Ferry Storm Delays and Your Phu Quoc Transfer

Storms can suspend all ferry and high-speed boat services between the mainland and Phu Quoc, and your transfer then has to change with them. Heavy rain and strong winds linked to a typhoon have caused suspensions from Rach Gia and Ha Tien. The port authority keeps passenger boats in port until the weather calms, so expect delays, check conditions before you leave, and tell your operator early so the pickup can move.

How do storms affect the Rach Gia and Ha Tien crossings?

Storms can suspend every passenger boat on the route until the weather calms. In one suspension that began on 2 September, services from Rach Gia to Nam Du and Phu Quoc, and from Phu Quoc to Ha Tien, all stopped. In July 2022, all ferry services between the islands and the mainland of Kien Giang Province were halted until further notice because of bad weather.

Phu Quoc normally has 30 daily ferries and boat trips from Rach Gia and Ha Tien combined. During a suspension that number falls to zero until services resume. A Phu Quoc boat agent has said it could not give a date for resumption while the weather stayed bad, so do not expect a firm time.

During one suspension, about 12,000 visitors were reported stranded on the islands, including more than 10,000 on Phu Quoc. Some visitors had to extend their stays because their planned departure was stopped, so keep your hotel plans flexible if you can.

How does the driver adapt when the boat is delayed?

Operators handle delays differently, so ask how your pickup will be handled before you travel rather than assuming the driver will simply wait. Some operators include waiting time and others do not.

Ask these questions when you book:

• Will the driver wait at the port if my boat is late?
• Will you update me by WhatsApp when the sailing changes?
• Is waiting time included in my quote?
• Can the pickup move to a later time without an extra charge?

The answers belong to each operator, not to Phu Quoc as a whole. Get them in writing before the day you travel, when there is still time to choose another arrangement.

What should I do if rain cancels the boat?

Tell your transfer operator as soon as you hear about a cancellation, then rebook the boat and the pickup in one short message. Speed matters, because boat agents have received hundreds of calls asking when services will resume.

Follow these steps:

1. Check the latest sailing status with the ferry operator.
2. Message your transfer operator on WhatsApp with the new boat time.
3. Ask about refunds for both the boat and the pickup, and get the answer in writing.
4. Keep your tickets, receipts and booking details together on your phone.

Local sources report that affected passengers were promised full refunds during the suspension. That promise is not a guarantee for every booking, so check your own terms before you rebook. Confirm the refund route before you give any new payment details.

How do I rebook the pickup, and where do I wait safely?

Rebook by message on WhatsApp, and wait somewhere covered and dry with your phone charged. Do not wait in the open while a storm is building, and do not leave your bags unattended in busy boarding areas.

Reach the ferry terminal at least 30 to 45 minutes before boarding. Early morning ferries usually have calmer sea conditions and less crowded terminals, which helps if you are travelling during a stormy period. High-speed ferries are faster, while larger ferries offer a smoother ride, so ask which type you are on.

Carry a waterproof bag for hand luggage to protect phones and cameras from sea spray. Keep the operator’s chat open so you can see changes as soon as they are sent.

What to do next

Read the Rach Gia ferry transfer booking guide to see when and how to book before rough weather. If you have already missed a sailing, the guide on missing the last ferry from Rach Gia covers the options. For planning across the wet months, read the Phu Quoc transfer tips for the rainy season. Message us on WhatsApp with your sailing time and pickup, and we arrange the change with local partners. We confirm the new arrangement in the chat before you pay anything more.