Land Tour 2: Discover the North – Kayaking & Starfish beach Phu Quoc (Not Lunch)

The star attraction here is Starfish Beach, where shallow water lets you look for living starfish near Rach Vem fishing village. The day also brings you into Phu Quoc’s quieter north, with a forest walk, a Cambodian border view, and a calm kayak trip on the Cua Can River.

I like the mix of activities, especially the kayaking through mangrove-lined water and the chance to see how a floating fishing village works. I also like the value: transport, bottled water, kayak hire, and admission fees are covered for $44.

The main catch is the loose definition of the day’s stops. Some departures add shopping visits or change the order, and reaching the best starfish area may require an extra 100,000 Vietnamese dong boat ride. Lunch is not included, and the long drive on rough roads can make the seven-hour outing feel tiring.

Key points to know before booking

• Starfish Beach is shallow and family-friendly, but the starfish may be in the water rather than on the sand.
• Cua Can kayaking lasts about 45 minutes, with kayaks supplied as part of the tour.
• The forest road can be bumpy, so bring motion-sickness protection if you need it.
• Lunch is extra, usually arranged at a restaurant in Rach Vem fishing village.
• Guides vary by departure, with Ren, Viet, Woa, and Duc praised for humor, language skills, and flexibility.
• A group can reach up to 100 people, although smaller departures may feel much more personal.

What this northern Phu Quoc day is really like

This is a see-a-little-of-everything tour rather than a slow beach day. In roughly seven hours, you move between forest, coast, village, river, and viewpoint. That variety is the reason to book it, but it also explains why the schedule can feel packed.

The tour is designed to make northern Phu Quoc easy if you do not have a scooter or private car. An air-conditioned vehicle collects you from the stated meeting point at 143 Đường Trần Hưng Đạo, then returns you there at the end. Hotel pickup is offered in Phu Quoc, which is useful because the northern sights are spread out.

The group format keeps the price down. At $44 per person, the package is good value if you plan to use the kayak, visit several northern sights, and want transport included. It is less compelling if your only goal is to sit at Starfish Beach for hours, since the beach stop shares time with lunch and village exploration.

Your guide can shape the feel of the day. Ren is especially noted for clear English, jokes, local information, and even magic tricks for children during longer drives. Viet has been praised for helping people feel at ease, while Woa and Duc have also been described as warm and attentive. Guide quality can vary, but this is one of those tours where a good guide matters because the day involves several short stops.

Walking beneath old trees in Phu Quoc National Park

The first scheduled stop is a forest trail in Phu Quoc National Park. You walk among trees described as around 100 years old, with about 35 minutes set aside for the visit.

This is a short nature stop, not a serious hike. You get a taste of Phu Quoc’s inland side and a break from the vehicle, but do not expect a long trail or a full national park excursion. The path can feel dark and unremarkable in places, and one account found the rough road to the park harder to enjoy than the stop itself.

That road matters. Much of the route can be on uneven or unpaved surfaces, and the ride may be bumpy. If you are prone to motion sickness, carry the medication or other remedy that normally helps you. A small plastic bag is also a sensible precaution.

The forest may appeal most to people who want a change from resorts and beaches. You might spot signs of wildlife, and monkeys are said to be possible, but no sighting is guaranteed. Think of this as a brief walk among mature trees, not a wildlife safari.

Ganh Dau and the view toward Cambodia

At Mui Ganh Dau Beach, you spend about 25 minutes looking toward the Cambodian side of the Gulf. The appeal is the location rather than a long beach visit. You get a quick northern viewpoint and a sense of how close Phu Quoc is to Cambodia.

This stop works well as a photo break. It also gives the day some geographic context, since you are not simply being driven from one activity to the next without knowing where you are. Still, 25 minutes is short, and the experience depends on weather and visibility.

There is an important practical point here: schedules can change. Some departures have skipped Ganh Dau or replaced one promised stop with another activity. If this view is the main reason you are booking, confirm the current route with the operator before setting out.

Rach Vem fishing village and the starfish search

Rach Vem is the heart of the day. The stop lasts about an hour and a half, giving you time to eat, walk around, swim, and look for starfish near the floating fishing village.

The village gives the beach stop more character than a standard resort shore. Restaurants sit over the water, and food may include fish taken from nearby pens. Lunch is arranged locally but is not included in the $44 price, so budget extra for your meal.

The setting is informal. You can stroll around the village, take photos, relax by the water, or spend more time searching for starfish. Families may like the shallow sea, and children have room to see marine life without needing a deep-water excursion.

Do not expect starfish to be spread across the sand. They are living animals in the shallow water, so you may need to paddle or snorkel a little closer to see them properly. Conditions can make a big difference. On some visits, only a few starfish are visible. Other times, the water can seem full of them.

There is also a cost question. Some people have been asked to pay 100,000 Vietnamese dong for a boat ride to the better-known starfish area. That fee is not included in the tour price. Ask the guide exactly what is covered before agreeing to the boat, especially if you have booked this outing mainly for the starfish.

Please handle the animals gently. Do not lift them from the water or place them on the beach for photographs. The best part of this stop is seeing marine life in its own shallow habitat, not arranging it for a better picture.

The scheduled time can feel generous. If lunch takes a while, you may spend more than two hours around the village and beach. That is pleasant if you want to swim and relax, but it can feel slow if you are eager to reach the kayak.

Kayaking the Cua Can River

The Cua Can stop is about 45 minutes and includes a kayak. You collect the boat beside the river, then paddle through a quieter waterway surrounded by nature and mangrove trees.

This is one of the strongest parts of the experience. The river is calmer and more sheltered than an open-sea paddle, and the pace lets you notice the banks, reflections, and changing views. You do not need to arrange separate kayak hire, which makes the activity simple.

The time is short, so this is an introduction rather than a long expedition. You paddle, look around, and return the kayak within the allotted period. If kayaking is your main goal, you may wish the river portion lasted longer.

Weather can affect the schedule. One departure had an activity canceled because of conditions, and the guide adjusted the day by adding other stops. That kind of flexibility is helpful, but it also means the exact balance of activities may not be fixed.

The guides make a practical difference

A guide is useful here for more than translation. The tour includes several places where a short explanation adds meaning: the forest, the fishing village, the border view, the river, and any local production stops.

Ren has been singled out for good English, humor, and local explanations. He has also entertained children during long drives with magic tricks. Viet has been praised for keeping people informed and relaxed, while Woa has been described as funny and helpful with families. Duc has also handled groups in more than one language, including French.

The company may add stops that are not central to the advertised route. A bee farm, pepper farm, silk factory, or other sales-oriented stop can appear depending on the day. The bee farm is closed on Wednesdays and on some holidays. A short visit can be interesting, especially if you want to learn about local products, but a longer sales stop may feel like lost beach or river time.

One account described a pepper farm as worthwhile, with a warning that fresh green pepper can be extremely spicy. That is a useful reminder to sample local products carefully rather than taking a large bite.

Is $44 good value for Phu Quoc?

For a seven-hour northern tour, $44 is a reasonable price. You receive round-trip transport, an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, kayak use, and admission fees. You also avoid the work of planning a route across widely separated sights.

The value is strongest for a first visit or for anyone without independent transport. A private driver would give you more control, but it would usually cost more. A self-drive day could be cheaper, yet you would need to handle the rough roads, navigation, parking, and separate arrangements for kayaking.

The price does not cover lunch. It also may not cover the 100,000 dong boat ride to a separate starfish area. Ask about those costs at the start of the day, along with any optional shopping visits.

The group may hold up to 100 people, which is a lot for a kayak and beach outing. Actual numbers can be smaller, and an unusually quiet departure might even feel almost private. Still, you should book this expecting a group tour, not a custom private excursion.

What to pack and how to prepare

Wear clothes that can handle water, mud, and heat. Sandals or shoes with a secure strap are more useful than loose flip-flops if you plan to walk near the river or beach.

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a dry bag or waterproof pouch for your phone. Bottled water is included, but extra drinks may be useful during a full day in the sun.

If the forest road bothers your stomach, prepare for a bumpy ride. The tour uses an air-conditioned vehicle, but air conditioning does not smooth out rough roads.

Bring some Vietnamese dong for lunch and any optional boat ride. Since the tour ends back at the meeting point, confirm whether your hotel is included in the pickup zone and allow for possible changes to the route.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad introduction to northern Phu Quoc in one day. It suits families, first-time visitors, and people who want a mix of nature, local life, light activity, and beach time without arranging each piece separately.

It is also a good choice if you enjoy guided days with a bit of humor and conversation. Guides such as Ren can make the longer drives easier, especially for children.

I would hesitate if you dislike rough roads, sales stops, or changing schedules. Serious kayakers will find 45 minutes too short, and beach lovers who want a quiet full-day stay should book a direct beach trip instead.

Should you book the North Phu Quoc tour?

Book it if you value variety and convenience more than control. The kayak, Rach Vem village, and Starfish Beach are the strongest reasons to go, while the forest walk and Ganh Dau stop add useful context without requiring extra planning.

Before paying, confirm three things: the exact pickup arrangement, whether Ganh Dau is running that day, and the cost of any boat transfer to the main starfish area. Also remember that lunch is extra.

With a 4.7 rating from 328 ratings and a 92 percent recommendation level, the tour has a strong overall record, but the mixed experiences point to one clear lesson: go with flexible expectations. If the route stays close to plan and your guide is engaged, $44 buys a full and varied day in a part of Phu Quoc that is difficult to cover on your own.

FAQ

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch is not included. The schedule allows time to eat at a local restaurant in Rach Vem fishing village, so bring extra money for the meal.

Is kayaking included?

Yes. A kayak is included, and the Cua Can River stop provides about 45 minutes of paddling.

Are admission fees included?

Yes. Admission fees are included, so you should not need to pay entrance charges at the listed stops.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The stated meeting point is 143 Đường Trần Hưng Đạo, Dương Tơ, Phú Quốc, Kiên Giang, Vietnam. The activity ends back at the meeting point, and hotel pickup is offered in Phu Quoc.

Is the bee farm open every day?

No. The bee farm is closed on Wednesdays and on select holidays. Stops may be adjusted when it is closed or when weather affects the schedule.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may lead to a new date, another experience, or a full refund.