Phu Quoc Hidden Beaches Near Bungalows: Ganh Dau, Vung Bau and Bai Thom

What Is Ganh Dau and Why Go That Far North?

Ganh Dau sits at the very northern tip of Phu Quoc — about 30 km by road from the central Long Beach bungalow strip, which works out to 45-55 minutes on a motorbike. Most guests don't make it up here. That's the main reason to go.

The beach itself is a long, shallow crescent with pale sand and a few fishing boats permanently anchored offshore. At the northern point, there's a small rocky headland where the current from the Gulf of Thailand meets the water coming around from the west. On a clear day you can see the Cambodian coastline roughly 11 km across the water. It's the kind of view that makes you stop for a while.

The village behind the beach has a handful of seafood restaurants — nothing polished, wooden tables, grilled fish priced around 80,000-150,000 VND per portion (check current rates). The one on the left side as you come into the village has been there since before we opened the bungalows; we've eaten there probably thirty times. Order the whole grilled snapper if they have it. Don't expect an English menu.

Swimming here is good from November through April when the water settles. The tip gets wind from both directions outside the dry season, so the surface can get choppy fast — not dangerous, just not comfortable. Go for the scenery and the lunch, not to spend four hours in the water.

The route north from our bungalows follows the coast road, then cuts inland briefly before dropping back down to the bay. Total loop time including lunch: 3-4 hours. Pair it with Vung Bau on the return leg if you're up for a longer day.

Bai Thom — the Furthest, and Honestly a Little Awkward to Reach

Bai Thom is on the northeast coast, about 45 km from Long Beach by road. On a motorbike, allow 60-70 minutes. The route goes north through Duong Dong, then cuts east across the island through secondary forest on a road that varies from decent to potholed depending on the season and when it was last graded.

The last kilometre to the beach involves a track — hardpacked dirt in the dry season, soft and rutted in the wet. A semi-automatic motorbike handles it fine. A scooter with small wheels is manageable. A bicycle is not practical. You end up at a beach that very few tourists reach: long, dark sand (a different texture from the white west coast beaches), backed by jungle, with nobody selling anything.

The northeast coast is interesting from a seasonality standpoint. Because the southwest monsoon blows in from the other side of the island, Bai Thom can be calm and swimmable in June and July when Long Beach is choppy. The northeast monsoon (roughly November to January) does the reverse — this coast gets more movement while the west coast is at its best. So if you're visiting in peak wet season and want to swim somewhere different, Bai Thom is a genuine option.

There's no shade on the beach. Bring a hat, bring sunscreen, and check your fuel before heading out — petrol stations are sparse in the northeast. The nearest proper town is Duong Dong, 45 km back. Motorbike rental details for trips like this one.

How Do You Actually Get to These Beaches from Your Bungalow?

A motorbike is the honest answer for all three. Grab works well in Duong Dong and the main Long Beach strip, but at 30-45 km from town, driver availability gets patchy. Don't count on it for Ganh Dau or Bai Thom. Vung Bau is close enough that Grab sometimes covers it — open the app and check, but have a backup plan.

We include a free motorbike with stays of 3 nights or more. If you're only here for 2 nights, rental shops on the main road charge roughly 120,000-150,000 VND per day (check current rates; fuel is extra). Semi-automatics handle Bai Thom's track better than small-wheel scooters.

For guests who don't want to ride — or who'd rather not navigate north Phu Quoc roads alone — we can arrange a private driver for a half-day or full-day trip. Ask at check-in. We use the same two drivers who've been doing this run since 2020; they know where to park and which stalls are worth stopping at. Budget roughly 500,000-700,000 VND for a car for the Ganh Dau-Vung Bau loop (check current rates). See also our Bai Sao guide if the south coast is on your list too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Ganh Dau beach on Phu Quoc?

Ganh Dau is at the northern tip of Phu Quoc, about 30 km by road from the central Long Beach bungalow strip. The ride north takes roughly 45-55 minutes on a motorbike along the coast road. On a clear day you can see the Cambodian coast from the rocks at the point — it is roughly 11 km across the water.

Can you swim at Ganh Dau?

Swimming at Ganh Dau is possible in the dry season (November to April) when the water is calm and clear. Outside that window the north tip gets chop from both directions, and there can be debris and floating grass after rain. The beach is more about the scenery and the point than extended swimming.

What is Vung Bau beach like?

Vung Bau is a wide, low-key bay on the northwest coast, roughly 22 km from Long Beach by road — about 35 minutes by motorbike. The sand is pale and the water stays calm because the bay faces slightly northwest rather than fully west, giving it some protection from the southwest monsoon. There are no beach clubs and very few stalls; you bring what you need.

How do I get to Bai Thom from Long Beach bungalows?

Bai Thom is on the northeast coast, about 45 km from Long Beach by road — allow 60-70 minutes on a motorbike. The route goes north through Duong Dong, then east across the island on a road that passes through forest. Access to the beach itself involves a short walk down a track from the road.

Is Bai Thom accessible without a motorbike?

Bai Thom is difficult to reach without your own transport. Grab occasionally covers the route but availability is unreliable at that distance from Duong Dong. We can arrange a private driver for a full northeast day trip — ask when you check in and we will get a rate. Budget around 400,000-600,000 VND return for a car (check current rates).

Which of these quiet beaches is closest to Long Beach bungalows?

Vung Bau is the closest at roughly 22 km by road, about 35 minutes on a motorbike. Ganh Dau is about 30 km north (45-55 minutes). Bai Thom on the northeast coast is the furthest at around 45 km, needing 60-70 minutes. All three are doable as day trips, but Bai Thom needs an early start.

Are these beaches swimmable in the wet season?

It varies. Vung Bau's northwest-facing bay stays calmer than Long Beach during the southwest monsoon, so swimming there May-October is often fine on days without strong wind. Ganh Dau gets rough in the wet season. Bai Thom on the northeast coast can be surprisingly calm June-August because the southwest monsoon hits the other side of the island.

Do these beaches have food and facilities?

Very limited. Ganh Dau has a small cluster of seafood restaurants near the pier — nothing fancy, but the grilled fish is good and cheap. Vung Bau has almost nothing: bring water and food. Bai Thom has basic stalls near the road but nothing on the beach itself. Pack a cooler bag; this is not Long Beach.

Why do most tourists skip these beaches?

Distance and road time. Most visitors to Phu Quoc stay 4-5 nights and prioritise the well-known beaches — Long Beach, Bai Sao — which are easier to reach. The north and northeast of the island genuinely require half a day and a motorbike. Guests who make the effort consistently say it was one of the better decisions of their trip.

Should I combine these beaches into one day trip?

Ganh Dau and Vung Bau can be combined in one long ride — go north to Ganh Dau, then loop back down the northwest coast through Vung Bau, total loop roughly 70 km from Long Beach. Bai Thom is on the opposite (northeast) side of the island and belongs on a separate day. Trying to do all three in one day is too much.

Related Guides