Kem Beach, An Thới, Gulf of Thailand, Vietnam

Kem Beach

White sand, granite boulders, and a crescent bay worth finding

Granite boulder framingCrescent bay shapeFine white sandJungle-backed southern tipResort-adjacent public corridor
LuxurySandSafe

About

Bãi Kem curves along the southern tip of Phú Quốc island in a near-perfect crescent, its fine white sand meeting turquoise Gulf of Thailand water with quiet confidence. Granite boulders anchor both ends of the bay, framing the shoreline like natural sculptures and giving photographers something genuinely dramatic to work with. Dense jungle presses right up to the back of the beach, keeping the air cool and the scene lush. At roughly 1,200 metres long, there's room to breathe even when the resort next door is busy. It's a luxury-leaning beach with a public corridor — beautiful, but with rules you need to know before you arrive.

How to get there

The fastest approach is by taxi or car from An Thới port, just five minutes south — the easiest option if you're coming from the ferry terminal. From Phú Quốc International Airport (PQC, 15.4 km away), a taxi takes around 20 minutes; a motorbike ride runs about 30 minutes. From Dương Đông in the north, budget 45 minutes by any mode. Paid parking is available at the resort entrance — expect to pay VND 10,000–20,000 — though the public access corridor may have its own restrictions, so arrive with flexibility.

Who it's for

For couples

The crescent bay shape and jungle-backed seclusion give Bãi Kem a naturally intimate feel — arrive early, claim a quiet stretch of white sand away from the resort corridor, and you'll have a genuinely private-feeling afternoon together.

For families

Swimming is rated safe here, and the moderate visitor numbers mean children have space to move without chaos — just note that dogs aren't permitted, sunbeds are prioritised for resort guests, and you'll need to bring your own gear for a comfortable family setup.

Our take

Feet in the sand, eyes on the screen

Bãi Kem is a genuinely beautiful beach — the white sand, turquoise water, granite boulders, and jungle backdrop make it one of the more photogenic spots on Phú Quốc's southern coast. Swimming is safe, the bay is calm, and the crescent shape delivers on every postcard promise. But go in clear-eyed: this is a resort-adjacent beach with real access constraints. The public corridor can be closed without warning during peak resort events, sunbeds belong to JW Marriott guests first, and the May–October monsoon season is a hard skip. Come between November and April, confirm access before you drive down, and bring your own mat. Do that, and Bãi Kem earns its reputation.— The wmb team

What to do

The closest major draw is Bãi Sao, Phú Quốc's most celebrated white sand beach, just 2.5 km north along the southeast coast — worth a half-day comparison visit. Down at An Thới Port, 4 km away, you can pick up ferry connections to the surrounding archipelago islands. For something genuinely spectacular, the Hòn Thơm Cable Car — the world's longest non-stop cable car — departs about 5 km from the beach and delivers panoramic views across the southern island chain.

Instagram spots

The granite boulders at the southern end of the crescent are the standout shot — frame the turquoise water between the rocks with the jungle canopy above for a composition that looks nothing like a standard beach photo.

The full crescent arc is best captured from a slight elevation near the boulder clusters at either tip, ideally in the soft light of early morning before the resort corridor fills up.

Where to eat

Draft Beer Bai Khem sits right at the beach, making it the obvious first stop for a cold drink after the sand. Coco Beach House is just 0.3 km away and offers a relaxed setting close to the waterfront. For a broader menu including Vietnamese and seafood, Bia Hơi Hà Nội – ANN Restaurant is about 2.6 km out and covers Vietnamese, American, Taiwanese, and seafood options.

Where to stay

The JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa sits just 0.5 km from the beach and is the dominant luxury presence in the area — its proximity explains the sunbed priority rules. If you'd prefer something more budget-conscious, Khách Sạn Phùng Hưng, La Festa Phu Quoc (Curio Collection by Hilton), Little Phu Quoc, and Tây Tiến Bungalow are all clustered around 2.7–2.8 km away and offer a range of price points.

Photography

Shoot from the granite boulders at either end of the crescent at golden hour — the low light catches the turquoise water and white sand at their most vivid, with the jungle backdrop adding depth. Early morning is best for clean, uncluttered frames before resort activity picks up along the shoreline.

Good to know

You must use the designated public access corridor to reach the beach — this is non-negotiable, and resort guests have priority on sunbeds, so bring your own mat if you want to settle in. No camping is permitted anywhere on or near the beach. Critically, the public access corridor can be blocked without notice during resort peak events — call ahead or check before making the trip, especially during Vietnamese holidays. Avoid the beach entirely from May through October: the southwest monsoon season makes conditions unpleasant, and access restrictions during that period are more likely.

Map

Nearby places

Draft Beer Bai Khem

0.0 km

Coco Beach House

0.3 km

Nhà Hàng Chez Dugong

1.9 km

Che to Co ut

2.5 km

Bia Hơi Hà Nội - ANN Restaurant

Vietnamese;american;taiwanese;seafood2.6 km

Things to see around An Thới

Nature

Bãi Sao

2.5 km

Phú Quốc's most famous white sand beach, a short drive north along the southeast coast

Cultural

An Thới Port

4.0 km

Main southern port with ferry connections to the An Thới archipelago islands

Viewpoint

Hòn Thơm Cable Car

5.0 km

World's longest non-stop cable car connecting An Thới to Hòn Thơm island

Frequently asked

Yes, swimming at Bãi Kem is rated safe. The crescent bay shape creates calm, sheltered water — it's a good choice for families and casual swimmers. Stick to the November–April dry season for the best conditions and avoid the southwest monsoon months from May through October.
Yes — this is a real risk. The public access corridor can be closed without notice during resort peak events at the adjacent JW Marriott. Always confirm access before making the trip, especially around Vietnamese public holidays or long weekends.
Avoid May through October. The southwest monsoon season brings rough conditions to Phú Quốc's southern tip, and resort peak events during this period make access restrictions more likely. The dry season — November through April — is the reliable window for a good visit.
Paid parking is available at the resort entrance near Bãi Kem. Expect to pay VND 10,000–20,000. Note that the public access corridor may have its own restrictions, so parking availability isn't always guaranteed — especially during busy resort periods.
No. Dogs are not permitted at Bãi Kem. It's a resort-adjacent beach, and the resort area enforces a no-dog policy. Leave your pet behind for this one.
Draft Beer Bai Khem is right at the beach — the most convenient option. Coco Beach House is 0.3 km away. For more variety, Bia Hơi Hà Nội – ANN Restaurant is 2.6 km out and serves Vietnamese, seafood, American, and Taiwanese dishes.
The granite boulders at the southern end of the crescent are the top shot — frame the turquoise water between the rocks with jungle above. Early morning gives you clean light and fewer visitors in frame. The full crescent arc is also best captured from the boulder clusters at either tip of the bay.

The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.

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