Sao Beach
Phu Quoc, Vietnam
One of Asia's most stunning beaches — pure white sand, crystalline turquoise water, and lush forest meeting the Gulf of Thailand.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam
One of Asia's most stunning beaches — pure white sand, crystalline turquoise water, and lush forest meeting the Gulf of Thailand.
Location
Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Best For
Quiet, Snorkeling
Water Temp
27–30°C year-round
Crowds
Quiet; remote location
Parking
Free parking area on road
Facilities
Snorkel Hire, Seafood Shacks, Sunloungers
Bai Sao, meaning "Star Beach", is consistently ranked among the most beautiful beaches in all of Asia, and it is easy to see why. Located on Phu Quoc's southeastern coast, accessible via a winding forest road from An Thoi town, Sao Beach stuns visitors with its extraordinarily white fine sand, shallow transparent turquoise water, and a backdrop of tall jungle trees. The water is so clear that you can see every grain of sand beneath your feet in depths of over a metre.
The beach stretches for about 2 km in a gentle arc and has stayed relatively unspoiled due to its slightly challenging access road — most of the major tourist development on the island is concentrated on the western sunset coast. Sao Beach faces east, which means the sunrises here are spectacular, with the sea turning from deep blue through shades of gold as the sun rises over the still water. A handful of seafood restaurants and snorkelling shacks line the treeline, serving fresh seafood and renting out equipment for exploring the coral gardens just offshore.
Snorkelling directly from the beach is possible and rewarding. The shallow reef systems just beyond the waterline shelter significant populations of clownfish, damselfish, and butterfly fish among brain and staghorn corals. For those wanting to go deeper, dive operators based at nearby An Thoi offer guided scuba dives to the underwater pinnacles and walls of southern Phu Quoc.
Rent a motorbike from Duong Dong town (~25 km, 40 min) and follow the An Thoi road south, then signs east to Sao Beach. A taxi costs around 300,000 VND each way. No public buses serve the beach directly.
November to April is the dry season and ideal for Sao Beach, with calm crystal-clear water and minimal rain. May–October is wet season — waves can pick up but the beach remains beautiful and far less crowded.
Arrive early (before 9:30 am) to have the beach almost to yourself — day-trippers arrive around 10 am. Bring cash as card facilities are very limited. The snorkel gear rental huts open around 8 am.