Starfish Beach at Rach Vem is good for a gentle swim and a look through a mask, not for coral-reef snorkelling. The water over the starfish is shallow, mostly around knee depth near the shore, with a bottom of sand and seagrass, and in the dry season it is clear enough to see the sea floor. There is no coral reef at the beach to speak of, so the starfish themselves are the main thing to see.
The best conditions are on calm mornings from November to April. Wear water shoes, float rather than stand near the starfish, and look without touching.
Snorkel where the water is clearest, not where the crowd is
A private boat takes you from Rach Vem to the sandbar and Ham Rong Cape early in the morning, with a snorkel set and life jackets on board. 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 →What the water is like at Starfish Beach
The water at Starfish Beach is shallow, calm and gently sloping in the dry season. Near the shore at Rach Vem it is mostly knee-deep, the bottom is a mix of sand and seagrass, and on a calm dry-season morning you can see the sea floor clearly.
That changes with the season. From May to October the southwest monsoon brings wind and waves to the north coast, the water turns murky and the starfish move into deeper water. A mask shows very little on those days. The seasons are laid out in the best time to see starfish in Phu Quoc.
| Where to swim | Depth near shore | Bottom | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beach beside Rach Vem village | Mostly knee-deep | Sand and seagrass | Wading, children, a quick look |
| Sandbar by boat | Shallow; deeper further out | Sand and seagrass | Clear water, floating with a mask |
| Ham Rong Cape | Shallow near the sand | Sand, with rocks at the tip | A quieter swim and rocky edges |
The shallows beside the village see the most feet, and a busy sandy bottom clouds quickly. Swimmers who want clearer water usually take a boat to the sandbar or to Ham Rong Cape; the trade-offs are covered in our article on the Rach Vem boat trip.
What you will see with a mask and snorkel
With a mask at Starfish Beach you will mostly see starfish, seagrass and sand. The starfish are the red and orange horned sea star, which grows up to about 30 cm across and rests on sheltered sandy or seagrass bottoms. Our article on the red cushion starfish explains what you are looking at.
Starfish sightings are never guaranteed. Numbers change with the season, the tide and the weather, and the starfish move. On a good dry-season morning they rest in the shallows; on a poor day you may see only a few, further out.
For coral and reef fish, Starfish Beach is the wrong place. Phu Quoc’s reef snorkelling happens around the small islands off An Thoi in the south, which speedboat trips visit. Rach Vem suits a relaxed swim in warm, shallow water, and a mask simply gives a clearer view of the starfish than looking down from the surface.
How to snorkel without harming the starfish
The safe way to snorkel at Starfish Beach is to float face down and keep your hands and fins away from the bottom. Standing up in the middle of a group of starfish, or kicking near them, is how they get stepped on and how the seagrass gets torn.
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.
Sunscreen matters too. A marine-rescue expert quoted by VnExpress in 2021 warned that handling starfish transfers bacteria and sunscreen chemicals to them. Put sunscreen on well before you swim, or cover up with a rash vest instead, and never touch a starfish at all. The full reasoning is in our guide to seeing the starfish without harming them.
What to wear and bring, and how to stay safe
Water shoes are the most useful thing to bring to Starfish Beach. The way into the water crosses uneven rock and shell fragments near the shore, and the rocks at Ham Rong Cape are uneven underfoot.
| Item | Why it helps at Rach Vem |
|---|---|
| Water shoes | Rock and shell fragments at the water entry |
| Mask and snorkel | A clear view of the starfish without touching them |
| Rash vest or long-sleeved swim top | Sun protection without sunscreen on your skin |
| Life jacket for children and weak swimmers | Deeper water at the sandbar edges; boats in and out |
| Dry bag | Phones and wallets in a small open boat |
Watch for boats near the village. Small boats run between the shore, the raft houses and the sandbar all morning, so stay visible and keep away from the channels they use. Children should swim with an adult beside them at all times.
Plan to swim before midday. The sun is fierce by late morning, group tours arrive around midday, and the water is at its clearest earlier. The Rach Vem Beach visitor guide shows how a swim fits into a half day at the beach.
If a calm morning swim is what you are after
The private boat reaches the sandbar before the midday crowd, and a snorkel set and life jackets are on board.
Starfish Beach Private Morning TourAbout 5.5 hoursSee the tour →North Phu Quoc Private Day: Starfish Beach to SunsetAbout 10 hoursSee the tour →Snorkelling at Starfish Beach: common questions
Is there coral at Starfish Beach Phu Quoc?
No, not in any meaningful amount. Starfish Beach at Rach Vem has a sand and seagrass bottom. For coral snorkelling, Phu Quoc’s reef trips go to the islands off An Thoi in the south.
How deep is the water at Starfish Beach?
The water at Starfish Beach is mostly knee-deep near the shore at Rach Vem and shelves gently. It gets deeper further from the shore, so children and weak swimmers should wear a life jacket in deeper water.
Do I need a snorkel to see the starfish?
No. In calm, clear water the starfish at Rach Vem can be seen by wading and looking down. A mask gives a clearer view and lets you float instead of standing near them.
When is the water clearest at Starfish Beach?
The water at Starfish Beach is usually clearest on calm mornings in the dry season, from November to April. From May to October the water is often murky.
Do I need water shoes at Rach Vem?
Water shoes are strongly recommended at Rach Vem. The water entry crosses uneven rock and shell fragments, and the rocks at Ham Rong Cape are uneven.
Starfish, clear water and a swim before lunch
We collect you at your hotel, reach Rach Vem early and take a private boat to the sandbar and Ham Rong Cape. Snorkel set, life jackets, boat and lunch are included.
★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 →Water and sea conditions as of September 2026; conditions change daily.