Cat Ba And Lan Ha Bay: Cruises, Beaches, And Relaxation

Cat Ba Island is a must-visit if you want to enjoy a cruise in the fabulous Lan Ha Bay. The starting point for an excursion to Vietnam's enigmatic bays, the island invites you to relax with a view of the karst peaks.

How to get there? Should you stay the night? What activities are there to do? And most importantly, which cruise should you choose? This article aims to answer all these burning questions and ends with some good news!

“Leaving from Cat Ba is to experience the grandeur of Halong, the intimacy of Lan Ha, and the authenticity of Tu Long”

Cat Ba island or the island of the ladies

What to do on Cat Ba island ?

Welcome to Cat Ba, a small island located in the northeast of Vietnam, 40 km from Hai Phong, 160 km from Hanoi, and 180 km from Ninh Binh. This archipelago is a relaxation destination where you can swim, enjoy seafood, and simply stroll around.

In addition to its famous beaches, you'll find the national park, a biodiversity reserve, which invites you to climb a few hundred steps through lush jungle to enjoy a breathtaking view of the island. Before relaxing on the beach, visit the Hospital Cave, which served as a hospital during the Vietnam War, or climb a few more steps to reach the Cannon Fort, built by the Japanese during World War II—a perfect spot to enjoy the sunset! For the more adventurous, you can treat yourself to a day of rock climbing on the karst peak.

How to get to Cat Ba ?

Let’s imagine you’re leaving from Hanoi. There are several ways to travel to Cat Ba, ranging from the most economical to the more comfortable:

• Take a bus (4 hours) from Hanoi to Hai Phong port, then take the ferry (30 min) or a speedboat (10 min). Once you arrive, a bus will be waiting to take you to the city (30 min). The return follows the same route.

• Book a private car (3.5 hours) with a driver from your hotel to Hai Phong port, then take the ferry (30 min) or a speedboat (10 min). Upon arrival on the island, another private driver will meet you to drop you off at the port for embarkation or at your hotel, depending on your itinerary. The return follows the same process.

Note :

• If you choose to take a cruise, you can board or disembark at the Tuan Chau port to head to Halong City.

• You don’t have to depart or return to Hanoi; you can include this stop in your itinerary (e.g., coming from Ninh Binh or going to Ninh Binh afterward).

Where to stay on Cat Ba ?

The first question to ask yourself is whether you should spend the night on Cat Ba. In our opinion, it depends on how much time you have. One night on Cat Ba is not necessary if your perfectly organized itinerary includes a cruise: Arrive in Cat Ba > embark at 10:00 AM > overnight on the boat > disembark before noon > depart for another adventure: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, etc.

If your itinerary includes a one-day or half-day cruise without an overnight stay, then spending the night on Cat Ba is a good idea. It will allow you to relax without rushing and enjoy the natural delights of the island. Here are a few accommodations of different ranges that we've tested:

• CatBa Sunrise Hotel : This hotel is well located, near the island’s three beaches, with very friendly and professional staff. Rooms are priced around 14 USD for a double room. A good value for money.

• Catba Oasis Bungalow : A very nice hotel made up of several bungalows around a pool and a large central terrace. You can book a private room (30 USD) or a bed in a dormitory (8 USD). It's a quiet hotel located on a little-used street but in the center of Cat Ba town. A full buffet breakfast is served.

• Catba Island Resort & Spa : Also very well located (next to Catba Sunrise), this 4-star resort features 2 pools, a private area on Cat Co 1 beach, and a tennis court. A double room with a sea view starts at 80 USD.

Why leave from Cat Ba island?

Intimacy, freedom, peace! As shown on the map above, Cat Ba Island, specifically the Ben Beo port, marks the entrance to Lan Ha Bay. Lan Ha has two unique features. The first, and perhaps most important, is that large boats are not allowed to navigate here, a restriction justified by the second reason. The karst peaks of Lan Ha Bay are closer together compared to its larger sister, Halong Bay. But rest assured, this does not take away from the beauty of the place—quite the opposite! Lan Ha Bay allows for more intimate cruises in one of the most beautiful natural sites in northern Vietnam.

Leaving from Ben Beo involves, in addition to the journey to Cat Ba, a two-step embarkation process. At the port, a small boat will pick you up and take you to what will be your vessel for the following days. Far from being a chore, this transfer invites you to pass through your first floating village, surrounded by the famous sugarloaf peaks characteristic of the area.

Throughout your intimate cruise, you can swim at one of the many islands, enjoy the landscapes during your sailing, go on an expedition by kayak or boat, visit fish farms… And finally, if you're lucky and have a good crew, you'll have the privilege of anchoring in a secluded spot. Just you, Lan Ha, your vessel, and probably one of your most memorable aperitifs.

Which cruises to choose in Cat Ba?

A departure from Cat Ba port limits your options for your maritime adventure: no large boats! Here, you can choose between shared or private cruises. Based on our experience as cruisers in the bay, here are the highest quality options today, combining comfort, quality, and price:

1) Shared boat with 9 cabins

This shared cruise is, in our opinion, the best entry-level choice: the amenities are good, the meals are tasty, and the crew is attentive. It also offers the advantage of a bike ride to the village of Hai, a village nestled in the bay.

Informations

• 2-day/1-night and 3-day/2-night cruises
• Activities included: kayaking, swimming, squid fishing, karaoke, visit to the village of Hai
• Vietnamese meals served on board
• Shared cruise for up to 18 people (excluding crew)

Price: 125 USD per person (round-trip bus transfer included)

2) Shared boat with 12 cabins

This shared cruise invites you to board a beautiful boat that blends traditional Vietnamese style with modern comfort, reflected in the decor, materials, and your plate. Their cabins are divided as follows: double room, triple room (three single beds), deluxe double room, and superior double room.

Informations

• 2-day/1-night cruise
• Activities included: kayaking, swimming, cooking class, cave visit
• Shared cruise for up to 24 people (excluding crew)
• Vietnamese meals served on board
• Half-day, full-day, 2-day/1-night, and 3-day/2-night cruises available

Price: 165 USD per person (round-trip bus transfer included)

3) Private junk: Catba Prince and Catba Princess

CatBa Prince and CatBa Princess are two traditional junks owned by our agency, Vietnam Insolite Voyage. Icons of the bay, our beautiful junks welcome your family and friends for a private cruise on exclusive routes, expertly guided by a crew with 10 years of experience on the bay.

Informations

• Custom programs (activities of your choice, events, etc.)
• Half-day, full-day, 2-day/1-night, and 3-day/2-night cruises available
• Up to 6 people (with overnight stay) and 12 people (without overnight stay) (excluding crew)
• Vietnamese meals served on board

Price: 190 USD per person (round-trip bus transfer included)

But what about Halong? Good news!

While large boats are not allowed to navigate in Lan Ha Bay, smaller ones are permitted to sail in both Halong Bay and Tu Long Bay! Isn’t that great news? Leaving from Cat Ba means experiencing the grandeur of Halong, the intimacy of Lan Ha, and the authenticity of Tu Long. Depending on your provider, it also means offering you a unique moment in the most beautiful place in Vietnam, tailored to your expectations. With smaller, even private boats, you enjoy greater flexibility when it comes to organizing your itinerary. This advantage is crucial in such a stunning location!

We hope these few lines help you refine your choice. We fully understand that discovering Halong is an important step for all foreign travelers. Our crew is here to guide you toward the cruise that best suits your needs: contact@vietnaminsolite.com

▶︎ To learn more about our junks: https://vietnaminsolite.com/destinations/croisieres