1. How many islands are in the An Thoi Archipelago?
1.1. Overview of location and number of islands
The An Thoi Archipelago is located south of Phu Quoc Island, in An Giang province. This area lies entirely within the Gulf of Thailand, surrounded by calm seas with crystal-clear waters. Many tourists planning a trip to the pearl island often wonder how many islands are in the An Thoi Archipelago to arrange their itinerary accordingly.
The correct answer is that the An Thoi Archipelago has 18 large and small islands scattered around. Although the number of islands is quite abundant, each place possesses its own unique charm. Understanding how many islands are in the An Thoi Archipelago helps tourists easily grasp the scale of the archipelago and select the most wonderful stops for their sea voyage.
Pristine natural beauty in the southern sea area of the pearl island. (Source: Collected)
1.2. List of islands in the An Thoi archipelago
Many people wonder, besides the question of how many islands are in the An Thoi archipelago, how life unfolds for the people here. Out of the 18 islands belonging to the archipelago, currently only 15 islands are inhabited and have residents. The combination of simple fishing village life and the pristine nature creates a special attraction for this sea area.
The specific list of 18 islands includes: Hon Thom, Hon Dua, Hon Roi, Hon Dam Trong, Hon Dam Ngoai, Hon May Rut Trong, Hon May Rut Ngoai, Hon Gam Ghi also known as Hon Dam Ngang, Hon Mong Tay, Hon Xuong, Hon Anh Dong, Hon Anh Tay, Hon Kim Quy, Hon Trang, Hon Vang, Hon Vot, Hon Kho and Hon Moi.
After understanding how many islands are in the An Thoi archipelago, tourists can choose the most prominent ones to visit. Among them, Hon Mong Tay is famous for its fine sandy beach, Hon Gam Ghi attracts visitors with its colorful shallow coral reefs, Hon Thom is the largest with a series of entertainment activities, while Hon Xuong appeals to those who love a quiet, wild space.
Crystal clear blue sea at the small islands of the An Thoi archipelago. (Source: Collected)
2. Guide to traveling to the An Thoi archipelago
2.1. How to travel from Duong Dong to An Thoi
To begin the journey to explore how many islands are in the An Thoi archipelago in reality, visitors need to depart from the central Duong Dong ward. The distance between Duong Dong and An Thoi is about 26 km to the South. The travel route is quite beautiful and flat, running along DT975 road or Nguyen Trung Truc road.
Visitors can choose various means of transport depending on their budget and preferences. Buses are an economical choice with very reasonable costs. If traveling with family or a large group, hiring a taxi helps to move quickly and proactively. For young people who love the freedom to admire the scenery along the way, renting a motorbike is a very interesting experience.
2.2. Means of transport to the small islands
Once you arrive at An Thoi ward, the next question is how to access and fully explore how many islands in the An Thoi archipelago can be visited. Currently, the two most popular means of transport to the small islands are cable car and boat.
The sea-crossing cable car takes visitors from the Sun World station, passing Hon Dua, Hon Roi before landing at Hon Thom. The travel time takes only about 15 minutes. Standing from the cable car cabin at an ideal height, you will capture the panoramic view of the southern sea, clearly visualizing how many islands of the An Thoi archipelago are bobbing on the waves.
Beautiful views from the cable car cabin allow visitors to observe the entire archipelago. (Source: Collection)
If you want to experience the feeling of floating on the sea and directly visit many small islands such as Hon Mong Tay, Hon May Rut, visitors should choose to travel by boat or canoe from An Thoi seaport. The travel time by boat to Hon Thom is about 30 minutes. This option helps save costs and is suitable for group tours visiting many islands in a day.
3. Top 7 attractive experiences not to be missed when visiting the An Thoi archipelago
3.1. Fun at Hon Thom Island
Sun World Hon Thom is located on Hon Thom Island, in the South Island area, an entertainment complex with an area of up to 300 ha. The journey to the island begins with a 7,899.9 m cable car ride, recognized by the Guinness World Records as the longest three-rope cable car in the world. As the cabin glides through the air, the An Thoi sea and sky appear with clear blue water and large and small islands creating a spectacular scene.
👉 BOOK HON THOM CABLE CAR TICKETS NOW HERE
Arriving at Hon Thom, a world of entertainment unfolds with Aquatopia water park featuring 20 exciting rides and Exotica Village theme park – home to the thrilling wooden roller coaster “Moc xa thinh no”.
Exciting games at Sun World Hon Thom. (Source: Collection)
3.2. Discover beautiful wild islands
The journey to answer how many islands are in the An Thoi archipelago will not be complete if you miss the wild gems like Mong Tay Island, Gam Ghi Island, and Xuong Island. Mong Tay Island impresses with its jade-green water and soft, winding white sand, likened to a private paradise in the heart of the ocean.
Gam Ghi Island is favored by nature with a rich coral ecosystem and is located at a relatively shallow depth. You only need to wear a diving mask and snorkel to admire countless coral reefs and schools of fish swimming playfully. Meanwhile, Xuong Island offers absolute peace with its rugged cliffs and extremely quiet atmosphere, suitable for those seeking relaxation.
Fresh and pristine scenery at Fingernail Island (Hon Mong Tay). (Source: Collected)
3.3. Explore Sunset Town (Thi Tran Hoang Hon) in the afternoon and evening
Located right next to An Thoi beach, Sunset Town (Thi Tran Hoang Hon) is a romantic stop that tourists should not miss after a long day of exploring how many islands are in the An Thoi archipelago . This place features Mediterranean architectural style with colorful houses cascading down the hillsides, facing the vast sea.
Cau Hon is the symbol of Dao Ngoc. (Source: Collected)
The outstanding highlight of Sunset Town is the Cau Hon (Kissing Bridge). Two bridge arms extend from two sides of the sea, almost touching each other to create a symbol of connection. The bridge's design is inspired by Michelangelo's fresco “The Creation of Adam” in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. At the same time, the image of the bridge also evokes the touching story of Cau O Thuoc (Magpie Bridge) in East Asian culture, symbolizing enduring love and a magical reunion.
Sun Bavaria GastroPub beer restaurant, the Cau Hon area, or the Sunset Town beach are ideal spots for visitors to stop and fully enjoy the "Ocean Symphony" show. In just about 20 minutes of performance, the audience will be immersed in a spectacular artistic "feast", where daring sports performances blend with magnificent light and laser effects.
Sunset Town is sparkling and vibrant at night. (Source: Collected)
3.4. Visit the bustling An Thoi Port in the early morning
An Thoi Port is an important hub for seafood trade in the entire southern region of Phu Quoc island. To fully experience the daily life of the local people here, you should visit the port between 4 AM and 6 AM.
At this time, offshore fishing boats are bustlingly docking after a night at sea. The scene of buying and selling seafood is carried out urgently and lively with the sound of boats hitting each other and people calling out to each other, filling the air. Seeing the boat holds full of fresh shrimp and fish, tourists will love the hard work of the people who dedicate their lives to each island in the list of how many islands are in the An Thoi archipelago .
The port bustles with trading boats every early morning. (Source: Collected)
3.5. Visiting An Thoi Market to buy seafood and enjoy Bun Quay
Near the port area is An Thoi Market, where visitors can find countless types of fresh seafood just caught at very reasonable prices. Here, you can easily choose to buy live squid, crab, slipper lobster, or various sea fish to bring home as gifts or ask the eateries around the market to prepare and enjoy them on the spot.
Besides seafood, An Thoi Market is also an ideal place for you to experience the famous specialty dish of Phu Quoc, Bun Quay. A steaming bowl of noodles with fresh shrimp cakes and fish cakes, stirred directly in the bowl, combined with a rich, sweet and sour self-mixed dipping sauce will awaken all your senses after a trip to see how many islands are in the An Thoi archipelago.
Bun quay noodle soup, delicious and rich with island flavors. (Source: Collected)
3.6. Learn about the traditional fish sauce making process at the fish sauce factories
Phu Quoc fish sauce has long affirmed its reputation thanks to its delicious flavor and natural high protein content. The An Thoi sea area is home to many long-standing traditional fish sauce production facilities. When visiting these facilities, tourists will witness firsthand the rigorous production process from selecting fresh anchovies, salting according to the golden ratio, to the fermentation process in giant bời lời wooden barrels for many months.
Learning about traditional craft villages makes your trip to explore the An Thoi archipelago more profound and meaningful. You can also buy bottles of pure, rich fish sauce as meaningful gifts for family and friends after your trip.
Large wooden barrels used for fermenting traditional fish sauce. (Source: Collected)
4. Some important notes when visiting the An Thoi archipelago
To ensure your journey to discover how many islands are in the An Thoi archipelago is complete, safe, and full of beautiful memories, visitors should note some practical tips below. Regarding attire, you should prioritize light, airy, and sweat-absorbent clothing for convenience when moving on boats. Don't forget to bring a bikini or swimwear, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect your skin from the characteristic sun of the tropical sea.
Visitors should be fully equipped with motion sickness medication if their body is sensitive to moving on the water. Additionally, bring your personal identification, electronic devices such as phones and cameras, along with a dedicated waterproof bag to comfortably capture beautiful moments.
Throughout the journey by boat, speedboat, or during activities like snorkeling to admire coral reefs at the islands, you must wear a life jacket according to safety regulations. Finally, always monitor the weather conditions before your departure. Days with rough seas or storms will make travel between islands difficult and unsafe.
Hopefully, through the article above, you have found the accurate answer to the question of how many islands are in the An Thoi archipelago, as well as gained many useful tips for your upcoming trip. With 18 islands possessing pristine beauty and a series of extremely attractive sea experiences, the An Thoi archipelago promises to bring you a complete and memorable vacation on the pearl island of Phu Quoc. Plan and pack your bags to explore today!