Last updated: July 21, 2026
Quick Summary: Dau Be is a quiet corner of Lan Ha Bay most day tours skip, home to the enclosed Ba Ham Lake. Beka's 3D2N cruise includes it as an optional afternoon stop for kayaking and a swim away from the crowds.
Last updated: July 31, 2026
Quick Summary: There are three ways to get from Ha Long Bay to Lan Ha Bay — an all-in-one guided day tour, the public ferry if you're already nearby, or a private speedboat charter for the fastest crossing.
There are three ways to reach Lan Ha Bay from Ha Long Bay. Book an all-in-one guided day tour from Hanoi, or take the public ferry independently if you're already nearby. A private speedboat charter is also available for the fastest crossing.
Last updated: 31 July 2026
Quick Summary: Where to stay in Cat Ba comes down to three zones: the lively town center, the beach resort strip near Cat Co, or a quiet nature retreat inland. Options run from budget backpacker hostels to beachfront resorts, so the right base depends on your pace and budget.
Quick Summary: Renting a motorbike in Cat Ba unlocks quiet coastal roads, jungle passes, and fishing hamlets most day tours skip. Standard scooters run 100,000-150,000 VND/day — this guide covers costs, the best routes, and how to stay safe on the road.
Quick Summary: Cat Ba Island is a safe destination overall, but medical infrastructure is limited — know your options for healthcare, emergencies, jungle trekking, water activities, and motorbike safety before you travel rather than figuring it out after something goes wrong.
Last updated: July 16, 2026
Quick Summary: Bioluminescent plankton glow in the water when disturbed by a paddle or a passing fish, and Lan Ha Bay near Cat Ba is one of the best places in northern Vietnam to see it on a night kayak. Sightings are most likely on dark, moonless nights, and never guaranteed.
Written by the Beka Travel guide team on Cat Ba Island. We sail this bay in every month of the year, so the notes below come from working departures as well as from the climate record. If you are picking the best time to visit Cat Ba island, start with the month table.
Last updated: 31 July 2026
Last updated: July 31, 2026
Quick Summary: Ba Trai Dao (Three Peaches) is a cluster of three peach-shaped islets in Lan Ha Bay with a secluded, wind-sheltered beach. The sand only sits above water for a few hours around low tide, so it is reached by boat, usually on a cruise timed to the tide.
Written by the Beka Travel guide team on Cat Ba Island. We run boat departures out of Ben Beo harbour and treks inside Cat Ba National Park most weeks of the year, and this page is rewritten from what our guides report on those departures rather than from other travel blogs. If you are still deciding whether Cat Ba island is worth visiting, the short answer sits in the box below.
Last updated: 31 July 2026
Last updated: 1 August 2026
Quick Summary: Getting from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island takes roughly 3.5 to 4.5 hours door to door, covering about 150 km plus a short sea crossing. The all-in-one combo bus is simplest for most travellers, bundling road transfer, ferry, and island bus into one ticket. DIY routing via the Dong Bai or Tuan Chau ferries can save money for those with more time.
