Beaches · Ha Long Bay · Vietnam
The best beaches in and near Ha Long Bay
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: AnhTuan Le, Public domain
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Quick answer
The best-known beach is Cat Co beaches (About 1 km from Cat Ba Town). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in April–December.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 4
- Swimming season
- April–December
- Warmest sea
- 30°C (86°F)
The beaches
About 1 km from Cat Ba Town · Easy swimming near town
1.Cat Co beaches
Three small coves (Cat Co 1, 2 and 3) a short walk over the headland from Cat Ba Town, linked by a cliffside path, with calm water and sunbeds.
On cruise routes in central Ha Long Bay · A swim during a cruise
2.Ti Top beach
A small crescent of sand below the Ti Top viewpoint, used for a swim after the climb on many cruises.
About 30–60 minutes by boat from Cat Ba Town · Secluded swimming
3.Lan Ha Bay coves
Tiny sandy beaches tucked between karsts, reachable only by boat or kayak, often empty outside the midday stop of day boats.
About 1.5–2 hours by road and boat from Ha Long · Uncrowded sand
4.Minh Chau beach
A long, wide sandy beach lined with casuarina trees on Quan Lan Island, with clear water in summer.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 20°C (68°F) | 20°C (68°F) |
| February | 19°C (66°F) | 20°C (68°F) |
| March | 20°C (68°F) | 22°C (72°F) |
| April | 23°C (73°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| June | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| July | 30°C (86°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| August | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| September | 28°C (82°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| October | 26°C (79°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| November | 24°C (75°F) | 25°C (77°F) |
| December | 21°C (70°F) | 22°C (72°F) |
Staying near the beach
$ · Best for budget, solo travellers, beach and nightlife
Cat Ba Town
Cat Ba Town wraps around a harbour on the south of Cat Ba Island, with a seafront strip of guesthouses, seafood restaurants and travel agencies selling kayaking and boat trips into Lan Ha Bay. The Cat Co beaches are a 10-minute walk over the headland, and the national park is about 15 km inland. It is the main base for independent travellers.
- Good
- Good-value guesthouses; Easy access to Lan Ha Bay and hiking; Backpacker bars and a social scene
- Watch out
- Concrete hotel blocks along the harbour; Very crowded on summer weekends
- Nearby
- Cat Co beaches, Cannon Fort, Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba National Park
Getting to the beaches
- Boat — Licensed tourist boats and cruises leave from the international cruise port at Bai Chay, Tuan Chau Marina and Cat Ba harbour on set routes approved by the bay's management board.
- Bus — Shuttle buses and 'limousine' vans run between Hanoi's Old Quarter and Ha Long or Cat Ba several times a day and take about 2.5–3 hours to Ha Long; most cruises include a transfer from Hanoi.
- Ferry — A car ferry links Tuan Chau with Gia Luan on Cat Ba Island in about an hour, with buses on to Cat Ba Town; other ferries from Van Don serve Quan Lan and Co To.
- Scooter — Renting a scooter on Cat Ba is a popular way to reach the national park, beaches and Viet Hai, as roads there are quieter than on the mainland.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in October–November. None of them is peak season, so beaches stay manageable.
Beach safety
Sailings can be suspended at short notice during storms; follow crew instructions, wear a life jacket when kayaking and on small boats, and avoid unlicensed operators. On Cat Ba, monkeys at Monkey Island can bite and snatch belongings. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Ha Long Bay have beaches?
Yes: Cat Co beaches, Ti Top beach, Lan Ha Bay coves and Minh Chau beach.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Ha Long Bay?
Usually April–December, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Ha Long Bay?
Cat Co beaches: Three small coves (Cat Co 1, 2 and 3) a short walk over the headland from Cat Ba Town, linked by a cliffside path, with calm water and sunbeds.