Cat Co 1, 2 and 3 Beaches, Cat Ba Island

Cat Co 1, Cat Co 2 and Cat Co 3 are three small sheltered coves on the southeast corner of Cat Ba Island, in Cat Hai District, Hai Phong, within the Ha Long archipelago of northern Vietnam. Karst hills rise behind the sand, and a cliff-side walkway links the three beaches, so visitors can move between them on foot in a few minutes each. Of the beaches within reach of Hanoi, these coves have the clearest and most appealing swimming water, which is why many Hanoi residents choose Cat Ba over the mainland resorts of Do Son or Sam Son.

Each cove is small and enclosed rather than long and open. The sand is fine to medium and the shape of the coves gives protection from wind and surf, leaving calm, shallow water for most of the swimming season. Cat Co 1 is the largest and busiest, backed by hotels and beach bars, and is the most convenient for visitors staying in Cat Ba Town. Cat Co 2 is smaller and quieter, while Cat Co 3 has the resort feel, with kayak and paddleboard hire available. Sun loungers and umbrellas can be rented, showers and changing facilities are available, and beach bars and resort restaurants serve drinks and seafood. Lifeguard hours vary by season, so swimmers should check locally before entering the water.

The atmosphere is relaxed and mixed, combining Vietnamese families, backpackers and couples. It is livelier at weekends and during the July and August school holidays, when the main cove can be crowded, and calmer on weekdays and in the shoulder months. April to October is the best period, with May and September avoiding both the crowds and the strongest storms.

Access is easy once on the island. The beaches are about a 10-minute walk or a short taxi ride from Cat Ba Town centre. From Hanoi, through-ticketed limousine bus and ferry services from the Old Quarter take about 3-3.5 hours and cost roughly 280,000-350,000 VND (10.77-13.46 USD) each way. Visitors on a day trip from Hanoi should check the last ferry departure times so they do not miss the return connection. The walkway between coves has steps and uneven sections, and the small coves have limited space at peak times, so arriving in the morning improves the chance of a good spot on the sand.