Cat Ba Island Beaches 2026: Cat Co 1, 2 and 3

Cat Ba Island has three main beaches, all within 2km of Cat Ba Town on the southern tip of the island. None are the dramatic white sand beaches of Phu Quoc or the south — they are rocky-edged bay beaches with generally calm, swimmable water.

Cat Co 1 (Bãi Cát Cò 1)

The largest of the three Cat Co beaches and closest to Cat Ba Town (15-minute walk via the coastal path). A crescent of sand with beach bars and sunbed hire. The most developed of the three beaches — good facilities but also the most crowded in peak season.

Swimming: Good. Calm water. Sunbed hire ₫50,000–100,000 ($2–4).

Cat Co 2

Immediately adjacent to Cat Co 1. Slightly smaller and quieter. Some resort development on the hillside above. The path between Cat Co 1 and Cat Co 2 takes 5 minutes.

Swimming: Good. Similar conditions to Cat Co 1.

Cat Co 3 (the best option)

The furthest from town (25–30 minutes walk or short xe om ride) and the most attractive. Less development, cleaner sand, clearer water. Cat Co 3 requires walking through a hotel resort to access — the path goes through but access is free for beach visitors. The extra distance filters out most of the casual day-visit crowd.

Swimming: Good. The cleanest water of the three. Best time: Morning before the sun is directly overhead.

Ben Beo Fishing Harbour

Not a beach but worth including. Ben Beo, on the eastern side of Cat Ba Town, is a working fishing harbour — boats, nets drying, fish markets in the early morning. A 15-minute walk from the town centre. Not for swimming but for genuine local fishing village atmosphere.

Water quality

Cat Ba’s water is noticeably cleaner than the main Ha Long Bay near Ha Long City. The island is set back from the port facilities. The Cat Co beaches are swimmable and the water is generally clear — better than the average Vietnamese beach resort. The best clear-water swimming in the Ha Long Bay area is in Lan Ha Bay rather than at the Cat Co beaches, but for a quick swim from town, Cat Co 3 is excellent.

What to bring

Sunscreen, water, and a towel — facilities at the beaches are limited beyond sunbeds and a small snack stall. There are no lifeguards. Swimming beyond the marked buoys is not recommended.