Cat Ba: Best Time to Visit this Beautiful Island
Cat Ba is one of the largest islands in the Gulf of Tonkin and located next to Halong Bay. To reach Cat Ba Island, travelers have to move from Hanoi to Hai Phong and from Hai Phong to this beautiful Island by ferry or high speed boat. Here is an archipelago of 367 islands, including Cat Ba Island in the south of Halong Bay, Quang Ninh Province. Another name for Cat Ba Island is Pearl Island, which properly represents the beauty of this island.
Recognized by UNESCO as a world biosphere reserve, this green pearl island is constantly being invested in and developed to become an international tourist destination in the future. And now, let’s discover the best time of year to visit this green pearl island with insights from Cat Ba Local!

Cat Ba Island from above
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ToggleOverview of Cat Ba’s Weather
The ocean influences Cat Ba Island’s tropical monsoon weather, making its winters milder and summers cooler than the mainland. Similarly, this green pearl island’s weather varies depending on the season:
- In spring: Cat Ba’s weather during spring is relatively cool with light drizzles. The island is often affected by spring rain, which makes the weather somewhat gloomy.
- In summer: Summer is an ideal season to visit this green pearl island. The weather is warm with golden sunlight, blue sea, and white sand. This creates a poetic scenery for visitors.
- In autumn: Autumn is the perfect season for those who love romance. The weather is cool and fresh, which is suitable for couples to relax, enjoy their honeymoon, or simply unwind.
- In winter: The weather in this green pearl island during winter is relatively cold. The seawater is also cold, which may not be suitable for swimming. The thick fog makes the island don a more mysterious look.
The Best Time to visit Cat Ba Island!
Average Monthly Weather Cat Ba Island
MONTH | TEMPERATURE (°C) | AMOUNT OF RAIN |
January | 15.9° – 18.9° | 8.0 days |
February | 16.9° – 19.8° | 4.9 days |
March | 19.4° – 22.0° | 9.3 days |
April | 22.1° – 24.8° | 11.0 days |
May | 25.8° – 28.5° | 18.0 days |
June | 27.4° – 30.2° | 24.3 days |
July | 27.5° – 30.4° | 26.5 days |
August | 27.2° – 30.2° | 25.9 days |
September | 26.6° – 29.9° | 20.3 days |
October | 24.0° – 27.5° | 11.6 days |
November | 21.2° – 24.6° | 7.8 days |
December | 17.1° – 20.4° | 5.5 days |
April and May
During the months of April and May, Cat Ba’s weather is mild, with warm temperatures that remain moderate. During this time, you can lie on the sandy beach, relax, and admire the distant seascape.
June, July and August
This is the perfect time to spend a refreshing summer with your family at the beach. Cat Ba’s weather during this season greatly facilitates various beach activities. In addition to swimming, you can also try snorkeling to observe coral reefs or kayaking. This green pearl island is renowned for offering some of the most stunning sunset views, especially during these months.

Kayaking Experience in Cat Ba
September and October
During this time, the scorching heat of summer has subsided, replaced by pleasant and gentle weather. You can enjoy swimming and various beach games without worrying about overcrowding, as this season attracts fewer visitors.
The months of September and October are also suitable for mountain climbing in Cat Ba National Park. Additionally, this green pearl island’s weather during this time is perfect for cycling and admiring the island’s beautiful scenery in the early morning.
November to March
Visiting Cat Ba Island during this period may not be ideal due to the cold weather. There are times when temperatures drop below 10 degrees Celsius, making it less favorable for beach activities. However, this season remains a favorite among foreign tourists who would choose this green pearl island as a destination for their winter vacations, indulging in a well-deserved break away from home.
In general, the most ideal time to travel to this green pearl island is from April to the end of June. When it’s summer, the weather is cool and pleasant. In addition, from November to March, the weather will become a bit colder, but except for the effect on swimming, other sightseeing activities are still extremely comfortable. This period is off-peak, which leads to lower prices as well.
Travel tips for your first trip to Cat Ba Island
- Private cars and buses are the most popular means of transportation to get to Cat Ba
- Alternatively, you can take a cable car ride to save time
- Motorbike rentals and tour taxis are available on Cat Ba
- Remember to pack your essential things.
- This green pearl island is known for its seafood specialties, which are also available for purchase as gifts
- Refrain from swimming after 6 PM to avoid high tides
- We recommend taking the cable car on weekends, as the ferry usually gets crowded.
- High tides can affect some tour destinations.
- Inquire about prices before shopping and dining

Tourist enjoying the trip with Cat Ba Local
If you have the opportunity, visit this green pearl island – an interesting island covered by the sun and wind, admire the unspoiled landscape, visit location activities, and enjoy delicious specialties on this beautiful island when the weather of this green pearl island is good. Above all, don’t forget to contact Cat Ba Local to travel with local experts!
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Meet Our Team
Tùng Phạm
Lâm Điệp
Tiến Đạt (Drake)
Tú Quỳnh (Judy)
Hà Bùi (Hana)
Huy Hòang (Ryan)
Hoàng Nguyễn(Luffy)
Ngô Toàn (Tony)
Việt Hưng (Rio)
Mr Quang
Exotic Day Tours & Things to Do in Cat Ba
Experience the Magic: Sunset & Night Kayaking with Glowing Plankton
What our travelers say about us
EXCELLENT Based on 768 reviews Jona2025-01-02Verified Magical Experience in the Water and under the Stars It was a excellent experience. Swimming in the water with the glowing plankton around you and the stars in the sky was just magical. The guide Kevin was so full of energy and very nice. Jenny S2024-12-28Verified Great experience We did not have the best weather and therefore did not get a sunset but the kayak experience with the bioluminecent plankton was very cool! I have no comparison as this was my first time seeing this phenomena but we really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, it seemed hard to photograph or film with our limited equipment. Our guide, Ryan was friendly and knowledgable and made sure we enjoyed our experience. Also we had a great dinner (and they were able to provide some additional gluten free options). Kristof2024-12-21Verified Perfect day on the water I can only echo the other reviews here. 12+ hours on the water with the most amazing views. Small group, good vibes and somehow they manage to avoid the bigger groups. Just perfect. Highly recommended! Mathilde C2024-12-21Verified Wonderful cruise ! Wonderful tour! Little group, intimacy, with a very nice guide, professional and joking ! We can take time to jump and swimming ! The kayak was really nice. We recommend 😁 Tamara V2024-12-20Verified Amazing day! It was an amazing day! Ha Lan Bay is so beautiful. The boat we were on was great and big! You can enjoy the tour from the deck in the sun. Sometimes it felt like we were the only ones! A tour from Cat ba Local is recommended. From Ha Long is super crowded. Our guide Luu was telling us about the bay and about Cat ba with a lot of passion! renata f2024-12-18Verified Great day Great day. Wonderful places, the opportunity to admire scenic spots and to moove inside, swimming or by kayak. Loo is a very professional guide, who works with heart for his country, for nature, and for people who travels with. Thanks to the captain and his wife elena m2024-12-18Verified Amazing tour and great guide Amazing tour with great guide! We visited many places, enjoyed our time kayaking and swimming and eat good food.Luu was very friendly, helpful and well prepared!Thanks for this great experience Shana C2024-12-11Verified Go for it Excellent! Lovely your guide (I don’t remember his name, sorry). He was the best so far, and finally someone who is not begging for a 5 stars review! Totally deserved it, go with it you won’t be disappointed. Thanks a lot






Most frequent asked questions
By choosing Cat Ba Local, you are not just booking a tour; you are investing in an authentic, hassle-free, and enriching travel experience led by locals who are passionate about sharing the beauty and culture of their homeland. Here are the key reasons:
1. Authentic experience
Our tour guides possess a unique understanding of indigenous cultures and the local history. Their deep knowledge and passion for the region ensure that you get an authentic and immersive experience. By booking with Cat Ba Local, you gain access to hidden gems and local secrets that typical tours might miss. Our guides are locals themselves, offering the warm of a family and and sincerity that make you feel at home while discover new perspectives of life.
2. A seamless experience
We keep our high standard for all of your touchpoints. We partner with the best service possible for any need of yours, from transportation, accommodations , and best restaurant for all destinaions. This guarantees a reliable and seamless experience for you.
3. Convenience and Time Saving
We handle all the arrangements, from flights and hotels to transfers and activities. This saves you significant time and effort, allowing you to relax and enjoy your vacation without the stress of planning. With everything pre-arranged, you can avoid the hassle of contacting multiple service providers. Our streamlined process ensures a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.
4. Socialize Opportunities
Our tours are designed to foster social interaction, allowing you to meet and connect with people who share your interests. Whether you prefer family-friendly tours or adult-only experiences, we have options that cater to your social preferences.
5. Best Price Guarantees
By having an excellent logistic chain, we deliver you the best experience in a price that
We offer competitive pricing due to our ability to bulk buy package deals, passing the savings onto you. This allows you to enjoy a cost-effective travel experience without compromising on quality. Our packages often include all meals and trips, reducing uncertainty about additional costs. This helps you budget accurately for your trip, avoiding any unexpected expenses.
Travel with Local Experts” it is about the authentic local experience that make us different.
Our tour guides are natives with an intimate knowledge of the local culture, history, and landscapes. This local insight ensures that you experience the true essence of Cat Ba, beyond the typical tourist spots.
They also share unique perspectives; personal stories and cultural nuances that you won’t find in guidebooks, offering a deeper understanding of the region. One more thing, you will have a playful local friend after the trip.
Yes, we always trike towards to give you the best possible exprience contact us to design your vacation together for free
Yes, our tours are designed to be suitable for both children and older adults. We have several special offers for children as follows:
– Infants (under 2 years old): Free
– Kids (From 2 to 4 years old): just must to pay 25% tour value
– Child (From 5 to 9 years old): just must to pay 50% tour value
– Teenagers (From 10 to 13 years old): just must to pay 75% tour value
We are ready to provide special diets that suit your needs if you inform us when booking your tour. Most of our meals include seafood and local cuisine, so if you are vegetarian or have any allergies, please let us know in advance. This way, we can ensure your dietary requirements are met throughout your journey.
You have 2 options to pay: Online & Offline
For your convenience, we offer multiple payment options. You can pay in cash or by credit card (with a 3% service charge). Alternatively, you can use applications like PayPal or WISE, and we will cover the service fees for these apps – less fees transfer.
Please let us know your preferred payment method. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out.
In the event of weather-related issues, such as storms or heavy rain preventing boats from setting sail, we have the following policies:
– If the tour needs to be rescheduled due to adverse weather conditions and you’re still on Cat Ba Island during the rescheduled period, we will postpone the tour to the following day. If you’re no longer on Cat Ba Island during the rescheduled period, we will provide a full refund of the tour cost if you’ve already made payment.
– In the case of unexpected events originating from guests: If you cancel before 7 days prior to the tour, you are eligible for a refund. If you cancel 5 days before the tour, we will refund 80% of the deposit; if you cancel within 3 days, a 50% refund will be provided. Cancellations made after this period will result in forfeiture of the deposit.
In other special cases, our customer service department will provide individualized support to guests.
No, accommodations are not included in the experiential tours. However, our sales staff will assist you in booking accommodations if you provide them with clear descriptions of your room preferences, budget, and other requirements. Additionally, you will receive a discount voucher for accommodations when booking our experiential tours.
No, international flights are not part of the experiential tour package. However, our sales team will aid you in arranging international flights upon receiving clear descriptions from you.