Cat Ba Island

Cat Ba Island - The Heaven in Halong Bay

As one of the most favorite attractions to those who traveling on a Halong Bay Tour, Cat Ba has the typical scenery of Halong Bay with limestone mountains and calm blue sea. It is famous for breathtaking natural beauty, with lush woods, and crystal-clear waters. Cat Ba Island is the largest island in the Cat Ba Archipelago, covering an area of over 300 square kilometers. It is also home to several species of wildlife, including the endangered Cat Ba Langur, one of the rarest primates in the world.

An adorable langur at Cat Ba Island

Therefore, it was designated a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve in 2004 due to its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystem.

Cat Ba Island - Paradise Island

It cannot be denied that Cat Ba attracts numerous tourists with its natural features and impressive culture. Let’s visit together with Asia Private Travels to explore this wonderful island!

What to do in Cat Ba?

One of the most highlight places that you should visit in Cat Ba is Lan Ha Bay. It used to belong to Halong Bay but later this place was separated and that may be the reason why people know less about Lan Ha Bay. Currently, Lan Ha Bay is also becoming very popular, so it is also gradually attracting a large number of tourists with its resources and potential. To move more conveniently between the mainland and Cat Ba Island, you can easily rent a small boat or combine a cruise with big companies like such as Elite of The Seas Cruise, La Regina Grand Cruise, Mon Chéri Cruises, Sena Cruise, etc.

Elite of the Seas 6-star super yacht on Cat Ba Island

Besides that, you will have the opportunity to experience kayaking on the sea because you can do it by yourself and feel free more than ever! Swimming at beaches in Cat Ba is also one of the activities that are not to be missed. Otherwise, you can absolutely explore Trung Trang cave with a large system of stalactites and stalagmites multi-shaped, and sparkling, which has existed for about 6 million years.

Trung Trang Cave - A natural wonderland

If you love experiential travel, camping on the island may meet your requirements. You can rent a boat (or kayak), then climb out to the deserted beaches outside Lan Ha Bay to camp overnight and enjoy delicious seafood. Being a Robinson on a deserted island will definitely be an unforgettable memory for anyone when going to Cat Ba!

What is the best season to visit?

The beauty of Cat Ba changes in four seasons but the best time to travel to Cat Ba is summer. Because you can take a swim in green water and enjoy the fresh green nature of summer. In case you visit from May to July, this time is the peak season due to nice weather so it is very crowded, which may affect your travel experience.

The beauty of Cat Ba Island on summer

How about between July and August? If you plan to go to the island this time, you should check the weather forecast three to five days in advance to ensure there are no storms and typhoons. From November to March, the island is quite deserted so this is an ideal time for exploring nature and relaxing peacefully.

How to get there?

If you depart from Hanoi, you can take a Hanoi - Hai Phong highway bus that carries you to Cat Ba Island in around 3-5 hours (4 hours on average). You can also take a direct train from Hanoi to Hai Phong and then a boat from Pha Binh Port to Cat Ba Pier.

From Hai Phong, you can move by motorbike, private car, or especially cable car in a modern and convenient way. Otherwise, after arriving at Hai Phong Railway Station, you can take a taxi to Pha Binh Harbor and then take a speedboat to Cat Ba Island.

Hai Phong Railway Station - One of the most beautiful train stations in Vietnam

In case your department is Halong Bay, a very popular option to get to Cat Ba Island is to take the ferry to Tuan Chau Harbor. Alternately, the fastest way to get from Tuan Chau terminal (Halong Bay) to Gia Luan port (Cat Ba Island) is by speedboat. This new high-speed boat reduces journey time from 45 minutes to 15 minutes.

Ferry from Tuan Chau Harbor to Cat Ba Island

In particular, if you are interested in a Vietnam package tour, a cruise tour of Asia Private Travels will surely be a perfect choice. Because it brings you the best experience with many exciting activities, diverse destinations, and gentle services you do not have to worry about transportation!

Cat Ba has many attractive destinations and activities which are waiting for you to discover! We hope that this article will support your holiday!