Hello, everyone! Today I want to share with you my amazing experience of taking a Cat Ba island day cruise. Cat Ba island is the largest and most beautiful island in Han La Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Vietnam. When I was researching for the places to visit on my first international trip, I came across this hidden gem which has stunning landscapes.
How to reach Catba Island from Hanoi
There are several ways to get to Cat Ba island from Hanoi, but I chose the most convenient and fastest option: taking a tourist bus and ferry combo (booking available online). One thing to keep in mind is that most of the buses operate during the day as the ferry timing is limited. So, I decided to reach the island one day before my cruise. The bus service picked me up from my hostel in Hanoi and drove through one of the most scenic views of north Vietnam. They dropped me directly at the Catba hostel which was so pretty and artistic (10/10 recommended). I have added all the useful links at the end of this blog.
Cat Ba Island day cruise itinerary
– 9:00 am: Departed from Cat Ba town by boat and cruised through Lan Ha Bay, the southern part of Ha Long Bay. Lan Ha Bay is less crowded and more pristine than the main Ha Long Bay area, and it offers many hidden gems to explore.
– 10:00 am: We were briefed about the whole tour and the guide provided many interesting facts on the whole Bay. The biodiversity, the volcano history and all the monkey jokes. He was pretty fluent in English and humour.
– 10:30 am: The cruise stopped for the first activity, KAYAKING!! We were guided through the small islets to reach a couple of caves and to our surprise, we had to kayak under them. It was a one-of-its-kind experience. I have kayaked so many lakes and streams but never like this before.
– 11:00 am: Back to the cruise to explore more islets. Peach island. Hammer island. Turtle island. These were some of the most beautiful and secluded spots in Lan Ha Bay with clear water and white sand. When our cruise passed them, it almost felt like I was in paradise.
– 12:30 pm: Enjoyed a delicious seafood lunch on board with fresh and local ingredients. The food was cooked by the boat crew. It was very tasty and satisfying. They put up separate tables for vegan and non-vegetarian food. I especially liked the grilled fish and the spring rolls. I also had some fresh fruits and drinks to refresh myself.
– 1:30 pm: Cruised to a relaxing spot for sunbathing and deck jumping. Everyone got so excited and switched their outfits to swimsuits. They had life jackets and those who knew swimming could do all the stunts they wanted to. I did multiple jumps and swam for around one hour.
– 3:00 pm: Stopped at a floating fishing village and learn about the local culture and lifestyle. The villagers live in harmony with nature and make a living from fishing and aquaculture.
– 4:00 pm: Returned to the boat and cruised back to Cat Ba town, passing by some more stunning landscapes and rock formations. Enjoyed the sunset with drinks and danced to music. The whole cruise turned into a party floor.
My experience
I took many photos and videos along the way, and I also chatted with my guide and my new friends. I had a great time and learned a lot from them.
Since the bus I booked for Hanoi was supposed to depart before this cruise tour ended, I had to skip the fish farm and sunset party. So, I was transferred to the pickup point by a local boat. This turned out to be an exclusive experience on its own.
My Cat Ba island day cruise was one of the best experiences of my life. I had a wonderful time exploring the natural beauty and the cultural diversity of this place. I was impressed by the professionalism and the friendliness of the staff and the guide, and I felt safe and comfortable throughout the trip. I also met some awesome people and made some new friends. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to visit Cat Ba island and skip the busy Ha Long Bay. It is worth every penny and every minute.
- Link for cruise booking
- Hostel stay in Catba Island
- Hostel stay in hanoi
- Bus booking Hanoi-Catba
- My YouTube vlog
- My Instagram page
Thank you for reading my blog post. I hope you enjoyed it and found it helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. I would love to hear from you. Until next time, happy travels!
Nikhil Dhingra 