildings, large-scale construction projects, organized transport systems, and ongoing development across several sections of the island.
Some travelers enjoy this modern and entertainment-focused atmosphere because it is comfortable, easy to visit, and family-friendly. Others find it overly commercialized and disconnected from the more authentic island atmosphere they expect when visiting Vietnam.
Because of this, expectations matter a lot. If you come expecting a modern entertainment island with water parks, attractions, and scenic cable car views, Hon Thom can be a very enjoyable day trip. If you expect a quiet tropical island with untouched nature and local fishing villages, you may prefer the smaller islands around the An Thoi Archipelago instead.
How to get to Hon Thom Island
Getting to southern Phu Quoc
Most visitors going to Hon Thom Island stay around Duong Dong, Long Beach, or An Thoi in southern Phu Quoc. The main departure area for Hon Thom is located in An Thoi, at the southern end of the island.
From Duong Dong, the drive south usually takes around 35 to 50 minutes depending on traffic and where exactly you stay. From Long Beach, travel times are normally around 25 to 40 minutes. If you already stay in An Thoi or Sunset Town, the cable car station is only a few minutes away.
The easiest way to get there is by taxi or Grab. Scooter rental is also common for travelers comfortable driving in Vietnam, and the road south is relatively straightforward. Some higher-end hotels and tour companies also offer private transfers or shuttle buses connected to cable car tickets and island tours.
Taking the Hon Thom Cable Car
The main way to visit Hon Thom Island is via the Sun World Hon Thom Cable Car Station. This is the large departure terminal near Sunset Town in southern Phu Quoc, where visitors board the sea-crossing cable car to the island.
Tickets are usually sold as combo packages rather than simple transport tickets. Most packages include the return cable car ride and entrance to Aquatopia Water Park. Depending on the package, tickets may also include buffet lunch, access to the Kiss Bridge, or evening shows in Sunset Town.
Cable car schedules can change depending on season, weather, and visitor numbers, so it is worth checking current operating times before your visit. Around midday, there can sometimes be temporary breaks or reduced operations.
The best time to go is usually early in the morning. Arriving before 9 AM helps avoid some of the larger crowds and gives more time on the island before queues build up. Late afternoon is often the busiest period because large numbers of visitors try to return at the same time. During holidays and peak season, waiting times for the return cable car can become long and crowded.
Visiting by island hopping or private boat
Although the cable car is the main transport method, Hon Thom is also included in some southern Phu Quoc island hopping tours. Many speedboat tours combine snorkeling stops at islands such as Hon Gam Ghi and Hon May Rut with either a stop at Hon Thom or a cable car ride back to the mainland.
Private speedboat charters are also available and are popular with travelers wanting more flexibility or a more comfortable experience. These trips usually focus more on snorkeling, beaches, and smaller islands rather than the entertainment complex itself.
It is important to understand that there are really two different Hon Thom experiences. One is visiting the developed entertainment area with the cable car, Aquatopia, restaurants, and attractions. The other is exploring the surrounding waters and nearby islands by boat for snorkeling, swimming, and island hopping. Many tours combine both, but they feel very different from each other.
Practical information for visiting Hon Thom Island
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Hon Thom Island is during the dry season from November to April. During these months, southern Phu Quoc usually has sunnier weather, calmer seas, and more stable conditions for cable car rides, swimming, snorkeling, and island tours.
Dry season also gives better underwater visibility around the An Thoi Islands, which makes snorkeling and diving more enjoyable. Water colors are often much clearer during calm mornings.
During the wet season, especially from June to September, weather conditions can change quickly. Heavy rain, rougher seas, and stronger winds sometimes affect boat tours and visibility in the water. The cable car usually still operates, but outdoor activities become less comfortable during bad weather days.
More info: best time to visit Phu Quoc
What to bring
If you plan to spend the day on Hon Thom Island, it is best to come prepared for both water activities and strong tropical sun.
Useful things to bring include:
- Swimwear
- Towel
- Sunscreen with high SPF
- Sunglasses and a hat
- Waterproof phone case
- Extra dry clothes
- Light sandals or water shoes
Water shoes are optional, but some travelers find them useful around wet surfaces and beach areas.
If you plan to use Aquatopia Water Park, pay attention to clothing rules. Many rides do not allow swimsuits or shorts with zippers, metal parts, buttons, or loose accessories. Jewelry, watches, and some goggles may also be restricted on certain slides.
Lockers, towels, and changing rooms
Lockers are available inside Aquatopia Water Park, but they cost extra and queues can become long during busy hours. Towel rentals are also available, although many visitors prefer bringing their own towel to avoid extra waiting and rental fees.
The shower and changing room facilities are functional but receive mixed reviews. Early in the day they are usually cleaner and easier to use, while later in the afternoon they can become crowded and messy, especially during peak season.
Bringing your own towel and changing before arriving at the park can make the experience much easier.
Arrive early for the best experience
Arriving early makes a big difference on Hon Thom Island. Visitors who come in the morning usually experience shorter queues for the cable car, easier access to sunbeds and shaded seating, and cooler weather before the midday heat arrives.
The water park also feels much more relaxed early in the day. Popular rides can later develop long waiting times, especially after large tour groups arrive.
An early start also helps avoid some of the heavy congestion that often builds later in the afternoon around the return cable car.
Expect crowds in peak season
Hon Thom can become extremely busy during Vietnamese holidays and peak tourism periods. Tet holiday, summer school holidays, and long weekends are especially crowded.
The biggest problem is usually the return journey in the late afternoon. Large numbers of visitors often leave at the same time, creating long queues for the cable car back to the mainland. Waiting times of an hour or more are possible during busy periods.
If you prefer a calmer experience, weekdays outside Vietnamese holiday periods are usually much more comfortable.
Respect coral reefs and marine life
The An Thoi Islands still have important coral reef areas, but tourism pressure has increased heavily in recent years. Visitors should avoid standing on coral, touching marine life, or taking shells and coral pieces from the ocean.
Using reef-safe sunscreen is also recommended, especially if you plan to snorkel or swim around coral areas.
Some snorkeling spots around southern Phu Quoc remain beautiful, but others already show signs of environmental damage from large tourist numbers and boat activity. Responsible tourism helps protect the reefs that still remain healthy.
Is Hon Thom Island worth visiting?
Yes, Hon Thom Island is worth visiting for many travelers, but mainly if you understand what kind of destination it actually is today. This is no longer a quiet tropical island with simple fishing villages and untouched beaches. Hon Thom has become a large entertainment and resort-style destination focused on cable cars, water parks, attractions, and organized tourism.
For families, teenagers, and travelers wanting an easy day trip with lots of activities, Hon Thom works very well. The cable car ride is genuinely impressive, Aquatopia Water Park is one of the biggest in Vietnam, and the island is comfortable and easy to visit even for people who normally do not like more adventurous travel. If you enjoy resort-style tourism, organized attractions, and full-day entertainment, there is a good chance you will have a fun day here.
The island is less suitable for travelers looking for quiet beaches, authentic island culture, or untouched tropical scenery. Compared to smaller An Thoi islands like Hon May Rut, Hon Mong Tay, or Hon Gam Ghi, Hon Thom feels far more commercialized and heavily developed. Construction projects, artificial Mediterranean-style buildings, and crowded entertainment areas are now part of the experience.
Expectations are really the key. If you expect a tropical entertainment island with water slides, beach clubs, scenic cable car views, and family-friendly attractions, Hon Thom can easily be one of the highlights of southern Phu Quoc. If you expect an authentic quiet island escape, you will probably be disappointed.
Even many travelers who criticize the overdevelopment still admit that the cable car ride itself is impressive and worth experiencing at least once.
