Sao Beach

Bãi Sao

Phu Quoc's most famous white-sand beach, with a curved bay, powdery pale sand, and turquoise water. Coconut-palm swings make it the island's classic photo spot.

Sao Beach lies on the southeast coast of the island, about 5 km north of An Thoi. It is named after the starfish that once filled its shallows. The roughly 7-km bay is framed by hills on both sides, and the beach curves like a crescent. The sand is fine and white like flour, and the gentle slope leads into turquoise water during the dry season. It is one of the best-known beaches on Phu Quoc and in Vietnam. Several beach clubs and restaurants operate sections of the beach, such as Paradiso and Long Beach Bar. They offer lounge chairs (about 50,000 to 100,000 dong or credited toward purchases), showers, coconut-palm swings, and photo props. Paid activities include kayaking, jet skiing, and banana boat rides. Seafood restaurants are on the pricier side. Entry to the beach is free, but some clubs charge non-customers for parking or facilities. The best time is 8 to 11 a.m., when the light is good and tour groups haven't arrived. After noon, tour groups and motorbike visitors arrive, and the beach gets crowded. The east coast faces away from the sunset. Suggested plan: Sao Beach in the morning, a boat trip from An Thoi Pier or a cable car ride to Hòn Thơm in the afternoon, and Sunset Town in the evening. Getting there: a Grab from Duong Dong takes about 30 to 40 minutes and costs about 200,000 to 250,000 dong. You can also ride a motorbike south along Provincial Road DT975 and then turn onto a dirt road, where the last stretch is in poor condition. Southern one-day tours usually include it. Note: in rainy season, seaweed and trash wash ashore, which spoils the view. Areas without shade get extremely strong UV, and don't leave valuables on the lounge chairs.

Sao Beach

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby