Cat Ba Island Beaches 2026: Cat Co 1, 2 and 3
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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.
More in Cat Ba
- Best Hostels on Cat Ba Island 2026: Budget for Climbers and Kayakers
- Best Hotels on Cat Ba Island 2026: Guesthouses to Resorts
- Day Trips from Cat Ba Island 2026: Ha Long Bay, Haiphong and Lan Ha Bay
- Kayaking on Cat Ba Island 2026: Lan Ha Bay Caves and Lagoons
- Rock Climbing on Cat Ba Island 2026: Deep Water Soloing and Sport Routes
- Things to Do on Cat Ba Island 2026: Climbing, Kayaking and the National Park
- Where to Stay on Cat Ba Island 2026: Town Hotels and Beach Resorts
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which Cat Co beach is the best on Cat Ba Island?
- Cat Co 3 is the best option — it has the cleanest water, cleaner sand, and less development than Cat Co 1 or 2. It is 25-30 minutes walk from Cat Ba Town or a short xe om ride.
- How much does sunbed hire cost at Cat Ba beaches?
- Sunbed hire at Cat Co 1 costs 50,000-100,000 VND (approximately $2-4). Cat Co 2 and Cat Co 3 have fewer facilities.
- Is the water quality good for swimming at Cat Ba Island?
- Cat Ba's water is noticeably cleaner than the main Ha Long Bay near Ha Long City. The Cat Co beaches are swimmable with generally clear water, though the best clear-water swimming in the area is in Lan Ha Bay.
- How far apart are the three Cat Co beaches?
- Cat Co 1 is a 15-minute walk from Cat Ba Town. Cat Co 2 is 5 minutes walk from Cat Co 1. Cat Co 3 is 25-30 minutes walk from town — all three are within 2km of Cat Ba Town.
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