Pre-arrival guide
Everything to know before you land in Cat Ba.
When to come, what to pack, how to pay, what the weather does to a kayak day. Real answers from local guides.
When to visit
The four faces of Cat Ba
Each window offers a different mood. Pick yours.
Mar – May
Best overallWarm but not hot. Calm seas, clear visibility for kayaking, langur trekking comfortable. Our favourite shoulder window.
Jun – Aug
Hot & busyPeak Vietnamese summer. Boat tours run daily, water is warm, bays can be crowded. Book ahead 2–3 weeks.
Sep – Nov
Sweet spotCooling temps, sunsets get cinematic. Occasional typhoon early Sep — we flex routes around weather.
Dec – Feb
Cool & quietCool, sometimes overcast. Trekking is fantastic. Boat tours run with wetsuit-grade resilience — quieter bays, fewer tourists.
Packing
What to bring
Three quick lists — boat, trek, always.
On the boat
- Swimsuit + quick-dry layer
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Hat & sunglasses
- Light jacket (sea breeze)
- Dry-bag — we provide one but bring your own if you have it
On the trek
- Closed shoes with grip (no flip-flops)
- Insect repellent
- Refillable water bottle (1L+)
- Light long sleeves for jungle
- Phone in zip-bag (humidity)
Always
- Photo ID + travel insurance copy
- Some cash in VND for snacks/drinks
- Power bank
- Motion-sickness tablets if you're sensitive
FAQs
Frequently asked
Is Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay the same as Halong Bay?+
Different. Lan Ha Bay sits south of Halong Bay — same stunning karst topography but with fewer cruise boats, hidden lagoons, and far better swimming/kayaking. Most of our boat tours stay in Lan Ha and don't enter the busy Halong Bay zone.
How do I get to Cat Ba?+
Bus + speedboat from Hanoi (~3.5h), bus + ferry from Ninh Binh (~4.5h), or speedboat from Hai Phong (~2h). Full schedule and prices on our Transport page. We can also arrange private cars and airport pick-ups.
Do I need to book in advance?+
For peak season (Jun–Aug, Vietnamese holidays) book 2–3 weeks ahead. Off-season 3–5 days is usually enough. Sunset & Night Kayaking and the D'Charme Luxury Cruise sell out earliest.
What payment methods do you accept?+
VTC Pay (international + Vietnamese cards), bank transfer, and cash on the day for small balances. Deposit is 50% to confirm — full balance before boarding.
What's your cancellation policy?+
Tiered: ≥14 days 100% refund · 7–13 days 70% · 3–6 days 50% · 24–72h 30% · <24h or no-show 0%. Weather cancellations on our side are always 100% refund or free reschedule. Full details on our Policies page.
What if the weather is bad?+
If our captain calls a no-go for safety, we either reschedule for free or refund 100%. Light rain or grey skies aren't usually a cancellation — Lan Ha is beautiful in all weathers and our boats have covered cabins.
Are tours suitable for kids?+
Yes — most boat tours welcome children. Default policy: under 5 free, 50% off ages 5–10. Tour 4 (Sunset & Night Kayaking) has a tighter children's policy (see tour page). For trekking, kids should be comfortable walking 2–3h.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?+
No. We provide life jackets for all kayaking and swimming. If you can't swim, tell your guide — we'll keep you in shallow water and on stable kayaks.
What about wifi & SIM cards?+
Hotels and most restaurants have wifi. For 4G data, grab a Viettel or Mobifone tourist SIM (~150–200k VND for 30 days, plenty of data). Coverage on Cat Ba is solid; out at sea it gets patchy — perfect excuse to look up.
Is there ATM access on Cat Ba?+
Yes — several ATMs in Cat Ba Town accept Visa/Mastercard. Bring some cash from Hanoi/Hai Phong as a buffer; small restaurants and beach vendors are cash-only.
What language do guides speak?+
All our tour guides speak conversational English. For French, German, Japanese or Korean tours we arrange specialty guides on request — message us 5+ days ahead.
Can I change my booking date?+
Yes, with 5+ days notice we shift dates free. Inside 5 days we try our best subject to availability — message us as early as possible and we'll find a way.
Still have a question?
We reply on WhatsApp, Zalo or email — usually in minutes, 7:00–21:00 (GMT+7). +84 866 585 832.