What to do in Cat Ba? 5 must-see attractions!
- Noa
Cat Ba is a stunningly beautiful island located in the heart of Lan Ha Bay. You’ll find rainforests, beautiful beaches, and attractions like kayaking, rock climbing, and hiking in the national park. The island is also a convenient stopover destination – many travelers start in Hanoi , continue to discover Halong Bay, and then continue directly to Sapa or Loop ha Giang .
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Table of Contents
Weather in Cat Ba - When should you come?
The best times to visit are between March and May and September to November , when the weather is pleasant with temperatures around 25-30 degrees. During this period the sea is calm, the sky is blue and quite warm. In summer, between June and August it is hotter and more humid, and sometimes there are sudden rains. In winter, between December and February , it is cooler, but still suitable for hiking in nature and the national park.
How do we get there?
To reach the island you will have to travel by sea, but don't worry – there are plenty of convenient ways to get there:
1️⃣ From Hanoi to Cat Ba
You can take a combined bus + ferry ticket. The entire journey takes about 3 hours.
2️⃣ From Sapa to Catba
You can take a night bus that takes 10-11 hours.
3️⃣ From He Jiang
There is a direct trip – a day bus or a 9-10 hour sleeper.
Recommended hotels
Here are three highly recommended places to stay for every budget:
⭐ Rating of 8.7 on Booking.com
✅ Excellent location
✅ Breakfast included
✅ Starting from $10 per night
Click to save a place:
⭐ Rating of 9.3 on Booking.com
✅ Rooftop pool
✅ Breakfast included
✅ Starting from $22 per night
Click to save a place:
⭐ Rating of 9 on Booking.com
✅ Facing the sea
✅ Comfortable 2-star rooms
✅ Starting from $48 per night
Click to save a place:
What to do in Cat Ba? 5 recommended attractions
Here are 5 attractions you shouldn't miss:
Lan Ha Bay Island Cruise
Think Halong Bay, only less touristy and more authentic. The cruise here takes you between green islands with crazy cliffs rising out of the blue sea. During the cruise you can snorkel, swim in lagoons, and even jump off the boat!
Closing cruise in Lan Ha Bay ￬
Night cruise with glowing plankton
At night, when you enter the water, you will suddenly see how the plankton around you light up like neon lights. This experience is like diving into a starry sky – only in reverse. Most trips start at sunset and include dinner.
To close the Plankton cruise ￬
Rock climbing
The island is a pilgrimage site for climbers from all over the world. The rocks in the area are suitable for all levels of climbers – from beginners to experienced.
Closing half day climbing ￬
Cat Ba National Park
Trails lasting from an hour to a full day take you through rainforests, limestone cliffs and beautiful waterfalls. When you reach the top, you see stunning views of the entire island and its surroundings.
Beaches
Yes, you must do ab and back exercises here too! Cat Co 1 and Cat Co 2 beaches are the perfect places for a day of relaxation, snorkeling, or a romantic sunset with a cocktail in hand.
Day trip from Hanoi to Cat Ba
If you don't have much time and want to see the island, it's worth booking a day trip that takes you from Hanoi and passes through the most amazing places in the area.
✅ Rated 5 ⭐ by other travelers
✅ Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hanoi
✅ Includes lunch
✅ Starting from $48
Reserve your spot on the trip now! ￬
The 4 best restaurants on the island
The food around town is really great! There is also amazing local food as well as pizzas, pastas, hamburgers and vegetarian dishes. What should you know?
The Healing Kitchen
Healthy and amazing food – full of vegetables, colorful and fresh, and there are also many vegetarian options.
Secret Garden Restaurant
Highly recommended for breakfast, dinner or lunch. Sometimes there are performances in the evening and the atmosphere is really cool.
Tit & Mit
An excellent bakery and also a cafe with lots of fun and good drinks.
Ganesh Indian Restaurant
Really delicious (and a bit expensive) Indian food, there are many vegetarian options and the palak paneer is highly recommended!
Where should I continue after?
- Tam Coc – a stunning destination and not far away.
- Sapa – a must-see destination for those who have time to get to the north of the country.
- Ha Giang Loop – a three-day motorcycle trip through the most beautiful villages and nature you can imagine!
