The best Starfish Beach Phu Quoc photos are taken on calm mornings in the dry season, from November to April, roughly between 7 and 10 am, when the water over the sand is clear and the sun is still low. Shoot the starfish exactly where they lie: from above the surface with a polarising filter, or with a waterproof phone held just under the water.
Never lift a starfish out of the water for a picture. Out of the water starfish can die within minutes, and Vietnamese newspapers have criticised tourists at Rach Vem for doing exactly that.
Be at the sandbar while the light is low and the water is still
We leave early, reach Rach Vem before the tour groups and take a private boat to the clearest water that morning. 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 →Where to photograph starfish around Rach Vem
There are three places to photograph starfish around Rach Vem, and each gives a different picture. The shallows by the village are the easiest to reach, the sandbar has the clearest water, and Ham Rong Cape adds rocks and forest to the frame.
| Spot | What the photo looks like | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Shallows beside Rach Vem village | Starfish on sand with raft houses and boats behind | Crowds and cloudy water from late morning |
| Sandbar by boat | Starfish in clear water, open sea and sky behind | Wind ripples; boat fare to agree first |
| Ham Rong Cape | White sand, dark rocks and forest in one frame | Uneven rocks; few or no services |
The sandbar usually gives the cleanest picture, because it is further from the village and has fewer people standing in the water. Whether the boat ride is worth the fare is covered in our article on the Rach Vem boat trip, and the cape itself in Ham Rong Cape.
When to shoot: season, time of day and water
The best time to photograph starfish at Rach Vem is a calm morning between November and April. In that season the north coast is usually calm, the water is clear, and starfish rest in the shallows. From May to October the water is often murky and the starfish move deeper.
Within the day, early to mid-morning works best. Sunrise at Rach Vem falls between about 5:40 and 6:30 am depending on the month, so by 7 or 8 am the light is bright enough but still low. Group tours usually arrive around midday, when the light is harsh and the water has been stirred by many feet.
The water surface matters more than the light. A still surface lets the camera see straight through to the starfish; a breeze breaks it into ripples and glare. On a windy morning, wait for a lull between gusts, or put the phone under the surface instead. The seasons are explained in the best time to see starfish in Phu Quoc.
How to photograph starfish in the water
The rule for every Starfish Beach photo is simple: the starfish stays in the water, where it is, and the camera comes to it. That rule protects the animal and, as it happens, also gives the better picture, because a starfish under clear water keeps its colour.
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.
From above the water
Stand still for a moment so the sand settles, then shoot straight down or at a steep angle. A circular polarising filter on a camera, or a clip-on polariser on a phone, cuts the glare on the surface so the starfish show through. Turn the filter while you watch the screen until the reflections disappear.
Under the water
A waterproof phone or a phone in a waterproof pouch can be held just below the surface, a short distance from the starfish, without touching it or the seagrass. Float rather than stand, and keep your fins and feet off the bottom so you do not stir up sand.
With people in the frame
For a portrait with the starfish, crouch or kneel in the water beside it and let the photographer frame both of you from a low angle. Do not hold, move or line up starfish for the shot. Our guide to seeing the starfish without harming them explains why even a short lift causes harm.
Drones, gear and what to leave at home
Flying a drone at Rach Vem is not a casual option. Vietnam requires a flight permit for most drone use, arranged in advance through a Vietnamese organisation. For most visitors on a short trip, that rules the drone out.
| Bring | Why |
|---|---|
| Waterproof phone or pouch | Shots just below the surface |
| Polarising filter or clip-on polariser | Cuts glare so the starfish show through the water |
| Water shoes | Rock and shell fragments at the water entry |
| Dry bag | Keeps gear dry in a small open boat |
| Microfibre cloth | Salt spray on lenses |
Leave anything behind that tempts you to handle the wildlife: props, trays or buckets. The best-known Rach Vem photos in the Vietnamese press, from 2021 and 2022, show starfish laid out on sand and rocks for pictures, and many of those starfish died. For the wider area, see our Rach Vem Beach visitor guide.
If the photo is the reason you are going
We time the morning around the light and the water, and the private boat goes where it is clearest that day.
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 photos: common questions
Can I pick up a starfish for a photo at Rach Vem?
No. Starfish at Rach Vem should stay in the water where they lie. Out of the water starfish can die within minutes, so photograph them from above the surface or just below it.
What time of day is best for starfish photos?
Early to mid-morning, roughly 7 to 10 am, is best for starfish photos at Rach Vem. The light is still low, the water is usually calmer and clearer, and group tours have not yet arrived.
Can I fly a drone at Starfish Beach?
Flying a drone at Starfish Beach requires a flight permit in Vietnam for most drones, arranged in advance through a Vietnamese organisation. Most visitors on a short trip leave the drone at home.
How do I stop glare on the water in photos?
Use a circular polarising filter, or a clip-on polariser on a phone, and shoot at a steep angle. Glare on the water is also lower when the surface is calm, which is usually in the morning.
Which month is best for Starfish Beach photos?
The dry season from November to April is best for Starfish Beach photos, when the water is calm and clear. From May to October the water is often murky and starfish are harder to find.
Clear water, early light and every starfish left in place
We collect you at your hotel before the tour groups leave, take a private boat to the sandbar and Ham Rong Cape, and finish with lunch on a raft house.
★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 →Timing, sea conditions and drone rules as of September 2026.