Phu Quoc: Kayaking with Starfish Beach and Bee Farm Tour

Phu Quoc’s best surprise on this day trip is not the beach itself, but the variety. You move from a working bee farm to a quiet river, then through forest and on to Rach Vem’s starfish coast. It gives you a useful look at the island beyond resort pools.

I like the gentle kayaking on the Cua Can River and the chance to taste several kinds of island honey. I also like that strong guides such as Phong, Rain, Danny, Ren, Neko, Sin, and Chin have made the day lively with local stories, jokes, history, and even a few magic tricks.

The main caution is the final road to Rach Vem, which can be rough and slow. Also, the beach visit is not always simple: the first restaurant area may have few or no visible starfish, and a short boat ride to clearer water can cost extra. Clarify that point before you set off.

Five things to know before you book

• The river is the calmest activity: Kayaking on the Cua Can River is usually peaceful, shaded in places, and suitable for people who want gentle exercise rather than a hard paddle.
• The bee farm is more than a tasting stop: You can sample infused honeys, see bees up close, and walk among plants in the farm’s food garden.
• Starfish Beach conditions change: Clear water is most likely from November to December, while rain or rough seas can lead to a change to Ganh Dau Beach.
• The forest walk is brief: Expect a pleasant stop of around 10 to 30 minutes, not a serious national park hike.
• Lunch and the starfish boat may cost extra: Lunch is optional, and you should ask if transport to the clearest starfish area is included in your booking.

A full day from Duong Dong to northern Phu Quoc

The tour begins with pickup between 8:15 and 8:30 in central Duong Dong. Pickup is available from the John’s Tours office or from hotels in the central area, generally from Phu Quoc Night Market along Tran Hung Dao Street toward Eden Resort.

The tour runs until about 16:00, so this is a proper full-day outing. You spend a fair amount of time in the car, but that is part of the trade-off for reaching northern Phu Quoc, where the beaches and rural stops feel quite different from the resort strip.

Transport is by air-conditioned car or bus. That matters on a humid island, especially after kayaking or walking. The road near Rach Vem has drawn complaints for its potholes and slow going, so do not expect a smooth drive all day.

Pickup outside central Duong Dong may bring an extra charge. If you are staying elsewhere, check the fee before booking rather than sorting it out on the morning of the tour.

Tasting Phu Quoc honey at the bee farm

The bee farm is one of the strongest stops on the route. You taste several honeys, including infused varieties, and learn how local honey is produced. The visit also includes a look at the bees and the plants grown around the farm.

If you are curious, ask the guide whether you can hold a frame or see the bees more closely. One guide, Phong, was especially good at explaining the farm and its plants while keeping the visit relaxed.

I like this stop because it connects the product to its source. You are not simply buying a jar in a shop. You can see the working setting, sample the flavors, and understand why honey fits naturally into Phu Quoc’s food culture.

There is one possible weakness. Some visitors find that farm visits can turn into sales stops after the tasting. You may be shown products for purchase, so treat buying as optional. The tasting and garden visit are the valuable parts, not the retail pitch.

The bee farm is closed on Wednesdays. That is important, since the stop may be replaced by another local visit, such as a pepper farm or pearl showroom. Those substitutions can be interesting, but they change the character of the morning.

Quiet water on the Cua Can River

The kayaking section offers a welcome change of pace. Rather than battling open sea, you paddle along the Cua Can River and watch local river life from the water.

The river is described as quiet and peaceful, with a breeze that helps take the edge off the heat. The route is long enough to feel worthwhile without taking over the day. You get time to paddle, look around, and enjoy the slower rhythm.

This is a good fit if you have never kayaked before or want an easy outdoor activity. You should still be comfortable getting into a kayak and handling a paddle. The supplied information does not give a specific age limit for kayaking, so families should ask the operator about arrangements for children.

Bring sunscreen and a hat. A towel is also useful after the river section, particularly if you plan to swim later at Starfish Beach. One bottle of water is included, but you may want extra water for a hot day.

The river is one of the tour’s most authentic moments. You are not simply being driven from one photo stop to another. You are using the waterway as local people do, at least for a short stretch, and seeing a quieter side of the island.

A short walk through Phu Quoc National Park

The drive continues through Phu Quoc National Park, with a short walk or forest stop along the way. This adds a little time on foot between the river and the coast.

Keep your expectations in check. This is not a major trek through the park. Depending on the guide and route, the walk may last around 10 to 30 minutes and can be little more than a detour from the road.

I still think it earns a place in the day. After sitting in the car, even a brief walk is useful. Your guide can point out plants and explain something about the island’s natural setting. But if you are booking mainly for hiking, this is not the right excursion.

The quality of this part depends heavily on the guide. Danny, Rain, and Ren have been particularly good at filling the drive and walking stops with information about Vietnam and Phu Quoc. A strong guide can turn a short forest pause into a worthwhile lesson. Without that explanation, it may feel like a quick photo stop.

Rach Vem Village and the real Starfish Beach

The final major stop is Rach Vem Village in northern Phu Quoc. The area is known for shallow water, seafood restaurants, simple beach facilities, and starfish that can sometimes be seen near shore.

This is where you need the clearest expectations. The restaurant area commonly called Starfish Beach may not be the place with the best starfish sightings. Water conditions can make the creatures difficult to see, and some groups have taken a short boat ride to another nearby beach with clearer water.

That extra ride has been reported as a small additional charge, around 80,000 Vietnamese dong per person in some arrangements. Since the tour details do not clearly include it, ask your guide before lunch whether the boat is required and what it costs. The issue is not the amount. It is knowing the full price in advance.

Once you reach clear water, the scene can be special. Starfish lie in the shallow sea, and you may see many of them close together. The beach also gives you time to swim, sit down, change clothes, buy a drink, or simply stop moving after a busy morning.

Please handle the starfish carefully. Do not throw them, leave them exposed on hot sand, or pose with them out of the water for long. They are living animals, not beach decorations. The best visit is one where you look closely without disturbing them.

The beach area can be busy and somewhat developed, with restaurants and tourist activity. If you want a quieter stretch, tell your guide. Danny, for example, has been praised for giving people time to walk beyond the more crowded section and find a calmer place to sit.

Lunch at Rach Vem: choose carefully

Lunch is not included unless you select a version that offers it. If you order at the restaurant yourself, you pay for your own food.

The setting is part of the appeal. Rach Vem restaurants serve fresh seafood, and the meal can be one of the most enjoyable parts of the day. You may find options such as whole fish and scallops, while the included meal on some bookings is a seafood hot pot.

I would not automatically choose the included lunch. Ordering directly lets you select what you actually want and control the bill. If you like seafood, ask about the catch of the day and compare prices before ordering. The restaurant food has been a high point for many people on this route, but menu choice and value matter more than a set meal.

You should also allow time for the meal. The tour is active, but the best guides do not rush the beach stop. You need enough time to eat, swim, walk, and reach the boat or vehicle at the agreed time.

Ganh Dau and the Cambodia viewpoint

The itinerary includes Ganh Dau Beach, where you can stop for a view toward Cambodia. This is mainly a sightseeing point rather than a long beach stay.

It adds geographical context to the day. Northern Phu Quoc faces the Gulf of Thailand, and the viewpoint helps you understand the island’s position near Cambodia. If Rach Vem is not suitable because of weather, the tour may use Ganh Dau Beach instead.

That backup matters during periods of poor weather. You should not book this trip expecting one fixed beach experience in every season. The operator may change the beach stop when conditions make Rach Vem unsuitable.

A possible stop at Grand World

On the return, you may ask to be dropped at Grand World Entertainment Theme Center. This can be useful if you are staying nearby or want to continue your evening there.

The entrance ticket is not included. You are responsible for your own entry and for arranging the return by Vinpearl-operated shuttle bus, including checking the schedule. Tell the guide in advance if you want this stop, rather than waiting until the vehicle is already heading back to Duong Dong.

For many people, returning to the hotel is simpler. Grand World is an optional add-on, not a core part of the tour, so use it only if it genuinely fits your plans.

How much value do you get for $32?

At $32 per person, the tour offers a good amount for a full day. The price includes round-trip transport, park entrance fees, an English-speaking guide, and one bottle of water. You also get several different activities rather than one short attraction.

The value is strongest if you want variety. For one price, you combine a farm visit, river kayaking, a forest stop, a northern beach, and a possible Cambodia viewpoint. You also avoid arranging separate transport to remote parts of the island.

The price feels less complete if you expect lunch, every boat transfer, or a long national park hike to be included. Personal expenses are extra, lunch is extra unless you choose the lunch option, and a boat to clearer starfish water may also be charged separately.

A 10 percent surcharge applies during New Year’s Day and the Tet period. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later if that option is offered when you book.

Guides make a real difference

The route is good, but the guide can determine whether the day feels smooth or scattered. Phong, Rain, Danny, Ren, Neko, Sin, Tai, and Chin have all been singled out for friendly service, clear English, local information, and humor.

Chin, also called Magician by one guide, has used jokes, songs, and magic tricks to keep the long drives lively. Danny has been good at giving enough free time at the beach rather than pushing everyone through a rigid schedule. Rain has been praised for explaining Phu Quoc while driving and adapting when a planned stop was unavailable.

Of course, you cannot choose the guide with certainty. Still, the operator appears to have several strong guides, and that is worth noting. Ask questions, tell the guide what matters to you, and speak up if you want more time to swim or less time in a sales-oriented stop.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would choose this tour if you have only a few days on Phu Quoc and want to see several sides of the island. It works especially well for couples, families with older children, and adults who like light activity mixed with food, nature, and sightseeing.

It also suits you if you prefer a guided day to hiring transport and negotiating separate visits. The guide handles the route, explains what you are seeing, and helps when weather changes the plan.

You may want another option if you need wheelchair access, since the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. It is also not suitable for babies under one year. People who want a serious forest hike or a quiet, empty beach all day may find the schedule too broad and the Rach Vem area too developed.

Wear light clothes, bring a sun hat, sunscreen, and a towel. Comfortable footwear is useful for the forest walk and uneven ground. The road can be bumpy near the beach, so anyone prone to motion sickness should prepare accordingly.

Should you book the Starfish Beach and Bee Farm tour?

Book it if you want a well-priced day with plenty of variety and do not mind a few compromises. The bee farm and kayaking are the most reliable highlights, while Starfish Beach can be wonderful when the water is clear and the route reaches the right spot.

Before paying, confirm three things: the pickup area, the lunch arrangement, and whether the boat to the clearest starfish beach costs extra. Also avoid Wednesday if the bee farm is important to you.

I would recommend it for a first visit to Phu Quoc, especially from November to December when water visibility is often better. If rain changes the beach plan, a good guide should help make the day worthwhile with Ganh Dau or another suitable stop.

FAQ

What time does the tour start and finish?

Pickup is between 8:15 and 8:30, with collection from the John’s Tours office or hotels in central Duong Dong. The tour is scheduled to return around 16:00.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included only if you book a version that offers it. Otherwise, you order and pay for your own food at the restaurant in Rach Vem.

Is the bee farm open every day?

No. The bee farm is closed on Wednesdays. The tour may replace that visit with another stop, such as a pepper farm or pearl showroom.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If conditions are unsuitable, the Rach Vem Beach stop may be changed to Ganh Dau Beach.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, sunscreen, and a towel. One bottle of water is included, but personal drinks and other expenses are not.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or babies under one year. It includes kayaking, a short forest walk, uneven areas, and a potentially bumpy road to the beach.