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

Northern Phu Quoc is at its best on the water, and this tour saves its strongest moment for kayaking through the Cua Can River. You paddle among mangroves and quiet riverbanks, then continue to Rach Vem, where shallow water, fishing pens, and starfish create a memorable beach stop.

I like the useful mix of activities: forest walking and river kayaking give you more than a standard beach day, while the $44 price includes transport, water, the kayak, and admission fees. Guides such as Ren, Viet, Woa, and Duc have also been praised for clear English, humor, flexibility, and keeping families entertained.

The main caution is that the day can feel stretched, especially during the long Rach Vem stop. Starfish sightings vary, and some people have been asked to pay about 100,000 Vietnamese dong for a boat to a separate starfish area, so you should confirm what is included before you board.

Key points to know before booking

• Cua Can kayaking is the tour’s most active highlight: You get about 45 minutes on the river, with kayaks supplied.
• Starfish Beach is not always a sure thing: The number of starfish can change with conditions, season, and the exact beach area visited.
• Rach Vem is a real fishing village stop: You have time to eat, swim, stroll, and look at fish pens, but lunch is not included.
• The old forest walk is short: Expect about 35 minutes among trees described as around 100 years old.
• The schedule can change: Weather, road conditions, and local closures may affect stops, including the bee farm.
• The $44 price is strongest for convenience: Round-trip transport, a guide, water, a vehicle, kayaking, and admission fees are covered.

What this northern Phu Quoc day is really about

This is a broad sampler of Phu Quoc rather than a single-purpose excursion. In roughly seven hours, you move from forest to coast, from a border viewpoint to a fishing village, and finally onto a river in a kayak.

That range is the appeal. You get a sense of northern Phu Quoc beyond resort beaches, with rougher roads, local fishing activity, old trees, and mangrove-lined water. You also spend much of the day in a group, so the experience is more practical than private or slow-paced.

The group can be as large as 100 people. That maximum matters. A small group may feel personal, especially when your guide has time for questions or extra stops. A full vehicle or larger group will feel less nimble, and the schedule may be harder to adjust.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Ren is repeatedly singled out for good English, jokes, and useful information. Viet is described as reassuring and attentive, while Woa is praised for helping families and keeping children engaged. Duc has also been noted for good humor and French-language ability. Guide quality can vary by departure, but the strongest reports point to an entertaining and flexible guiding style.

Walking under old trees in Phu Quoc National Park

The first listed stop is a 35-minute walk through Phu Quoc National Park. The trail passes among trees said to be about 100 years old, giving you a quick look at the island’s forested interior.

This is not a long nature hike. Think of it as a short leg stretch and a chance to see a less developed side of Phu Quoc. If you want a strenuous trek or a serious wildlife outing, this will probably feel too brief.

The road toward the national park can be rough. One family described the ride as bumpy, and another person warned that the poor road could be difficult for anyone prone to motion sickness. I would bring water, avoid a heavy meal before this section, and keep a plastic bag handy if winding or uneven roads bother you.

You might be lucky enough to see monkeys, but wildlife is not guaranteed. The forest can also feel dark and quiet, which some people enjoy and others find underwhelming. Your expectations matter here: this is a compact forest visit, not a full national park expedition.

Looking toward Cambodia from Mui Ganh Dau

Mui Ganh Dau Beach provides about 25 minutes for a coastal view toward Cambodia. This is a scenic pause rather than a beach session, and the value is the location: you are near Phu Quoc’s northwestern edge, looking across the water toward another country.

The stop is short, so do not expect a long swim or a leisurely meal here. It works well as a photo break between the forest and Rach Vem.

There is one practical issue to watch. One booking experience did not include the Ganh Dau stop despite it appearing in the planned route. Tour schedules can shift, so ask your guide early in the day if this viewpoint is still on the route. That simple check can prevent disappointment.

Rach Vem, fishing pens, and the long beach break

The Rach Vem floating village is the cultural heart of the day. You spend around 90 minutes here, with time to eat at a local restaurant, walk around, swim, relax, and search for starfish.

This is a working fishing area rather than a polished resort attraction. Fish are kept in pens near the restaurants, and meals may include fish taken from those pens. That setting gives lunch a local feel, but remember that lunch is not part of the $44 price. Bring cash or confirm meal costs with your guide.

The long stop is useful if you want a proper break. Families can slow down, children can swim in shallow water, and you can take a walk instead of rushing from one photo point to the next. A meal served over the water has been a particular highlight for some people.

But 90 minutes can feel like too much if you are not interested in eating or swimming. One account found the second half of the tour too long, especially after reaching the beach around midday. If you prefer a packed sightseeing day, the extended pause may test your patience.

What to expect at Starfish Beach

Starfish Beach is the stop most likely to shape your opinion of the tour. At its best, you see numerous live starfish in shallow water, often close enough to observe while wading or snorkeling. The beach is also suitable for families because the water is described as shallow.

Please treat the starfish carefully. They are living animals in the water, not shells to lift onto the sand. The most responsible approach is to look without handling them and follow local instructions.

Sightings are not guaranteed. One person found only two or three starfish, while another saw many more. Conditions, season, tide, and the exact part of the beach visited can all affect what you find. This is important because the name Starfish Beach can create an expectation of starfish everywhere.

There is also a possible extra cost. Some visitors have paid around 100,000 Vietnamese dong for a boat ride to the proper or separate starfish area. Others felt that the first beach had few or no starfish, and one account alleged that a person was collecting starfish and bringing them toward the shoreline. I cannot treat that as a standard part of every departure, but you should ask clearly whether the boat ride is included and where the group is going before paying.

If starfish are your main reason for booking, this uncertainty deserves serious thought. If you see the beach as one part of a day that also includes kayaking, forest, fishing village life, and a border view, the risk is easier to accept.

Paddling the Cua Can River

The 45-minute kayak trip on the Cua Can River is the clearest hands-on activity. You stop beside the river, collect a kayak, and paddle through quiet water bordered by mangroves and natural vegetation.

This is a calm river outing rather than an open-sea paddle. You get time to take in river views and move at an easy pace. Several accounts singled out kayaking as the strongest activity, including one person who felt it was the only part truly worth the trip.

That does not mean the paddle is difficult. The supplied details describe a 45-minute session, but they do not specify kayak type, safety equipment, or whether each person paddles alone or with a partner. Ask the guide for instructions before launching, especially if you are new to kayaking.

The river is also a good reason to bring sun protection and clothes that can get wet. The tour includes bottled water, but no further personal equipment is specified. Keep phones protected if you plan to take pictures from the kayak.

Bee farms, pepper stops, and schedule changes

The tour description includes a bee farm, although the timed itinerary does not give it a separate stop. Other day accounts also mention a pepper farm, sales stops, and, in one case, a silk factory.

The bee farm has received warm praise as a small and interesting visit. You may learn about bees and sample or see products, but you should be aware that some stops may include opportunities to buy local goods. One person felt an unexpected silk-factory visit was mainly a sales stop and added an unwanted hour.

The bee farm is closed on Wednesdays and certain holidays. If it is important to you, confirm that it will operate on your date. The same advice applies to any extra farm or shop visit. The exact order and selection of stops may change, particularly when weather affects the route.

A pepper-farm visit can be a fun detail if it is included. One person warned that a fresh green pepper can be extremely hot, so taste cautiously. These agricultural stops add local context, but they should not replace the tour’s core promise in your mind: forest, coast, Rach Vem, Starfish Beach, and kayaking.

Transport, timing, and comfort

The tour lasts about seven hours and includes an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and round-trip hotel transfers in Phu Quoc. The listed starting point is 143 Đường Trần Hưng Đạo in Dương Tơ, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup is offered, but the supplied details do not specify a complete hotel zone list or exact pickup time. Confirm your pickup arrangements when booking. If your hotel is outside the normal service area, you may need to reach the meeting point yourself.

Expect road time. Northern Phu Quoc includes rough stretches, especially near the national park, and the route covers several separate areas. The vehicle makes the tour practical, but you should not expect seven hours of continuous activity.

The maximum group size of 100 is large enough to affect the feel of the day. A small departure may allow the guide to adjust timing, add a substitute stop after bad weather, or give more personal help. A large departure may mean more waiting at meals, beaches, and kayaks.

Is $44 a good value?

At $44 per person, this tour offers solid value if you want several northern Phu Quoc sights in one day without arranging transport yourself. The price includes the vehicle, hotel transfers, bottled water, kayak use, and admission fees.

Lunch is extra, and a possible boat ride to a separate starfish area may cost about 100,000 Vietnamese dong. Those are the two costs I would clarify before departure. Also keep some money available for food or farm and shop purchases.

The value is less convincing if you want a quiet, private outing or a carefully paced nature tour. The large possible group, rough roads, changing stops, and long Rach Vem break make this a practical group excursion, not a luxury experience.

Still, the combination is hard to arrange cheaply on your own. You would need transport to the north, a guide or local directions, a kayak, and separate access to the various stops. For a first visit to Phu Quoc, the convenience is meaningful.

Who should book this North Island tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want variety and do not mind a full day of moving around. It suits families, first-time visitors, couples who want both nature and local life, and anyone keen to try kayaking without booking a separate river trip.

It is also a good match for people who enjoy friendly guides. Ren’s jokes and magic tricks, Viet’s calm manner, Woa’s help with children, and Duc’s language skills show how much the guide can shape the day.

I would be more cautious if you have motion sickness, dislike rough roads, or want guaranteed starfish sightings. I would also skip it if your priority is a long, serious hike, a private boat, or a schedule with no shopping or farm stops.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. The experience depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants, so poor conditions or low bookings can lead to a new date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want good-value variety: a short forest walk, a Cambodian border view, a fishing village, Starfish Beach, and river kayaking in one organized day. The kayaking and the local setting at Rach Vem are the most dependable reasons to go.

Book with realistic expectations about Starfish Beach. Ask about the boat fee, lunch price, the day’s exact stops, and whether the bee farm is open. If you can accept a flexible schedule and possible road bumps, this is a useful introduction to northern Phu Quoc. If one specific activity must be perfect, choose a more focused tour.

FAQ

How long does the Phu Quoc North Island tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

What activities are included?

The experience includes a forest walk in Phu Quoc National Park, a view toward Cambodia from Mui Ganh Dau, time at Rach Vem fishing village and Starfish Beach, and kayaking on the Cua Can River.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included. You have time to eat at a local restaurant in Rach Vem, but you pay for your meal separately.

Is the kayak included?

Yes. Kayak use is included, and the Cua Can River paddling section lasts about 45 minutes.

Are hotel transfers included?

Round-trip hotel transfers in Phu Quoc are included. The listed meeting point is 143 Đường Trần Hưng Đạo in Dương Tơ, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is the bee farm open every day?

No. The bee farm is closed on Wednesdays and on select holidays. The schedule may also change because of weather or local conditions.

Are admission fees included?

Yes. Admission fees are included, so you do not need to pay them separately at the stops.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded. If bad weather or insufficient bookings causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.