Monkey Island Cat Ba - Trekking | Beaches & Resorts

How to Get to Monkey Island:

It is an adventure to get to Monkey Island. You may opt for a ferry from Beo Port - Cat Ba Town, and it shall take approximately 10 to 15 minutes. In this area, the boat ride offers nice scenery of the clear waters and limestone karsts that Halong Bay is famous for.

Ferry Options

Ferries run throughout the day and can be either private or shared. Prices range from $5 to $10 (USD) depending on the time of year/season and demand.

Tours

Most tourists prefer boat tours which include other Halong Bay attractions, including Monkey Island. This will give you an overall experience of the bay's nature and also enable you to visit other places with just one trip.

What to Expect in Monkey Island

The name Monkey Island does not limit the activities that are undertaken here; it has great landscapes and different activities targeted towards entertaining people.

Interesting fact - The monkeys on that island actually came from Thailand, brought in for tourists. The ones that originally lived there were pretty rare, so tourists barely got to see them. To fix that, they brought in monkeys from Thailand to keep the visitors happy.

Wildlife Encounters:

It houses around 2 dozen macaque monkeys that roam freely within the island. While they are basically friendly, caution should be made as they may be mischievous, especially when it comes to food! The presence of these teasing creatures makes a visit altogether unique.

From what we have heard from people who did the tour that sometimes monkeys can get pretty aggressive and there have been rare instances of monkeys biting people.

We would advise you to travel in a big group and do not keep food in your hands while walking around the area.

Beaches:
There are mainly two beaches in the island, Cat Dua 1 and Cat Dua 2. One can swim in the crystal-clear waters of Cat Dua 1 and sunbathe on the longer beach. Cat Dua 2 provides solitude among heavy vegetation.

Everyone loves Cat dua 1 beach for instagram shots due to its white sand beaches, so its a must visit!

Activities:

• Kayaking: Paddle in the serene waters around the island into hidden lagoons. The water is generally calm but you should still always wear a life jacket as the bay can get pretty deep at some spots.

• Hiking: For the adventurous soul, hiking trails lead to scenic viewpoints where you can enjoy a wider view of Lan Ha Bay.
  The views from the peak are pretty epic to be very honest but we struggled hiking at the very end due to very sharp volcanic rocks which might remind some of Mordor from the movie Lord of the Rings. Yes, we are movie nerds too!
  Wear proper hiking shoes and do not try to climb in flip flops, trust us!
  We saw so many tourists stuck on the way due to difficult climbs and some were actually wearing flip flops since they didn't realise how hard it was going to be.
  If we are being honest, it is quite a dangerous hike especially when rocks are slippery due to dew in the early morning so we would recommend you to only hike if you have some prior experience and have proper shoes.

• Cliff Diving: For the truly daring, some areas around the island are perfect for cliff dives into the refreshing water below.

Places to Stay

While most people take guided day trips to the island, an overnight stay on Monkey Island can complete the experience. The Monkey Island Resort provides bungalow-style accommodations right on the beach, starting at approximately $30 per night for basic bungalows—highly recommended to relax after a day of adventure.

Meanwhile, budget travelers will find guest houses offering private rooms starting from $7 per night in Cat Ba Town. In this way, your trip will capture both the serenity of the island and the lively atmosphere of Cat Ba Town.

Dining and Local Cuisine

When it comes to food, Monkey Island is pretty limited compared to Cat Ba Town. In any case, seafood is fresh and available in local floating restaurants, while small vendors selling snacks can be found around the beaches. For more diversity, get back to Cat Ba Town, where plenty of restaurants serving both Vietnamese dishes and international dishes can be found.

Further Exploration off of Monkey Island

With additional time in Cat Ba, take some additional day trips or tours to view other:

• Cat Ba National Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with diverse ecosystems and trails for different levels of hiking. The hike is not too hard and totally worth it when you see the seas of green everywhere you look from the peak!
  

• Cannon Fort provides both historical context and panoramic views over Lan Ha Bay. Besides visiting the actual cannon and weapons used by Vietnamese soldiers you should not miss the Cannon Fort Cafe area which has a huge telescope to check out the views of Cat Ba Island. It's insanely picturesque during sunset!

• Viet Hai Village is a beautiful fishing village where you can hike or bike through greens.

FAQ about Monkey Island

1. How to Get to Monkey Island?

Take a 10-15 minute boat ride from the Beo Port in Cat Ba Town at about $3.50 - $4.50 per head. Or you may book a day tour that involves going to Monkey Island.

2. What to Do in Monkey Island?
Take part in various activities such as swimming, sunbathing, kayaking, trekking to viewports, and observing the island's funny monkeys. It is a haven for nature and adventure lovers.

3. Are the Monkeys Safe to Be Around?
Yes, but keep a safe distance from them. Feeding is not allowed, nor is teasing them, for they might get mischievous and snatch at hanging things or even bite when teased.

4. When Is the Best Time to Go to Monkey Island?
Come between October and April in the dry season. This provides good weather as there are fewer chances of rainfall. Summer brings holidaymakers and thus is really busy.

5. Can You Overnight on Monkey Island?
Yes, the Monkey Island Resort has beachfront bungalows starting at US$30—yes, it is possible. Budget options: Stay in Cat Ba Town and take a day trip to the island.

6. What Am I Supposed to Bring Along When Visiting Monkey Island?
Bring sunscreen, swimwear, water, snacks, insect repellents, and sturdy shoes if you will be hiking. A waterproof bag is handy in case you go kayaking or want to protect stuff from the monkeys.