Discover the Allure of Cat Ba Island: A Gem in Halong Bay

Islands in halong

Nestled peacefully in the boundless sea and sky, Cat Ba Island is an archipelago that has garnered fame for its stunning natural beauty, making it a sought-after tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors.

About Cat Ba Island Vietnam

UNESCO has designated Cat Ba Island as a global biosphere reserve due to its abundant and diverse biodiversity. Cat Ba archipelago also contains numerous virgin forests on limestone mountains that float on the water, producing a scene of poetic beauty. Coming to Cat Ba island, you can enjoy your stay on the luxurious Paradise Grand cruise, contributing to creating the perfect experience for many visitors.

History of Cat Ba Island

The Cat Ba archipelago is located south of Ha Long Bay, 30 kilometers from the city center, in the Cat Hai district of Hai Phong. This location consists of 367 major and small islands, the largest of which is Cat Ba, a 100 km2 island located 30 nautical miles from the port of Hai Phong. Cat Ba Island is considered the "pearl" of the Gulf of Tonkin because of its gorgeous shores.

According to a Northeastern folktale, Cat Ba Island was once the harem of the first male to settle in this area. When he discovered the precious bay with numerous beautiful islands, which later became known as Ha Long, he also had to endure the fate of many lonely children and their spouses, whose husbands had never returned from their perilous sea voyages. 

Then, to liberate his hands to investigate the Hon Gai and Bai Chay regions, he moved all the women to a gorgeous, wealthy, and remote island in the midst of Lan Ha Bay's sea. Consequently, the land of Bai Chay, Hon Gai was subsequently known as the Land of Ong, while the other island was known as the Island of Ba. Due to the incorrect appellation, there are now only two places remaining, Cua Ong (Quang Ninh) and Cat Ba (Hai Phong), which have undergone many changes, ups and downs. 

Cat Ba is a beautiful and peaceful archipelago

Read more: Memorable Experience: Journey into Islands in Halong Bay

The climate on Cat Ba Island

The climate on Cat Ba island is very cold and refreshing, making it ideal for travel, recreation, and rest. The average temperature here ranges between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius, with seasonal variations. Summer temperatures can exceed 30 degrees Celsius, while winter temperatures can plummet below 10 degrees Celsius, despite the fact that the average winter temperature is only 15 to 20 degrees Celsius. If you want to try to experience luxury cruises and resorts, you can refer to the Cat Ba island discovery itinerary of Paradise Grand - a high-class cruise line that is very popular with tourists in Lan Ha Bay.

The climate on Cat Ba Island

What time of year is ideal for visiting Cat Ba Island?

Summer is the optimal period to visit Cat Ba. From April to October, Cat Ba has minimal precipitation, a mild climate, gentle waves, and gorgeous sunlight, making it an ideal destination for swimming, photography, and sightseeing. Cat Ba is typically very congested with vacationers at this time of year, particularly from May to July. If you enjoy solitude and want to experience nature, you can visit Cat Ba between November and March, but the sun will not be as gorgeous as it is during the summer. 

Explore further: Titop Island Halong Bay - a Memorable Tourist Destination in Viet Nam

Best time of year for visiting Cat Ba Island

How to get to Cat Ba Island?

Cat Ba is only about 30 kilometers away, so the travel time will be very short. There are three routes to Cat Ba Island from Hai Phong:

Moving to Ben Binh and purchasing a speedboat passage to Cat Ba will allow you to arrive at the destination in 45 to 60 minutes. High-speed train tickets cost 250,000 VND per passenger, one-way. During the peak season, however, this vehicle sells out of reservations very rapidly. Therefore, if you intend to ride the high-speed train, you should purchase reservations at least two weeks beforehand.

Move to Got Ferry (Cat Hai) and take a ferry to Cat Ba island: this inexpensive mode of transportation is favored by many. Consequently, the price of a ferry ticket is only 12,000 VND per person. If you add a mode of transportation, you will be charged an additional 12,000 VND per bicycle, 45,000 VND per motorcycle, and 190,000 VND per vehicle with fewer than nine passengers. In exchange, travel time by ferry is lengthier, and the ferry lands only at the Cai Vieng port, 25 kilometers from the center of Cat Ba town. Here, you must continue to take the transport to reach the city.

The recent installation of a cable car system attracts a large number of visitors. Cat Ba is only eight minutes away via cable car from Hai Phong seashore via a route across the ocean. In addition, the price of a cable car ticket is quite reasonable, only 150,000 VND per adult and 100,000 VND per child.

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Ways to get to Cat Ba

Accommodations on Cat Ba Island

Cat Ba Island offers a variety of lodging options, including motels, Cat Ba hotels, and homestays... However, according to the experience of Cat Ba tourists, visitors should select hotels that are both comfortable and convenient.

As previously stated, Cat Ba Island is accessible by cruise, so if your journey is short (2 days 1 night), you can refer to Paradise Grand overnight excursions of Paradise Vietnam Group. These excursions will be designed so that you can unwind with complete amenities and superior service. In addition, your itinerary will be streamlined, allowing you to have a more comprehensive excursion.

In addition, Paradise Suites Hotel Suites is also a great choice for you when traveling to Lan Ha Bay by Paradise Grand on Cat Ba Island. This is one of the resting spots highly appreciated by tourists for its excellent facilities, well-designed rooms, luxurious decoration, delicious food, and service that will make you feel comfortable and make you feel at home, and make the experience worthwhile.

Read more: Halong Bay Cruise and Lan Ha Bay - Top-notch with Paradise Vietnam

Relax on Paradise Suites when traveling to Cat Ba Island by Paradise Grand cruise

What to do in Cat Ba Island?

Cat Ba Island not only captivates visitors with its picturesque landscape but also makes them reluctant to leave with an abundance of entertaining activities and thrilling discoveries. Especially, if you choose to visit Cat Ba Island with the Paradise Grand Vietnam cruise, you will experience a whole new way with lots of exciting activities and 5-star service.

Kayaking Cat Ba

If you have a passion for kayaking, you should not neglect the opportunity to do so in Cat Ba. Because, unlike other locations, Cat Ba has interconnected caverns, you can simply row a canoe and explore on your own, scrambling through the boulders to experience the majesty of heaven and earth.

Read more: Explore Cat Ba beauty: Book Your Perfect Cat Ba Cruise today

Kayaking Cat Ba

Rock climbing Cat Ba

In recent years, in addition to foreign visitors, many young people with a passion for exploration share the pastime of scaling precipitous cliffs and immersing themselves in nature. Cat Ba has scores of climbing spots on the islands of Lan Ha Bay, such as Ca Cave, Nam Cat Island, and Ba Trai Dao... or on the mainland, in and around the Cat Ba region, which is a major tourist attraction for Ngoc island. The rugged mountains and the sensation of conquering them are always a source of excitement for visitors.

Rock climbing Cat Ba

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Observe coral reefs

Snorkeling is an unmissable activity. Because Cat Ba's sea is not only crystal pure but also rich in uncommon crustaceans and fish. By engaging in scuba diving, you will be able to witness the legendary 'aquarium' in all its splendor.

Snorkeling to see the corals at Cat Ba island

Visiting Cai Beo Fishing Village

Cai Beo is the earliest fishing village in Vietnam, with an estimated age of 7,000 years. Floating platforms of various hues, surrounded by azure water, produce a stunning scene. Additionally, the fishery hamlet of Cai Beo has a rich and plentiful supply of seafood captured and reared in floating enclosures. Therefore, visitors should not neglect the opportunity to consume seafood directly on these floating vessels.

Cai Beo is a beautiful Fishing Village

Night squid fishing on Cat Ba Island cruises

In Cat Ba, visitors can not only observe the gorgeous and majestic natural scenery but also engage in a variety of exciting outdoor activities, such as watercraft, scuba diving, night calamari fishing, etc. At this time, the waters are placid and the cuttlefish swim near to the shore to spawn, making hunting simpler. The squid will gently swim towards the light in quest of sustenance. However, if you experience the cruises of Paradise Grand cruise, you can participate in squid fishing activities free of charge. This activity will be arranged for guests to relax after enjoying dinner on the cruise.

Night squid fishing on Cat Ba Island cruises

Enjoying Cat Ba cuisine

Try the roasted green crab with tamarind, broiled lobster, fish porridge, grilled clam, grilled sea sam with scallion oil, and shrimp vermicelli if you visit this location. According to the people, these dishes are extremely well-prepared and have a flavor that is difficult to locate elsewhere.

Enjoying Cat Ba cuisine

Cat Ba National Park exploration

Cat Ba National Park is a global biosphere reserve. Arriving here, you will be incredibly impressed by the abundant vegetation and tranquil atmosphere. To view the National Park, visitors can walk, cycle, ride a motorbike, or drive a vehicle through the Kim Giao forest and ascend Ngu Lam for a panoramic view of the park. If you are interested in trekking, you can also go mountain mountaineering. The ascent to the summit of Ngu Lam is relatively straightforward and requires between four and eight hours. Cat Ba National Park charges an entrance fee of 40,000 VND per adult and 20,000 VND per minor.

Cat Ba National Park exploration

What to see around Cat Ba Island

Thanks to possessing the wonderful beauty that nature bestows, when coming to Cat Ba Island, do not forget to visit the following spots to witness first-hand the beautiful scenery on this island.

Cat Ba National Park

Cat Ba National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Hai Phong for experiencing and exploring nature. In 2004, UNESCO designated Cat Ba National Park as a global biosphere reserve. Numerous marine ecosystems, terrestrial forests, submerged forests, and uncommon species of flora and fauna are conserved in Cat Ba National Forest at present. Not only does Cat Ba's national park possess a highly diverse ecosystem, but it also attracts a large number of domestic and international tourists due to its preserved historical significance. Numerous archaeological relics indicate that people inhabited this area thousands of years ago.

Cat Ba National Park

Viet Hai Village

Viet Hai Cat Ba Village is an evocative location obscure to many Hai Phong vacationers. This area has a picturesque landscape with limestone mountains, the ocean, forests, and a diverse ecosystem. In comparison to other fishing communities, this one has a relatively tiny area, with only 141 hectares and 70 dwellings. Cat Ba is also referred to as "island within an island" due to Viet Hai's incredibly diverse ecosystem, which includes mountains, forests, and seas.

Viet Hai Village

Cat Co Beach, Cat Ba Island

Cat Co shoreline is a relatively new shoreline, so its untamed natural splendor is still intact. Few people are aware that this location is connected to an ancient legend. In the wilderness, when heaven and earth were still near, spirits frequently transformed into white storks and descended to the ocean to swim and enjoy themselves. People believe that the seashore selected by the faerie must be the most beautiful in the universe. This is why an increasing number of individuals visit Cat Co Beach.

Cat Co Beach

Monkey Island (Cat Dua Island)

The reason for this moniker is that the island is home to more than twenty social primates that frequently plead for food on the shore. Monkey Island has two arc-shaped beaches, and due to its desolation and stunning natural scenery, many Cat Ba visitors choose to stay at this location.

Monkey Island

Suggested Itinerary in Cat Ba Island

If you have not yet determined your Cat Ba travel itinerary, you can refer to the Cat Ba island tour schedule of Vietnam's sea paradise below:

Day 1:

• Check-in hotel Paradise Suites - Tuan Chau Island and embark on the Paradise Grand cruise. and embark on the Paradise Grand cruise.
• Enjoy lunch at La Espacia Restaurant during Paradise Grand Cruise go through go through to the islands and islets of the stunning Lan Ha Bay.
• After lunch, you can take your time to admire the beauty of Lan Ha Bay or treat yourself to a delicious afternoon tea at Piano Lounge or indulge in a Spa Treatment.
• The first stop is the magnificent Dark and Bright Cave; You can admire the beauty of Lan Ha bay and the cave while being on can admire the beauty of Lan Ha bay and the cave while being will be transported there by locals rowing bamboo boats, or guests can go kayaking to fully enjoy the scene by themselves. , or guests can go kayaking to fully enjoy the scene by themselves. For guests not participating in the Dark and Morning Cave tour, afternoon tea will be served of your choice including tea or coffee with homemade cookies and cakes at Piano Lounge.
• When the sun goes down, Paradise Grand will anchor overnight. This is the perfect time to enjoy Happy Hour and join a cooking class on famous Vietnamese dishes at L'Odyssée Sundeck or Piano Lounge.
• Dinner is served at La Espacia Restaurant. After dinner, have a drink at the Piano Lounge, join the squid fishing at the end of the boat, or enjoy great movies with giant screens at Le Piano Lounge or indulge in a Spa Treatment.  or indulge in Spa Treatment.

Ngày 2: 

• Boost the energy for the new day with a Tai Chi session at the Sundeck.
• Re-energize yourself in a light breakfast with freshly baked pastries, coffee, and tea in the restaurant.
• Your last trip stop is Ao Ech - a place famous for its unspoiled beauty and tranquillity. Paradise Vietnam guests are free to explore by kayaking*, especially this summer; visitors can experience exciting thrills with family and friends on a float for the first time in Lan Ha Bay.
• Back on board, a buffet breakfast will be served before your bill settlement and check-out. Then you may enjoy your remaining moments at Piano Lounge or on Sundeck overlooking the astonishing view of Lan Ha Bay.
• After disembarking from Paradise Grand, you will be transferred on a speedboat to return to Tuan Chau Marina.

This is a suggested itinerary for 2-days-1-night to discover Cat Ba Island according to Paradise Vietnam. Depending on your interests and goals, you can change the destination of your journey. You can also extend your stay to visit the rest of the attractions or simply to relax. If you do not have much self-sufficient travel experience, you can also choose the itinerary provided by professional units like Paradise Vietnam to get the optimal trip in terms of time, budget, and experience.

Experience the luxurious Piano Lounge LoungeLouge inside Paradise Grand Vietnam

Hopefully, this article has provided you with additional information that will make your forthcoming excursion to Cat Ba more enjoyable. Don't neglect to learn more about Cat Ba Island and Ha Long Bay sailing excursions at Paradise Vietnam: https://www.paradisevietnam.com/