Best Time to Visit Starfish Beach, Phu Quoc
The best time to visit Starfish Beach is during the dry season, from November to April. The sea is calm, the water is clear, and you can usually see starfish from the moment you step off the boat. You can visit any month — the beach doesn’t close, and the starfish don’t disappear — but from May to October the water gets rougher and murkier, and some days aren’t worth the trip. If you’re planning around a specific week, keep reading; if you just want to book, check boat times & prices →.
PLAN AHEAD
Starfish Beach, Month by Month
Prefer a plain list? See all 12 months at a glance
| Month | Water | Starfish | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very clear | Plentiful | High |
| February | Very clear | Plentiful | High |
| March | Very clear | Plentiful | High |
| April | Clear | Plentiful | Medium |
| May | Usually clear | Plentiful | Low |
| June | Clear between showers | Plentiful | Low |
| July | Depends on the rain | Plentiful | Low |
| August | Depends on the rain | Plentiful | Low |
| September | Improving week by week | Plentiful | Low |
| October | Mostly clear | Plentiful | Medium |
| November | Clear | Plentiful | Medium |
| December | Very clear | Plentiful | High |
Can You Still See Starfish in the Rainy Season?
Yes — but you’ll be at a different beach than you would in the dry season. Our usual spot, Mũi Hàm Rồng, gets too rough once the rains set in, so from around May to October we take everyone to a smaller beach instead. It’s a fixed rule by season, not a day-to-day guess. For the full explanation of why there are two spots — and why one of them confusingly shares a name with a completely different, famous beach in the south — see our guide to which beach actually has starfish →.
On rough days it’s can be hard to see starfish — you might see cloudy water and nothing else.
We check conditions every morning, and if it’s not a good day for the beach, we’ll tell you straight over WhatsApp rather than take your money for a bad trip. Message us on WhatsApp →
AT THE BEACH
What to Do at Starfish Beach
- Snorkel with the starfish. The water is shallow and calm enough for complete beginners — you don’t need experience.
- Rent a sun lounger for the day. 50,000₫, no time limit. Bring a book or just watch the water.
- Take photos at water level. Get your camera close to the surface rather than lifting a starfish out — it’s harmful to them even for a few seconds, and it makes a worse photo anyway.
- Do nothing at all. Walk the shoreline, sit in the shade, come back to the boat when you’re ready.
Want lunch after the beach? See the Fishing Village Combo →
Best Time of Day
Morning, 8:00–10:00, gives you the calmest water and the best light for photos. After 14:00 is cooler and quieter, but the light is flatter. Boats run 8:00 to 17:00 every day.
For the full breakdown of boat pricing, walking the 4km route yourself, and what to bring, see our guide to getting to Starfish Beach →.
REVIEWS
What People Say
Exceptional Starfish Beach 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 I highly recommend experiencing this with the Nha Trèn Bien Joy Adventures team. Everything was perfect: the welcome, the boat, the atmosphere, the restaurant recommendations. It’s an authentic experience! I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
I had a wonderful experience with Joy Adventures – Restaurant & Boat to Starfish Beach. The entire trip was well-organized, and the team was friendly, professional, and very accommodating throughout. The boat ride to Starfish Beach was smooth and enjoyable, offering beautiful views along the way. Starfish Beach itself was absolutely stunning—clear waters, peaceful surroundings, and a unique opportunity to see starfish up close in their natural habitat.
We had great day trip with combo experience package.All the communication was done via whatsup,very reliable and profesional.We were picked up from our hotel and taxed over by boat to starfish beach which is beautuful.After 4 hours on the beach we were picked up to have delicious lunch at the family restaurant over the water.Would recommend
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see starfish in the rainy season?
Yes, there are always starfish at Starfish Beach. The number you can see depends mainly on the clarity of the water. After heavy rain, the water can become a little cloudy, which may make some starfish harder to spot, but they are still there. On clear days, you can usually see many more of them.
Is Starfish Beach good for young kids?
Yes, Starfish Beach is great for young children. The water is usually very clear, calm, and shallow, so it’s easy for them to enjoy the beach and look around in the water. And of course, the beautiful red starfish are a highlight for kids to see.
We just ask that children do not touch or pick up the starfish, as they are living animals and need to be left in the water.
Can i walk to Starfish Beach?
You can indeed walk to Starfish Beach, however only in the dry season. And you need to prepare to walk for arounYes, you can walk to Starfish Beach, but we only recommend doing so during the dry season. The walk takes around 30–45 minutes each way, and there is very little shade along the way, so it can be quite hot.
For convenience, we recommend taking the boat instead. It takes only about 10 minutes and lets you enjoy the beach without the long walk.
How do i get to Starfish Beach by boat?
There are several boat operators in the floating village offering trips to Starfish Beach, but prices, boats, and safety procedures can vary.
If you want a straightforward option, we offer a direct boat transfer from Nhà Trên Biển – Joy Adventures. The journey takes around 10 minutes, and the return trip is included, so you can stay at Starfish Beach for as long as you like.
[See our Starfish Beach boat transfer →]
We recommend booking directly with a local operator you trust rather than simply taking the first boat offered at the village.