Cat BaIsland & Lan Ha Bay guide

04Chapter overview

Beaches on and around Cat Ba

Cat Ba has beaches, but it is not a beach island in the Thai or Philippine sense. The town coves are small and busy in summer, and the prettiest sand is out in the bay. Know what to expect and you will enjoy them.

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Fact sheet

Closest to town
Cat Co 3, then Cat Co 1 and 2
Quietest near town
Cat Co 2
Best scenery
Boat-access beaches in Lan Ha Bay
Water
Green, calm, limited visibility
Swim season
Late May to October
Entry
Town beaches generally free

Short answer

For an easy swim, walk to the Cat Co coves near town; Cat Co 2 is the quietest. For more scenic, cleaner sand, take a boat to Monkey Island, Van Boi or Ba Trai Dao. Swimming season runs from late May to October.

7Pages in this section

  1. 01Cat Co 1The liveliest town beach: cafés, loungers and easy swimming.
  2. 02Cat Co 2The quietest of the town coves, with a more natural feel.
  3. 03Cat Co 3A small cove closest to town, overlooked by hotels and resorts.
  4. 04Tung Thu beachA newer beach on the western edge of town, best for an evening stroll.
  5. 05Xuan Dam beachA quiet west-coast beach for sunsets, away from the tourist strip.
  6. 06Van Boi beachA pale sand cove in Lan Ha Bay, reached by boat, loved by climbers.
  7. 07Nam Cat islandA small island with a beach and bungalow resort in Lan Ha Bay.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Pins mark approximate locations.

01Which beach for what

BeachAccessBest forDownsides
Cat Co 1Walk from townFacilities, familiesBusy in summer
Cat Co 2Walk or short rideQuieter swims, sunsetFewer services
Cat Co 3Walk from townQuick dip, resort barsSmall, built-up
Tung ThuShort ride from townEvening walksNewer, less natural
Xuan DamScooter, west coastQuiet, local feelFew facilities, tidal
Van BoiBoatScenery, climbingNeeds a boat
Ba Trai DaoBoatCalm, sheltered waterDisappears at high tide
Monkey IslandBoat, 15 minSand, viewpointMonkeys, midday crowds
Nam CatBoatBungalow staysResort rules apply

02What the water is like

The sea around Cat Ba is warm in summer and usually calm, but it is green rather than turquoise. Run-off, plankton and the many fish farms keep visibility to a few metres. After heavy rain, the town coves can be murky for a day or two. Swimming is pleasant; snorkelling is mostly disappointing. Details in Swimming.

03Beach etiquette and safety

  • Swim between the flags where they exist; currents are mild but boats come close to some beaches
  • Wear water shoes at boat-access beaches with shells and rocks
  • Jellyfish appear in some summer weeks; ask locals before swimming
  • Take rubbish with you, bins on remote beaches are rare
  • Topless sunbathing is not acceptable in Vietnam