Ganh Dau Cape is the north-west tip of Phu Quoc, about 30 km from Duong Dong, or 40 to 50 minutes by road. It is a rocky headland with golden-sand coves, forest running down to the water and a small fishing fleet. The cape lies only a few kilometres from Cambodian waters, and on a clear day Cambodian islands and the mountains of the Cambodian mainland are visible to the north.
Ganh Dau is a viewpoint rather than an activity. Thirty to 45 minutes is enough for most people, which is why it pairs well with Rach Vem, about 30 minutes to the east.
Cambodia on the horizon after a morning with the starfish
Our north-island day reaches Ganh Dau after lunch at Rach Vem, then carries on to the Cua Can river and a west-coast sunset. 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 is Ganh Dau Cape and how do you get there?
Ganh Dau Cape sits at the north-west corner of Phu Quoc island, about 30 km from Duong Dong. The usual approach is north along the west coast through Cua Can and past Bai Dai, the 15 km beach that runs from Cua Can up to the cape. The drive from Duong Dong takes 40 to 50 minutes by car or scooter.
From Rach Vem Starfish Beach, Ganh Dau is about 30 minutes to the west, so the two combine easily in one outing. Our guide on how to get to Rach Vem covers the roads and transport options for the far north, including the difficulty of finding a Grab back in the afternoon.
Ganh Dau was a commune of Phu Quoc City until 30 June 2025. Since 1 July 2025 it has been part of the single Phu Quoc special zone in An Giang province, so older maps and blogs that list a separate Ganh Dau commune are out of date. The Phu Quoc special zone guide explains the change.
What can you see from Ganh Dau Cape?
From Ganh Dau Cape you look north and west across the Gulf of Thailand towards Cambodia. The nearest Cambodian island, Hon Nan, lies only a few kilometres offshore; further out are the island of Koh Ses and, on clear days, Ta Lon mountain on the Cambodian mainland, the range better known in Cambodia as Bokor.
| What you see | Where | When it shows |
|---|---|---|
| Hon Nan, a Cambodian island | A few kilometres offshore to the north | Most days, including hazy ones |
| Koh Ses and other Cambodian islands | Further out to the north | Days with fair visibility |
| Ta Lon (Bokor) mountain | Cambodian mainland, to the north | Clear days, mostly in the dry season |
| Rocks, coves and fishing boats | The cape itself | Every day |
Local writers describe Phu Quoc as a fish swimming north with its tail in the south, and Ganh Dau as the fish’s mouth. The shape explains why the cape feels like the end of the country: open water on two sides and another country’s islands in front.
Closer in, the cape itself is a band of wave-worn rocks, short curves of golden sand and forest that reaches the shoreline. Fishing boats anchor off the village, and the water in the dry season is clear enough to see the bottom near the rocks.
Swimming and eating at Ganh Dau
The coves at Ganh Dau Cape have fine golden sand and clear water in the dry season, and a swim is possible on calm days. The rocks are worn smooth by the waves and turn slippery when wet, so shoes with some grip are worth having for the walk out to the point.
Fishing families at Ganh Dau sell fresh seafood, but most north-island itineraries, including ours, eat lunch at the Rach Vem raft houses first and drive to the cape afterwards. If you come straight to Ganh Dau from Duong Dong, bring water and sun cover for the rocks.
The Nguyen Trung Truc temple
A temple near Ganh Dau honours Nguyen Trung Truc, the 19th-century leader who fought French colonial forces in the Mekong region. Nguyen Trung Truc was arrested on Phu Quoc in September 1868 and executed in Rach Gia the following month. The temple is a place of worship, so cover shoulders and knees and keep voices low inside.
When is the best time to visit Ganh Dau Cape?
The best time to visit Ganh Dau Cape is a dry-season afternoon, from November to April, when the sea is calmer and the air is more often clear enough to see the Cambodian coast. On hazy days the islands are still visible, but the mainland mountains may fade into a grey line.
Ganh Dau fits best in the early afternoon of a north-island day. The morning belongs to the starfish sandbar at Rach Vem, where the water is clearest from about 7 to 10 am, and the end of the day belongs to a west-facing beach for sunset. Our one-day north Phu Quoc itinerary sets out the whole order with times.
The west side of the cape also looks out over open sea, and some visitors stay at Ganh Dau for sunset. Sunset in Phu Quoc falls between about 17:38 in mid-November and 18:30 in July. The catch is the drive home: Duong Dong is 40 to 50 minutes away in the dark, against 15 to 20 minutes from Ong Lang.
From May to October the south-west monsoon brings bigger waves and more cloud to the west coast. Ganh Dau still makes a worthwhile short stop in those months, but Cambodia is often out of sight.
Seeing the north as one route, not four trips?
Ganh Dau is one stop on our north-island day, between lunch at Rach Vem and the Cua Can river.
North Phu Quoc Private Day: Starfish Beach to SunsetAbout 10 hoursSee the tour →Starfish Beach Private Morning TourAbout 5.5 hoursSee the tour →Ganh Dau Cape: common questions
How far is Ganh Dau Cape from Duong Dong?
Ganh Dau Cape is about 30 km from Duong Dong, a drive of 40 to 50 minutes along the west coast through Cua Can and past Bai Dai.
Can you really see Cambodia from Ganh Dau?
Yes. Ganh Dau Cape is only a few kilometres from Cambodian waters. Cambodian islands such as Hon Nan are visible on most days, and on clear days Ta Lon mountain on the Cambodian mainland can be seen to the north.
Who was Nguyen Trung Truc, and why is there a temple at Ganh Dau?
Nguyen Trung Truc was a 19th-century resistance leader against French colonial rule in southern Vietnam. He was arrested on Phu Quoc in September 1868, and a temple near Ganh Dau Cape honours him.
How long should you spend at Ganh Dau Cape?
Thirty to 45 minutes is enough for the view, photos and a short walk on the rocks. Add time if you want to swim in one of the coves or visit the Nguyen Trung Truc temple.
Is Ganh Dau worth visiting on the same day as Rach Vem?
Yes. Ganh Dau Cape is about 30 minutes west of Rach Vem, so the two fit into one outing. The usual order is the starfish sandbar in the morning and Ganh Dau in the early afternoon.
The north-west tip, a kayak and the sunset
A private car and guide from your hotel, the starfish sandbar in the morning, Ganh Dau after lunch, then 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 →Distances, travel times and administrative details as of September 2026.