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

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

Month	Long Beach	Sao Beach
Nov–Apr	Good	Good
May	Declining	Still good
Jun–Sep	Rough/poor	Acceptable
Oct	Improving	Good

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.