North Phu Quoc Tour with Cua Can River Kayaking and Starfish Beach

Cua Can River kayaking

The Cua Can River rises in the hills of northern Phu Quoc and winds west to the sea at the village of the same name; it is the longest river on the island. Its lower course is lined with mangroves, coconut palms and wooden houses, and fishing boats are moored along the banks. Kayaking here is gentle and quiet, a complete change from the busy beaches of the south, and many travellers name it the most peaceful hour of their stay.

You paddle for about forty-five minutes to an hour with the guide, watching kingfishers, herons and daily village life along the water. The current is slow, so it suits beginners and families; two-person kayaks and life jackets are provided. Cua Can River kayaking is best in the cooler morning light, which is why it comes early on this tour.

Bee farm and local honey

The first stop is a small bee farm set in a tropical garden north of Duong Dong. A local guide shows how the hives are kept, how the bees feed on the island's flowering trees and how honey is collected and filtered. You can see the frames up close, learn the difference between the honey from different seasons and taste it pure or in a cool honey and lime drink.

The visit lasts about thirty to forty minutes and is a favourite with children, who are often surprised by how calm the bees are. Honey and related products are sold at the farm if you want to buy some, though there is no pressure. Please note the bee farm is closed on Wednesdays; on those days the guide adjusts the route and spends more time at the other stops.

Phu Quoc National Park

Phu Quoc National Park, created in 2001, protects much of the hilly northern half of the island and forms the core of the Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve recognised by UNESCO. Its lowland evergreen forest shelters long-tailed macaques, hornbills, many orchids and the streams that feed the island's rivers. The road north cuts straight through it, so the drive itself is one of the green highlights of the day.

The tour includes the park entrance tickets, and the guide explains the forest's plants and wildlife along the way. If you are wondering whether North Phu Quoc is worth visiting compared with the developed south, this stretch answers the question: long green views, little traffic and a sense of how the whole island looked a generation ago.

Rach Vem fishing village and Starfish Beach

Rach Vem lies on the sheltered north coast, a village of stilt houses and floating fish farms where families still live from the sea. Lunch is served here with views over the water. Nearby is Starfish Beach, famous for the orange and red starfish that rest on the sandy bottom in the clear, shallow water. You can swim, wade out to look at them and take photographs from just above the surface.

To protect them, please never lift starfish out of the water; even a few minutes in the air can kill them, and the guide will show you how to look without touching. The best time to visit Starfish Beach is the dry season from November to April, when the water is calmest. In rough weather the swim is moved to Ganh Dau beach on the west coast.

Ganh Dau cape and the view to Cambodia

Ganh Dau is the north-western tip of Phu Quoc and the island's closest point to Cambodia. From the cape you look across the sea to the Cambodian coast and its islands, clearly visible on a clear afternoon. The long Ganh Dau beach is quieter than the southern beaches and lined with casuarina trees, a good place for a last walk on the sand.

After about half an hour here, our vehicle drives you back down the west coast to your hotel in Duong Dong, arriving around four in the afternoon. That leaves time to rest before sunset on Long Beach or an evening at the Duong Dong night market. The whole tour lasts about eight hours, with a comfortable pace and plenty of stops for photos.