Kayaking on the Cua Can river means a gentle paddle of about 2 km between banks of mangrove, nipa palm and cajeput trees, starting from Cua Can fishing village on Phu Quoc’s west coast, north of Duong Dong. A kayak rents for around 100,000 VND as of 2025 to 2026, and the river is flat water suitable for beginners.
The best months are November to April, when the river runs clear and calm. Paddle in the early morning or late afternoon: group tours crowd the river in mid-morning, and the midday sun on open water is hard work.
Cua Can in the late afternoon, when the group kayaks have gone
Our north-island day reaches the Cua Can river after the starfish and Ganh Dau Cape, with the kayak arranged in advance. Free cancellation up to 3 days before.
★North Phu Quoc Private Day: Starfish Beach to SunsetStarfish Beach by private boat, lunch on the water, Ganh Dau Cape, the Cua Can mangroves by kayak and a west-coast sunset. · About 10 hoursSee the tour →Starfish Beach Private Morning TourRach Vem by private boat before the crowds, a swim at the starfish sandbar and seafood lunch over the water. · About 5.5 hoursSee the tour →Where do you kayak on the Cua Can river?
Kayaks on the Cua Can river launch from Cua Can fishing village, on the west coast of Phu Quoc north of Duong Dong. The village is reached along the Duong Dong to Cua Can road, past the turn-off for Ong Lang beach. From the river mouth, Bai Dai beach runs about 15 km north to Ganh Dau Cape, the north-west tip of the island.
The Cua Can river is a little over 20 km long. It rises in the hills of the island’s north and flows through the areas of the former Cua Can, Cua Duong, Bai Thom and Ganh Dau communes before reaching the sea. Most kayak trips cover only a short stretch of it, about 2 km near the village.
The banks are lined with mangroves, nipa palm and cajeput trees. Fishing families along the river cast nets and set traps for fish, crab and shrimp, and wooden houses on stilts stand at the water’s edge near the village. You may see egrets feeding on the mudbanks.
Getting to Cua Can
Cua Can is the easiest part of the north to reach on your own. A Grab car or a scooter from Duong Dong follows the Duong Dong to Cua Can road, and the Ong Lang turn-off comes about 4.5 km along it. From Rach Vem Starfish Beach, the drive across to Cua Can takes about 40 minutes.
Kayak or basket boat?
Some group tours swap the kayak for a ride in a round basket boat, the woven boat that Cua Can fishing families still use. A basket boat is paddled for you and suits anyone who does not want to paddle; a kayak lets you set your own pace and get closer to the mangrove roots.
How much does Cua Can kayaking cost?
Renting a kayak at Cua Can costs around 100,000 VND as of 2025 to 2026. Published rates range from 80,000 to 100,000 VND per kayak, and some operators quote about 100,000 VND per hour, so agree the price and the time allowed before you set off.
| Way to kayak | Typical cost | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent at Cua Can village | Around 100,000 VND per kayak | Kayak hire only; you arrange your own transport |
| Group north-island tour | About US$40-80 per person | Kayak as one stop among farms, Rach Vem and a viewpoint |
| Our private north-island day | $91 | Kayak arranged for you as part of the full day |
Group tour prices are from GetYourGuide, Klook and Viator listings as of September 2026. Most group itineraries put the kayak in the morning, before the drive to Rach Vem.
When is the best time to kayak Cua Can?
The best time to kayak the Cua Can river is the dry season, from November to April, in the early morning or late afternoon. In those months the water is clear and calm, and the low sun takes the edge off the heat on the open river. The same months are the season for the starfish at Rach Vem, which is why the north of the island is at its best as a dry-season day out.
Mid-morning is the busy slot. On one November day in 2023, Tuoi Tre reported about 50 foreign visitors on the river around 10 am, and the local operator there serves more than 1,000 foreign kayakers a year. Group tours usually paddle in the morning, before lunch at Rach Vem.
From May to October the south-west monsoon brings heavy rain to Phu Quoc, with August the wettest month. The river is less clear outside the November to April window, and afternoon storms are common, so a rainy-season paddle is best kept short and early.
On a full north-island day, a late-afternoon paddle also lines up with the sunset. Cua Can sits close to the west-coast beaches, so you can leave the river about an hour before sunset and be on the sand in time. Our north Phu Quoc itinerary gives the sunset time for each month and the order of stops that makes this work.
Is Cua Can kayaking safe for beginners and children?
Cua Can kayaking is suitable for beginners: the river is flat, sheltered and slow-moving, which makes it manageable for first-time paddlers. Wear the life jacket provided, even on calm water, and paddle with a companion rather than alone.
Young children should share a kayak with an adult rather than paddle their own. Bring a hat, sunscreen and drinking water; there is little to buy once you are on the river. Phones and cameras should go in a dry bag, as getting in and out of a kayak from a muddy bank is where most things get wet.
Want the river without the mid-morning crowd?
We put the kayak late in the day, after the starfish and Ganh Dau Cape.
North Phu Quoc Private Day: Starfish Beach to SunsetAbout 10 hoursSee the tour →Starfish Beach Private Morning TourAbout 5.5 hoursSee the tour →Cua Can kayaking: common questions
How long is the kayak trip on the Cua Can river?
A typical Cua Can kayak trip covers about 2 km of river near Cua Can fishing village, paddled at an easy pace. The river itself is a little over 20 km long, but kayak trips use only a short stretch.
How much does it cost to rent a kayak at Cua Can?
A kayak at Cua Can rents for around 100,000 VND as of 2025 to 2026. Some operators charge per kayak and some per hour, so agree the price and time before starting.
What will I see while kayaking the Cua Can river?
Kayakers on the Cua Can river paddle between mangroves, nipa palm and cajeput trees, past fishing families working nets and traps and stilt houses near the village. Egrets may be feeding on the mudbanks.
Do I need kayaking experience for Cua Can?
No. The Cua Can river is flat and sheltered, and beginners manage it easily. A life jacket is provided and should be worn, and it is safer to paddle with a companion.
Can I combine Cua Can kayaking with Starfish Beach?
Yes. Cua Can and Rach Vem Starfish Beach fit into one day. The better order is the starfish in the morning, when the sea is clearest, and the Cua Can river in the late afternoon.
Mangroves in the afternoon, the sea at sunset
A private car and guide from your hotel, the starfish sandbar and lunch at Rach Vem, Ganh Dau Cape, a kayak on the Cua Can river and a west-coast sunset.
★North Phu Quoc Private Day: Starfish Beach to SunsetStarfish Beach by private boat, lunch on the water, Ganh Dau Cape, the Cua Can mangroves by kayak and a west-coast sunset. · About 10 hoursfrom$91/ person›
Choose your group size · price is the group totalSolo traveller$255BOOK →2 guests$295BOOK →3 guests$330BOOK →4 guests$365BOOK →See the full tour page →Starfish Beach Private Morning TourRach Vem by private boat before the crowds, a swim at the starfish sandbar and seafood lunch over the water. · About 5.5 hoursfrom$63/ person›
Choose your group size · price is the group totalSolo traveller$175BOOK →2 guests$200BOOK →3 guests$225BOOK →4 guests$250BOOK →See the full tour page →Kayak rental rates and group tour prices as of September 2026.