Starfish Beach at Rach Vem suits children well in the dry season, from November to April, when the water is shallow, calm and clear. The main things to plan for are strong sun with little shade on the sandbar, sharp shell and rock fragments near the shore, and a drive of 40 to 60 minutes each way from Duong Dong.
On our private tours, children under 5 travel free and do not count towards the group size. From age 5, a child counts as one guest. Life jackets are on the boat, and children learn the one rule that matters here: the starfish stay in the water.
Your own boat and your own pace, back by early afternoon
Your own car from the hotel, a private boat to the sandbar and lunch on a raft house, back by early afternoon. Free cancellation up to 3 days before.
★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 →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 →Is Starfish Beach safe for children?
Starfish Beach is one of the gentler places in Phu Quoc for young children to get in the sea. The bay at Rach Vem is sheltered, the bottom slopes gently, and the sandbar where the starfish gather is shallow.
The season decides how easy the day will be. From November to April the north coast is calm and clear. From May to October the southwest monsoon brings wind, waves and murky water to the north coast, starfish move into deeper water, and a boat trip with small children is less comfortable. The best time to see starfish in Phu Quoc explains the months in detail.
The shoreline needs more care than the water. Guides to Rach Vem report uneven rock and shell fragments at the water’s edge and sea urchins in places, so children should wear water shoes from the moment they step off the boat.
How are children counted on a private starfish tour?
Our private tours are priced per group of one to four guests. Children under 5 travel free and do not count towards that group size. From age 5, a child counts as one guest, the same as an adult. The table shows how common family groups are counted.
| Your family | Guests counted | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 2 adults, 1 child aged 3 | 2 | The child is under 5 and travels free |
| 2 adults, children aged 2 and 4 | 2 | Both children are under 5 |
| 2 adults, children aged 4 and 7 | 3 | Only the 7-year-old counts |
| 2 adults, children aged 6 and 9 | 4 | Both children are 5 or older |
| 1 adult, 1 child aged 5 | 2 | A 5-year-old counts as one guest |
A family with two adults and two children under 5 therefore books the price for two guests. The cost of a private tour in Phu Quoc sets that price against group tours and the rest of the market.
Sun, shells and the boat: what to plan for
The sun is the biggest risk on the sandbar. There is almost no shade on the water, and the north coast has less shade than the resort beaches. Put sunscreen on the children at the hotel, and pack hats and long-sleeved swim tops.
Water shoes protect small feet from the shell and rock fragments near the shore. Sandals that slip off in the water are a poor substitute, because a lost sandal leaves a child barefoot for the rest of the morning.
The boat from Rach Vem to the sandbar and Ham Rong Cape is a small wooden boat, and Ham Rong Cape is about 10 minutes away. Snorkel sets and life jackets are included on our tour. Tell us the children’s ages when you book so the guide brings life jackets that fit them.
The morning tour keeps the day short for young children. Pickup is 07:30 pickup, or your time, the tour lasts About 5.5 hours, and a freshwater shower after the swim is part of the tour, so the drive home is not spent in salt water.
Teaching children to leave the starfish in the water
The one rule children need at Rach Vem is simple: look at the starfish and photograph them where they lie, but never lift them out of the water. Starfish stay in the water: look at them and photograph them where they lie, and never lift them out - out of the water they can die within minutes.
The rule exists because visitors have broken it. VnExpress reported in April 2021 that dozens of starfish were left drying on Rach Vem beach after being taken out for photos, and Tuoi Tre reported in September 2022 that three tourists lined up more than 100 starfish on the rocks at Ham Rong Cape. A marine-rescue expert quoted by VnExpress said handling starfish also transfers bacteria and sunscreen onto them.
Children usually follow the rule once they know the reason. Crouching low in the water and looking closely works better than reaching out, and the guide will point out starfish that are easy to see without touching. The Rach Vem beach guide covers the village and the sandbar in more detail.
If a short, private morning suits your children
Your own car and boat, a guide who sets the pace, and back at the hotel in the early afternoon.
Starfish Beach Private Morning TourAbout 5.5 hoursSee the tour →North Phu Quoc Private Day: Starfish Beach to SunsetAbout 10 hoursSee the tour →Starfish Beach with kids: common questions
Is Starfish Beach in Phu Quoc good for children?
Starfish Beach in Phu Quoc is good for children in the dry season, from November to April, when the water at Rach Vem is shallow, calm and clear. Children need water shoes for the shell fragments near the shore and strong sun protection, because there is little shade on the sandbar.
Do children pay on your private Starfish Beach tour?
Children under 5 travel free on our private Starfish Beach tours and do not count towards the group size of one to four. From age 5, a child counts as one guest.
Are there life jackets for children on the boat?
Yes. Life jackets and snorkel sets are included on our private tour. Tell us the children’s ages when you book, and the guide brings life jackets that fit them.
Can children touch the starfish at Rach Vem?
Children should not lift the starfish at Rach Vem. Starfish taken out of the water can die within minutes, and handling them transfers sunscreen and bacteria. Looking closely and taking photos in the water is the right way to see them.
How long is the drive to Starfish Beach with kids?
The drive from Duong Dong to Starfish Beach takes 40 to 60 minutes each way on a concrete road through the edge of Phu Quoc National Park. From Sunset Town or An Thoi in the south, allow around 1.5 hours.
A family morning at the starfish sandbar
Private car, licensed guide, private boat with life jackets, and seafood lunch on a raft house. Children under 5 travel free.
★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 →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 →Child pricing and inclusions as of September 2026; sea conditions at Rach Vem vary by season and day.