Land Tour 2: Discover the North – Kayaking & Starfish beach Phu Quoc (Not Lunch)

Phu Quoc’s north trades polish for wild variety. I like the Cua Can River kayaking and the chance to see Starfish Beach, two very different sides of the island. The main caution is that the day can feel long, roads can be rough, and the starfish experience may depend on conditions and an extra boat ride.

At about $44 per person, this is a useful way to cover northern Phu Quoc without arranging separate transport. Guides such as Ren, Viet, Woa, and Duc have earned praise for humor, clear English, and flexibility, but the schedule can shift, and the advertised lunch arrangement needs checking because lunch is not included in the stated price.

Key points to know before booking

• Kayak through Cua Can’s mangrove-lined river: The 45-minute paddle is the most active and peaceful part of the day.
• Starfish Beach is the main prize: You may see starfish in shallow water, but numbers can vary, and reaching the best area may cost an extra 100,000 VND by boat.
• The north involves rough roads: The route to the forest can be bumpy, so motion-sickness sufferers should prepare.
• Guides can make or break the outing: Ren is often praised for jokes and English, while Viet, Woa, and Duc have also received strong marks.
• Lunch is not included in the price: A meal is arranged at Rach Vem in some versions of the trip, but you should bring money and confirm exactly what is covered.
• The schedule may include sales stops: Bee farms, pepper farms, silk workshops, or similar stops may appear, depending on the day.

What this seven-hour Phu Quoc tour really offers

This is a full northern-island outing rather than a single beach trip. You get a forest walk, a Cambodian border view, time around the floating fishing village of Rach Vem, and kayaking on the Cua Can River.

The advertised duration is about seven hours. That sounds manageable, but the day includes several long road sections and an extended stop at Rach Vem. I would choose it if you want variety and do not mind spending part of the day in a group vehicle.

The tour is designed to control costs. An air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, kayak, and admission fees are included. Pickup and return transport are also offered in Phu Quoc, although the stated meeting point is at 143 Đường Trần Hưng Đạo in Dương Tơ, so confirm where your pickup will be arranged.

The group limit can reach 100 people. That does not mean every departure will be that large, and one person reported having a private-feeling solo outing, but you should not book this expecting a small-group trip.

Walking among old trees in Phu Quoc National Park

The first listed stop is Phu Quoc National Park, where you walk a forest trail among trees described as about 100 years old. The scheduled visit lasts around 35 minutes, with admission included.

I like this stop as a quick change from the coast. It gives you a glimpse of northern Phu Quoc’s forest rather than another hour beside the sea. The walk may also appeal to families, since it is short and does not require a full hiking day.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a brief forest stroll, not a serious trek or wildlife expedition. The trail has been described as dark in places, and there is no guarantee of seeing monkeys or other animals. One useful detail from the day is that the road to the national park can be especially rough, with long stretches on gravel.

If you are prone to motion sickness, bring the supplies that work for you. A plastic bag is a simple precaution for the vehicle ride. The road conditions are part of the price of reaching the less-developed north, but they may make this stop less enjoyable for some people.

Mui Ganh Dau and the view toward Cambodia

Mui Ganh Dau is scheduled as a 25-minute stop. The attraction here is the border view toward Cambodia, not a long beach session or a major sightseeing complex.

This is a short orientation stop. You get a sense of Phu Quoc’s position in the Gulf of Thailand and see how close Cambodia is from the island’s northern edge. I would treat it as a scenic pause between the forest and Rach Vem.

There is an important practical wrinkle: one account of the day said the Ganh Dau stop was skipped, while other versions of the schedule may include it. Weather, road conditions, timing, and the guide’s decisions can affect the order or exact stops. If this viewpoint matters greatly to you, ask before departure if it is definitely operating that day.

Rach Vem’s floating fishing village and the lunch question

The longest stop is Rach Vem, a fishing village with floating restaurants and beach time. The planned stay is around one hour and 30 minutes, although one account described more than two hours here.

This is where the tour feels most local. You can stroll around the village, swim, relax by the water, and look at the fishing pens. A particularly appealing detail is that fish may be selected from pens in front of the restaurant and prepared for the meal.

But do not assume lunch is part of your $44 booking. The price information specifically lists lunch as not included, even though the day’s description refers to lunch at a local restaurant and several accounts praise the meal. Bring cash and confirm the arrangement before setting out. The word Not Lunch in the tour title is the safest warning.

The long stop can work well if you want time to eat and swim. It can feel slow if you prefer a tightly packed sightseeing day. Families may appreciate the chance to rest, while active visitors may wonder why so much time is allocated to one place.

Rach Vem is also the base for the Starfish Beach visit. The beach is the emotional high point for many people, but the experience is not fully predictable. Some accounts describe seeing many starfish in shallow, safe water. Others found only two or three.

The best starfish area may require an additional boat trip costing about 100,000 VND. That charge is not included in the tour price. You may also find that the number of starfish changes with the season, tide, weather, or local conditions. Ask the guide how the beach visit will work before paying for any extra boat transfer.

Treat the starfish as living animals, not beach props. The most rewarding experience is simply observing them in the water. A phone or waterproof camera can help, but the important thing is not to expect the same sight every day.

Kayaking the Cua Can River

The 45-minute kayak session at Cua Can is the tour’s clearest activity. You stop beside the river, collect a kayak, and paddle through a quiet natural setting with mangrove trees and river views.

This is not presented as a hard workout. It is a short paddle that lets you see Phu Quoc from the water. The river setting contrasts nicely with the open beach at Rach Vem and the road journey through the north.

Kayaks are included, which improves the value considerably. If you booked transport and paid separately for a kayak, the cost would rise quickly. Here, the equipment is part of the package, along with bottled water and the air-conditioned vehicle.

The kayaking may be the strongest reason to book this particular outing. One low-rated account still described the river paddle as the only part worth keeping, while other accounts called it a great experience among the mangroves. That split is useful: the kayaking itself is widely appealing, but the other stops will depend more on your interests and the conditions on the day.

The schedule may put the kayak before or after the beach and village. Weather can force a change. One guide reportedly replaced a canceled activity with three additional stops, which suggests some flexibility, but you should not count on a specific substitute.

Bee farms, pepper plants, and changing stops

The wider description includes a bee farm, and several accounts also refer to a pepper farm. One person enjoyed learning about bees, while another described fresh green pepper from the plant as surprisingly hot.

These visits can add local color. They show working agricultural businesses and give you a break from beaches and roads. If you enjoy food production, a short stop at a pepper or bee farm may be more interesting than it sounds.

Still, sales stops deserve clear expectations. One complaint described an extra silk-factory visit that was not expected and felt focused on selling. Another person referred to three sales-related stops, though the bee visit itself was considered interesting. The exact sequence appears to vary.

Ask the guide at the start which stops are planned and how long each will last. That simple question can prevent disappointment. If you dislike shopping visits, you may prefer to use those moments for a restroom break or a short rest rather than feeling pressured to buy something.

The guides are a major part of the value

The guide can shape this trip more than any single stop. Ren receives repeated praise for good English, jokes, local explanations, and the ability to keep people relaxed. Viet is described as reassuring and attentive, Woa as funny and helpful with families, and Duc as warm, flexible, and able to speak French.

That matters because the tour has several long transfers. A guide who explains what you are seeing, keeps the group informed, and uses humor can make a rough road and a long afternoon easier. One guide even entertained children with magic tricks during the longer drives.

The praise is not universal proof that every departure will feel the same. Guides change, groups differ, and language ability may vary. Still, the repeated comments about friendliness and humor are a good sign.

The best guides also appear willing to adjust timing. If bad weather closes one activity, the day may be rearranged. That flexibility is useful in Phu Quoc, where rain can quickly affect water activities and beach conditions.

Is $44 good value for Phu Quoc?

At $44, this tour offers solid value if you want transport and several northern stops in one day. You receive an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, a kayak, and admission fees. You also avoid arranging separate rides to the forest, Ganh Dau, Rach Vem, and Cua Can.

The value drops if you only care about Starfish Beach. The possible 100,000 VND boat transfer is extra, lunch is not included, and the starfish count can be low. In that case, a simpler beach visit may suit you better, though the provided details do not give prices for alternatives.

The price works best for someone who values range. You see forest, coast, fishing village, river, and a border view in one outing. You also get the convenience of return transport, which can be important when northern roads are long and uneven.

Admission fees are included, so you should not need to pay at each listed attraction. Keep cash for lunch, optional boat transport, and any purchases at farms or workshops.

Who should book this northern island outing?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want an efficient introduction to northern Phu Quoc. It suits families who appreciate a guide, children who enjoy short activities and shallow-water beach time, and anyone who wants kayaking without organizing equipment independently.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy a mixed day rather than a polished resort excursion. The fishing village, rough roads, farms, and river paddle give the day a more ordinary side of the island.

I would be cautious if you have severe motion sickness, dislike long road transfers, or want a quiet small-group experience. The possible 100-person maximum also matters if you prefer a personal guide and quick movement between stops.

I would also avoid booking it solely for guaranteed starfish viewing. The beach can be wonderful, but the conditions vary, and the best area may involve an added boat payment. Think of the starfish as one possible highlight, not the whole promise of the day.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Weather or minimum-participant issues can also lead to a different date or a full refund. Changes made inside the 24-hour window are not accepted.

Should you book Land Tour 2?

Book it if you want many northern Phu Quoc experiences for one moderate price, especially kayaking and a look at Rach Vem’s fishing community. The strongest parts are the Cua Can River, the guide-led storytelling, and the chance to combine several sites without hiring your own transport.

Before paying, confirm three things: if Ganh Dau will be included, whether the bee or pepper farm is planned, and exactly how lunch and the Starfish Beach boat transfer work. If the guide explains those extras clearly, this can be a fun, good-value day.

If your priority is a guaranteed starfish encounter, a short outing, or a smooth road journey, choose something more focused. For everyone else, this is a lively and sometimes untidy look at Phu Quoc’s north, with enough genuine variety to justify the bumps.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

What activities are included?

The day includes a forest walk in Phu Quoc National Park, a visit to Mui Ganh Dau, time at Rach Vem and Starfish Beach, and kayaking on the Cua Can River.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is listed as not included, even though a meal may be arranged at a local restaurant in Rach Vem. Bring money and confirm the arrangement with the guide.

Is kayaking included in the price?

Yes. A kayak is included, and the planned kayaking session lasts about 45 minutes.

Are admission fees included?

Yes. Admission fees for the listed attractions are included.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered in Phu Quoc. The stated meeting point is 143 Đường Trần Hưng Đạo, Dương Tơ, Phú Quốc.

Does the tour return to the starting point?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is the Starfish Beach boat ride included?

No. The tour price does not include the possible 100,000 VND boat ride to the main starfish area.

Can the itinerary change because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you may be offered another date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.