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Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island, located in the Gulf of Thailand. Holidaymakers come here to enjoy the stunning beaches and island life. And, out of all the beaches could Sao beach be the best in Phu Quoc?
If you’re planning on visiting Phu Quoc keep reading, this guide is full of everything there is to know about Sao Beach and planning a trip to Phu Quoc.
Sao Beach Phu Quoc
After being referred to as the best beach in Phu Quoc and even one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam, I was excited to see Sao Beach for myself.
I visited in June, which is during school vacation in Vietnam so I expected Sao Beach to be jam-packed. And, although it was busy, the beach is so big it never felt overwhelming. We were never hassled to make a purchase, amongst all the action it was still a very relaxing beach day.
The locals did their best to clear any rubbish from the beach, the sand at Sao Beach was soft & white, and the water was stunning.
The shallow waters make it a great swimming spot for all ages and the water was crystal clear, even with all the people and boats coming & going.
Things to do at Sao Beach
The benefit to being such a popular beach is that there’s so much to do, there’s seriously something for everyone at Sao beach.
Some of the water sports available include;
JetSki
Banana Boat
Stand Up Paddleboard
Floating Obstacle Course
There’re also swings in the water, a staircase to nowhere and hammocks, perfect for getting those insta-worthy photos.
And of course heaps of sun beds for hire, bars and restaurants. I also loved that there were food carts selling takeaway Bánh Mì, fruit juices and freshly cut fruit. Perfect if you didn’t want to sit at a restaurant.
As you could expect the food & drinks at Sao beach was more expensive than in other places in Phu Quoc but nothing ridiculous, everything was still pretty cheap. For 2 beers and 2 Bánh Mì, it was around 80,000 VND.
Sao beach also has toilet & shower facilities, and lockers for hire.
How to get to Sao Beach
Sao beach is located on the east coast of the island. From Duong Dong, which is a popular area to stay on the west coast, Sao beach is 26 km away. And, on a bike, this would take nearly 1 hour to reach.
It’s an easy drive, well signed and once you’re on the main road it’s pretty much straight down.
It’s also possible to hire a private driver to get you to Sao Beach from your hotel. These prices vary but expect to pay upwards of 25 USD.
Sao Beach Day Tours
There’s also the option to book a day tour to Sao Beach and other spots in south Phu Quoc.
Obviously, with these tours, you’d have less flexibility on the day but they can be a cost-effective way to get around. Day tours are also good if you’ve got limited time on Phu Quoc.
Here’s a link to Viator, they have the most tours available.
Is This The Best Beach in Phu Quoc?
Overall I would say yes, Sao beach is the best beach in Phu Quoc. When you not only take into account the beauty of the beach, but also the facilities, food & drink options and available activities, Sao beach really has it all.
I spent hours at this beach and absolutely loved it, there was so much to do and the water was just perfect.
During our few days in Phu Quoc, we did visit a couple of other beaches to the south that were gorgeous. Maybe even more picturesque than Sao Beach but there were no restaurants nearby or anything else to do besides swim and sunbaked.
So it depends on what you’re after but I definitely think everyone should spend at least one day at Sao Beach during a trip to Phu Quoc.
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Tips for Visiting Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is a great addition to any Southern Vietnam itinerary. It’s quite big so there’s plenty to do, including amazing beaches, Phu Quoc night Market (Cho Dem Phu Quoc), cable car and get a history lesson at Phu Quoc prison.
Here are a few tips for visiting Phu Quoc;
Spend at least 2-3 nights on this island.
The best way to explore Phu Quoc is by motorbike or scooter. Renting a bike will cost between 100 – 150 K per day and this can usually be organized through your hotel. And, to avoid sticking out to the police by always wearing a helmet and never going over the speed limit. I’m sure no one wants an on-the -spot fine while travelling.
Purchase a local Sim Card. There are a number of different mobile networks in Vietnam that offer no-contract sim cards. I would recommend Viettel as they have the largest network and best coverage in Vietnam. Depending on how long you will be in Vietnam, there is the option to get a 1 month plan for 200,000 VND that comes with 2GB of data.
Download Vietnamese in the google translate app to help with the language barrier. I found very few locals in Vietnam could speak English, even the younger generation. So this app came in very handy.
How to Get to Phu Quoc
It’s really easy to get to Phu Quoc and the quickest way is by flying. Phu Quoc international airport is one of the busiest airports in Southern Vietnam. It’s a 45-minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City and from Hanoi the non-stop flight takes 2 hours and 10 minutes.
It’s also possible to arrive in Phu Quoc by ferry. The ferry leaves from a city called Ha Tien (which is very close to the Cambodian border) and a one-way ticket costs 230,000 VND per person.
The ferry is called Superdong 111 and it takes 1 hour and 25 minutes to reach Phu Quoc. The boat was very comfortable, with plenty of room on board for luggage. They also handed out bottles of water and face wipes.
Best Places to Stay in Phu Quoc
Along the west coast of Phu Quoc and around the area Dương Đông is where most tourists will stay.
Dương Đông has heaps of accommodation options, markets, bars and restaurants. Plus is very close to beautiful Long Beach (although not as nice as Sao Beach).
Recommended Hotels: (click to be taken to Agoda)
Budget
Mid – Range
Luxury
In Conclusion
Sao beach is definitely one of those places that although it’s touristy, it’s still so worth going to!
The beach is stunning and provides so many options for fun activities and food & drink (plus did I mention it’s free parking?).
I hope this guide has helped you plan a trip to the best beach in Phu Quoc. I know you’re going to love it!
Thanks for reading,
Happy Travels.
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Elyse is the author & content creator behind A World To Live. After traveling to over 40 countries, she has a passion for discovering new places. Elyse is a money-conscious traveller who loves writing independent travel guides to help her readers get the most out of their travels.
I loved Vietnam and Thailand but I only got to a couple of the islands in Thailand. Sao beach in Phu Quoc looks quiet and well attended to. It must be a hidden paradise.
This looks so beautiful! I have not been to Vietnam so far, but these beaches might just put it on my bucket list!
I really need to book at trip to Vietnam! Phu Quoc looks incredible. I am definitely saving for future travel planning!
I must agree. Sao Beach looks and sounds like the best beach in Phu Quoc, Vietnam. Beautiful!
This does look like a pretty awesome beach. I need a vacation so this looked very appealling! Thanks for all the great tips.