Monkey Island Cat Ba: is it open, how to get there and staying safe
VND 120,000 is the adult sightseeing fee for designated bay routes around Cat Ba, not the price of a private boat to Monkey Island. Before booking, check which beaches are accepting visitors and what your round-trip fare actually includes.
12 min read
Monkeys roam the same stretch of sand where boats land, so pack away food and plastic bags before stepping ashore.
Monkey Island is still advertised on boat tours, but not every trip will let you step ashore. The island hasn’t been ordered shut as a whole, although landing access still needs to be confirmed with your boat operator. Going mainly to see the monkeys and spend some time on the beach? That’s the first thing we’d ask about, even before the ticket price.
Where is Monkey Island in Cat Ba?
Monkey Island is the popular name for Cat Dua Island, a small island in Lan Ha Bay, southeast of Cat Ba Town in Hai Phong.
The name Cat Dua comes from the wild pandanus plants that once grew on the island, while the English name is a reference to the monkeys living there.
The island has two main beach areas, known as Cat Dua I and Cat Dua II. Behind the sandy shoreline, limestone slopes rise into thick greenery. Out in front, the water opens toward the little islands scattered across the bay.
It’s the sort of scenery Cat Ba is known for, with one rather unusual addition: you might spot monkeys wandering near the forest edge or coming down toward the beach.
You can only reach Monkey Island by boat. The usual departure point is Ben Beo Pier, in the Cai Beo area, about 2 km from central Cat Ba Town. This is also where you’ll find floating houses, fishing boats, and vessels heading into Lan Ha Bay.
That 2 km is the distance from town to the pier, not from town to Monkey Island. You’ll still need a boat, and the journey time depends on the vessel and route you’ve booked.
Is Monkey Island Cat Ba still open or has it closed?
There’s no official notice that Monkey Island has been permanently closed, reclaimed, or completely shut to visitors.
Tour operators were still selling trips to Cat Dua in 2026. Whether a boat can land at a given beach on your day is a separate question for each trip.
Some of the confusion comes from news about the removal of unauthorized structures on Cat Dua I in 2021. Hai Phong authorities announced on May 26, 2021 that the enforcement action concerned buildings constructed in the marine ecological restoration zone of Cat Ba National Park.
That was an enforcement case involving structures, not an official order closing the entire island.
More recently, on June 4, 2026, Cat Hai ran coastal clean-ups that included Cat Dua I and Cat Dua II. No announcement about reopening the beaches to tourist landings came with it.
So when you contact a boat operator, ask this:
"Can boats land at Cat Dua today, and are passengers allowed to get off and visit the beach?"
A trip that only passes the island still lets you enjoy the view from the water. It’s a different trip from spending time ashore, though.
And without a confirmed landing spot or pickup time, pick another trip instead of paying first and sorting out the details later.
How to get to Monkey Island from Cat Ba
Take a boat from Ben Beo Pier
From central Cat Ba Town, you can reach Ben Beo Pier by taxi, electric shuttle, or motorbike. It’s close enough that checking the arrangements in person is fairly convenient for anyone already staying in town.
The Cai Beo waterfront has a different feel from Cat Ba’s hotel streets. Boats sit close together along the shore, floating houses dot the water, and limestone cliffs rise beyond them.
Whether or not you take a boat, it’s an interesting little area to look around.
Boats from the pier run two ways.
Private boat charter
A private boat makes more sense for families or groups who want extra time on Cat Dua. You can discuss departure times, how long to stay, and when to return, provided the operator agrees and the trip complies with the applicable route and safety requirements.
The price depends on your group size, the boat, and what you negotiate with the operator.
Shared boat tour
A shared tour is easier for solo travelers, couples, or anyone who doesn’t want to organize transportation themselves.
The trade-off is flexibility. The group itinerary determines how long you’ll stay, and some trips may only pass through the area rather than landing on Monkey Island.
A private boat with a clearly agreed return time suits a relaxed beach day.
Those mostly interested in seeing the bay, and happy to visit the island only when access is available, may find a shared tour more convenient.
How much does it cost to visit Monkey Island?
There’s no official price list for the round-trip boat or a separate Monkey Island entrance fee that applies to every trip.
Each boat owner or tour operator sets its own price, depending on the boat, number of passengers, and services included.
Since January 1, 2026, the official sightseeing fees for designated routes around the Cat Ba archipelago are:
- Adults: VND 120,000 per visit
- Children aged 6 and above: VND 60,000 per visit
These are bay sightseeing fees, not the cost of chartering a private boat or a universal stand-alone entrance ticket to Monkey Island. Ask whether the fee applies to your particular route and whether it’s already included in the quoted price.
Also ask what happens if the weather turns bad or the boat isn’t permitted to land, and check the operator’s rescheduling and refund policy before confirming.
A written message answering those questions is much more useful than a vague promise that there will always be a boat waiting to take you back.
What is there to do on Monkey Island Cat Ba?
Relax and explore the Cat Dua beaches
On Cat Dua you have a small sandy beach, green limestone slopes behind you, and the wide expanse of Lan Ha Bay ahead.
Where landing is permitted, you can walk along the shore, take photos, or simply sit and enjoy the view.
Cat Dua I and Cat Dua II are separate beach areas. Don’t assume that landing at one means you’re free to cross over to the other. Access paths, visitor areas, and available facilities may change depending on local restrictions.
If you’re hoping to swim, only enter the water in a designated swimming zone marked by buoys, with lifeguards on duty, and follow the beach flags and local instructions.
No clearly designated, supervised swimming area? Then stay on the sand and enjoy the scenery.
Swimming around rocky headlands, toward moving boats, or across to another beach is risky.
The sea might look calm from the sand, but that doesn’t tell you everything about the currents or boat traffic nearby.
Watch the wild monkeys
The monkeys are the reason this little island has such a memorable name.
On a lucky day, you may see them moving between the rocks, searching for food, or climbing around the trees near the forest.
These are wild animals, not pets or trained attractions.
Monkeys may approach people carrying food, bags, or other tempting items. Some can become defensive or aggressive if they feel threatened.
Before going ashore, put any snacks or food into a securely closed bag. Don’t feed the monkeys, try to touch them, tease them, chase them, or walk between animals gathered together.
Visiting with children? Keep them close, especially when monkeys appear near places where visitors are sitting.
And should a monkey manage to grab something, don’t start a tug-of-war over it.
Move back to a safe distance and ask site staff or the local operator for assistance if someone is available.
Climb to a viewpoint above the bay
Some of the most recognizable photos of Monkey Island are taken from higher ground, looking down over the beach and the limestone islands scattered across the bay.
Getting up there may involve climbing steep, uneven limestone. The rocks can be sharp and slippery, especially after rain.
Adventurous visitors should wear shoes with good grip and only use routes that are officially open and safe to access.
Don’t climb around barriers or try to find your own way across exposed rock faces.
The beach alone fills a visit: sitting on the sand, looking out over the bay, and watching the monkeys from a safe distance.
With young children or anyone uncomfortable with climbing in the group, skip the rocky section.
Can you go kayaking around Monkey Island?
Don’t assume kayaking is available just because you’ve seen kayaks in old travel photos.
Kayaking services across the bays of the Cat Ba archipelago were ordered to pause from November 2024 while operators addressed licensing and safety requirements. The suspension of kayaking activities in Lan Ha Bay also continued from February 1, 2026.
So ask any tour advertising kayaking near Monkey Island whether that specific area and activity are officially authorized on the day of your visit.
Only take part where kayaking is permitted, with suitable safety equipment and proper guidance.
Staying safe on Monkey Island
Wear a life jacket throughout the boat trip
Passenger safety requirements around Cat Ba’s bays were strengthened in June 2026.
Tour boat operators are required to ensure that all passengers wear properly fitted life jackets when boarding and throughout the journey.
Choose one that fits, fasten every strap, and check that it feels secure before departure.
Don’t wait until you’re out on the water to look for a life jacket, and don’t take it off just to get a better photo.
Boats must not depart without meeting the required safety conditions, or when dangerous weather, navigation restrictions, or storm warnings make sailing unsafe.
If your trip is postponed because of the weather, follow the guidance from the operator and relevant authorities.
A boat that agrees to leave in those conditions is breaking the rules.
Save the beer for after the trip. Boarding, disembarking, and moving between boats all require a little balance and attention, particularly when the water is moving.
What should you bring?
For a short visit to Cat Dua, a small bag with a secure zip holds what you need: drinking water, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable footwear with good grip, and a waterproof pouch for your phone.
To swim in an officially designated area, bring swimwear and a change of dry clothes.
Keep food securely packed away rather than carrying snacks openly around the monkeys.
What about your passport?
An original passport only comes onto a sandy beach if it’s actually required.
Ask your boat operator what documents are needed for passenger registration and boarding, and whether an alternative document or digital copy is accepted.
If the original isn’t needed, leave it somewhere secure at your accommodation.
When it has to come along, keep it in a waterproof pouch close to your body. Don’t leave it unattended in a bag on the beach.
Should you visit Monkey Island on your first day in Cat Ba?
You can, when the timing works.
If you arrive in Cat Ba early in the morning, have already checked in or dropped off your luggage, and the operator confirms that boats are running and visitors can land, Monkey Island could be a nice first-day outing.
On the other hand, after hours of traveling, an afternoon arrival, and a hotel and meal still to sort out, the first day is already full.
Before heading out, you’ll need to confirm where the boat can land, how much time you’ll have ashore, the return arrangement, and whether conditions are suitable for sailing.
Leave those details uncertain, and you could easily spend most of your afternoon asking questions and waiting around.
On arrival day, settle into Cat Ba Town and explore nearby. Cat Dua can have its own morning or afternoon once the boat arrangements are clear.
Families with young children, or anyone who prefers a relaxed holiday, then don’t have to keep checking the clock.
Day-trippers with only one day in Cat Ba should consider whether the time spent arranging and taking the boat is worth the amount of time you’ll actually get on the island.
Where to go instead if Monkey Island isn’t accessible
Can’t get out to Cat Dua? Your afternoon by the sea is still on.
There are several beaches close to Cat Ba Town that are accessible by road, making them easier alternatives when you’re short on time or boats aren’t operating.
Cat Co 1, 2, and 3 Beaches
The three Cat Co beaches are located close to Cat Ba Town and can be reached by road.
They’re a convenient choice for enjoying the coastline, taking a walk, or spending an afternoon near your accommodation without arranging a boat.
Each beach has its own access arrangements and facilities, so check local signs and permitted areas when you arrive.
Tung Thu Beach
Tung Thu is another beach on Cat Ba Island that can be reached by road.
It suits a quiet walk or some time by the water, especially as a change of scenery from the Cat Co area.
As with any beach, only swim when there’s a designated safe area and appropriate supervision.
Viet Hai Village
Viet Hai is another well-known destination on Cat Ba, but it isn’t a quick substitute for Monkey Island.
There is no direct car road connecting central Cat Ba Town with the village.
Visitors usually approach Viet Hai by boat from Ben Beo or via permitted walking and cycling routes through parts of Cat Ba National Park.
It’s better suited to a longer outing when you have time to organize the journey.
With only an hour or two before dinner, Cat Co or Tung Thu is the easier choice.
Is Monkey Island Cat Ba worth visiting?
Yes, for anyone who enjoys small islands, quiet coastal scenery, and the chance to observe wildlife in its natural surroundings.
Cat Dua offers a different experience from the beaches you can reach directly by road from Cat Ba Town.
Skip it when beach access hasn’t been confirmed, the weather isn’t suitable, or the boat schedule leaves you hardly any time ashore.
Most of a visit to Cat Dua is sitting beside the water, looking out at the limestone islands, and watching the monkeys from a distance.
A good Cat Dua trip comes down to a few small things: a reliable boat, knowing where you’re allowed to go, and plenty of space for the monkeys. The same questions work later for a boat from Ben Beo to Viet Hai Village: where you can land, how long you’ll have ashore, and when the return boat leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Monkey Island Cat Ba permanently closed?
No official announcement has closed the entire island. Not every beach takes tourist landings every day, though. Ask your boat operator which areas currently allow boats to land and passengers to disembark.
Is Monkey Island still worth visiting if I don't climb to the viewpoint?
Yes. Sitting on the beach, looking out over the bay and watching monkeys from a safe distance fill a visit on their own. The rocky viewpoint isn't essential, particularly when the route is wet, difficult, or restricted.
Can I leave a shared boat tour and stay on Monkey Island longer?
Don't separate from your group without permission. Shared tours follow a fixed schedule, and any extended stay must be agreed with the organizer, including a clear return transport arrangement. If you want more flexibility, discuss a private boat charter before booking.
Do I need to bring my original passport to Monkey Island?
Not unless the operator requires it. Confirm the passenger registration and identification requirements beforehand. If an accepted alternative is sufficient, leave your original passport somewhere secure at your accommodation. If you must bring it, protect it from water and keep it with you.
I was scratched by a monkey a few days ago, but the wound has healed. Should I still see a doctor?
Yes. If you haven't received a medical assessment, seek medical care promptly, even if the scratch has healed or didn't bleed. A healthcare professional needs to assess whether rabies prevention or other treatment is necessary. Don't use the appearance of the healed wound as a reason to ignore a possible exposure.
