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.
Cat Co beaches at a glance
| Beach | Distance from town | Facilities | Crowds | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat Co 1 | 15 min walk | Sunbeds, snacks, beach bars | High in peak season | Convenience, easy access |
| Cat Co 2 | 20 min walk | Minimal | Moderate | Slightly quieter alternative |
| Cat Co 3 | 25–30 min walk | Few | Low–moderate | Best water, least crowded |
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.
Eating near the beaches
The coastal path between Cat Ba Town and Cat Co 1 has a couple of small seafood restaurants. Fresh fish and squid grilled at ₫120,000–250,000 ($4.80–10) per person as of 2026. At Cat Co 1 beach itself, snack stalls sell coconuts (₫15,000–20,000 / $0.60–0.80), grilled corn, and bottled water. For a proper meal, return to Cat Ba Town - the harbour-front restaurants serve bo bit tet (Vietnamese steak) and fresh seafood at ₫80,000–200,000 ($3.20–8) per dish.
Best time to visit the Cat Ba beaches
April to June: The best beach weather - dry, warm, not yet the peak crowds of July–August. Water is calm and visibility is good for swimming.
July and August: Peak domestic tourism season. Cat Co 1 and 2 are very crowded on weekends. Cat Co 3 remains manageable due to the extra walk. Accommodation prices rise significantly.
October to March: The weather turns cool (16–22°C in winter). Swimming is less pleasant but the island is quiet. Cat Co 3 is practically empty.
Getting between the beaches
All three Cat Co beaches connect by the same coastal path - Cat Co 1 to Cat Co 2 is 5 minutes on foot; Cat Co 2 to Cat Co 3 is 15–20 minutes. The path is well-maintained but has some steps and uneven sections. Motorbike taxis from Cat Ba Town to Cat Co 3 cost ₫20,000–30,000 ($0.80–1.20) as of 2026.
Useful links:
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
- Best Hotels on Cat Ba Island 2026: Town Hotels and Beach Resorts