Bãi Khem Beach, Phú Quốc
The quieter premium beach on south Phú Quốc, anchored by the JW Marriott Emerald Bay and protected by a single-access road.
Bãi Khem is the quieter, classier sister to Bãi Sao. The same fine white sand, similar turquoise water, but no day-club strip — instead a single Bill Bensley-designed mega-resort and a small fishing-village end.
What it is
A 2 km crescent on the southern tip of Phú Quốc, fronted by the JW Marriott Phú Quốc Emerald Bay (opened 2017) which occupies the eastern two-thirds. The western end is a working fishing beach used by Bãi Khem village. Vietnamese law guarantees public access to the shore, so you can walk from the village onto the resort sand.
What to see and do
- Swim — clear water, gentle slope, calm in dry season.
- JW Marriott day pass — pool, beach, kayaks, sunbeds; bookable for around 1.5m VND pp including food credit.
- Mũi Ông Đội headland — short walk west to a rocky point with snorkelling.
- Bãi Khem fishing village — basic seafood shacks, half the price of resort restaurants.
- Sun World / cable car — entrance complex 10 minutes north; combine with a trip to Hòn Thơm.
- Sunrise — east-facing beach, dawn light is the best photography window.
How to get there
Bãi Khem is the south-tip beach, 28 km from Phú Quốc airport (PQC) and 45 km from Dương Đông. The access road is a single sealed lane controlled by the JW Marriott gatehouse, but the public beach access via the village is not gated.
| From | Method | Cost (VND) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport | Grab car | 300,000–400,000 | 35 min |
| Bãi Sao | Scooter | fuel only | 10 min |
| Dương Đông | Grab car | 500,000 | 50 min |
Free shuttles run between JW Marriott and the cable car / Sun World for resort guests.
When to go
November–April. The southwest monsoon (May–October) is rougher here than at Bãi Sao because the headland offers less protection. December and January are peak; pre-book accommodation by August. February is excellent: clear, dry, and the post-Tết lull thins the crowds.
Cost and operators
| Item | Price (VND) |
|---|---|
| Public beach access | Free |
| JW Marriott day pass | 1.5m + 500,000 F&B |
| JW Marriott stay (low season) | from 6m/night |
| Fishing village seafood lunch | 150,000–300,000 pp |
| Scooter parking | 20,000 |
JW Marriott is the only resort directly on Bãi Khem. Premier Residences Phú Quốc Emerald Bay (Accor) is set back from the south end. Cheaper accommodation is in Bãi Sao village 3 km north.
Practicalities
- The resort's beachfront is technically below the high-water line — public — but staff will politely redirect you to the western end if you sit on their sunbeds.
- The eastern end has the cleanest sand; the western fishing-village end is rougher with occasional debris.
- Cash for the village shacks; cards for the resort.
- No public toilets outside the resort.
- Shade is limited; bring a beach umbrella if you are not buying a day pass.
Honest take
Bãi Khem is the south coast's smart pick if you want clear water without the day-club chaos. The JW Marriott setting is genuinely impressive (one of Bensley's better hotels), and a day pass once during your trip is worth the spend. But if you are not in the resort, the experience is a quieter version of Bãi Sao with fewer food options. Stay one or two nights at JW Marriott if budget allows; otherwise use Bãi Sao as a base and visit Bãi Khem on a scooter for half a day.
Related: Bãi Sao Phú Quốc · Phú Quốc region · Diving Phú Quốc · Best beaches overall
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