Phu Quoc's most spectacular southern beach — powder-white sand, crystal-clear water, and peaceful seclusion from $40/night direct
Of all Phu Quoc Island's beaches, Bai Sao — translated as "Star Beach" — consistently earns the superlatives. Tucked into the southeastern corner of the island beyond An Thoi port, this 4 km crescent of beach looks like a travel brochure image made real: the sand is so fine and white it squeaks underfoot, the water shifts from pale aquamarine near the shore to deep jade further out, and the forested hills of the island's southern tip frame the beach in every direction. There are no high-rise hotels here. The pace is unhurried.
What makes Bai Sao distinct from Long Beach (Bai Truong) on the western coast is not just the quality of the sand and water — it is the orientation and microclimate. Bai Sao faces southeast, which means it is somewhat sheltered from the southwestern monsoon winds that can stir up the Gulf of Thailand in the wet season (May–October). The water here is consistently calmer, shallower for wading, and clearer. Visibility drops to around 1 metre at Long Beach after heavy rains; at Bai Sao it rarely drops below 2 metres even in the shoulder months.
The beach has developed slowly and deliberately. A handful of seafood shacks and hammock bars line the treeline — you can eat grilled fish in the shade and fall asleep in a hammock 10 metres from the waves without anyone bothering you. This is a beach for people who find Long Beach's 20 km strip a little too busy, a little too road-facing, and want something that feels more genuinely tropical and less tourist-infrastructure.
Staying near Bai Sao also puts you within easy reach of the An Thoi Archipelago — a cluster of 19 small islands south of Phu Quoc with some of the best snorkelling in Vietnam. Day-trip boats leave from An Thoi port (5 minutes from Bai Sao) every morning and return by mid-afternoon, making it the ideal add-on for any nature-focused stay.
Southern Phu Quoc's best beaches, islands, and food within easy reach
The 19-island An Thoi Archipelago begins just 5 minutes from Bai Sao by boat from An Thoi port. Day trips ($15–25/person) visit three or four islands for snorkelling, squid fishing, and a seafood lunch on the boat. Coral coverage and fish diversity here exceed anything on the western coast.
The treeline behind Bai Sao shelters a row of casual open-air seafood restaurants. Expect simply grilled whole fish ($6–10), fresh clams in ginger and lemon, and the local coconut-milk crab curry — all at prices well below the Long Beach strip. Kem Bai Sao is the best-known spot for ice cream and snacks directly on the beach.
Phu Quoc's flagship family attraction — VinWonders theme park and Vinpearl Safari — is 15 km northwest of Bai Sao via the coast road (25 minutes by motorbike). The world's longest over-sea cable car (7.9 km) connects An Thoi port to Hon Thom Island, departing just minutes from the beach.
The Sun World Hon Thom cable car departs from An Thoi and crosses 7.9 km of sea to Hon Thom Island's water park and beach. At 65 metres above the sea and with views of the entire southern archipelago, it is one of the most dramatic cable-car rides in Southeast Asia. Tickets around $17/adult.
The road from An Thoi north along the eastern coast passes through quiet fishing villages, pepper plantations, and forest before joining the main island road. It is one of Phu Quoc's least-touristed routes — ideal for a morning ride before the heat builds. Rent a semi-auto for $6–8/day (included free with our 3+ night stays).
Bai Sao's most popular activity is simply being on the beach. Rent a beach chair and umbrella for $2 from the waterfront vendors and spend the day reading, swimming, and watching the fishing boats on the horizon. The sand stays cooler than Long Beach thanks to the shade of the casuarina trees lining the upper beach.
All travel times assume motorbike — the fastest and most enjoyable way to get around
| Destination | Distance | Travel time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phu Quoc Airport (PQC) | 25–30 km | 35–40 min | Free pickup with 3+ nights |
| An Thoi Port | 5 km | 10 min | Boats to An Thoi Archipelago |
| Hon Thom Cable Car | 5 km | 10 min | World's longest over-sea cable car |
| VinWonders Theme Park | 15 km | 25 min | Family day trip |
| Long Beach (Bai Truong) | 30 km | 40 min | Island's longest beach, 20 km |
| Duong Dong Night Market | 32 km | 45 min | Best evening street food |
| Phu Quoc National Park | 20 km east | 30 min | Trekking, wildlife, waterfalls |
| Ong Lang Beach | 45 km | 60 min | Sunset bay on western coast |
Base yourself on the southern coast — two bungalow types available for direct booking
Southern Phu Quoc
Southern Phu Quoc
Bai Sao is swimmable year-round, but the experience varies significantly by season. The dry season (November to April) delivers the postcard conditions: cloudless skies, flat calm sea, exceptional underwater visibility, and daytime temperatures around 29–32°C. January and February are peak months — the beach is at its busiest (though still far quieter than Long Beach at the same time) and bungalow availability is tightest.
Because Bai Sao faces southeast rather than west, it enjoys a slight natural advantage over Long Beach in the wet season (May to October): the southwestern monsoon winds and swells that can make the western coast choppy are partially blocked by the island's southern headland. The beach stays swimmable on most wet-season days, and afternoon rain showers typically clear within an hour. Bungalow rates drop $8–12/night in the low season, and the beach is almost empty — you may have the entire southern end to yourself on a Tuesday morning.
Practical tip: if you want both Bai Sao and Long Beach in one trip, stay at Long Beach for the first half of your stay (restaurants, nightlife, market access) and make a half-day or full-day motorbike trip to Bai Sao. The road south from An Thoi turns into a scenic coastal loop back to Duong Dong that most visitors never discover.
Bai Sao (also called Star Beach) is a 4 km crescent beach on the southeastern coast of Phu Quoc Island. It is widely rated as the island's most beautiful beach for its ultra-fine white powder sand and exceptionally clear turquoise water. Unlike Long Beach (Bai Truong), which is busy with restaurants and bars along a 20 km road, Bai Sao is quiet, secluded, and surrounded by forested hills — a natural backdrop with little development behind it.
Bai Sao is approximately 30 km from the mid-section of Long Beach, a 40-minute motorbike ride via the main road south through An Thoi town. Many guests staying at Long Beach bungalows make a half-day trip to Bai Sao for its calmer, clearer water and quieter atmosphere. We provide free motorbike rental with all 3+ night stays, making this an easy excursion.
Yes — our bungalows on the southern coast near Bai Sao start from $40/night for a garden eco-cabin and $45/night for a beachfront cabin with AC, 50+ Mbps WiFi, hammock, and private terrace. The area is less developed than Long Beach, which keeps it quieter and more exclusive. Book directly with us to save 15–20% compared to Booking.com or Airbnb.
Bai Sao is at its most photogenic from November to April (dry season) — flat calm sea, superb underwater visibility, and consistent sunshine. It is somewhat more sheltered than Long Beach during the wet season (May–October) due to its southeastern orientation, meaning it stays swimmable on most days year-round. Low season (May–June, September–October) offers the best value and fewest visitors.
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★ 4.8/5 from 184 guests • Beachfront from $45/night • Garden from $40/night