Things To Do in Cat Ba Island

Cat Ba National Park

The Cat Ba National Park, established on March 31, 1986, takes up some 50% (15,200 hectares/37,544 acres) of the island's mountain and coastal areas, with vast tracts set aside for "primary care and stringent protection" of endangered species. The park's low peaks -- the highest is Cao Vang, at just 322m (1,056 ft.) -- are a dynamic, verdant setting. Cat Ba is cool year-round, with an average temperature of 73/74°F (23/24°C). In July, it can get up to 82/83°F (28/29°C), and in January and February, it can go as low as 61/62°F (16/17°C). Rainy season is from April to November. The park is comprised of limestone evergreen forests, upland flooded forests, coastal mangrove forests, inshore coral reefs, and extensive areas of limestone outcroppings laced with caves. All is evergreen tropical monsoon forest.

The park supports a veritable Noah's Ark of diversity, with drought-resistant lizards and herbivores, and over 30 mammals, including langurs, civets, leopards, rhesus macaques, and barking deer. Many species in the park are rare or endangered, especially the golden-headed langur, which is unique to this area but has a fragile population of an estimated 100 individuals. Ongoing efforts try to prevent hunting in the park. You might also see pythons, vipers, and water snakes, but your only real chance of catching sight of something unique is to take a full-day hike through the park with a guide.

Coastal bird life is astounding, and on any journey along the island's coast, you can see some of Cat Ba's nearly 70 bird species, both tropical monsoon birds and migrants. Water birds, like the sea eagle, kingfisher, and teal, can be spotted along the island coast. Inland, find the likes of the great hornbill, the thrush, and the woodpecker.

This park is geared to domestic tourists, but the scenery is fine and there are a few good hikes. The Educational Center, just on the right after the entry, has one large panel with information (in English) about the park's many rare species, as well as advice about nearby trails. No English speakers are on staff, though, so you're more or less on your own here, which is fine because navigating the park's few trails is a piece of cake.

From the park entrance, walk about 1km ( 1/2 mile) straight back along the wide, clearly marked path, past the rather uninspired zoo with just a few unhappy barking deer in a small field, to the beginning of a good steep grade and signs for the Kim Giao Forest. Covering some 20 hectares (49 acres), the forest is of a unique hardwood prized for furniture making. The trees are not remarkable, however -- just squat little things about 5m (16 ft.) high. From here the path gets treacherous, but just 1.5km (1 mile) of hiking gets you to the Kim Giao Peak. To get to the peak, just pass the turn (on your right) to the Kim Giao Forest and follow the proverbial middle road (the fork to the far left is a steep muddy slope) to the top of the peak. The tiptop requires a good bit of rock scrambling, although there are a few ladders and metal steps set up to make things slightly easier.

Good hikes also go to Trung Trang Cave (along the road from Cat Ba Town just before the park entrance), as well as farther into the depth of the park and the Ao-Ech village route to a freshwater reservoir or to the Viet Hai village. Longer routes require a good guide; ask in town about all-day hikes with a boat ride back to Cat Ba Town.

Entrance to the park is just 15,000 VND, and 2,000 VND for motorbike parking. Hiring a guide, if you can find somebody willing, costs about 150,000 VND to go up the peak.

Cat Co Beaches

Just thin strips of hard sand on isolated little bays at the base of Cat Ba's cliffs, the Cat Co beaches aren't a bad place to put your feet up for an afternoon -- especially after a long boat trip or for the morning before heading back to Hanoi. The more mellow members of your crew can opt out on hiking Cat Ba National Park and instead rest here and dig into a novel. Cat Co III has just seen the building of the new Cat Ba Sunrise Resort, making that beach exclusive for anything but walking by and taking a dip. (In other words, you can't use the thatched umbrellas, but nobody owns the water. A small bribe, though, might earn you a seat in the shade at Cat Ba's new resort.) Cat Co I and II are open to the public (with a charge of just 5,000 VND), and you can get there easily on your motorbike, by motorbike taxi for about 10,000 VND, or by foot. From the Sunrise Resort on Cat Co III, you can follow the high-cliff walks heading north and enjoy stunning views of the bay on your way to the other beaches.