Cat Ba Cruise (2 Days / 1 Evening): A Smaller, Extra Private Ha Lengthy Bay Expertise
After our luxurious cruise from Ha Lengthy Bay, we traveled to Cat Ba Island to do a second cruise, this time with a a lot smaller group. We additionally booked this cruise with SeekSophie, and this expertise turned out to be very completely different from the primary cruise.
The place the Ha Lengthy Bay cruise felt extra like a floating resort, this felt extra like a small group journey the place you spend two days on a ship collectively. The landscapes is likely to be very related, however the expertise was fully completely different. Funnily sufficient, this additionally modified the angle on the panorama.
This information focuses on the expertise from Cat Ba on a extra rustic cruise. Additionally learn my experiences a couple of luxurious Ha Lengthy Bay Cruise AND my full comparability information (coming quickly!).
My Trustworthy take: Cat Ba Cruise in Brief
- This cruise is much less luxurious, however extra private. Typically, cruises that depart from Cat Ba are smaller and extra rustic.
- You journey with a small group (round 16 individuals), which makes it extra social.
- The meals was native and excellent and served household model.
- This cruise felt extra like a journey expertise than a luxurious expertise.
- If you would like a smaller group and a extra social ambiance, going from Cat Ba is a good possibility
- If Ha Lengthy Bay seems like a resort on the water, Cat Ba feels extra like a small group journey.
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How The Cat Ba Cruise Works
The Cat Ba Cruise begins in Cat Ba City, not in Ha Lengthy Bay. Round 11:00 AM, we needed to report back to the Cat Ba Ventures workplace, and from there we have been taken by bus to the harbor. You will get to Cat Ba with a limousine van from Hanoi as nicely, or keep in Cat Ba the evening earlier than. Enjoyable truth, it’s a must to cross the water on a ferry! Nonetheless, that is simple and you’ll keep in the identical van.
From the harbor you first board a day boat with a bigger group (we had 2 teams mixed right here). After just a few hours on the water and lunch on the boat, you switch to a smaller boat. That is the boat the place you sleep and spend the remainder of the journey. Our group on the sleeping boat was about 16 individuals of which 14 have been doing a 2 days, 1 evening cruise. This makes a giant distinction, since you spend many of the journey with a small group as an alternative of a big cruise with many friends.
This Cat Ba cruise targeted, subsequent to Lan Ha Bay, extra on the Halong Bay Space. This meant, we have been nearer to a number of the in a single day boats. Nonetheless, they did an incredible job on escaping the crowds and we had some pretty locations nearly all to ourselves.
Keep the evening in Cat Ba
We stayed on evening in Cat Ba, earlier than we jumped on the cruise. Good accommodations are for instance the Cat Ba Oversleep Hotel and xxxx, as they’re near the purpose the place cruise places of work are positioned. In case you are searching for some meals or a espresso, I might advocate My Approach Pizza – Wholesome & Vegan, CatBa Specialty Espresso and The Little Leaf Restaurant.
In case you are touring from Ha Lengthy Bay to Cat Ba, you’ll be able to e-book THIS switch that features the bus and ferry.
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The boat and rooms
The boat we slept on was a lot smaller than the luxurious cruise, and the rooms have been easier, however nonetheless very comfy.
The rooms have air con, a personal lavatory and a big window to admire the views. After actions, there’s sizzling water (or once you ask prematurely). There was no balcony, and the room is much less luxurious than a bigger cruise from Ha Lengthy Bay, nevertheless it has all the things you want for one evening.
Nonetheless, the ambiance on the boat positively makes up for a extra rustic room. The group was small and solely has one principal deck, which suggests you shortly begin speaking to individuals. You eat collectively at one large desk, which makes it a really social expertise. This cruise seems like touring with a gaggle, quite than staying in a resort with your individual occasion. Lots of the vacationers have been round their 20s and 30s. Within the night, all of us had beers collectively and had some enjoyable conversations.
Actions in the course of the Cat Ba Cruise
Throughout this Cat Ba Cruise, you do a number of actions. Nonetheless, the schedule nonetheless feels fairly relaxed. What’s enjoyable about this cruise, is that you just depart at 11am, however solely return at 3pm. Nonetheless, the expertise is about to alter (2026 replace), as in a single day boats must be again at midday.
Actions included:
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Visiting small seashores
- Bamboo boat by a cave and lagoon (about 45 minutes)
- Squid fishing within the night
You’re anticipated to affix most actions, however there’s nonetheless various time on the boat to loosen up, have a drink, and benefit from the views.
One of many nicest stops was the world with small seashores the place you would swim. This made the journey really feel a bit extra lively and diversified than simply staying on the boat. You spend about 1 to 1.5 hours kayaking every time, and the remainder of the time you might be on the boat, stress-free or consuming.
The meals on board
One factor that basically shocked us was the meals on this cruise. The meals have been served household model, and to be sincere, we thought that the meals was truly higher than on a luxurious cruise. There was loads of native meals and seafood, however in case you are not in to this, you’ll be able to inform them about your needs beforehand. Since you eat collectively at one large desk, dinner and breakfast additionally turn into extra social moments, which provides quite a bit to the expertise.
Sensible details about a Cat Ba Cruise
You’ll be able to e-book the cruise on SeekSophie. A platform that focuses on experiences that skip the crowds and are extra native.
Some sensible issues to know:
- Worth was round €140 per individual for two days / 1 evening
- Departure from Cat Ba City
- Return the subsequent day round 15:00 (from Could 2026 this might be 12:00)
- From Cat Ba, you’ll be able to take a bus + ferry + bus switch again to Hanoi (we arrived round 19:00).
Since you depart round 11:00 on day one and return round 15:00 on day two, it truly seems like you’ve gotten various time on this cruise. For this cruise, 1 evening felt like sufficient, since you spend a very long time on the boat already.
Who is that this Cat Ba cruise for?
This cruise is particularly good for:
- Vacationers who like smaller teams
- Individuals who desire a extra social expertise
- Individuals who desire expertise over luxurious
- Vacationers on a mid-range funds
- Individuals who wish to be a bit extra lively (kayaking, swimming, seashores)
In case you are searching for luxurious, a giant room, and a personal balcony, then a Ha Lengthy Bay cruise is likely to be a greater match. In case you are searching for a extra private expertise with a small group, then a Cat Ba is a extremely good possibility. Keep in mind, Cat Ba is a bit of bit tougher to get to from Hanoi than Ha Lengthy Bay, nonetheless, additionally Cat Ba cruises supply decide up in Hanoi.
Conclusion
What makes this cruise completely different isn’t essentially the panorama, as a result of you will note related limestone mountains, bays, and seashores as on a bigger cruise from Ha Lengthy Bay. Nonetheless, the actual distinction is the expertise on the boat. This cruise felt extra social and private. In fact, it depends upon which firm you select in each locations, nonetheless, large cruise ships don’t depart from Cat Ba. Additionally learn my full comparability information on the luxurious Ha Lengthy Bay vs the country Cat Ba cruise right here.
Often requested questions on a Cat Ba cruise
Is a Cat Ba Cruise normally cheaper than a Ha Lengthy Bay Cruise?
Sure, normally Cat Ba cruises are cheaper, particularly in comparison with luxurious cruises from Ha Lengthy Bay. Nonetheless, they aren’t that less expensive.
Is Cat Ba much less touristy than Ha Lengthy Bay?
It might probably really feel much less touristy due to the smaller teams, however you continue to sail in standard areas, so you’ll nonetheless see different boats.
Is 1 evening sufficient for a Cat Ba cruise?
Sure, since you depart earlier and return later, you already spend loads of time on the boat. In 2026, this may change, as boats must be again at midday.
Do you see the identical panorama as Ha Lengthy Bay?
Sure, the landscapes are very related as a result of Lan Ha Bay, Ha Lengthy Bay, and the Cat Ba space are subsequent to one another.
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