Monkey Island, Cat Ba: What Happened When We Arrived Unprepared In 2026

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Is Monkey Island Cat Ba Worth Visiting?

Is Monkey Island at Cat Ba worth visiting for a day trip, or should you book a guided tour instead?

If you’re planning time on Cat Ba Island and wondering whether Monkey Island deserves a spot on your itinerary, you’re asking the right question. I spent two days exploring Cat Ba as part of a three-month journey through northern and central Vietnam, and this question came up constantly among other travellers I met.

Here’s what most people want to know before they commit. Is it actually safe, given the wildlife? How big is the place, really? And once you’re there, what can you actually do?

The good news is this. Monkey Island sits close to Cai Beo Pier, which means getting there requires just a short boat ride. That accessibility changes everything about whether a day trip makes sense for you.

Now, I should mention something that happened during my time there. A group of tourists got a bit too comfortable with the monkeys, and the animals decided to make off with some of their belongings. It was chaos for a few minutes, but it’s the kind of thing that teaches you something important about respecting the animals and keeping your guard up.

Whether you’re travelling solo or as a couple, this post is designed to help you figure out your best move. You’ll get the honest breakdown on safety, the realistic picture of what you’ll see and do, and enough detail to decide whether you’re booking that group tour or handling it yourself.

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Also, read my post on the best things to do in Cat Ba and where to stay on Cat Ba Island.

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Where Is Monkey Island Cat Ba?

The red marker on the map below marks Monkey Island, and the blue one marks Cat Ba Island.

As you can see, they are close together, and a short ferry ride will take you there.

My Experience At Monkey Island In Cat Ba

My experience at Monkey Island was fun, relaxing, and a little scary.

cai beo pier is pictured where you go to monkey island cat ba

I did the tour from Cai Beo Pier, which was amazing, and I recommend it if you want to see Lan Ha Bay, the Cai Beo fishing village, go kayaking, visit Monkey Island, and swim at some postcard beaches.

On Monkey Island, the sand was clean, soft, and some of the best beach sand I saw in Vietnam. There was a lot of rubbish near the abandoned building, which the monkeys generally played with, but overall it was great.

Our guide said we had two options: stay on the beach to swim and relax, or do the 45-minute trek up to the viewpoint.

Read my guide to the best beaches on Cat Ba Island to plan your trip!

drone shpt of monkey island in cat ba close to the pier with green islands and blue sky

I chose to swim because it was so hot, but seeing the other members of the tour up at the viewpoint from the beach made me regret my decision.

When we got off the boat, there was a monkey waiting for us right at the pier, which really confirmed the monkey presence on the island.

To be honest, you would need a couple of hours to do the viewpoint trek and still have time to properly relax on the beach, which may not be possible on the tour. If you go on a private boat, then the island is yours for as long as the boat runs.

If I went back to Cat Ba, I would take a private boat over for the day and take it in for longer.

Read My 2 Week Vietnam Itinerary

What Can I Do There?

Once you get to Monkey Island, there are a few cool things to do.

cai beo fishing village is pictured close to monkey island

I recommend swimming in the water.

It is clear, clean, and you will probably need to cool off in the hot sun.

I actually ran into a family who stayed at my hotel in Sapa, and we chatted away and floated there like ocean sunfish.

You could also trek to the viewpoint, which will not take too long. Make sure you pack water, as it is very steep at the top, and the views must have been amazing from there.

monkey island is pictured close to cat ba

You can take some shade in the small abandoned building if it gets too hot.

We waited there for our boat to arrive, and, to be honest, it was an hour late, but that meant more time on the beach.

If you go privately, you can kayak around the bay. I kayaked in other parts of Lan Ha Bay, but not here. It was a special place to float in the kayak and enjoy the limestone cliffs all around in silence.

In the end, we were there for almost a couple of hours.

This is something you need to do at least once.

Explore Vietnam With My 10 Day Itinerary

Best Time To Visit Monkey Island

The best time to visit Monkey Island is during the shoulder season or high season, when the weather is good.

moneky and baby at monkey island in cat ba is pictured close up

I visited in July, and it was not overly crowded, I felt. Sure, many boats went out, but I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere.

High season (June to August) can be busy, but when the weather turns in this part of Vietnam, it can be very dangerous.

But let’s get real for a second. The day I arrived to do a Ha Long Bay tour, my guide told me they had pulled the last body from the water the previous day after one of the biggest tragedies in the area for years.

If there is any bad weather forecast, I would not go out on a boat. No chance.

Read My Guide About Cai Beo Fishing Village To Plan Your Trip

monkey island has golden soft sand and green trees

The point being that high season can have some adverse weather.

Lan Ha is only a few kilometres from Ha Long Bay, so the weather is usually similar, and the risks are too.

If you want to go somewhere else if the weather is bad, you can book this tour, which is two days will take you to another island if Monkey Island is closed.

Finally, ask locals if it’s safe to go to the island if the weather is bad. Your driver will likely make the choice for you, but you can choose not to if you feel unsafe.

Reputable providers with great reviews mean you’ll be sure to have a great time.

Read My 7 Day Vietnam Itinerary

Best Way To Visit Monkey Island

The best way to visit Monkey Island is on a guided tour.

the food on the guided tour to monkey island is pictured

I recommend this one because the tour guide was great, we got loads of nice food, and the activities were all epic, including Monkey Island.

You can also rent a private boat to take you across and wait for you, or return later, as the pier is only 2.5 kilometres from the island. When I visited and wandered near the pier, I often came across local Vietnamese women who invited me to take a boat out to the island.

If I could go back and choose again, I would take a private boat across, spend more time on the beach, and definitely do the viewpoint trek.

If you go there, you can get a private boat from that pier.

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What To Pack?

You’ll need all the essentials for a day out in the sun.

I recommend bringing plenty of water, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, swimming trunks or a bikini, a towel, and comfy walking shoes for the hike and or water shoes.

In Vietnam, you’ll regret not bringing a GoPro. I got this one and love it while travelling through Indonesia, Thailand, and Central Asia.

You’ll make many great memories underwater, and in Cat Ba, the water is crystal clear in certain areas.

You can check my full Southeast Asia packing list for more essentials, too.

Don’t go abroad without comprehensive travel insurance. I have used and trust Safety Wing.

Conclusion

Cat Ba’s Monkey Island is a small yet beautiful place to explore when you’re in the north of Vietnam. There’s loads to see on the island, like the Hospital Cave, Cat Ba National Park and Cai Beo Floating Village, but Monkey Island was special.

While I would certainly go back, I’d take a private boat across next time and spend the day there. The tour was amazing, including swimming on tiny beaches among the cliffs and visiting Cai Beo fishing village, but we needed more time on the beach, as an hour or so wasn’t enough.

You can book your private boat to Monkey Island in advance to avoid disappointment.

If you enjoyed this post, check out my Southeast Asia packing list.

Any questions? Just drop me a message.

Thanks for reading,

James

FAQs

Are There Monkeys On Cat Ba?

Yes, there are monkeys on Monkey Island in Cat Ba. When I visited, there were dozens, and they will go through your bags looking for food or anything that interests them. It is best to keep your distance and not get too close in case of bites. Cat Ba’s Monkey Island is worth a visit for its natural beauty.

Is Monkey Island Worth It?

Yes, visiting Monkey Island was one of my favourite things to do on Cat Ba. The monkeys are interesting, but the beach and viewpoint are what make it special. The beach is long, the island is not very big, and you can swim and kayak in the beautiful water.

What Is Monkey Island Known For?

Monkey Island is known for having loads of monkeys, golden sand beaches, and a viewpoint hike with incredible views of Lan Ha Bay. Be careful because the monkeys get hungry and will steal from your bags when you are not looking, so keep an eye on your belongings at all times and do not get too close for safety reasons.