Here Is Exactly How To Travel Cat Ba Island
After soaking up everything Ha Long Bay has to offer it may be time for you to live among one of the hundreds of islets Ha Long is known for! I’m here to convince you why Cat Ba Island is the ultimate extension to your Ha Long Bay travels!
Cat Ba Island is the largest island in Ha Long Bay and in my opinion still completely underrated. Rugged and jungle-clad, Cat Ba has experienced a bit of a tourism surge in the past few years. The central hub of the downtown is now framed by hotels along its bay, but the rest of the island is still largely untouched and wild as ever. It’s the perfect place to get off the beaten track in Vietnam and discover the beauty this country has to offer!
So, if you’re looking for what to do on Cat Ba Island, the best hotels or you’re just curious to see why you should venture out to Cat Ba, keep reading!
How To Get To Cat Ba Island
Although the only way to get to Cat Ba island is by boat, you still have a couple of options to choose from! Here are your options in terms of transportation…
Coming From A Ha Long Bay Cruise:
After finishing our Ha Long Bay cruise we asked our tour guide to be dropped off at the ferry port for Cat Ba Island. About 20 minutes outside of Ha Long City our tour operator dropped us off close to a very large bridge where we took a taxi straight to Bến phà Tuần Châu port. We bought our tickets and took the hour and a half ferry ride to Bến tàu Du lịch Đảo Cát Bà port. It was a stunning ferry ride and and extremely inexpensive (less than $5.00 USD) which was a bonus!
Regardless of which port you arrive into, if you take a ferry over you will then need to take an hour long bus ride into Cat Ba town. We literally jumped on the first bus we saw and paid the driver. To get into town it ended up costing us around đ 200,000 VND for 2 tickets (about $8.00 USD).
Coming From Hai Phong City:
Cat Ba is located just off the coast of Hai Phong City, so if you are for some reason already in Hai Phong, you can board the ferry from Bến Phà Gót which takes you about 30 minutes to get across to Cat Ba. A ticket will cost you about đ 45,000 VND ($2.00 USD).
Coming From Hanoi:
There are several types of Hanoi to Cat Ba buses that run daily which will take you to and from the cities downtown cores. Cat Ba Express & Good Morning Cat Ba are two bus companies you can jump on.
You can also book a private car from Hanoi to Cat Ba which is the fastest and most enjoyable way to get there. It also makes it easy to customize your travel itinerary although the cost of private transfers can range anywhere from $125.00-$150.00 USD. Ask your hotel staff to help you with your booking, they might even get you a great deal!
Where To Stay In Cat Ba
Looking for where to stay on Cat Ba Island? I have you covered! Whether you’re looking to budget or relax in luxury these are my 3 hotel choices that will help you get on with planning the real adventures that await you on Cat Ba Island.
Luxury Stay In Cat Ba: Hôtel Perle d’Orient
The Hôtel Perle d’Orient Cat Ba provides you with luxury on the sea. Their suites surround guests with sophistication and Vietnamese home-style charm. Let the sea breeze over Lan Ha Bay immerse you in tales of adventure, romance, history, culture, nature and more for the length of your stay.
Check Prices For Hôtel Perle d’Orient HERE!
Check Prices For Hôtel Perle d’Orient HERE!
Mid Range Stay In Cat Ba: Catba View Hotel
Catba View Hotel is a cute and quaint homestay is only a 9-minute walk from the beach and comes equipped with a restaurant, 24-hour front desk, free private parking, a bar, air conditioning and wifi throughout the property. There’s also a nice breakfast with Vietnamese options available every morning.
Check Prices For Catba View Hotel HERE!
Check Prices For Catba View Hotel HERE!
Budget Stay In Cat Ba: Catba Buffalo Hostel
If you’re opting for a more budget friendly stay Catba Buffalo Hostel is one of the best budget accommodation on Cat Ba Island. Offering up air conditioned dorm rooms, a shared lounge, pool, free wifi and a garden this is a great budget option!
Check Prices For Catba Buffalo Hostel HERE!
Check Prices For Catba Buffalo Hostel HERE!
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN CAT BA CHECKOUT BOOKING.COM HERE!
What To Do On Cat Ba Island
There are so many awesome things to do on Cat Ba Island I recommend staying a while to really soak up the lakes, waterfalls and grottoes that dot the spectacular limestone hills of Cat Ba! Lucky for you I’ve made a list of the best things to do while discovering Cat Ba island!
→ Cat Ba National Park
Now this is a must-do! Get ready and geared up because this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve covers almost half of the entire island. Climb to the top of the mountain lookout to get those piercing views of green lush jungle!
It should take you about 20 minutes to walk from Cat Ba National Park Entrance to Kim Giao forest. The first 500 meters from the garden to the foot of the mountain is flat and easy to navigate, however from there you will have to climb 500 meters upward along rugged limestone stairs to get that epic view.
On the way down you can grab some lunch at the Hoi Lake Farmstay which was right inside the National Park. What a lunch it was, surrounded by the mountains and overlooking a lake this spot was just the place we needed after that hike!
→ Venture Over To Monkey Island
We decided we’d spend a day on Monkey Island because there are some beautiful views and beaches to be seen! We drove our motorbikes to the Bến Bèo Port where we hitched a ride on a long-tail boat to drive us round trip to Monkey Island for about đ 200,000 VND ($8.50 USD) per person.
We took a short trek up to the peak of the island to get the best views of the bay! We both wore flip-flops, instant mistake, but in the end we managed to get to the top with some sketchy manoeuvrings.
We finished out our Monkey Island adventure lazing the day away, tanning and having our oreos stolen by monkeys.
→ Head To One Of Cat Ba’s Many Beaches
Have your pick of beaches close to town! Cat Co 1, Cat Co 2 and Cat Co 3 are great for sunbathing and swimming during the summer, but if you’re not a fan of crowds on the beach, you can charter a speedboat or rent a kayak to Monkey Island and Lan Ha Bay, where the beaches are cleaner and quieter.
If you hire a motorbike you can find a few off the beaten track beaches in and around Cat Ba.
→ Viet Hai Fishing Village
Although Viet Hai is one of the poorer communes in Cat Ba, it has a rich and unique culture that is worth a visit! You can explore on bicycles which is definitely the best way to tour the local area. The locals living in these traditional stilt houses are fantastic and friendly. There are many local tour guides available and many great local restaurants serving authentic Ha Long food.
→ Check Out Hospital Cave
This is a great pit stop to take on your way back from the National Park. The Hospital Cave served both as a secret bomb-proof hospital during the American War and as a safe house for Viet Cong leaders. Pretty cool. It was built between 1963 and 1965 with three stories of rooms to explore!
→ Watch The Sun Set Over Cannon Fort
Witnessing a magical sunset from Cannon Fort is a great way to end an evening! Built in 1942, Cannon Fort was first used by the Japanese during World War II and then later by the Vietnamese during the Vietnam War. Cannon Fort is quite expansive with many tunnels to explore and discover!
Best Restaurants In Cat Ba
I’m sure your days will be filled with adventure on Cat Ba island. So much so, that after an epic day exploring you must be getting pretty hungry! Here are some of Cat Ba’s fantastic restaurants choices that will leave you wanting more!
→ Casa Bonita Restaurant for incredible food in a gorgeous rooftop garden
→ Indochine Kitchen for an upscale dining experience using local ingredients on an international menu
→ My Way Café & Restaurant for delightful smoothie bowls in the morning & tasty pizza in the evening
→ Nhà Hàng Full Moon for a genuine Vietnamese eatery featuring mouth watering seafood options
→ Quân Cát Bà for a filling meal of local specialties & a great diversity of seafood
Best Cafes In Cat Ba
After an eventful day soaking up everything Cat Ba Island has to offer you must be in need of a serious Vietnamese coffee. So if you’re still feeling sleepy these cafes will not disappoint!
→ Cannon Fort Coffee for a cute little coffee shop serving up a great coffee with a view
→ Casa Bonita Restaurant for incredible food in a gorgeous rooftop garden
→ Ladybird Cafe a quaint little cafe off the beaten path & spectacular views
Best Bars In Cat Ba
After a wonderful dinner go out and grab a drink at one of these trendy go-to’s! A night out on Cat Ba island will be a night to remember!
→ Rose Club for a fun local hangout serving up affordable drinks & entertainment
→ Oasis Bar & Restaurant for chilled place to have a beer or two or three
→ The Big Man for a cool laidback bar up on the second story
→ Rock’s Bar for an upscale cocktail experience nest to a pool & beach
So, Should You Venture Out To Cat Ba Island?
Placed among thousands of beautiful limestone rocks, Cat Ba Island has a beautiful landscape and enviable location. It’s the perfect way to live among the limestones, adventure through lush forests and relax by the beach! These are true Vietnamese island vibes you’ll want to soak up at least once!
If you have any questions or just want to see some more travel content find me on Instagram at @agirl.enroute! I’m always happy to chat!
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After living in Vietnam for over 4 years, a piece of my heart will always be left in Ho Chi Minh City! Vietnam should be a top destination for all travelers! White sand beaches, limestone mountains, terraced rice fields and incredible street food make Vietnam a bucket-list destination! From foodies to beach hoppers, arts & culture buffs to adventure seekers, Vietnam has something for everyone! Checkout more of my Vietnam blogposts below!
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