Short answer
Open the map to see all the places in this guide, read the safety page before renting a scooter or kayaking alone, and check the FAQ for quick answers.
7Pages in this section
- 01Island mapEvery place in this guide on one interactive map.
- 02HistoryFrom prehistoric shell middens to wartime tunnels and a UNESCO listing.
- 03UNESCO heritageWhy Cat Ba joined Ha Long Bay on the World Heritage list in 2023.
- 04Cat Ba vs Ha LongWhich base suits you: the island and Lan Ha, or Ha Long city and its cruises?
- 05SafetyStorms, the sea, scooters, monkeys, health and avoiding scams.
- 06Responsible travelHow to visit without adding to plastic, pollution and pressure on wildlife.
- 07FAQQuick answers to the questions people ask most about Cat Ba.
01Five things to know before you go
- Every route to the island ends with a ferry, a speedboat or the cable car, and none of them run at night. See Getting to Cat Ba.
- From July to October a storm warning can stop all boats for a day or more; keep a buffer before flights. See Safety.
- Cash matters: ATMs exist only in Cat Ba Town, and boats, villages and small eateries rarely take cards. See Practical tips.
- The water is green rather than turquoise, and the best swimming is at boat-access beaches. See Swimming.
- The Cat Ba langur survives only here; respect closed areas and never feed wildlife. See Responsible travel.
02Where things are
Cat Ba Town and the piers for Lan Ha Bay sit on the southern tip, the national park fills the middle, and the ferry and cable car arrive in the north-west. The island map shows every place in this guide.