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Cat Ba Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know

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Cat Ba Travel Guide : Cat Ba is a peaceful archipelago nestled amidst the vast sea, thanks to its breathtaking natural beauty, it has become an attractive tourist destination for both domestic and international travelers. In today’s article, Circlevietnam will reveal to you how to travel to Cat Ba independently on a budget while still having an enjoyable experience.

1. Where is Cat Ba Archipelago Located?

Cat Ba Archipelago is situated in the southern part of Halong Bay, in Cat Hai district, Hai Phong city, approximately 30 kilometers from the city center. This area consists of 367 small and large islands, with Cat Ba being the largest island, covering an area of about 100 square kilometers. It is about 30 nautical miles from the Hai Phong port. Due to its beautiful beaches, Cat Ba is often referred to as the “jewel” of the Gulf of Tonkin.

Cat Ba Archipelago

2. When is the Best Time to Visit Cat Ba, Hai Phong?

Summer is the best time to visit Cat Ba. From April to October, Cat Ba experiences minimal rainfall, with a cool climate, gentle waves, and beautiful sunshine, making it perfect for swimming, photography, and sightseeing. During this period, Cat Ba is usually crowded with tourists, especially from May to July. If you prefer a quieter experience and want to connect with nature, you can visit Cat Ba from November to March. However, the weather during this time may not be as beautiful as in the summer.

3. How to Get to Cat Ba, Hai Phong

The mode of transportation to Cat Ba depends on your starting point, helping you save costs while traveling to Cat Ba. Specifically:

3.1 Starting from Hai Phong

Since Cat Ba is only about 30 kilometers away, the travel time is relatively short. From Hai Phong, you can reach Cat Ba by using one of the following methods:

Travel to Ben Binh and purchase a high-speed ferry ticket to Cat Ba: With this option, it will take you only about 45 to 60 minutes to reach Cat Ba. The price of a high-speed ferry ticket is 250,000 VND per passenger for a one-way trip. However, during peak seasons, tickets for this mode of transportation sell out quickly. Therefore, if you plan to take the high-speed ferry, it’s advisable to book tickets at least 2 weeks in advance.
Travel to Got Ferry Terminal (Cat Hai) and take the ferry to Cat Ba Island: Many people choose this option because it is more affordable. The ferry ticket price is only 12,000 VND per person. If you have additional vehicles, you will need to pay additional fees, such as 12,000 VND for a bicycle, 45,000 VND for a motorbike, and 190,000 VND for a car with less than 9 seats. However, the ferry ride takes longer, and it only docks at Cai Vieng Terminal, which is 25 kilometers away from the Cat Ba town center. From here, you will need to continue your journey by bus to reach the town.
Travel by cable car: This is a relatively new mode of transportation that has attracted many tourists. From Hai Phong’s seashore, you only need 8 minutes on the cable car to reach Cat Ba. Moreover, the cable car ticket price is quite reasonable, at 150,000 VND for adults and 100,000 VND for children.

3.2 Starting from Hanoi

From Hanoi, you can travel to Hai Phong by plane or by bus. After arriving in Hai Phong, you can follow one of the three methods mentioned above to reach Cat Ba.

3.3 Starting from Halong

From Halong, you can take the Tuan Chau ferry to Gia Luan Terminal. From there, you can ride a motorbike or take a bus to the central Cat Ba tourist area.

3.4 Starting from Central and Southern Provinces

For travelers from central and southern provinces, due to the significant geographical distance, it is advisable to save time by choosing to fly to Cat Bi Airport (Hai Phong) or Van Don Airport (Quang Ninh). According to many independent Cat Ba travelers, it is more time-saving to arrive at Cat Bi Airport.

4. What to Do When Traveling to Cat Ba?

4.1- Cat Ba Travel Guide | Beach Time

Cat Ba Island

If you ask me, “What is there to do when traveling to Cat Ba?” – my answer would be to hit the beach! For me, this is the most enjoyable experience on Cat Ba Island. There’s nothing more satisfying than immersing yourself in the cool, blue waters amidst the summer heat. In the Cat Ba town area, there are famous beaches like Cat Co 1, 2, 3, but they can get quite crowded with tourists. You can opt for more pristine and secluded beaches such as Monkey Island beach, Tung Thu beach, and other hidden spots beyond Lan Ha Bay.

How to reach the secluded beaches beyond the bay? You can go to Ben Beo and rent a motorized boat to take you to these remote beaches for around 300,000 to 500,000 VND per boat for six people. Besides swimming, you can combine your visit with exploring the beautiful Lan Ha Bay.

For adventurous souls: If you’re into adventure and exploration, you can rent kayaks from places like Quang Anh or Xuan Hong for approximately 200,000 VND per kayak per day and paddle to Monkey Island or other remote spots beyond Lan Ha Bay.|Cat Ba Travel Guide

4.2- Explore Lan Ha Bay

Lan Ha Bay

As one of the most stunning bays on the planet, Lan Ha Bay was once part of Halong Bay but has since separated. Perhaps that’s why Lan Ha Bay doesn’t receive as much attention as Halong Bay.

However, this has allowed Lan Ha Bay to maintain its pristine and less-visited beauty. Exploring Lan Ha Bay is an experience you shouldn’t miss when traveling to Cat Ba.

Currently, most boats from Cai Beo Port only take tourists to Monkey Island and back. At first, I thought this meant going around Lan Ha Bay, but later, I found out that the boats only cover a very small corner. To fully explore Lan Ha Bay, it takes a whole day and there are three ways to do it:

Option 1: Rent a boat for self-guided tour

boat in Cat Ba

If you’re in a large group with children or elderly people, it’s best to rent a private boat for a tour around Lan Ha Bay (combine it with a swim at Monkey Island). However, it’s challenging to find boats that provide this service, and they typically only offer a short trip from Cai Beo to Monkey Island and back in about 3 hours, costing from 1,300,000 to 2,000,000 VND. If you want to go further, you’ll need to negotiate with the boat owner and pay extra. Also, don’t forget to bring your own lunch.

Option 2: Kayak or hire a boat

Kayak

If you’re young and love the feeling of freedom and adventure, you can paddle your own kayak or rent a boat to explore the bay. I’ve tried kayaking myself, and while it was exhausting, it was also an incredibly rewarding experience. I kayaked from Cai Beo to Monkey Island, swam, hiked the mountains, and then paddled back to the fishing village. It was tiring, and the sunburn was intense, but it was fun, adventurous, and exciting. Note that if you’re kayaking, make sure to rent a waterproof bag from the boat owner, wear a life jacket, and it’s best to go in a group.

Option 3: Join a group tour to explore Lan Ha Bay, kayak, swim, and hike on Monkey Island

I chose this option on my recent trip to Cat Ba, and I highly recommend it. It’s on the list of “must things to do in Cat Ba.” Here’s what you get:

Boat tour around Lan Ha Bay (if you go with a private boat, they usually only take you to Monkey Island, a small corner of Lan Ha Bay, but with this tour, you get to explore it all).
Kayaking at Hang Sang – Hang Toi caves (these are beautiful spots, and you can’t kayak there on your own because they’re quite far from Halong Bay) – this was one of the most thrilling kayaking experiences I’ve ever had.

Monkey Island

4.3- Kayaking and Snorkeling

One of the experiences I absolutely enjoyed while exploring Cat Ba was kayaking and snorkeling. There’s nothing quite like paddling a kayak out into the open sea, where the waves gently rock your boat, and then making your way to the pristine islands in Lan Ha Bay for a swim.

After a refreshing swim, you can paddle through the fishing village, passing by the rugged limestone cliffs in Lan Ha Bay. Kayaking is one of the most unforgettable experiences you can have on Cat Ba Island.

In addition to kayaking, you can also try snorkeling to explore the underwater world of Cat Ba. You can choose between traditional snorkeling with a mask (affordable) or scuba diving with an oxygen tank (more expensive, around 1,000,000 – 1,500,000 VND per person per dive).

4.4- Cat Ba National Park | Cat Ba Travel Guide

Cat Ba National Park

Cat Ba National Park is a biosphere reserve of the world. When you visit, you’ll be amazed by the diverse flora and the refreshing, serene atmosphere. To explore Cat Ba National Park, you can hike, bike, ride a motorbike, or drive through the Kim Giao Forest, go up to Ngu Lam Peak for a panoramic view of the national park.

If you’re a trekking enthusiast, you can choose to hike up the mountain. The trail to Ngu Lam Peak is relatively easy and takes about 4-8 hours to conquer. Currently, the entrance fee to Cat Ba National Park is 40,000 VND for adults and 20,000 VND for children.

5. Accommodation Options

When you come to Cat Ba, you don’t need to worry too much about accommodation as there are plenty of options, from budget guesthouses to luxurious resorts.

If you have a flexible budget, you can choose to stay at luxurious resorts like Flamingo Cat Ba Beach Resort, Hotel Perle d’Orient Cat Ba – MGallery, Cat Ba Island Resort & Spa, etc., with prices ranging from 1,500,000 – 3,000,000 VND per night.
For a more budget-friendly option, you can consider homestays such as Lepont Bungalow, Santorini Homestay, Central Backpackers Hostel, etc., with prices ranging from 300,000 – 800,000 VND per night.
If you love adventure and want to immerse yourself in nature, you can camp on the beaches. For added safety, you can choose established camping sites like Green Valley Camp Cat Ba.

Flamingo Cat Ba Beach Resort. Hotel Perle d’Orient Cat Ba – MGallery. Lepont Bungalow

6. Things to Keep in Mind When Traveling to Cat Ba

To have a smooth and enjoyable trip to Cat Ba, here are some things to keep in mind:

Nights in Cat Ba can get quite chilly, so remember to bring a light jacket in summer or a warm one in winter to avoid catching a cold.
After 6 p.m., the tide starts to rise, so avoid swimming in the sea after this time.
To save on expenses during your independent trip to Cat Ba, avoid traveling during holidays and weekends, as service prices tend to increase significantly during these times.
Most services on Cat Ba Island do not support online payments, and ATMs are relatively scarce, so it’s advisable to prepare cash in advance for your trip.
Before shopping or dining, it’s a good practice to inquire about the prices beforehand.
If you plan to travel during the weekend, it’s recommended to use the cable car because the ferry terminals can become overcrowded, resulting in long waiting times.

These are Everything You Need to Know for a self-guided trip to Cat Ba. I hope this article provides you with valuable information to make your upcoming Cat Ba trip even smoother.

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