Book your transport to the island with Cat Ba Express at least one day in advance and reserve your accommodation and boat trips in advance too during the high season. We wanted to head to the small island, just a 10 minute boat ride from Cat Ba, to climb the peak for sunset. I highly recommend spending at least 2 nights on the island if you can, 3 would be even better, because this will give you enough time to experience a day trip to Lan Ha Bay and a day in the national park here. From Cat Ba to Halong Bay Ferry.
Get to Cat Ba from Ha Long. Besides Halong Bay, Cat Ba island is known as the fantastic place filled with spectacular beaches and tourist spots. The tiny office was full of people when I arrived; I was to join two couples from the UK for the tour. Day 2: Hike in Cat Ba National Park. The crew met us with smiles and outstretched hands as they helped us board. Based on studies, the history of Cat Ba Island can be traced as far back as 6000 years ago. When it comes to paying for things in Vietnam, you want to ensure you're not being charged overseas transaction fees or getting poor exchange rates when using your card abroad, which is why I always take my Wise Card away with me wherever I travel. The staff were welcoming and more than happy to help when I asked them questions about what to do on Cat Ba island and how to get there. The path meanders through the jungle and undulates quite a lot. We docked on the north end of Cat Ba island at Bến phà Gia Luận ferry terminal and looked for the local bus to Cat Ba town. From Hanoi, a 2 days cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay is around 150 euros. 40 - 50 minutes (by ferry).
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! Next destination: Babe Lake! The proper walking track is marked by a restaurant serving cold drinks; you will laugh at first (wilderness it isn't) but it will come in handy later when you're dehydrated. To avoid being packed among Vietnamese tourists, international visitors often come in October or November instead. After, the different versions of Halong Bay, we continue to explore the north of Vietnam. Once settled in my comfy seat on the bus I was given a bottle of water and a packet of Oreos which was a nice touch. After breakfast, it was back into the kayaks for a couple of hours, again Hang was my kayak companion and we raced ahead with the others following. If you are now baffled by many options and new names, you can consider take a cruise around Cat Ba Island. Most of the coastline consists of rocky cliffs, but there are some sandy beaches and tiny fishing villages hidden away in small coves. There stand out several options, and the following recommendations will facilitate your travel. Once arrived, travelers can take a public bus from Gia Luan Harbor to the center of Cat Ba Island. Ferries are fully equipped with life-saving, fire-fighting, medical and other equipment following the standards of tourist ferry.
Which agency or boat should I choose and what standard? As the ferry transfer helps cut the travel time from 45-60 minutes in comparison to the other public ferries, it gives people more time and fewer seasickness effects. You can ask your Vietnamese hotel receptionist to do it for you. Good luck with that. Craggy, rugged and jungle-clad, Cat Ba Island is the largest of the 367 islands that comprise the Cat Ba Archipelago, which makes up the southeastern section of Lan Ha Bay. Drop your comment below…. The surrounding waters of Cat Ba belong to Lan Ha Bay, which has 300 or so karst islands and limestone outcrops. Universal plug & usb charger. Lan Ha Bay one day from Cat Ba. The natural attractions of Cat Ba Island and Halong Bay are so beautiful that urges nature lovers to keep visiting them, regardless of the distance or any other obstacles. It was located here to protect it from the number of typhoons that batter the area each year. Your Complete Southeast Asia Packing List.
When to Visit North Vietnam? Make sure you carry on to the second viewpoint. Kayaking around the stunning Lan Ha Bay. So, if this sounds like good news to you, then the first key bit of info you'll need to know, is how to get to Cat Ba Island. Another reason we loved kayaking around Lan Ha Bay was being able to find paradise beaches with no one on them! We got our first glimpse of any mammalian wildlife that morning; a couple of very big black squirrels with long tails and a macaque monkey from a distance!
From October 01 to April 29. Ngu Lam is an incredible viewpoint to take in the wilderness of Cat Ba Island and see the hundreds of hill tops on the island. The island is juggle-clad, with a large portion that is still untouched and wild as ever. Soon after we stopped for a spot of kayaking and snorkelling around a few small beaches.