Cat Ba Island Things to Do That Are Actually Worth It
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We’d been in Vietnam for a few weeks already—me, my husband, and our two young kids—and we knew we wanted to get out onto the water. Ha Long Bay had that magical, postcard-perfect look everyone raves about, but when we looked at the price of an overnight cruise, reality hit fast. It just wasn’t going to happen this time. Not with our long-term travel plans and budget in mind.
So, we looked into alternatives and found what felt like a hidden gem: Cat Ba Island.
We didn’t go in with big expectations. Honestly, we just hoped for something low-key and kid-friendly with a bit of nature. What we found was even better: a small mountain-backed village just a few kilometers outside the main city, with a clean guesthouse, a turf playground, and easy access to both the beach and national park. There were chickens behind our hotel, locals offering our kids bikes to ride while we waited for food, and a beach that wasn’t perfect—but was quiet enough to hunt for seashells without dodging selfie sticks.
If you’re searching for Cat Ba Island things to do and you’ve only got a few days (and little ones in tow), this is the post I wish I had read before we arrived. I’ll share what worked for our family, what we skipped, and what we’d do again. Plus, I’ll include how we got there (without the stress), what to pack, and whether or not it’s really worth dragging a toddler onto a kayak at sunset (spoiler: yes).
Let’s dive in.
Why We Chose Cat Ba Island Over Ha Long Bay
We had originally looked into Ha Long Bay—like a lot of people do—but the cost of staying overnight on the water added up fast. We realized it just wasn’t feasible for long-term travel. After a little research, we found out that Cat Ba Island is a spot that locals use as a launching point to explore both Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay.
It turned out to be a more budget-friendly choice, still a bit pricier than other areas in Vietnam (since it’s an island), but the tradeoff was worth it. It had access to nature, quieter villages just outside the town center, and way fewer crowds than the main Ha Long Bay tourist hub.
Getting to Cat Ba Island with Kids (What Worked for Us)
We ended up booking a private transfer, and honestly, I would do it again in a heartbeat. It included:
- A limousine-style van from Hanoi
- A ferry across to the island
- Another limousine- style van that took us directly to our hotel
It was about 3 to 3.5 hours door to door, smooth the entire way, and worth the extra cost for not having to juggle bags and toddlers in public transit. If you’re traveling with kids, the convenience of a private setup makes all the difference. Check our my entire blog post that shares our experience with this transit option.
Where We Stayed: A Family-Friendly Guesthouse in the Hills
We booked a hotel called Rocky Mountain Homestay Cat Ba, on booking.com just a few kilometers outside the main city. It was quiet, clean, and backed up against a mountain with a small farm in front of it—ducks, chickens, even geese. Honestly, it was exactly the kind of peaceful space our kids needed after weeks of fast-paced cities.
Highlights:
- Large rooms with air conditioning
- A shaded outdoor porch and playground with turf (huge win!)
- Breakfast included (pancakes, eggs, and coffee—yes please)
- Access to a beach within walking distance (though not the cleanest)
This wasn’t a spot we found on Instagram—it came from honest blog research and a quick Booking.com scroll, and it ended up being perfect for a family stay.
Cat Ba Island Things to Do with Kids (That Are Actually Worth It)
Alright, let’s get to the part that really matters—what can you actually do on Cat Ba Island when you’ve got kids with you and only a few days to work with?
We weren’t looking for anything fancy. Just some memorable experiences that didn’t feel like a logistical nightmare. These three activities ended up being the best part of our time on the island—and all of them worked well with our five-year-old and two-year-old.
Hiking at Cat Ba National Park (Ngu Lam Peak)
One of the more popular activities on the island is hiking in Cat Ba National Park. When you get there, they’ll ask you what hike you plan to do. We went with Ngu Lam Peak, which is the one that leads to a viewpoint without being a full summit hike. It was a good choice for our family.
The trail is about 1.5 kilometers and takes around an hour to 90 minutes roundtrip depending on your pace. There are steep stone steps toward the top and a bit of rock scrambling, but nothing extreme. Our five-year-old was able to do the entire hike on her own, and we carried our two-year-old in a soft backpack carrier without any issues.
It’s shaded for a good portion, and the trail is surrounded by jungle, so it feels like you’re actually somewhere—not just on a paved tourist path.
Tips:
Wear sandals or shoes with grip. The steps can be slippery if it’s rained recently. Bring your own water, bug spray, and a small snack.
And the view? Totally worth it.
Full-Day Boat Tour (Lan Ha + Ha Long Bay Combo)
If you’re on Cat Ba Island and you don’t get out on the water, you’re missing what makes this place so special.
We booked a full-day tour through our hotel with Cat Ba Green Trail that included both Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay. It left in the morning and returned late afternoon. It included a stop at a floating fishing village, lunch on board, kayaking through caves, and even a swim in the bay.
We were lucky enough to see the endangered Cat Ba langurs while on the boat. We didn’t think we’d actually spot them, but there they were—hanging out in the trees.
The kayaking part was peaceful and really manageable. We were all able to fit in a larger kayak—two adults, two small kids—and we paddled under caves and into quiet, hidden lagoons. Definitely bring swimsuits. You’ll get wet even if you’re not swimming.
What to expect:
- You’ll be on the boat most of the day. There’s two bathrooms on board and some shaded seating, but it’s not a luxury cruise.
- Lunch is included and amazing, be ready to share with others. Each table seats 6. We also brought snacks for the kids and were glad we did.
- Drinks are not included, and they do walk around offering things to buy, so keep this in mind.
- The water was calm when we went, and the kids handled it fine. There were also showers on board for rinsing off after swimming.
This tour cost us around 500,000 to 700,000 VND per adult. Kids were discounted, and depending on their age, some may ride free.
Bioluminescent Plankton Night Tour
This was the surprise experience of the trip. Another family we met in the national park mentioned the bioluminescent plankton night tour, and we were instantly intrigued. We weren’t sure how it would go with small kids, but we went for it—and I’m so glad we did.
The tour starts in the late afternoon at 4pm. You head out on a boat, stop at Monkey Island to feed the monkeys and climb to a short viewpoint (wear sandals with grips—the rocks are sharp), and then return to the boat for dinner. After dark, you switch to kayaking in a quiet bay area to see the plankton light up.
When you dip your paddle or hand into the water, the plankton react by glowing this electric blue. It’s wild and kind of hard to describe. Our kids called it “Moana water” and honestly, that’s pretty spot on.
We all wore swimsuits because we knew we’d get wet—and we did. The kayaks were big enough for our whole family, and while the kids got a little bored waiting on the boat, the kayaking part completely made up for it.
Things to know:
- You’re paddling in the dark, so it’s important to stick close to your group and your guide. We did get lost at one point, but quickly found our guide. You’re out there in the dark.
- Bring shoes for Monkey Island, bare feet will not cut it, or just stay on the beach you don’t have to walk to the viewpoint.
- You’ll have dinner on the boat, and they usually serve tea or small snacks after kayaking.
- It’s more difficult to catch on the iphone I noticed, so maybe do some presets to capture it better or just be present for the experience.
This tour was a little more expensive than our day tour, closer to 900,000 VND per person, but for a once-in-a-lifetime type experience, I’d do it again.
Best Family-Friendly Food Spots on the Island
We didn’t go in search of new locations to eat while we were on Cat Ba Island. Honestly, the included breakfast at our hotel was a lifesaver. It kept things simple and predictable—pancakes, eggs, toast, and strong black coffee. The kind of breakfast that makes it a little easier to get out the door with kids.
But we did manage to eat out a few times, and here’s what we found that actually worked for our family.
Ninh’s Motorcycle Restaurant
Yes, that’s really what it’s called. We found it on google and its just down the street from the hotel it’s pretty casual and had plenty of seating. The menu is huge—everything from Vietnamese dishes to burgers, pasta, and pizza.
The pizza was… fine. Nothing to write home about. But the burgers and rice dishes were solid, and the salted cream coffee iced (which is a thing in this region) was a little on the sweet side for me. What really made it work for us was that our kids could share one meal and be totally full, and they were actually entertained while we waited. There’s a pool table inside, and the staff brought over a couple of bikes and toys to play with. That alone made it worth the stop.
It’s located just down from the Rocky Mountain Viewpoint area if you’re staying north of town like we did. The food was reasonably priced, and we didn’t have to hover over our kids the entire time, which—if you know, you know—is a win.
Quiet Places to Play and Recharge (With a Bonus Playground)
Our kids LOVED the little turf playground behind our guesthouse. It was basic but perfect. After long travel days, just being able to let them run barefoot while we sipped coffee on the porch? Heaven.
We also found a quiet beach 10 km north of downtown—sandy, full of seashells, not super clean, but great for collecting treasures and watching the waves.
What Surprised Us Most About Visiting Cat Ba with Kids
Even after reading a few travel blogs ahead of time, we were still caught off guard by some things—both good and not-so-great. Cat Ba Island is one of those places that’s in the middle of a growth spurt. You can tell it’s trying to balance the charm of its natural beauty with the demand for more tourism. If you’re going with kids, here are a few things that surprised us and are probably worth knowing ahead of time.
Downtown Development Is… Intense
One of the biggest surprises was just how much construction is happening in Cat Ba town. Like, we’re talking major land expansion—literal land being added on top of the water to build more hotels and roads right along the beachfront. It’s part of a long-term push to modernize the area and attract more tourists, but it also makes downtown feel loud, busy, and honestly not very enjoyable with kids.
We only visited the town area a few times—mostly to pass through—but I’m glad we stayed outside of it. If you want quieter nights, space to walk, and fewer dump trucks rumbling past your window at 6 a.m., I’d recommend booking a place north of town or tucked further inland. Staying just a few kilometers out made a huge difference for our family’s experience.
There’s No Grab App on Cat Ba
This one caught us off guard. We’ve relied on Grab in Hanoi—it’s like the local version of Uber and super helpful when you’re traveling with kids. But it doesn’t work on Cat Ba Island. No ride-sharing, no ordering food delivery through an app, nothing.
That meant we had to arrange all our transportation through our hotel, including taxis and tours. It wasn’t difficult, but it did mean a bit more coordination, especially if you’re trying to get somewhere quickly. Rates are generally higher than what you’ll find with Grab, so it’s a good idea to agree on a price beforehand since there’s no meter system like you’d find in larger cities.
If you’re planning day trips or boat tours, you’ll also book those in person—either at your guesthouse or through small travel shops in town.
Locals Are Genuinely Kind to Kids
This part truly made the trip feel special. The locals on Cat Ba Island LOVE kids. Almost everywhere we went, someone was offering our kids something—a toy, a pool cue, even a bicycle to ride around while we waited for food.
At one restaurant, the owner rolled out an old tricycle and let both of our kids take turns riding it up and down the walkway. No expectations, no pressure—it just felt natural and welcoming.
If you’re hesitant to bring your little ones to Cat Ba because you’re unsure how they’ll be received, know that you’ll likely be met with open arms—and maybe a few snacks, too.
Things We’d Skip If We Went Again
- Downtown: Too hectic, too much construction, not very walkable with kids.
- Some beachfront areas: A bit trashy and not worth planning your day around.
We were glad we stayed just outside of town where it was quieter.
Final Tips for Families Visiting Cat Ba Island
- Pack a bathing suit (you will get wet kayaking!)
- Don’t expect pristine beaches, but enjoy the nature anyway
- Book a boat tour—especially the bioluminescent one if you can swing it
- Don’t rush it: Two to four days is perfect with little ones
- Stay where your kids can play: That turf playground behind our guesthouse? Total sanity saver.
