7 Best Things to Do on Cat Ba Island, Vietnam
Are you looking for the best things to do in Cat Ba Island, Vietnam? Cat Ba is a perfect base for visiting Lan Ha Bay, a budget-friendly alternative to Halong Bay, so you can’t miss it on your Vietnam Itinerary.
Wondering what to do in Cat Ba? Visit Cat Ba National Park, explore the stunning caves, join a Lan Ha Bay Cruise, chill out at Cat Co 1 Beach, and see the Cai Beo Floating Village.
This ultimate guide to visiting Cat Ba includes how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do on Cat Ba Island, Vietnam.
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- 7 Best Things to Do on Cat Ba Island, Vietnam
- Best Time to Visit Cat Ba
- How to Get to Cat Ba Island, Vietnam
- How to Get Around Cat Ba
- Where to Stay on Cat Ba Island
- Best Things to Do in Cat Ba Island
- 1. Take a Boat Cruise in La Ha Bay
- 2. Explore Cat Ba National Park
- 3. Kayaking at Cat Ba Island
- 4. Discover Cannon Fort
- 5. See Hospital Cave
- 6. Visit Monkey Island
- 7. Explore the Island by Motorbike
- Is it Safe to Travel to Cat Ba Island?
- Where to Eat in Cat Ba Town
- How many Days do you Need on Cat Ba Island?
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Best Time to Visit Cat Ba
Cat Ba is a popular destination all year round! Cat Ba has a tropical monsoon climate, and the average temperature is 23°C all year round. However, the best time to visit Cat Ba is from October to May, when temperatures are pleasant for exploring the area, and there is little rain.
The rainy season runs from June to September. The hottest months are July and August.
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In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation and tours in advance!
How to Get to Cat Ba Island, Vietnam
Most people come to Cat Ba from Hanoi. The distance between Tuan Chau Harbor (Halong Bay) and Hanoi is about 150 km, which is 2 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport. Then, you can take a ferry transfer from Tuan Chau Harbor to Cat Ba Island, which takes about 30 minutes. After that, a 30-40 minute bus ride takes you to Cat Ba Town.
Read the full post → How to Get from Hanoi to Cat Ba
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You can join a 2 Day/1 Night All-Inclusive Halong Cruise from Hanoi.
How to Get Around Cat Ba
The best way to get around Cat Ba is to rent a scooter and join a cruise tour.
Book a Lan Ha & Halong Bay kayak and snorkel boat tour via Viator or GetYourGuide.
We rented a motorbike and explored Cat Ba at our own pace. Motorbike rental prices range between 100.000 and 150.000 VND (4-6 USD) per day.
Where to Stay on Cat Ba Island
Cat Ba has some luxury resorts, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in Cat Ba, Vietnam
- Luxury: Hôtel Perle d’Orient Cat Ba
- Mid-Range: Cat Ba Island Resort & Spa or Cat Ba Paradise Hotel
- Budget: Lynh’s Villa or Cat Ba Green Hotel
Best Things to Do in Cat Ba Island
1. Take a Boat Cruise in La Ha Bay
Although Lan Ha Bay is not as popular as Halong Bay, it is less crowded and offers an unforgettable experience. Lan Ha Bay is made up of about 300 karst islands and limestone rocks. It is known for its stunning natural beauty, towering cliffs, pristine beaches, and emerald-green waters. Lan Ha Bay is perfect for water activities such as snorkeling, swimming, and kayaking.
The tour price includes a round-trip transfer from your hotel in Cat Ba Town, a premium cruise, entrance fees, kayaking, lunch on the cruise, and an English-speaking tour guide on the boat.
Book this excellent Lan Ha Bay tour HERE.
Alternatively, book the Lan Ha & Halong Bay boat tour via Viator or GetYourGuide.
2. Explore Cat Ba National Park
Cat Ba Island is a perfect place for hiking and outdoor activities. Cat Ba National Park is home to over 4,000 animal and plant species, including many rare and endemic species, such as the golden-headed langur. In 2004, UNESCO designated Cat Ba National Park as a World Biosphere Reserve.
Visiting the national park is popular with locals and tourists alike. We recommend renting a motorbike in Cat Ba Town, and you can reach the park in about 20-30 minutes.
The entrance fee to Cat Ba National Park is 80.000 VND (3 USD) per person. The National Park is open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM.
The park has several short and longer hiking trails. The most beautiful hike on Cat Ba Island is the trail to the Ngu Lam Peak, which offers panoramic views of the island’s mountains.
The hike takes about 1-1.5 hours, and the total distance is 3 km.
Join a half-day trekking tour.
3. Kayaking at Cat Ba Island
Are you looking for the best things to do in Cat Ba? Most tours include kayaking, so if you’ve never kayaked before, don’t miss this opportunity to learn in a few minutes. There is no better experience than kayaking and getting a closer look at the stunning limestone rock formations.
During the boat tour, you can pass along beautiful bays in less touristy areas, kayak through caves and hidden lagoons, and glimpse the traditional life of the floating fishing village.
Book a full-day boat tour to Lan Ha Bay HERE.
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Bring sunscreen, a waterproof bag, a camera or GoPro, water, and snacks.
4. Discover Cannon Fort
One of the best places to visit in Cat Ba Island is the Cannon Fort. The tunnels and gun emplacements were installed on the hilltop by the Japanese army in World War II but were also used by the French and the Vietnamese. It’s about a 30-minute steep walk from Cat Ba Town to the Fort. Alternatively, you can get there by scooter or car. There is no official entrance fee, but we do not recommend paying more than 40.000 VND (1.65 USD) per person.
If you just want to see the viewpoint, walk up the steps to the left before the gate (about 10 minutes), and you can enjoy the stunning panorama for free.
You can easily spend 1 hour exploring the fortress, visit the museum, and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
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For the best experience, visit Cannon Fort at sunset.
See also → Ha Giang Loop for 3 Days
5. See Hospital Cave
It is an important historical site. With the help of China, a bomb-proof bunker was built in 2 years. This shelter was equipped with fresh water and ventilation shafts, and escape tunnels were provided in case of a quick escape. The cave was used as a hospital during the Vietnam War (1955-1975) to treat locals wounded from US bombings and as a strategic hideout for the communists. It is worth a quick visit as you can walk around in 20-30 minutes.
The entrance fee to the Hospital Cave is 40.000 VND (1.65 USD) per person. The Hospital Cave is open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM.
You can join a half-day trekking adventure. During the tour, you can visit the Hospital Cave (Quan Y Cave) and Trung Trang Cave, explore Cat Ba National Park, and enjoy the view from the summit of Ngu Lam Peak.
6. Visit Monkey Island
Usually, you can only visit Monkey Island on a private tour. The island got its name from the monkeys that live on it. You can get to Monkey Island by boat from the Cai Beo Ferry Terminal (Cat Ba Island) in 30-45 minutes.
You can sunbathe, swim, kayak, or snorkel on the island. Monkey Island Viewpoint offers one of the best panoramic views of the bay. The climb to the peak is across sharp and slippery rocks, so wear sports shoes.
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Take care of your valuables, as there are monkeys here!
7. Explore the Island by Motorbike
One of the best things to do in Cat Ba is to rent a scooter and discover the island on your own. This is the best way to find hidden gems, the best restaurants, or meet the locals.
As you pass beautiful landscapes, allow enough time to take photos, enjoy the scenery, and watch the stunning sunset. Scooter rental starts from 100.000 VND (4 USD) per day.
Good to know
You can easily reach Cat Ba National Park and Cannon Fort by motorbike.
Is it Safe to Travel to Cat Ba Island?
Yes, it is generally safe. But small thefts and pickpockets can happen everywhere. So always take care of your valuables!
Always wear a helmet when riding a motorbike, and avoid driving at night!
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.
Where to Eat in Cat Ba Town
In Cat Ba, you can find many local restaurants, vegetarian options, national foods, and the best places to eat with all budgets. These are our recommendations.
Best restaurants in Cat Ba
- Cat Ba Oasis Bar & Restaurant (Best seafood, great atmosphere)
- Restaurant Cat Ba Yummy 1 (Cheap and delicious local food)
- Like Coffee (Healthy breakfast, vegan and vegetarian options)
- Yummy 2 Restaurant (A perfect place for lunch or dinner)
- My Way Pizza (Delicious pizza, vegan dishes)
How many Days do you Need on Cat Ba Island?
Most people spend 3 days on the island. But you can explore Halong Bay and Cat Ba on a 2-day, 1-night cruise. Alternatively, if you have limited time in Vietnam, you can easily join a full-day Halong Bay tour.
We hope our list of the best things to do in Cat Ba Island will help you plan your next trip to Vietnam. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Ferry/Transfer – 12Go
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