Lan Ha Bay, located to the south of Halong Bay, is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. The bay is renowned for its magnificent limestones, breathtaking scenery, and fishing villages with a diverse histories. However, tourists frequently overlook another appealing feature of the bay: its long white sandy beaches with crystal blue waters.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the best beaches in Lan Ha Bay and the reason why you should go there.
Top Lan Ha Bay Beaches
Ba Trai Dao Beach
When we think of Lan Ha Bay Beaches, the first thing that comes to mind is Ba Trai Dao Beach, also known as Three Peaches Beach. The beach lies on a small island in Lan Ha Bay, about 22 kilometers south of Bai Chay City in Halong City, Quang Ninh.
Because of its isolated location, Ba Trai Dao appears to be less affected by the tourist mass than others. Since the beach is surrounded by three big islands (which the locals call “Three Peaches”), Ba Trai Dao is less windy and calmer, making it great for swimming, kayaking, and other water sports.
However, the beach was only exposed for a few hours every day while the tide was low. The rest of the time, it’s been underwater. If you plan to visit this beach, we recommend that you check with tour companies in advance.
Getting there: From Halong Bay, you can take a private canoe to get to Ba Trai Dao Beach. The entire trip could take up to ten hours. An easier way is that you could get to Cat Ba Island first, and from there, rent a private boat. The journey to the beach from Cat Ba is significantly shorter, only about 30 mins to 1 hour.
Top activities: Swimming
Read more at: Ba Trai Dao Beach: Unspoiled beauty inside Lan Ha Bay
Van Boi Beach
Van Boi Beach is another beautiful beach in Lan Ha Bay. The beach is located on Van Boi Island, which is only 3 kilometers from the center of Cat Ba, the largest island in Halong Bay. As a result, the beach attracts a large number of tourists each year.
Van Boi is known for its natural beauty, which includes a white sandy beach, crystal clear water, and tranquil atmosphere. It has turned the beach into a perfect spot to unwind. What could be more relaxing than lying on a sandy beach, sipping delicious cocktails, and listening to nature’s sounds?
Getting there: To go to Van Boi, you must first travel to Cai Vieng Port in Hai Phong City. A public ferry service connects Cai Vieng to Van Boi Island. There is 1 departure every hour, with the last departure at 17:00 daily.
Top activities: Swimming, kayaking, and relaxing.
Best Lan Ha Bay Cruises collection:
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Dragon Bay Cruise
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Private Balcony in all cabins
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Rita Cruise
From: $145Destination: Lan Ha Bay – Halong Bay – Cat Ba Island
Free Kayaking, Private Balcony
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Scarlet Pearl Cruise
From: $165Destination: Halong – Lan Ha Bay – Dark & Bright Cave
Superb Early Bird Promotion – Only $170/person
Monkey Island Beach
Isn’t it a strangely named island? However, don’t be misled by its name. The island is around 2 kilometers from downtown Cat Ba and . It is home to one of the most stunning beaches in the the area – Monkey Island Beach, also known as Cat Dua Beach.
Monkey Island Beach or Cat Dua Beach, is a combination up of two beaches, each with its own unique beauty. The first, Cat Dua 1, is ideal for swimming and kayaking due to its long sandy beach and quiet water. Cat Dua 2, on the other hand, is well-known for its tranquil scenery. The area is rich in flora and plants such as mapple trees and pandanus, giving the impression of a large garden in the middle of the bay.
Aside from normal activities like swimming, visiting Monkey Island Beach gives visitors the opportunity to climb to the the top of its mountain and enjoy a panoramic view of the bay. If you’re lucky, you also might catch up with some wind monkey living on the island (why it has its name). With so many exciting activities, the beach is a must-see if you have the opportunity to visit Lan Ha Bay.
Getting there: It’s quite easy to get to Monkey Island Beach (Cat Dua Beach). When you arrive on Cat Ba Island, take a taxi to Beo pier in the downtown. You could then buy a ticket to the beach for 80,000vnd, which included the boat renting. The trip will just take 10 minutes.
Top activities: Swimming, hiking.
Tung Thu Beach
Tung Thu Beach is located on Cat Ba Island in Lan Ha Bay. Unlike the other natural beaches mentioned above, Tung Thu is one of Cat Ba Island’s 4 man-made beaches. However, the beach’s beauty is undeniable.
Tung Thu is the largest beach in the area, spanning 4ha. From above, the area shows up to be a Cat Ba Island pearl. The beach is surrounded by the magnificent limestone karst and mountains of Lan Ha Bay. The calm water over there is so green that visitors believe they can see the bottom of the sea. Perhaps this is why locals and tourists dubbed this beach “Little Maldives.”
Getting there: The beach is only 2 kilometers from Cat Ba’s downtown, making it very accessible to visitors. You can easily take a cab or rent a motorcycle from your hotel to get to Tung Thu Beach.
Cat Co 1,2 & 3
While all the beaches above are famous among international travelers, 3 Cat Co Beaches are favourite of domestic travelers.
These beaches are right on Cat Ba Island, in Lan Ha Bay, so you won’t have to take an extra boat or ferry to get there. The beauty of these beaches, while not comparable to those mentioned above, makes them an excellent choice for tourists who want to stay close to their hotels. Cat Co 1, 2, and 3 have beautiful scenery, white sandy beaches, and calm waters for swimming and kayaking.
Because they are on Cat Ba Island, there are many restaurants that serve a variety of seafood and Lan Ha Bay specialties.
However, keep in mind that because these Cat Co beaches are popular with local tourists, they can get quite crowded at times, especially during the summer months.
Looking for Halong Bay beaches? Check this article now: Top 9 Halong Bay Beaches
