Phu Quoc travel guide

Phu Quoc Beaches 2026: Sao Beach, Long Beach and the Best Swimming Spots

· 3 min read City Guide
Sao Beach, Phu Quoc

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Sao Beach (Bai Sao) — best sand

The standout beach. Fine white powder sand with a gentle slope into clear turquoise water. Located on the southeast coast, 25km from Duong Dong town. The beach faces south-southeast, which gives it protection from the southwest monsoon — it’s calmer in rough season than the west coast beaches.

Swimming: Good November–April. The water stays clear and calm. Some deterioration May–October but it’s not as affected by monsoon as Long Beach.

Facilities: Sunloungers ₫200,000–400,000 ($8–16) with umbrella, including a soft drink. Seafood restaurants and beach bars. Not a quiet beach in high season — a continuous row of operations. Arrive before 10:00 to choose your position.

Getting there: Motorbike or taxi from Duong Dong. The road south (Highway 1) then the turnoff is straightforward. No public bus.

Long Beach (Bai Truong) — resort strip

20km of west-facing coastline running from Duong Dong town south. The northern section near town has the densest beach bar and restaurant activity. The central and southern sections are quieter.

Swimming: Good November–April. The west coast faces the Gulf of Thailand and gets calm, warm water in dry season. May–October: southwest monsoon creates rough conditions, occasional jellyfish. Some swimming is possible but beach conditions are less attractive.

Sunset: The west-facing orientation gives clear sunsets October–April when skies are dry and clear.

Ong Lang Beach — quieter west coast

A smaller cove 15km north of Duong Dong on the west coast. Fewer hotels and beach operations than Long Beach. Rocky sections interspersed with sand. Good snorkelling on the rocks at the south end of the cove.

Best for: Travellers staying at the boutique resorts in this area. Not worth a dedicated trip from Long Beach.

Ganh Dau Beach (north tip)

A beach at the northern tip of the island, 30km from Duong Dong. White sand, very little development. The closest point to Cambodia — on a clear day, the Cambodian coast is visible. Road conditions to the north tip have improved but it remains less visited.

Best for: Motorbike riders doing an island circuit. Not a beach destination in itself but a worthwhile stop.

Cua Can (north-west)

A river mouth and beach on the northwest coast. More interesting for the mangrove estuary and small fishing village than for the beach itself. The river is navigable by small boat upstream into mangrove forest.

Beach conditions by month

MonthLong BeachSao Beach
Nov–AprGoodGood
MayDecliningStill good
Jun–SepRough/poorAcceptable
OctImprovingGood

The southwest monsoon (May–October) affects the west coast (Long Beach) more than the south coast (Sao Beach). If visiting in shoulder season (May or October), Sao Beach is the better option.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best beach in Phu Quoc?
Sao Beach (Bai Sao) on the southeast coast has the finest white powder sand with clear turquoise water. It is protected from the southwest monsoon and stays calmer than west coast beaches during rough season.
How much does a sunlounger cost at Sao Beach?
Sunloungers at Sao Beach cost 200,000-400,000 VND ($8-16) including an umbrella and a soft drink. Arrive before 10:00 to choose your position as the beach fills up quickly in high season.
Can you swim at Phu Quoc beaches during monsoon season?
The southwest monsoon (May-October) makes Long Beach rough and poor for swimming, but Sao Beach on the south coast remains acceptable. If visiting in shoulder season (May or October), Sao Beach is the better swimming option.
Where can I watch the sunset on Phu Quoc?
Long Beach (Bai Truong) on the west coast faces the Gulf of Thailand and provides clear sunsets from October to April when skies are dry and clear. The 20km coastline runs from Duong Dong town south.

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