Starfish Beach Phu Quoc is a very well-known tourist attraction on the Island but has it been neglected and is it still worth visiting? Find out here!
Banner Title
Necessary Spacing
Go to Starfish Beach Phu between the months of January and May.
Get a taxi or grab a tour of the north of the island to experience the beach at its best.
Do not take photos or encourage the moving of starfish onto dry land.
We recommend the following accommodation on Phu Quoc Island – Hostel | Hotel | 5* Boutique
- Starfish Beach Phu Quoc
- Best Time Of Year To Visit Starfish Beach Phu Quoc
- How To Get To Starfish Beach Phu Quoc
- Things To Do At Starfish Beach Phu Quoc
- Where To Stay Near Starfish Beach Phu Quoc
- What To Take To Starfish Beach Phu Quoc
- Other Things To Do In Phu Quoc
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Packing List Essentials
Starfish Beach Phu Quoc
If you’ve heard of Starfish Beach then you have probably seen the famous pictures all over Instagram with shining white sand, crystal clear water, and incredibly contrasting orange starfish, surely the stuff of island beauty…
Well yes and no. In this guide, we will go into detail about how to get this incredible experience by breaking down the best times to go, the dos and donts, and how to get that perfect shot!
Read More: The Most INCREDIBLE Tours In All Of Phu Quoc
Best Time Of Year To Visit Starfish Beach Phu Quoc
January – May
The best time to visit Starfish Beach is definitely during the high season between January and May. It’s tourist high season for a reason as this is by far the best weather and temperature to visit the island as a whole.
However, it is specifically good for Starfish Beach Phu Quoc as this is the time of year when you will get crystal clear water which is absolutely ESSENTIAL for enjoying Starfish Beach to its potential.
The beach will be clean, the restaurants will be open and busy, there will be photographers on the beach and the bars will be open. This is really the only time of the year you will be able to get the ‘Starfish Beach Phu Quoc experience’.
The Low Season
We were in Phu Quoc for the low season as this just happened to be the time we were around the area. This did not deter us from having a look around the island in its fullest.
This meant we found out how limited the experience at Starfish Beach Phu Quoc is when you visit during this time of year.
The water was very murky and we were unable to see through it. This meant that there was absolutely no starfish to be seen unless they had washed up on the shore… and the ones that did look pretty worse for wear.
Unfortunately, the storms that affect this area around this time also bring in A LOT of waste and rubbish. This makes the whole area look pretty miserable.
We did, however, have quite a nice day basically being completely alone on a remote beach so I would say that it is still worth a look in low season, just do not expect any starfish.
How To Get To Starfish Beach Phu Quoc
Starfish Beach Phu Quoc is a one-hour drive from the main town of Duong Dong but this, of course, is going to differ depending on where you are staying.
Starfish Beach Phu Quoc itself is on the north coast of Phu Quoc island and to access it you will need to make your way down a 6km dirt track towards the end of your journey. Here we will weigh up the different options of getting there.
By Taxi
This is the method we chose and it cost around 300,000VND on the Grab app (download here). The driver was very good and the dirt track was perfectly fine for a car to go down it.
The driver then stayed whilst we pottered around the beach for about 4 hours and took us back to our accommodation. As this was not on the Grab app we got a bit of a discount on the return journey. I believe it was 200,000VND on the way back.
We recommend using Grab whilst you are on Phu Quoc island as we had 2 or 3 bad experiences with taxi drivers in the short time we were on the island and doing it through Grab makes sure that you have a customer support team to help you in those situations. However, it will be cheaper to not go through the Grab app so this is your decision.
By Motorbike/Scooter
You can rent a scooter on the Island from 120,000VND to 200,000VND depending on where you go and the quality of the bike. However, please read the following advice CAREFULLY if you are considering renting a bike in Phu Quoc (and anywhere else for that matter).
- Motorbike License – If you do not have a motorbike license from your home country or an international motorbike license, your travel insurance WILL NOT cover you for any damages or injuries to yourself or anyone else if you have an accident.
- Local Insurance – The majority of local motorbike rental services do not have their own insurance so you will be liable to pay for any and all damages you cause to the motorbike.
- Scams – Some (not all) small rental companies may try to say that damage you did not cause was you and try to scam you out of money. Try to use large reputable companies when you can.
- Helmets – Many rental companies may not provide a helmet and may not even have helmets to provide. I know you wanna look well cool but having a low-speed accident and hitting your head on a rock is a pretty stupid way to die.
That out of the way, I don’t recommend going down to Starfish Beach Phu Quoc on a bike if it has been raining as the 6km dirt track at the end is covered in potholes and really isn’t in the condition to be biked down.
By Hire Car
This is a great option if you are in possession of a Vietnamese driver’s license or an International driver’s permit (IDP). You can easily get an IDP from your home country so if you are thinking about hiring a vehicle to go to Starfish Beach Phu Quoc.
Prices vary quite considerably but have been known to start around 700,000VND. Please make sure that you have fully comprehensive insurance and try to get a low excess as well. If you are on a tight budget there are cheaper ways to get to Starfish Beach Phu Quoc so if you are going to hire a car then do it right.
Read More: The Best Luxury Halong Bay Cruises!
By Tour – Reccommeded
You can arrange a tour that takes you to lots of attractions in the north of the Island as well as visiting Starfish Beach at the end. The price will be more than just visiting Starfish Beach but you will also get to;
- Go kayaking on the river
- Visit a pepper farm
- Visit a bee farm and taste fresh honey
- Visit the Ganh Dau Cape to see the border with Cambodia
- Walk through a national park
With all of these activities included the price (which is incredibly reasonable) starts to look pretty appealing. Check out the tour in more detail here and check availability!
Things To Do At Starfish Beach Phu Quoc
Sunbathing
You cannot go to a remote island beach with gorgeous white sand and perfect weather without taking a few hours to soak in the atmosphere and the sun’s rays.
There are plenty of affordable sun beds for hire but I do recommend getting there relatively early if you want to guarantee a sun bed.
Don’t even think about stepping out in the sun without protection! This factor 50 sun cream from Sunbum is vegan, reef-safe and smells like summer, as well as being dermatologist approved! It’s non-greasy, easy to apply and doesn’t leave a white cast so you can quickly rub it in and get on with your adventures! Take a look on Amazon here.
Read More: A Great 1 Day Hanoi Itinerary
Photography
There are plenty of other beaches in Phu Quoc where you can swim and sunbathe all day. You’ve come to Starfish Beach Phu Quoc to see the starfish! There are a few great shots you will be able to get whilst there.
I recommend wading out into the crystal clear water and lying in the shallows with the starfish around you. Then get someone to take a picture from directly above you to get that quintessential starfish picture.
If you have a drone then this would be a great chance to get some incredible shots from a decent height with hundreds of starfish all around glittering in the sun.
Our Top Pick
Please do not take pictures or encourage taking pictures with the starfish that are not in the water. They have been thrown out of the water by locals or stupid tourists to get pictures on the beach with them. This is extremely damaging for the starfish and will probably lead to death.
If you don’t have a camera then I HIGHLY recommend the Panasonic Lumix ZS70K. It is an affordable point-and-shoot camera that can be picked up and used by anyone of any ability. The camera captures gorgeous images and surprisingly excellent video whilst fitting in your pocket. The main difference between this and your phone’s camera is that it also has an incredible optical zoom so you won’t miss any of the shots you need to take. Check it out here.
Lunch
There are a number of piers leading out to restaurants in the middle of the water. These restaurants serve beers and food for prices you would expect in a tourist attraction like this. However, it is a fantastic experience to be able to have lunch looking down into the clear waters surrounded by these beautiful starfish.
Karaoke
Whilst we were there, we saw that there were some smaller piers that hold small groups of people, kind of like your own private pier. A few of these were occupied and they were doing some Karaoke across the water.
There was no one to ask about how much this costs and availability but if that’s your thing then go check it out and let us know if you had any success so we can add how to do it to this guide!
Read More: How To Get From Hanoi To Hoi An
Swimming
Be careful as you wade out not to stand on any of the starfish as they are very fragile. This sounds obvious but we have seen some pretty horrendous behavior with nature as we have traveled around the world.
The water here is so inviting that you’ll probably spend most of your time in the water!
If you haven’t already got a swimming costume then what the hell are you doing?! Have a look at this gorgeous high waist bikini and get a swimsuit before you leave. I absolutely love the dual colour option but there are loads of colour options available. Take a look here.
Read More: The Beautiful Hoi An Night Market
Where To Stay Near Starfish Beach Phu Quoc
There are no accommodation options on the actual Starfish Beach Phu Quoc due to its remoteness, however, there are plenty throughout the island which are in driving distance of the beach.
The following 3 are our top recommendations for Starfish Beach Phu Quoc, remember to click any of the links to find out more details, images, and reviews!
Banner Text
Hostel
If you need a hostel then this is the one to get! Cheap, clean, quality rooms and is right in the middle of Duong Dong town. Picture the perfect hostel in your head, put it in the ideal location and this is it.
Hotel
Just a few minutes drive down the coast, the Green Tree hotel is a very good option if you are looking for something a step up from a hostel. It boasts a gorgeous swimming pool, restaurant, and bar to make your stay perfect.
5* Luxury
I always go to write something about these 5* properties and revert to just saying ‘check out the resort by clicking through the button below’. My words are usually not enough to describe the beauty of these accommodation options.
If these 3 don’t strike your fancy then check out this map of all of the best accommodation options in Phu Quoc to see if you can find the perfect place for your visit!
Booking.comRead More: The Best Beaches In Hoi An
What To Take To Starfish Beach Phu Quoc
Here are some of our top recommended travel accessories to take to Starfish beach Phu Quoc. Everything in this list is kept up to date and all of them can be used for many more applications that just Starfish Beach Phu Quoc. So make sure to have a look through to see prices and delivery options!
Our Top Pick
If you need some sunglasses then take a look at our recommended pair right here. Kev has just done 7 months without a pair because he couldn’t find any he liked on the trip and it was just a lot of complaining about the sun. Don’t be a Kev… Find out the price of not being a Kev right here.
Our Top Pick
If you haven’t already got a swimming costume then what the hell are you doing?! Have a look at this gorgeous high waist bikini and get a swimsuit before you leave. I absolutely love the dual colour option but there are loads of colour options available. Take a look here.
Our Top Pick
If you’re looking for a portable speaker then check out the JBL Flip 5. In my opinion, it is the best portable speaker in the world right now in terms of price and quality. Going to a secluded beach and listening to decent-sounding music makes all the difference so take a look here!
Read More: The Stunning Hanoi Night Market
Our Top Pick
Travelling with hundreds of books isn’t feasible, so packing a Kindle is a no-brainer! The latest Paperwhite has a 6.8″ display so it’s much better than reading on your phone. There’s also a warm backlight and an incredible 10 weeks of battery life! This version is even waterproof so you can relax by the pool with peace of mind. I’ve had my Kindle for 10 years and it’s still perfect – this is a purchase that will last you a lifetime! Check out the full specs here.
Our Top Pick
If you’re planning on relaxing on the beach with some music or a good audiobook then you’re going to need some decent headphones. We currently recommend the JBL Vibe in-ear pods as they produce brilliant sound and do not cost hundreds of dollars like the flagship brands. Check out current deals here.
Our Top Pick
If you’re in the market for an action camera then our current recommendation is the GoPro Hero 9. Yes, the Hero 10 is currently the flagship but it doesn’t have that much more than the Hero 9 and costs a lot more. The front-facing screen is a godsend for selfies and video and you get the famous GoPro durability and stabilisation that they are now renowned for. Check out current deals here.
Our Top Pick
If you’re looking for a snorkel kit then check out this Greatever mask and snorkel. We have been on so many snorkel and boat tours where the snorkel hire was dreadful and it ruins the experience. If you have room then definitely take your own set. Take a look at our recommended kit here.
Our Top Pick
If you’re stuck on what kind of towel to take with you then take a look at this microfibre poncho. We absolutely love ours and it is insanely helpful when you need to change on the beach. They dry fast and pack down super small so you’ll be able to fit one in your day pack easily enough. Check out the price here.
Our Top Pick
Don’t even think about stepping out in the sun without protection! This factor 50 sun cream from Sunbum is vegan, reef-safe and smells like summer, as well as being dermatologist approved! It’s non-greasy, easy to apply and doesn’t leave a white cast so you can quickly rub it in and get on with your adventures! Take a look on Amazon here.
Our Top Pick
If you’re planning on going to the beach then make sure you have some flip-flops in the bag. There is nothing worse than getting sand in your shoes or socks and there is nothing better than feeling the sand on your feet. We recommend an affordable pair like these Old Navy casual flip-flops. They will get the job done and shouldn’t break almost immediately as other brands might. Check them out in more detail here.
Our Top Pick
If you don’t have a camera then I HIGHLY recommend the Panasonic Lumix ZS70K. It is an affordable point-and-shoot camera that can be picked up and used by anyone of any ability. The camera captures gorgeous images and surprisingly excellent video whilst fitting in your pocket. The main difference between this and your phone’s camera is that it also has an incredible optical zoom so you won’t miss any of the shots you need to take. Check it out here.
Packing List Essentials
Other Things To Do In Phu Quoc
Water Park
Sunworld waterpark is one of the best waterparks I have ever been to and I HIGHLY recommend visiting during your stay on Phu Quoc Island. You also access the park by going across the world-famous and world’s longest cable car which is an entire experience in itself (and the cable car ticket is included with entry to the park!
Check out how to get your tickets here!
Klook.comSnorkeling Trip/Island Hopping
We went on an absolutely incredible full-day tour which included 3 islands, snorkeling, Sunworld waterpark, and the cable car! We have a full article about it here or watch the video below! If I have already convinced you this is a must-do then check out how to book here!
Phu Quoc Night Market
The Phu Quoc market is a genuinely refreshing south-east Asian night market experience. This one is not your typical tourist-focused tatty nightmare. It is full of local produce, entertainment, and a really good atmosphere. Check out the entire article here or watch the video below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Starfish Beach Phu Quoc Worth It?
In the high season, it is definitely worth it as it is the quintessential white sand remote beach experience, plus starfish! I also recommend going in the low season just to relax with some peace and quiet but you will not see any starfish.
Are There Starfish At Starfish Beach Phu Quoc All Year Round?
No, during the low season there are no starfish and if there were you would not be able to see them due to the colour of the water. Go between January and May for the best results.
Can You Always See Starfish At Starfish Beach Phu Quoc?
Unfortunately during the low season, the water is too murky to see them.
What Else Can You Do At Starfish Beach Phu Quoc?
You can sunbathe, drink, eat, swim and take photos whilst you are there. Just relax in general!
How Can I Get To Starfish Beach Phu Quoc?
I recommend getting a taxi or a tour to Starfish Beach Phu Quoc
What Facilities Are Available At Starfish Beach Phu Quoc?
There are toilets, showers, restaurants, and bars. Everything you can expect at a beach like this.
I hope this guide to Starfish Beach Phu Quoc has been helpful! Please let us know in the comments section if you have any questions or advice for improving the post!