Wild Phu Quoc: trekking, waterfalls and unspoilt nature

Behind the facade of five—star hotels and amusement parks Phu Quoc hides a completely different island - wild, mountainous and incredibly beautiful. If you, like us, are tired of sun loungers by the pool and are looking for real adventures, this guide is for you. We walked and drove dozens of kilometers along tropical trails, swam in all the waterfalls and climbed all the observation decks to tell you what the nature of Phu Quoc really is.

Why would a nature lover go to Phu Quoc?

Phu Quoc is not just about beaches. This is the "island of 99 mountains", as the locals call it, with relic forests, waterfalls and pristine beaches. That's what won us over:

• The National Park occupies most of the island — more than 50% of the territory! This is not just a nature reserve for show, but a really working ecosystem with hundreds of species of plants and animals.
• Variety of routes — from half-hour walks to full-fledged multi-day hikes. There are options for both beginners and experienced trekkers.
• Availability — many natural attractions can be visited independently without a guide, which is rare for Asia.
• Few tourists — probably 95% of tourists do not go further than amusement parks, so you will be practically alone in the forests and at wild waterfalls.

Phu Quoc National Park: how to get there and what to see

Phu Quoc National Park is not a place with one entrance and tickets. This is a huge territory that crosses the entire island from northwest to southeast. We tried several times to find the "main entrance" and realized that it simply wasn't there. But there are several entry points and routes of varying complexity.

Main routes through the park

During the week we tried out three main ways to get acquainted with the national park:

• Through the Suoi Tran waterfall is the most civilized route. The trail is well equipped, there are signs. Ideal for a first acquaintance.
• Across the Suoi Tien Stream is a wilder version. The road is broken in places, the trail is not always obvious, but there are significantly fewer people.
• Deep penetration — this requires a local guide. You will be able to see wild animals, ancient trees and places where tourists do not reach at all. But we haven't tried this route yet.

Phu Quoc Waterfalls: from tourist to wild

We have visited the three main waterfalls of the island and are ready to share a comparison that will help you choose the right one for you. But it's better to visit all three, it's quite realistic to do it in one trip to the island.:

• Suoi Tranh Waterfall — for a comfortable visit

  

  This is the most popular and ennobled waterfall. For 30,000 VND you get:

  • Good parking and infrastructure
  • Clean toilets and changing rooms
  • A paved path with railings
  • Beautiful sculpture park on the way to the waterfall

  Our impression: Ideal for a first acquaintance or if you are with children. The waterfall is low (about 4 meters), but in the rainy season it is very picturesque. There is a natural swimming pool. There are really a lot of people, especially from 10 to 15 o'clock.

  Learn more about Suoi Tranh Waterfall and Park in Phu Quoc here.

  💡 Life hack: Come to the opening at 7 am — you will have an hour and a half almost alone with the waterfall. After 10:00, excursion groups are picked up.

  🕐 Working hours: daily, from 7:00 to 17:00. In the dry season (from January to April), the water level decreases, the waterfall may dry out.

  Entrance fee / ticket price: 30,000 VND (rate temporary unavailable USD).

  🚶 How to get there: located in the central part of Phu Quoc near the airport (Suoy Tranh on the map). There is a good asphalt road leading to the entrance to the park, it is easy to get here by rented transport or taxi (50 000 – 200 000 when ordering via the application), parking is free. You can also get here by free (for now) bus number 20 from the Grand World district and the Duong Dong center.

• Suoi Tien — the golden mean

  

  This is where the real wild Phu Quoc begins. Suoi Tien is not so much a waterfall as a whole system of streams, rapids and natural pools in the depths of the jungle.

  What impressed us:

  • Complete absence of tourists — in 4 hours we met only one local family
  • Incredibly clear water in the streams — you can see every pebble on the bottom
  • Several levels for swimming — you can find both shallow baths and deep pools
  • Ancient trees and a real jungle around

  Difficulties encountered:

  • The road — the last 2 kilometers is a primer, it is difficult to drive after the rain
  • There is no infrastructure — take water and food with you
  • The path is not always obvious — you need to look carefully at your feet

  We wrote more about Suoi Tien stream here.

  ⚡ Important: In the dry season (December-April), the stream can practically dry up. The best time to visit is from May to November.

  🕐 Working hours: daily, during the daytime.

  Entrance fee / ticket price: entrance is free, parking is 10,000 VND (0.38 USD).

  🚶 How to get there: located away from tourist areas in a sparsely populated part of the island among forests (Suoi Tien on the map). There is not even a normal asphalt road here, part of the way will have to go along a dirt road, and in bad weather through puddles and mud. Read more at the link with the full description.

• Suoi Da Ban — for the sophisticated

  

  This is the most difficult to visit, but also the most spectacular waterfall. We spent almost half a day on the road and searching, but we didn't regret a second.

  Our experience:

  • The road is a separate adventure. A primer, then a path through the jungle. Without a local guide or good navigation, it's easy to get lost.
  • The waterfall is a cascade of several levels. The further you go from the parking lot, the more beautiful and deserted the places are.
  • The water is very clean and cool — ideal after a long road.
  • No infrastructure — absolute savagery.

  Read more about Suoi Da Ban waterfall here.

  🚨 Warning: Do not try to visit Suoi Da Ban alone and without preparation! We met several local children who offered to accompany us for 100,000 VND — do not skimp, their help is really useful.

  🕐 Working hours: Around the clock, it is better to visit during the day.

  💵Entrance fee / ticket price: admission is free. They ask for 10,000 VND for parking at the entrance (0.38 USD).

  🚶 How to get there: located in the central part of Phu Quoc in places where rare tourists reach (source on the map). You can get here only by rented transport, even taxis do not agree to go here for the usual fee, they ask for double the price. You need to use the navigator to go to the point that is indicated on our map. Then you can follow the path along the stream through the forest, the road is simple. In general, there are a lot of miniature waterfalls and water slides and several swimming pools. The further you go from the parking lot, the more deserted the places will be. Near the parking lot you can be met by local children who will offer the services of a guide (approximately 100,000 VND), but if you are at least a little guided by the terrain, you can do without their help.

Viewing platforms: for the sake of these views it is worth climbing

• Tien Son Dinh — panorama of the whole island

  

  This hiking trip has become one of the most memorable adventures for us in Phu Quoc. The route is of medium difficulty, but the views at the top are worth it.

  What was waiting for us:

  • The climb took about an hour one way. We were in good shape, but still stopped several times to rest.
  • The trail is difficult — tree roots, rocks, steep sections. In the most difficult places there are ropes and ladders, which adds to the extreme.
  • At the top there is a view of both coasts — both east and west. In clear weather, you can see half the island!

  Our recommendations:

  • Start climbing early in the morning before it gets hot
  • Be sure to take 1.5-2 liters of water per person
  • Shoes — only trekking sneakers with a good tread
  • Do not take children under 10-12 years of age and people without physical fitness

  For more information we told you about the observation deck on Mount Tianshon here.

  💡 Tip: If you want to take beautiful photos, plan the climb so that you will be at the top by sunset — the views are unreal. Just do not forget flashlights for descent in the dark!

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock, but for safety reasons it is better to climb during daylight hours.

  Entrance fee / ticket price: entrance is free, parking is 10,000 VND (0.38 USD).

  🚶 How to get there: located in the central part of the island near the airport (observation deck on the map). You can get to the beginning of the route by bus route 20, taxi or rented transport. For more information on how to get there, read the full description of the attraction at the link.

Tips on equipment and safety from experienced

During a week of trekking in Phu Quoc, we learned several important things that will help you avoid our mistakes:

• Shoes — no flip-flops! Only trekking sneakers or at least sports shoes. The trails are slippery, especially after the rain.
• Water — take 50% more than you think you need. Humidity 80% does its job — you want to drink all the time.
• Navigation — download maps Maps.me or Organic Maps and Phu Quoc locations from our map. Cellular communication in the forest often disappears.
• Sun protection — cap, sunscreen, light clothing with long sleeves. In the forest it seems that it is not hot, but you can easily get burned.
• First aid kit — patch, disinfection, insect bite repellent. We met a lot of mosquitoes and ants.
• Time — plan to return before dark. In the jungle, night comes instantly.

Phu Quoc can be different. If you drive away from the tourist centers for only 10-15 kilometers, you will find yourself in another world — the world of wildlife, ancient forests and deserted beaches. This is the Phu Quoc that we have come to love and which we definitely recommend to everyone who is tired of civilization to see.

If you still have any questions, take a look at our great guide to Phu Quoc, where we have collected all the information about the island. Or write in the comments — I will be happy to share the coordinates of proven guides and exact routes!

Good trails and unforgettable views! 🌴

We remind you that it is much more interesting to get acquainted with the sights in Phu Quoc with the help of excursions, and therefore we advise you to look at the options with online booking and reviews on these excursion aggregators in Russian.:

• 📷 Search for excursions in Phu Quoc on Trip.com
• 📷 Search for excursions in Phu Quoc on Sputnik8.com
• 📷 Search for excursions in Phu Quoc on Tripster.ru