The iconic image of red starfish resting in clear, shallow water is a major draw for visitors to Phu Quoc. The primary location for this experience is Rach Vem Beach, popularly known as Starfish Beach, on the island’s northern coast. However, the increasing popularity of this natural attraction has raised significant concerns about its environmental sustainability. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of where and when to see the starfish, practical travel information, and, most importantly, crucial advice on how to enjoy this beautiful natural wonder responsibly.
Where can I see Starfish in Phu Quoc?
The one place that is famous for this beautiful sight is a remote spot on the northern coast of the island called Starfish beach. It is situated in Bai Sao Hamlet, An Thoi Ward, Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang Province.
Please know that this is not a luxurious resort beach like Bai Sao. The beauty here is wild, natural, and undeveloped. The sand is more golden than white, and the water is incredibly calm and clear, like a giant, natural swimming pool.
READ MORE: When is the best time to visit Phu Quoc?
Best time to visit Starfish Beach Phu Quoc
This is the most important piece of advice Vietnamstory.in can give you for a successful visit. The best experience depends entirely on the season.
The Starfish Beach Phu Quoc best time to visit is during the Dry Season, from November to April.
- Why? During these months, the sea is at its calmest and clearest. This is essential for two reasons: The water visibility is perfect, so you can easily see the starfish resting on the sandy bottom and the calm sea is what brings the starfish into the shallow waters near the shore.
- What about the Rainy Season (May to October)? I honestly do not recommend visiting during this time. The sea can become choppy, and the water is often cloudy, making it very difficult to see any starfish. You will likely be disappointed if you make the long journey during these months.
How to get to Starfish Beach?
Rach Vem is located in the far north of the island, so it is a bit of a journey. It’s located in the far north of our island, so please ignore any directions that tell you to go south towards Bai Sao-that is a different beach entirely!
From the main Duong Dong town, your journey will take you north. You’ll follow the main road that heads towards Ganh Dau. The drive is quite beautiful as you leave the busy town behind and see more of the green, rural countryside. Now, we must be honest with you: the main road is well-paved and easy to drive, but the last few kilometers of the journey, after you turn off the main road to head to Rach Vem village, can be a bumpy, dirt track.
If you are a confident and experienced scooter rider, it’s a fun adventure. But if you are new to riding or are traveling with your family, my best advice is to take a taxi or arrange a private car. It will be a much more comfortable and relaxing journey. And don’t worry if you feel a little lost on the final stretch—the local people in the countryside are incredibly friendly, so you can always stop and ask for directions to ‘Rach Vem’.
- Taxi or private car: This is the most comfortable and convenient option, especially for families. It will take about 45-60 minutes from Duong Dong town.
- Renting a scooter: For adventurous couples or solo travelers, this is a popular option. However, please be aware that the last few kilometers of the road to Rach Vem can be a bumpy, dirt track. You must be a confident and experienced rider.
- Joining a tour: Many “North Island” tours will include a stop at Rach Vem, often combining it with a visit to a pepper farm or Ganh Dau Cape. This is a great, hassle-free option.
Best activities at Starfish Beach Phu Quoc
The magic of Starfish Beach lies in its simplicity and its connection to nature and local life. The activities here are not about high-energy thrills, but about peaceful, beautiful, and authentic experiences. Let’s break down what you can do in more detail.
READ MORE: 13 unforgettable things to do in Phu Quoc
Go starfish watching
This is the main reason you are here, and it is a truly magical experience.
- What to do: The water at Rach Vem is incredibly calm and shallow. You can simply wade in, often just up to your knees or waist, and look down through the crystal-clear water. You will see the beautiful, bright red starfish resting peacefully on the white sand below. It is a stunning sight.
Advice: As we mentioned before, the best way to enjoy this is with your eyes and your camera. Crouch down and take beautiful photos through the water. Please, never touch or lift the starfish out of the sea. Admiring them in their natural home is the most beautiful and respectful way to experience their magic.
Have lunch on a floating raft restaurant
This is a quintessential Phu Quoc experience and a must-do when you visit Rach Vem.
- What it is: Dotted along the shore are simple, rustic restaurants built on floating rafts or on stilts right over the water. You will walk across a wooden bridge to get to them.
- The experience: You’ll sit at a simple table with the sea literally beneath your feet. You won’t be given a fancy menu. Instead, you’ll be shown the catch of the day, often still swimming in nets or baskets in the water beside the raft. You can choose your own live fish, crab, or prawns, and they will cook it for you right there. It is the freshest, most delicious seafood you will ever taste, enjoyed in the most authentic setting imaginable.
Go for a calm and gentle swim
Starfish beach is perfect for a relaxing swim.
- What it is like: The water here is protected and almost always as calm as a lake, with no big waves. The seabed has a very gentle slope, so you can walk out a long way, and the water will still be shallow.
- Who it’s for: This makes it incredibly safe and perfect for families with young children. It’s not a place for big waves or surfing; it’s a place for a peaceful, refreshing dip in
Try kayaking on the Placid Sea
For a different perspective of the village, grab a paddle.
- What to do: You can easily rent a kayak from one of the local restaurants or operators on the beach. Paddling on the calm, flat water is very easy and doesn’t require any experience.
- The view: From your kayak, you can get a beautiful panoramic view of the entire fishing village, with its charming stilt houses and the backdrop of the green, forested hills behind it. It’s a wonderfully peaceful and slightly adventurous way to explore the coastline.
Capture a slice of authentic village life
This is a paradise for photographers who love capturing real, authentic moments.
Don’t just focus on the starfish! Point your camera towards the shore. Capture the images of the colourful, rustic fishing boats bobbing in the water. Take pictures of the charming stilt houses that line the coast. Look for the local fishermen mending their nets on the pier. These are the photos that will tell the true story of your visit to this timeless and beautiful village.
Starfish Beach environmental impact & responsible tourism
As your friend who loves this island, our heart aches when we see people harming our beautiful starfish just for a photo. These are living, breathing creatures, and they are very fragile. We have a shared responsibility to protect them. Please, we ask you from the bottom of our heart to follow these simple, crucial rules.
DO NOT Pick the Starfish Up!
This is the number one rule. Please, never, ever lift a starfish out of the water. They are sea creatures; they breathe through their skin from the water. Taking them out of the water, even for just 30 seconds for a photo, is like suffocating them. It can cause them great stress and even kill them.
DO NOT Move or Throw Them
Please do not touch, move, or rearrange the starfish to get a “better” photo. They are delicate. Just admire them where they are.
The Perfect, Responsible Photo
You can still get that incredible photo you’ve dreamed of! The water is so clear and shallow.
- Carefully wade into the water.
- Crouch down low.
- Put your camera or phone as close to the water’s surface as possible.
You will be able to capture a stunning picture of the starfish in its natural, beautiful state, with you in the background. This is the most beautiful and respectful way.
Do Not Support Bad Practices
If you see other tourists or even locals picking up the starfish, please do not follow their example. By enjoying them responsibly, you are setting a wonderful example for everyone else.
READ MORE: Your full Ham Ninh Fishing Village guide
Planning your perfect Phu Quoc itinerary
How do you fit it all in and create a trip that is both relaxing and full of adventure?
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 time for relaxing on the beautiful beaches, a day to explore the southern islands, and opportunities to see the cultural and natural wonders of the island, like a responsible trip to see the starfish. We handle all the details, so you can simply focus on making beautiful memories.
Conclusion
So, where can I see starfish in Phu Quoc? The answer is the beautiful, rustic Rach Vem Beach. But the real answer is more than just a place; it’s a way of visiting. The magic of seeing these vibrant creatures in their natural habitat is a precious gift. By treating them with the gentleness and respect they deserve, we ensure that this magical experience will be there for our children, and for all future travelers to enjoy. A beautiful photo is wonderful, but a clear conscience and a protected paradise are even better.