cat ba island vs halong bay

Cat Ba Island is the biggest of the 367 islands that form the Cat Ba archipelago. It’s approximately 32 miles (50 kilometers) from Hai Phong City, a trip which takes up to 1 hour to travel by speedboat. Cat Ba is also by far the biggest island in the whole of Halong Bay. Cat Ba 9. Da Lat 8. Da Nang 7. Phu Quoc Island 6. 5. Ho Chi Minh City 4. The Mekong Delta 3. Ha Long Bay 2. Sa Pa (Sapa) 1. Hoi An 10. Cat Ba Dropdown content. "/> If you do overnight on boat some cruise still pass through Lan Ha Bay, it is small Bay. Overnight on boat is quite interesting, they do offer some activities as visiting famous caves, cooking class and kayaking. Cat Ba Island is worth to visit too, only crowed in summer holiday. The Tuan Chau ferry is often closed at 15:00. Thus, there is no chance to reach Cat Ba Island after 15:00 every day from Halong Bay by boat. Where to stay. Some popular hotels in Ca Bat Island are Cat Ba Beach Resort, The Whisper of Nature Bangalow, Sunrise Resort, Cat Ba Palace Hotel, Hai Long Hotel Cat Ba, and Hung Long Harbour Hotel Cat Ba However, Cat Ba is also very beautiful with unspoiled beaches and stunning landscapes. If coming Cat Ba, you may visit Lan Ha bay, Monkey island. 3. Re: Ha Long Bay vs Cat Ba: where to start. A cruise seems to be suitable with traveling Halong bay. If you want to travel with a motorbike, you can visit Cat Ba island. Warum Flirtet Mein Mann Mit Anderen Frauen. Without a doubt, one of the most popular things to do in Vietnam is to take a Halong Bay cruise. And for good reason; the region is stunning. The views are incredible. You feel like you’re in the middle of a misty magical land away from it all. When you share your photos, everyone is jealous. It’s one of those special places you will never forget. Taking a cruise seems to be the most popular way to explore the area. You just need to show up and everything is taken care of for you. No need to plan anything! After my Halong Bay cruise I stayed at Cat Ba Island and realized it was better suited for me. I like to do things independently and it’s possible to explore Halong Bay using Cat Ba as a base. EXPLORE CAT BA ISLAND ON THESE SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES Cruising, Cat Ba style. Photo by Nicola Marshall. About Cat Ba Island It is the largest island in Halong Bay and there’s enough to keep you busy for days. If sustainable tourism is a concern, nearly half of Cat Ba is a national park. Both its land and the ecosystem in the water is a protected area. Here you’ll find the same small fishing villages tucked in the jagged limestone edges of the island and sandy beaches to welcome newcomers. That said, arriving in Cat Ba can be a bit overwhelming at first. It is the hub for the area, with lots of cheap hotels and tourist agencies selling boat trips and other tours. The city can be crowded with tourists who are on limited time to take one of the tours and move on. Don’t let this put you off. It’s easy to lose the crowds and explore more of the island and its waters. You can kayak the area and see Halong Bay from a completely different perspective, navigating its crevices. Swimming and snorkelling is incredible here. There’s also great hiking, and amazing seafood. GET WELL AND TRULY OFF THE BEATEN PATH ON OUR 11-DAY HIKE, BIKE & KAYAK SMALL GROUP ADVENTURE AROUND NORTHERN VIETNAM. FULL DETAILS HERE. My favourite things to do on Cat Ba Island 1. Hike in the National Park Jungle hikes. Photo by Stephane Bidouze. Half of Cat Ba Island was designated a park in 1986, and in 2004 it became a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. This ensures the flora, fauna and local wildlife will be protected, including an endangered monkey called the Cat Ba Langur. Don’t expect to see one on your hikes though. They are much like the elusive wild sloths in Costa Rica; almost impossible to spot. There are only 60 remaining on the island. Monkey spotting aside, there are great hikes for every fitness level, with well-marked paths so that travellers can explore independently. If you’re feeling adventurous and have head torches check out Trung Trang Cave, which has impressive stalactites. Looking for a big adventure? Trek through the park to Viet Hai fishing village, which has recently developed an eco tourism project. It’s a great way to support locals, the environmental efforts and help maintain traditional customs. RELATED THE CHANGING FACE OF TOURISM IN RURAL VIETNAM 2. Snap the best view of Halong Bay Kayaking around the bay. Photo by Nicola Marshall. If you’re looking for that Instagram-perfect photo of Halong Bay, it is not on a boat. Instead head straight up the lush island hillside to the Cannon Fort. It’s only a 30 minute walk from town but can take longer as you’ll want to stop to see the tunnels, cannons and gun emplacements from the various wars. At the top you’ll get a spectacular view overlooking the bay. If you go later in the day when the fishermen return you’ll also see the fishing boats in Halong Bay dotting the waters. At the top there’s a cafe and small museum. Nothing out of the ordinary, but much welcomed if you need a cool drink. RELATED WHY NINH BINH AND LAN HA BAY SHOULD BE PART OF YOUR VIETNAM TRAVEL PLANS 3. Spend the day on a deserted beach There are a few beaches on Cat Ba Island and which one you go to depends on how you want to spend your day. Tourist agencies sell day trips to busiest beaches, called Cat Bat Beach 1, 2 and 3. But if you came on vacation to escape it all, you can find that too. There are plenty of great beaches with few people on them just a short drive, kayak or hike away. 4. Visit the market Take a short walk outside the town core to reach the local food market. This isn’t a tourist-trap souvenir market but where locals on the island go to get their ingredients daily. 5. Explore the Hospital Cave You cannot visit the country without learning about the Vietnam American War. If you’ve grown up only hearing about it through American media it is fascinating to see the other side. The Hospital Cave is literally a hospital inside a cave that was in use until 1975. It’s best to hire a guide in advance to take you, as there isn’t much information on site with only mannequins throughout to give perspective. RELATED 5 BEAUTIFUL WAYS TO STEP OFF THE BEATEN PATH IN VIETNAM 6. Eat seafood, fresh off the boat If you want to eat pizza or pasta head to Nui Ngoc Street, where everything is in English and international food reigns. But who goes to Vietnam to eat pizza? Head off the main drag for a local dining experience. Photo by Nicola Marshall. Cat Ba is an island of fishermen. They are known for shrimp, clams, octopus and a variety of fish. If you get off the main strip, there are tons of great local spots where you’ll eat fresh Vietnamese seafood dishes for a fraction of the price. The closer you get to the fishing ports, the better the food will be. Curious about Cat Ba? Explore it now on a small group adventure in Vietnam with Intrepid. Check out our range of trips here. Feature photo by Stephane Bidouze via Shutterstock. Waking up in the tranquil morning and enjoying the fresh air and spectacular landscapes of the bay will make your day more exciting. Breakfast is then ready for you on that, our supporting boat will take you from the overnight boat and bring you to a sleeping water area of Cat Ba National Park, where you can grab the paddle and begin kayaking to discover parts of Lan Ha Bay. It is your time to explore labyrinth of limestone cliffs that rise out of the sea, paddle through floating houses and deserted lagoons as well as wild sandy beaches from our sleek ocean lunch BBQ lunch on beach is at tidal permission on boat, relaxing and swimming from your own private beach,you then continue kayaking to other parts of the bay and now you become pro kayakers. During kayaking time you may see other amazing limestone karts formations from the water up close and personal, in ways many people can only the afternoon, the boat will transfer you to Cat Ba Island. Our driver is waiting in the wharf to take you to the home-stay - an ideal place to experience the local culture, perfectly in tune with the surrounding environment. Cat Ba Island in Vietnam is the perfect place as a stopover for a Halong Bay tour. You will escape Hanoi and have the possibility to arrange a cheaper Halong bay tour. Cat Ba island is a chilled-out place with a few small, though nice beaches, a rich history, and there are some spots with good nightlife, which are pretty cheap! Things to do How to visit Where to stay Hi, we're Nick & Hannah!We hope you're enjoying our free travel guides & tips! If so, please consider supporting our work. 🤗 Click here During the wars, the island was a strategic lookout point. During the bombing, local residents hide among the island’s many caves. The cave hospital is one of the impressive Halong Bay tour from Cat Ba IslandWe’ve booked a day tour at Cat Ba Ventures $25, lunch + water, which was a good company. They will visit less touristy areas that are maybe even more beautiful than the famous part of Halong 8 AM, you’ll take the boat from Cat Ba town through the floating villages, cruise through Lan Ha Bay, and enjoy the hundreds of limestone Halong Bay tour includes snorkeling gear, dry bags, kayaking, a great lunch and swimming at a deserted beach, all entrance fees into Halong Bay, and an English-speaking local to do on Cat Ba IslandBesides from the Halong Bay tours, Cat Ba Island has some more things to offer Visit a pearl farmRent a scooter and explore the the Canon fort the old defense baseGo get the cheapest food at a market in townChill at the few beachesVisit the cave hospitalHave a great night outFrom Hanoi, you will have to take the bus to Haiphong, which takes around hours. From there, take the ferry to Cat Ba and the bus to Cat Ba town 1 hour. The ferry costs you 70K Dong ~ $3 for a one-way ticket. The boat timetable will change so now and to stay on Cat Ba islandMake sure to stay near the pier in Cat Ba Town; this is where the food and drinks are in Cat Ba. We’ve picked our two favorite places. Did you know that … When you purchase something through our links we earn a small fee. However, you still pay the same. Win-win! 20/02/2023 Last updated February 20, 2023 After Halong Bay on land, it’s time for us to go to its maritime counterpart, especially in Cat Ba! You will hear about it as soon as you arrive in Vietnam… Wherever you are, even in the south towards Saigon, you will be offered the famous Halong Bay cruise! This phenomenon reaches its paroxysm in Hanoi where the numerous travel agencies are really ready to sell you one of the different formulas to visit the bay. From the one-day excursion from Hanoi to the 4-days luxury cruise, the possibilities are numerous and the scams are all the more present! Exasperated by the constant solicitations of the agencies, we set out to find an alternative way to visit Halong Bay. Ready to enjoy this Vietnamese must-see without too many tourists 😉? Table of contents Presentation of Halong BayCruises in Halong BayCruise in Lan Ha BayCruise in Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long BayCat Ba IslandGetting to Cat Ba IslandFrom HanoiFrom Ninh BinhAnother option the cable car!What to do in Cat Ba?Cruise in Lan Ha BayTrekking in Cat Ba National ParkDiscover the island by scooterEnjoy the beachesVietnamese New Year or Tet in Halong Bay Update 2022We took this trip in 2014, but the article was completely revised and updated in November 2022. If you see any price changes or have additional information that might be relevant, please feel free to leave us a comment! Presentation of Halong Bay Halong Bay, a must-see in Vietnam, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visited by more than 10 million tourists every year! In all, there are more than 1600 islands and islets spread over 43 000 hectares that form this sublime landscape! Did you know that Halong Bay is actually 3 bays? That’s right! It is wrongly called Halong Bay but the “real” Halong Bay is a geographical area wedged between the two others. Here is a small map to help you find your way Cruises in Halong Bay Going on a cruise is the number 1 activity to discover Halong Bay or rather the 3 bays. We give you all the practical information for each of them. Important point it is impossible to make a cruise that passes through the 3 bays. Indeed, it is necessary to plan a very nice budget and it is not practical as you will quickly notice it… And then, I think that the landscapes end up being similar in the end… Cruise in Lan Ha Bay To enjoy Lan Ha Bay, you have two possibilities arrive directly to Cat Ba to explore the island and take a cruise;to take an organized tour from Hanoi for one or two days in junk in the bay; So we opted for the first solution and detailed a little further down in the article all the necessary info if you want to discover Cat Ba island 😉. For organized tours, this is where it gets complicated… As written previously, there are many tours! It is difficult not to be ripped off… For a 2 days cruise in Lan Ha Bay, count 170 euros per person. Everything is included except drinks most of the time. If you find a cheaper price, chances are that it is a scam and that the experience is not as good as expected. Otherwise, one solution is to use Getyourguide. The proposed cruises have been tested and approved and you will be sure to follow the established program. Halong Bay, the real one Cruise in Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay To discover Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay, you also have two solutions join Ha Long city from Tam Coc or Hanoi and take a cruise from the city;take an organized tour from Hanoi for one or two days by the junk in one of the two bays. For the first option, you can easily find public transportation from Hanoi or Tam Coc starting at 400 000 dongs. Be careful, check that the bus or van arrives in Ha Long city on the map when booking! To take a junk cruise in one of the two bays from Ha Long, you can book on the spot. Some hotels offer tours, so you can judge if there is a scam. To give you an idea of the price, a 2-day cruise in Halong Bay costs a good 200 euros per person. If you want to book in advance of your stay, Booking also offers junk cruises from Ha Long. As far as organized tours are concerned, you are spoilt for choice! As for the prices, beware! From Hanoi, a 2 days cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay is around 150 euros. To see all available cruises in Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay, please visit Getyourguide. To know more about cruises in Bai Tu Long Bay, we recommend you to read Oli & Katie’s article. This article contains affiliate links to partner sites. When you use our links to book accommodation, a car, or an activity, you don’t pay anything extra, but we get a small commission. This helps us to offer you free, independent, and ad-free content. Thank you for your support! Read more Cat Ba Island can be considered the largest island in Halong Bay. Located in the southwest of the bay, it is 260 km² and is a little less popular with tours because it is located further away than the other two. Cat Ba has more than one trick up its sleeve! You will also find a beautiful national park more than 1/3 of the island’s surface, some very nice beaches as well as Lan Ha Bay. The latter has nothing to be ashamed of in comparison with its big sister, Halong Bay! For us, it is the ideal destination! Beautiful possibilities for walking, seeing Halong Bay from a less touristic point of view, enjoying the sun… Moreover, the period between January and February represents the low season on the island! In short, all the elements are gathered so that we take our time in this small corner of paradise. Besides, we will stay there for 6 days while passing the Tet or the Vietnamese New Year or Tet on January 30th. Getting to Cat Ba Island From Hanoi From Hanoi, it is extremely easy to get to Cat Ba. In our opinion, the best way is to take a combined bus to Hai Phong city-boat to Cat Ba island-bus to Cat Ba village ticket. If you don’t want to bother, you can book your tickets online on 12 go, from 276 000 dongs from Hoan Kiem, the center of Hanoi. The trip is about 4 hours. Make sure the bus or van arrives at Cat Ba Island by clicking on the map 😉. Otherwise, you have plenty of agencies in town that offer a cruise with transportation included to Cat Ba. From Ninh Binh If you come from Tam Coc, Halong Bay on land, don’t do like us and take a combined ticket to Cat Ba prices start at 345 000 dongs! It was a shame because we finally paid twice the normal price after many difficulties. The local bus from Ninh Binh first dropped us off outside the city of Hai Phong. So we had to take a bus and then a cab to the port where nobody wanted to sell us a boat ticket for less than 200 000 dongs while the real price is a maximum of 130 000…. In short, if you leave Tam Coc, we advise you to buy one of these combined tickets and leave from Ninh Binh to Cat Ba. The trip takes a little less than 4 hours. Another option the cable car! Since 2020, it is possible to take the Sun World Cat Ba cable car from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island! Well, the price is not the same as a bus ticket that takes you directly to the center of Cat Ba, eh! In addition to the bus ticket to Hai Phong 135 000 dongs from Hanoi, count 95 000 dongs per person and a bus ticket to the south of the island. When we tell you that tourism is growing fast! Hotels in Cat BaWe stayed in the south of the island, in the main village of Cat Ba, the bus terminal. We don’t give you an address in particular for the village of Cat Bat because, with growing tourism, hotels have developed and you will find very easily a double room close to the port for 10 euros. We chose a room for 20 euros because we had a private balcony with a view of the harbor… Very nice to drink a beer at sunset! The rooms at 10 euros don’t have a view of the harbor but you can’t have everything for this price! After that, if arriving at the last minute is not your thing and you prefer to book something, we recommend you to have a look at Booking. What to do in Cat Ba? We were in Cat Ba at the end of January during the Tet festival, and there were extremely few tourists. No matter when you are in Vietnam, you will find fewer tourists than in Ha Long! Just avoid weekends in summer between June and August when Vietnamese come to enjoy the island we understand them! as well as national holidays April 30 and September 2. Cruise in Lan Ha Bay Obviously, the main reason for our visit was to see the famous karst landforms. Unfortunately, we couldn’t go on a junk boat tour because of the Vietnamese New Year. But as you can see in the pictures, we were not unhappy! Nevertheless, we had quite a lot of feedback about the one-day or more cruises in Lan Ha bay, proposed by Luu Toan Taxi Boat Cat Ba. You can contact him here or by phone 0974429086. Here are some of the highlights of a cruise in Lan Ha Bay discovering the floating village of Cua Van, the fishing village of Viet Hai, the island of Cat Dua or Monkey Island, kayaking in the creeks, witnessing a memorable sunset, if the weather is good, etc. We combined a trek of 18 km in the national park of Cat Ba with a boat tour of the bay. We found this combination rather nice because we crossed the park to return by boat to the village in 3 hours through these incredible landscapes. Trekking in Cat Ba National Park The trek in the park was really pleasant even if it is necessary to have a rather good physical condition to support the successive ascents and descents through the jungle. The highlight of the walk was the climb to the highest point of the island. A piece of advice if you are already tired before this climb, skip it it’s a steep climb… From there, we have a breathtaking 360° view. We arrived at the end of the morning and as often, the fog is quite persistent… No doubt that if the sky had been uncovered, the view would have been simply incredible! Discover the island by scooter Cat Ba is crossed by two very good paved roads and it would be a shame not to devote a whole day to discovering the island by scooter. The pleasure of riding through such scenery is hard to describe… You just feel free… You will easily find in town a bike to rent for 5 $ and half a tank will be enough to ride every km of paved road. As you will inevitably pass by, stop at the hospital cave, a cave that served as an HQ and hospital for the Vietnamese during the war… In itself, a cheap 40 000 dongs and a nice little visit. Enjoy the beaches At only 1 km from the village, you have access to 3 beautiful beaches Bai Tam Cat Co 1, 2, and 3. No doubt, they are the most beautiful we have seen in Vietnam so far. As we were in low season, we had the beach to ourselves. A small path goes along the coast and connects the beaches between them. From the path, you will have a simply magnificent view of the bay. You will have understood it, we appreciated a lot the island of Cat Ba! With the expansion of tourism in Vietnam, the beaches are likely to be a little more crowded than during our visit. Prefer the week to avoid the crowds 😉. Vietnamese New Year or Tet in Halong Bay As I mentioned above, we spent Tet or Vietnamese New Year on Cat Ba Island. You should know that in the weeks before this date, there is already excitement in Vietnam. Everyone is stocking up on food and cooking New Year’s rice cakes or banh chung before going home to their families. It’s a very hectic time, a bit like Christmas at home! On New Year’s Day, it’s a family feast. The children receive red envelopes with money and in the evening, there are shows and fireworks… It’s a very nice atmosphere! As there were very few tourists in Cat Ba, we were mainly with local families. We even had the right to very nice fireworks! In short, it was a very good evening! Halong Bay and TetBe aware that it is impossible to organize a cruise in Halong Bay or to leave the island the day of the New Year and the day after. You should also stock up on food as most stores and restaurants are closed. Be aware that after Tet Day, people may still be on vacation for up to 2 weeks and mainly go to the countryside. So traveling during this period requires a bit more organization, but it’s still doable 😉. You will have understood, Cat Ba Island is one of our big favorites in Vietnam. You can do everything there trekking, boating, kayaking, climbing, and beach, all for very affordable prices. Add to that the simply exceptional setting of Lan Ha Bay and you’ll get a perfect place to spend a few very pleasant days 😎. So, ready to discover the beauty of Cat Ba? After, the different versions of Halong Bay, we continue to explore the north of Vietnam. Next destination Babe Lake! Pin it Novo-monde in your inbox Receive the latest news from the blog directly in your inbox! Guaranteed 100% Travel and 0% Spam ! This post will provide you with essential information about taking a speedboat, ferry, or bus from Halong to Cat Ba island in terms of schedules, prices, booking methods, and the pros and cons of each way of transfer. However, currently, you can only transfer from Halong to Cat Ba island by ferry and bus due to the closure of the speedboat Trip overviewRoute mapTrip informationRouteDistanceTravel timePriceHalong Bay Tuan Chau - Cat Ba island14km - 50 minutes by ferryVND non-vehicleHalong city - Cat Ba island50km 31mil from Halong city to Cat Hai town2 hours by busVND way2. Speedboat FastestSpeedboat is the quickest way to transfer from Tuan Chau terminal Halong Bay to Gia Luan port Cat Ba island. This service is provided by Paradise Express. This newest high-speed boat helps shorten the travel time from 45 minutes to only 15 information about Paradise Express speedboatNumber of speedboat 01Number of seats 198Transfer time 15 minutesEstimated price wayHow to bookTickets can be purchased directly at the ticket counter or you can book through various ways as belowHotline 0906 099 606 Viber, Whatsapp, ZaloEmail info at Tuan Chau Harbour to Cat Ba Island Image Skytoursvietnam Schedule and priceRouteTuan Chau to Cat Ba Island Gia Luan HarbourOne-way per personDeparture Time0715150,000 VND0830150,000 VND1030150,000 VND1300150,000 VND1430150,000 VND1600150,000 VND3. FerryA very popular option to get to Cat Ba island is to take the ferry. Tuan Chau ferry terminal is located on Ngoc Chau street, Tuan Chau ward, Halong city. Brought into operation in 2009. This is the only ferry terminal to Cat Ba island from Quang Ninh leave daily from the Tuan Chau ferry terminal with a frequency of 5 - 7 trips and it takes around 40 to 50 minutes to get to Gia Luan port. The ferry can carry other vehicles alongside passengers. To access the center of Cat Ba Island, you need a further 30-minute transfer following the path to Cat Ba national ride is quite relaxing and enjoyable with scenic views of the bay and surroundings. Baggage is included. The price of a ticket is around 80,000 VND to 90,000 and priceRouteTerminalSchedule DurationLow season1st October - 29th AprilPeak season30th April - 30th SeptemberHalong Bay - Cat Ba IslandTuan Chau ferry terminal - Gia Luan port730, 1130, 1500730, 900, 1130, 1330, 150050 minutesCat Ba Island - Halong BayGia Luan port - Tuan Chau ferry terminal900, 1300, 1600900, 1130, 1300, 1500, 160050 minutesHow to bookTo book your ticket, you can contact the ferry operator directly, through email, or Tuan Chau App IOS, AndroidTel 0203 3842134Hotline 0934 367 555Email tapdoantuanchau general, ferry is a very easy way to travel with comfortable seating, toilets on board and a bar where some food can be Halong bay view from ferry Photo Many locals are using ferry as a convenient way of transit Photo Price list for Tuan Chau-Cat Ba Ferry Photo DescriptionPrice/personPassengers with no vehicle80,000 VNDPassengers with motorbike90,000 VNDCars 9 seater or smaller480,000 VNDVans 9-15 seats520,000 VND4. BusBus is another alternative option you can take for a scenic drive from Halong city to Cat Ba island. The total transfer time is about hours. From Halong city, bus operators will take you through Quang Yen - Ha Nam - Cat Hai town and then access the center of Cat Ba to bookYou can opt for Son Tung bus specializing in Halong Bay - Cat Ba island route. The ticket price is around VND - Cat Ba island130002253 688 699Cat Ba island - Halong7000979 495 4965. Compare Halong Bay - Cat Ba island modes of transportModes of transportationProsConsPriceSpeedboatFast as it takes about 15 minutesMore expensive than taking ferryLower capacity than wayFerryEnjoyable ride with nice scenery on the wayHigh capacity of passengers and vehiclesSlower than speedboatMore crowdedVND - without vehicleBusRelaxing and convenient without having to take the ferry Quite long transfer time Limited way6. The reverse route Cat Ba island to Halong BayBy ferryTuan Chau - Gia Luan ferry provides frequent reverse schedule from Cat Ba island to Halong city at 900, 1300, 1600 during low season 1st October - 29th April and two additional trips at 1130 and 1300 per day during peak season 30th April - 30th September.For booking, you can contactTel 0203 3842134Hotline 0934 367 555Email tapdoantuanchau busSon Tung bus provides two buses between Cat Ba island and Halong city every day. The reverse route Cat Ba - Halong departs at 700 from Ben Beo port - Cat Ba center - Cat Hai - Ha Nam - Quang Yen - Halong city. You can call hotline 0979 495 496/ 02253 688 699 or email taxisontung to book the service.

cat ba island vs halong bay