Bai Sao Beach, located on Phu Quoc‘s southeastern coast, is consistently ranked among Vietnam’s most beautiful and iconic beaches. Famed for its uniquely fine, white-cream sand and characteristically calm, turquoise waters, it stands as a premier destination for relaxation, family outings, and water-based activities. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the beach’s attractions, practical information on access and facilities, and an honest assessment of the best activities available for every type of traveler.
About Bai Sao Beach
Bai Sao is an absolute must-visit. Its name is beautiful—’Bai Sao’ means ‘Star Beach.’ We have a lovely old story that says long ago, at sunset, thousands of starfish would come ashore and cover the sand, and that’s how it got its enchanting name.
There is another beach in the north that people call ‘Starfish Beach‘ (its real name is Rach Vem). It’s easy to get them mixed up because ‘sao biển’ is our word for starfish. But they are two completely different places! Remember this: Bai Sao, the famous one, is in the south, and it is renowned for its stunning, crescent-shaped bay and incredible, powder-soft white sand. The other beach, where you actually go to see the starfish in the water, is far away in the north. So, when you’re looking for that perfect white-sand paradise, you are looking for Bai Sao!”
READ MORE: When is the best time to visit Phu Quoc?
What makes it so famous?
You don’t just have to take my word for how special Bai Sao is; the whole world agrees! Prestigious travel experts, from Condé Nast Traveler to the famous French newspaper Le Figaro, have praised it as one of the best and most beautiful unspoiled beaches in the world, putting it in the same league as famous beaches in the Maldives and Fiji.
And on social media, it’s a true superstar! With tens of thousands of beautiful photos and check-ins, Bai Sao has become as much of an icon for a perfect tropical paradise as famous beaches in Phuket or Bali. It’s truly a world-class destination.
- The sand: This is the number one reason Bai Sao is so famous. The sand here is not yellow or golden; it is a stunning cream-white colour, and it is as fine and soft as powder. It feels incredible to walk on.
- The water: The sea at Bai Sao is usually incredibly calm, almost like a giant, natural swimming pool. It has a beautiful, clear turquoise colour and a very gentle slope, meaning you can walk out quite a distance into the warm water.
- The scenery: The beach is a gentle, curving bay, fringed with our iconic, leaning coconut palm trees. It is the perfect backdrop for your holiday photos, especially with the famous swings that hang from the trees.
Best time to visit Bai Sao Beach
This is very important advice! While the general “best time” for Phu Quoc is the dry season, Bai Sao has a special secret.
- Dry season (November to April): This is the absolute peak time. The sky is a brilliant blue, the sun is shining, and the water is perfectly calm and clear. It is the picture-perfect time to visit.
- The Secret (Rainy season, May to October): Now, listen carefully! During these months, the main beaches on the west coast, like Long Beach, can get rough waves. But because Bai Sao is protected on the east coast, the sea here often remains calm and beautiful even during the rainy season! This makes it a fantastic escape when other beaches are choppy.
How to get to Bai Sao Beach?
Bai Sao is located on the southeastern coast, about 25 kilometers from Duong Dong town. After about 20 minutes on National Highway 46, you will find the bridge leading into Sao Beach village.
- Taxi or grab: The easiest and most comfortable option, especially for families. It’s a simple 30-40 minute drive.
- Renting a scooter: A great option for adventurous couples. The roads are generally good, but be prepared for a slightly bumpy road for the final approach to the beach.
- Joining a tour: Most “South Island” day tours will include a stop at Bai Sao, often combining it with a visit to Coconut Prison or an island-hopping trip.
The best Bai Sao Beach activities
Here are the best Bai Sao Beach activities you can enjoy!
Enjoy swimming and sunbathing
This is the number one reason to be here! The water at Bai Sao is incredibly calm and shallow, with almost no waves. This makes it the perfect and safest place for swimming, especially for families with children or elderly members. You can relax in the warm, clear water without any worries. And of course, the powder-soft, white sand is ideal for sunbathing. You can rent a sun lounger, lie back under the shade of a coconut tree, and just let the world drift away.
Experience the excitement of kayaking
Because the sea is so calm here, it’s a fantastic place for kayaking. You can rent a single or double kayak for a very reasonable price and gently paddle out onto the tranquil, turquoise water. It’s a wonderfully peaceful way to see the beautiful, curving coastline of the beach from a different perspective.
Challenge yourself with gentle water sports
If you’re looking for a little more speed, you’ll find several operators on the beach offering fun water sports. You can rent a jet ski to zip across the bay or get a group of friends together for a hilarious ride on a banana boat. It’s a great way to add a bit of adrenaline to your relaxing day.
What to eat at Bai Sao Beach?
You will find several simple, lovely restaurants right on the sand at Bai Sao, and they are perfect for a relaxed beachside meal. The absolute star of the menu here is, of course, the incredibly fresh seafood. Imagine choosing your fish or prawns and having them grilled for you while you sit with your feet in the sand-it’s the perfect lunch!
While seafood is the main event, the restaurants also serve a variety of wonderful and affordable Vietnamese dishes. You can try a comforting bowl of Bánh Canh (a thick noodle soup) or a crispy, delicious Bánh Xèo (Vietnamese pancake). And throughout the day, you must stay hydrated with our amazing local drinks. You absolutely have to try the fresh, sweet coconut water straight from the coconut, or a refreshing glass of sugarcane juice (nước mía). It’s the perfect, simple, and delicious way to enjoy your day in paradise.
READ MORE: 13 unforgettable things to do in Phu Quoc
Important questions answered by your local guide
Is Bai Sao Beach safe and fun for families with kids?
Yes, a thousand times yes! Bai Sao is arguably the best and safest beach for families with young children in all of Phu Quoc.
- The water: The sea has a very gentle slope with no sudden drop-offs. The water is shallow for a long way out, and there are almost no waves. It’s as safe as a natural swimming pool for kids to splash and play in.
- The sand: The soft, powdery sand is perfect for building sandcastles!
Romantic things to do at Bai Sao for couples
- Take a long walk: The beach is a beautiful, curving bay, perfect for a long, romantic, hand-in-hand walk along the water’s edge.
- Find a quiet spot: If you walk a little further away from the main restaurant areas, you can often find a more quiet and secluded spot under a palm tree to relax together.
- Enjoy a beachside lunch: Having a fresh seafood lunch or sipping on a coconut at one of the restaurants with your feet almost in the sand is a simple but wonderfully romantic experience.
Can you watch sunset at Bai Sao? Best times and spots
As your honest guide, Vietnamstory.in must tell you the truth: No, you cannot. Bai Sao is on the east coast of the island. This means it is a spectacular place for sunrise, but the sun sets on the opposite side of the island. For the best sunsets, you must go to the west coast, to places like Long Beach or Dinh Cau.
Is snorkeling good at Bai Sao?
No, it is not. While the water is incredibly clear, Bai Sao is a pure sandy beach. For good snorkeling, you need coral reefs, which you will find on the An Thoi Islands during an island-hopping tour.
Are there toilets, changing rooms & lockers at Bai Sao?
Yes, but they are not public facilities. The beach is lined with several restaurants. These restaurants provide toilets, freshwater showers, and sometimes changing rooms and lockers for their customers. The common practice is to choose a restaurant, rent a sun lounger or buy a drink from them, and then you are welcome to use their facilities for the rest of the day.
READ MORE: Your full Ham Ninh Fishing Village guide
Essential tips and tricks
Renting a sun lounger is your “Day pass”
There are very few public facilities on the beach. The common practice is to choose one of the beachside restaurants (Paradiso Restaurant is a popular one), rent a sun louger from them for the day (it’s very affordable), and that becomes your “base camp.” Once you are their customer, you are welcome to use their freshwater showers, clean toilets, and changing rooms all day long.
Walk away from the crowds
The main entrance area where the restaurants are can get quite busy. My secret tip is to take a short, 5-10 minute walk to either the left or the right along the shore. You will quickly find much quieter, more peaceful spots where you feel like you have a slice of paradise all to yourself.
Manage your food expectations
The restaurants at Bai Sao are perfectly fine for a simple lunch, a cold beer, or a fresh coconut. They serve decent local food. However, as your honest friend, I must tell you that they are generally a bit more expensive than restaurants in Duong Dong town, and they are not considered the best “foodie” spots on the island. The main reason to eat here is for the convenience and the incredible view.
Be prepared for the “Final Road”
The main road to the Bai Sao area is well-paved and easy to drive. However, the final small road that leads from the main road down to the beach itself can be a bit bumpy and uneven. If you are on a scooter, just take it slow and be careful. If you are in a taxi, don’t worry at all.
Bring cash!
While the larger restaurants might accept credit cards, many of the smaller vendors, and the people renting out jet skis or kayaks, will only accept cash (Vietnamese Dong). It’s always a good idea to bring enough for your sun lounger, lunch, and any activities you might want to do.
Watch out for sandflies
This is a rare occurrence, but sometimes, especially during certain times of the year and usually in the very early morning or late afternoon, there can be tiny sandflies on the beach. They are harmless but can leave itchy bites. Bringing a small bottle of insect repellent is always a smart idea, just in case.
Remember: Sunrise, not sunset!
Bai Sao is on the east coast. It is a breathtakingly beautiful place for an early morning visit to see the sunrise. It is not a place to see the sunset. For that, you must go to the west coast.
Planning your perfect Phu Quoc itinerary
How do you balance a relaxing day at Bai Sao with an adventurous island tour?
This is where having a friend on the ground in Vietnam makes all the difference. At Vietnamstory.in, we specialize in creating tailor-made holidays that are perfect for Indian travelers. Our “5 Days 4 Nights Phu Quoc Island” itinerary, for example, is designed to give you a perfect balance. It includes plenty of time for relaxing on beautiful beaches like Bai Sao, a day to explore the southern islands, and opportunities to see the cultural heart of the island. We handle all the details, so you can simply focus on making beautiful memories.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bai Sao Beach rightfully holds its title as one of Phu Quoc’s crown jewels. Its unique combination of powdery white sand and calm, shallow turquoise waters makes it an essential destination, particularly for families and couples seeking natural beauty and relaxation. While it may not be the place for sunsets or snorkeling, its value as a world-class swimming and photography paradise is undeniable, making it an absolutely worthwhile stop on any Phu Quoc itinerary.