There is a ferry bound for Phu Quy from Phan Thiet. There is no fixed schedule because the dates depend on the weather conditions. In good times the boat leaves Phan Thiet harbour every three days.
To find out when the next one leaves, have someone call the harbour or go down there yourself. Ask your way (“Phu Quy?” – pron: “Foo Wee?”) to the boat and find a sign on the waiting boat with the next expected departure date and time.
Be there on the departure date 45 minutes before departure (at least) and just try to get on the boat and find a sitting place as soon as possible. Most people pay the ticket after the boat has left – in January 2010 the one-way fee was VND 140’000.
Expect a crowded, rusty boat and not much comfort on the way out to Phu Quy (coming back is much better due to less cargo). If the ocean isn’t calm consider taking an anti-seasickness tablet before leaving. We have experienced (and heard other people telling the same) some serious tipping and tossing on the way – an experience you will keep for life!
In calm conditions the boat will take 6 hours. The duration will go up until around 9.5 hours in stormy weather. If the weather is too stormy, the trip will be postponed (calculate this for your return trip – don’t plan on returning 2 days before your visa expires).
Upon arrival, head over to the “immigration office” to have your passports registered. You can find this house just at the harbour (left of the harbour exit).
Future: There are plans to start a faster service using hydrofoil boats between Phan Thiet and Phu Quy. The duration of the trip would then only take around 1.5 hours – this would change a lot for Phu Quy since many more tourists would then drop by.
