Phu Quoc: Kayaking with Starfish Beach and Bee Farm Tour

Starfish, honey, and quiet water. This full-day trip combines a gentle paddle on the Cua Can River, a local bee farm, a forest stop, and Phu Quoc’s famous Rach Vem area. I especially like the mix of activities and the chance to taste island-made honey, while the patient English-speaking guides often make the day feel personal. The main catch is the rough road to Rach Vem, plus possible extra charges for the boat ride to the clearest starfish beach.

I also like that the schedule leaves room for swimming rather than racing from one photo stop to the next. Guides such as Phong, Danny, Rain, Ren, Tai, and Chin have been praised for their humor, local stories, and care with the group. Still, the forest walk is brief, and some early stops can feel more like product demonstrations than sightseeing.

Key points before you book

• Kayak the Cua Can River: A calm, breezy paddle through local river surroundings, with time to notice daily life along the water.
• Taste several island honeys: The bee farm includes honey sampling and a look at bees and the food forest.
• Reach Rach Vem and its starfish waters: The beach area is the day’s main prize, but clear water and boat arrangements can vary.
• Expect a short national park walk: Pleasant and green, but not a serious hike.
• Plan for a long, bumpy final road: The last stretch toward Starfish Beach can be slow and uncomfortable.
• Keep Wednesday in mind: The bee farm is closed that day, and the tour may substitute a pepper farm or pearl showroom.

What the $32 price really buys you

At $32 per person, this is a good-value day if you want several north Phu Quoc sights without arranging separate transport. The price includes a round-trip car, park entry, an English-speaking guide, and a bottle of water. It does not include lunch, personal spending, or the 10 percent New Year and Tet surcharge.

The value comes mainly from the transport and guide. Phu Quoc’s northern roads connect scattered sights, and reaching Cua Can, the bee farm, Rach Vem, and Ganh Dau independently takes planning. A good guide also adds context between stops. Danny, Rain, Phong, Ren, Neko, and several other guides have received strong praise for explaining Vietnamese culture, island life, and local history in clear English.

Lunch needs a closer look. You can order at the restaurant yourself, which gives you more control over the meal and price. The food is described as fresh Vietnamese seafood, and one particularly useful tip is to compare the set lunch with ordering individual dishes. A whole pomfret and scallops may offer better value than the included seafood hot pot, depending on the group and menu that day.

One point needs clarification before you set off. Several accounts describe taking a small boat from the restaurant area to the beach where the starfish are easiest to see. An additional charge of about 80,000 Vietnamese dong per person was reported for that boat ride. Ask your guide what is included on your departure, since the exact arrangement can change with water conditions and the beach used.

Starting in Duong Dong at 8:15

Pickup runs from about 8:15 to 8:30 at the John’s Tours office or from hotels in central Duong Dong, from the Phu Quoc Night Market along Tran Hung Dao Street toward Eden Resort. Pickup outside this central zone may cost extra.

The return is planned for around 16:00, so this is a full but manageable day. Comfortable transport matters here because you spend time driving between stops, and the air-conditioning will be welcome after kayaking, walking, and swimming. Several guides have been praised for keeping the schedule moving without making the day feel hurried.

Tell the guide early if you want to finish at Grand World Entertainment Theme Center rather than return directly to your hotel. You can be dropped there, but the entrance ticket is your responsibility, and returning by the Vinpearl-operated shuttle requires checking the schedule and arranging it yourself.

Honey tasting at the island bee farm

The bee farm is one of the tour’s more distinctive stops. You can taste several types of honey, including infused varieties, and see bees up close. The visit also includes a look around the farm’s food forest, where plants grown on the property help explain the connection between the bees and local agriculture.

This is not just a quick spoonful of honey. The stop can include a short explanation of production and a chance to ask questions. One guide encouraged visitors to ask if they could hold some bees, though you should only do that under staff direction.

I would allow for two different interpretations of this stop. If you enjoy food production, plants, and local farm businesses, it may be a highlight. If you dislike sales-oriented stops, you may find the product display lasts longer than necessary. Some departures have also included pepper or pearl stops, particularly when the bee farm is closed on Wednesday.

That Wednesday closure matters. If the farm is central to your plans, choose another day. If Wednesday is your only option, confirm the replacement schedule before booking so you know what you will see.

Kayaking on the Cua Can River

The Cua Can River is the most peaceful activity of the day. The water offers a gentle setting for kayaking, and the breeze can make the tropical heat easier to handle. You can watch local river life while paddling rather than simply sitting in a vehicle between attractions.

The kayaking section is generally described as a good length. It is not presented as a hard workout, which makes it suitable for people who want activity without committing to a demanding excursion. You still need to be comfortable getting into a kayak and handling sun, humidity, and water.

I like this part because it gives the day a slower rhythm. The bee farm is about tasting and learning, while the river lets you pay attention to the surroundings. Bring sunscreen and a hat, and pack a towel if you plan to swim later.

The national park walk is short but pleasant

The drive passes through Phu Quoc National Park, with a brief walk through the forest. This is best understood as a short nature break, not a trek.

Some departures include about 10 to 30 minutes of walking, depending on the guide and conditions. You may hear useful explanations about the forest and stop for a look around, but you should not book this tour expecting a long woodland route. The walk is pleasant, yet several people found it too short to be a major attraction.

For me, its value is that it breaks up the drive and gives you a little time on foot. If you are choosing this trip specifically for hiking, look elsewhere. If you want a small taste of the island’s forest between the river and the beach, it does the job.

Rach Vem Village and the starfish question

Rach Vem Village is the day’s headline stop. The area is known for shallow coastal water where red-orange starfish can sometimes be seen in large numbers. When visibility is good, the sight can be memorable, with starfish resting beneath the clear water close to shore.

Conditions are not guaranteed. One August departure encountered poor visibility and changed plans, while other departures used a boat to reach clearer water. The tour can also switch from Rach Vem Beach to Ganh Dau Beach because of weather. That flexibility is sensible, but it means you should not treat a perfect starfish sighting as guaranteed.

There is also an environmental responsibility here. Never lift starfish out of the water, leave them on the sand, or toss them around for photographs. They need to remain in the water, and touching them should be avoided or kept to the gentlest possible contact under local guidance. A beautiful photo is not worth harming the animals that brought you to the beach.

The restaurant area may not be the exact spot where the starfish are most visible. You may first stop for lunch near the beach and then take a boat to another stretch of coast. Ask directly if starfish are visible from the restaurant shore and whether the boat fee is included.

Lunch, swimming, and time by the water

If you book the option with lunch, the meal is taken at a restaurant in or near Rach Vem Village. The food is generally described as authentic Vietnamese cooking, with seafood as the main theme. If seafood is not your preference, check the menu before choosing the lunch option.

Ordering for yourself can be the better choice. You can select exactly what you want, and the reported prices for individual seafood dishes were considered reasonable. A shared meal can also work well if your group wants to try several things, but you should ask about portion size and total cost before ordering.

After lunch, you may have time to swim, relax, or walk along the beach. The best departures leave enough time to enjoy the water rather than turning the stop into a quick photograph. Bring a towel and spare dry clothing if you intend to swim.

The shore can have simple facilities such as toilets, changing space, and drinks, but do not expect a polished resort beach. That is part of the appeal, and also part of the trade-off. You get a more local setting, but conditions and services may be basic.

Ganh Dau and the view toward Cambodia

Ganh Dau Beach is included as a sightseeing viewpoint and may replace Rach Vem if weather makes the starfish beach unsuitable. It can also be part of the route on the way through northern Phu Quoc.

The attraction here is the view toward Cambodia and the chance to see a different part of the island’s coast. Do not expect another long beach session equal to Rach Vem. Its role is mainly scenic and practical, especially when sea conditions affect the original plan.

This backup is worth having. A responsible operator should not force a beach visit when the water is unsafe or too cloudy to make the starfish stop worthwhile. The downside is that a substitute beach may not deliver the same experience you imagined when booking.

The road to Rach Vem is part of the bargain

The final road toward Starfish Beach is the biggest comfort issue. Reports describe a rough, potholed stretch where the vehicle may crawl at about 10 kilometers per hour. That can make the last few kilometers take close to an hour.

You should prepare for bouncing, dust, and a slower ride than the map suggests. The rough road is not a minor detail if you have back problems, motion sensitivity, or limited patience for long transfers. It is also why the included car has real value, since arranging your own ride does not remove the road itself.

Still, the payoff can be worthwhile when the water is clear and the starfish are present. I would judge this tour by your tolerance for an uncomfortable transfer. If you want a smooth luxury day, it is the wrong fit. If you accept a rough road for access to a less developed beach, it makes more sense.

Guides can shape the entire day

The guide is unusually important on this trip. The stops are spread out, the road conditions change, and the beach plan may need adjusting. A guide who explains the island, handles timing, and answers questions can turn a basic sightseeing loop into a much better day.

Phong has been praised for his English, local explanations, and care with the group. Danny allowed time for swimming, walking, and exploring at a relaxed pace. Rain was described as informative and amusing, while Ren kept a friendly pace and gave the group enough time at each stop.

Chin, also called Magician, added jokes, singing, and small magic tricks. Tai and Bam Bam were praised for their energy and humor, and Neko was singled out for being friendly and well-informed. Guides can change, so you cannot request a particular style with certainty, but this is a tour where the person in the front seat genuinely matters.

Who should book this Phu Quoc day trip?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, and active adults who want variety. You get kayaking, food tasting, a short forest walk, coastal sightseeing, and swimming in one day. The mix also works well if you have limited time on Phu Quoc and want to cover the north without hiring a private car.

It may not suit wheelchair users, and it is not suitable for babies under one year. The rough road, boat transfers, kayaking, heat, and short forest walk also deserve consideration for anyone with mobility or comfort concerns.

Bring a sun hat, sunscreen, and towel. Wear clothes that can handle water and heat, and keep some cash available for lunch, drinks, personal purchases, or a possible boat transfer.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an affordable, active day with a strong chance of seeing starfish, and you are comfortable with a rough road and a flexible beach plan. The bee farm and kayaking add real variety, while a good guide can make the long drives worthwhile.

Skip it if you want a long national park hike, a quiet resort-style beach, or a fully fixed price with every beach transfer included. Before paying, confirm the lunch arrangement, the possible boat fee, the Wednesday bee farm closure, and the pickup area. With those points clear, $32 is fair value for a busy day that reaches parts of Phu Quoc you would not easily connect on your own.

FAQ

Where does the tour pick up passengers?

Pickup is available from the John’s Tours office or hotel lobbies in central Duong Dong, from Phu Quoc Night Market along Tran Hung Dao Street toward Eden Resort. Other areas may require an additional fee.

What time does the tour start and finish?

Pickup is scheduled between 8:15 and 8:30. Return to your hotel is planned for about 16:00.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is optional. If you do not book the lunch option, you can order food at the restaurant and pay for it yourself.

What does the tour price include?

The price includes round-trip car transport, park entrance tickets, an English-speaking guide, and one bottle of water.

Is the bee farm open every day?

No. The bee farm is closed on Wednesdays. The tour may substitute a pepper farm or pearl showroom on that day.

Can weather change the beach stop?

Yes. If conditions are unsuitable, Rach Vem Beach may be replaced by Ganh Dau Beach.

Is the boat ride to the starfish beach included?

The exact arrangement can vary. Some departures use a boat from the restaurant area to reach clearer starfish waters, and an additional charge of about 80,000 Vietnamese dong per person has been reported. Confirm this with the guide.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.