Starfish Beach in Vietnam is like nature’s version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. With hundreds of bright-colored starfish surrounding every step, you’ll gaze in wonderment as you wander the shallow waters.
Located near Rach Vem on the northern part of the island of Phu Quoc, Starfish Beach is home to thousands of starfish living in knee-deep water. A few hours here is truly an amazing experience. Ultra-clear ocean water stands still as the beach runs parallel to a scattered jungle.
Wandering out into those waters will feel like a tribute to the night sky—Starfish Beach’s bright-colored echinoderms vary in shape and cling to the ocean floor. The only difference is the opportunity you have to walk amongst the stars.
During low tide, the water stays shallow for a few hundred meters. The further you walk out, the more starfish appear. Beware of where you step though, as these are living creatures in their natural habitat.
THE AFTERNOON SKY AT STARFISH BEACH
While the best time to visit Starfish Beach is on a clear day at low tide, the sunsets here are magnificent too. Phu Quoc tends to get beautiful orange and purple skies as the sun starts to go down. Adding to the beauty is the outline of the Cambodian islands, which is visible in the distance.
Fun Fact | Starfish belong to the class Asteroidea, often just going by the name asteroids. It’s a fitting name for creatures that look like they might inhabit outer space.
If you are looking to get away from some of the more crowded beaches of Phu Quoc, or just looking to float in water full of orange starfish, this is a must.
Warning | Make sure not to step on or harm the starfish here. They are living creatures (even if they don’t move much).
Where is Starfish Beach?
The beach itself is a well-hidden gem, away from the majority of most tourist areas. Without a map, you might find it difficult to find. However, there’s a small fishing village nearby, so it doesn’t feel completely isolated.
As I mentioned earlier, Starfish Beach (maps) is right near the fishing village of Rach Vem. The best way to get here from the more touristy parts of the island is by car or motorbike. The last bits of road in this area are unnamed on most maps, but should still come up as a road. The path near the beach is oftentimes a mixture of loose sand and mud, so just beware when riding a motorbike.
If you decide to take a cab, I suggest making a plan with the driver to stay there until you’ve finished your visit. It’s not a given that you’ll be able to find a taxi heading back to town from this area.
There are usually a few restaurants and snack shops open in the area. However, if you plan to spend the day lounging in the sun, I suggest bringing some food of your own and plenty of water. Make sure to have sunscreen on you as well. You’ll most likely spend time wading in the waters, exposed to the sun.
Tours | There are a handful of different tours you can take if you want to be guided around Starfish Beach. Some focus mainly on the beach, while others revolve around kayaking the waters nearby. Some have the beach as a stopover on a tour of the whole island.
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