Monkey Island is one of the 400 islands in the Cat Ba Archipelago favored by nature. This place boasts crystal-clear water, beautiful coral reefs, and fine sandy beaches. Monkey Island hides primitive and majestic beauty, yet it is also incredibly romantic with a variety of exciting experiential activities.

Let’s delve into Monkey Island with Onevivu to learn more about this famous tourist destination that attracts millions of travelers each year!

Where is Monkey Island???

Monkey Island is located to the south of Lan Ha Bay, about 2km from Cat Ba town. If coming from Hai Phong, it’s approximately 60km away, taking about 1 hour by car.

Monkey Island has relatively modest facilities, covering only about 0.2km2. The island is named after the numerous monkeys inhabiting it. Additionally, the island is known for its abundant wild pineapple, earning it the nickname Pineapple Island. It was later named Monkey Island after a group of 20 monkeys was reintroduced to Pineapple Island to return to their natural habitat.

The ideal time to visit Monkey Island is from mid-January to October. The weather during this period is cool and refreshing, making it ideal for participating in various experiential activities on the island.

The peak tourist months for Monkey Island are from June to August. If visiting during this time, it’s advisable to research Monkey Island tours, hotels, and scuba diving services in advance to avoid waiting times or concerns about sold-out tickets.

How to visit Monkey Island?

To reach Monkey Island, travelers can take a bus to the city of Hai Phong. From there, it takes about 1 hour by bus or car to reach Cat Ba town.

If traveling by road via the ferry twice, the cost is less than 20,000 VND. The ferry fees are 11,000 VND/person and 6,000 VND/person, respectively. The travel time on these two ferry trips will be approximately 2 hours.
Alternatively, from Hai Phong city, visitors can take a hydrofoil directly to Cat Ba. The travel time on the hydrofoil is about 45 minutes, and the ticket price is 220,000 VND/person. This mode of transportation allows you to enjoy the majestic sea scenery and have more interesting experiences on the boat.

Ticket prices for visiting Monkey Island and various routes:

The entrance fee to Monkey Island is 80,000 VND/person.

Experiences on Monkey Island:

Monkey Island has captivated millions of tourists with its pristine and romantic natural beauty, offering many exciting experiences. When visiting Monkey Island, tourists should definitely engage in the following activities:

Visit and play with the monkey herd:

Cat Dua Island has transformed into Monkey Island since 20 monkeys were reintroduced to nature and chose this island as their habitat. Over time, the monkey population has grown, adapting to human presence and becoming accustomed to daily visits from tourists.

These monkeys can seamlessly blend into the crowd, play and interact with basic communication skills similar to humans. Visitors can feed them, take photos with them, and enjoy playful interactions. The monkeys on the island are highly intelligent and friendly, providing tourists with a safe and enjoyable experience.

Beach Bathing at Cat Dua 1 and Cat Dua 2

Cat Dua 1 Beach: Cat Dua 1 is the ideal beach bathing spot on Monkey Island. The water is clear, and the beach services are professional. Tourists can rent floats and swimwear or kayaks. Additionally, beachgoers are served drinks at the leafy huts. This place is a true haven for enjoying authentic island life with its beautiful stretch of sand, an experience you shouldn’t miss when visiting Cat Dua Island.

Cat Dua 2 Beach: Cat Dua 2 is tucked behind a tiger-shaped mountain peak and is surrounded by various types of trees such as white apples and wild pineapples. The lush green space is filled with hundreds of birds singing melodiously. This idyllic scene will help you develop a love for nature, shed worries, and rejuvenate your life energy.

Admiring Lan Ha Bay from the summit of Cat Ear Rock

From the summit of Cat Ear Rock on Monkey Island, visitors can fully appreciate the panoramic beauty of Lan Ha Bay. The rock formations, artistically arranged by Mother Nature, come in various sizes and shapes, creating a mesmerizing landscape with protruding and unique structures. The sea surface reflects a captivating shade of turquoise, truly enchanting to the soul.

Renting a Boat for Island Exploration

Tourists can rent small boats or larger vessels to explore Monkey Island and enjoy the natural scenery. Particularly, larger boats can take you from Monkey Island to Lan Ha Bay for kayaking, providing a clearer view of the Lan Ha Bay seascape.

Scuba Diving to Explore Coral Reefs

Cat Dua 2 Beach is renowned for its incredibly beautiful coral reefs. The scuba diving ticket prices here are also more affordable compared to other places. Visitors will be equipped with all necessary safety gear for diving and have the opportunity to observe hundreds of fascinating underwater creatures. The water at Cat Dua 2 is crystal clear, allowing you to see everything present and moving beneath the surface.

Indulging in Seafood on Monkey Island Cat Ba

After participating in various experiential activities on Monkey Island, you surely won’t want to miss the opportunity to savor seafood on Cat Ba’s Monkey Island, right? Here, you can find a wide array of delicious dishes, rich in the flavors of the island’s maritime region, offering tastes more exquisite than elsewhere, even when using the same type of seafood. Some noteworthy seafood options include Cu Ky (a local shellfish), steamed fat garlic oysters, sea cucumbers, Cat Ba squid, and other common Cat Ba specialties such as crab noodle soup, coconut sticky rice cakes, and Cat Ba shrimp vermicelli.

Feel free to contact Onevivu right away for more detailed advice on the sightseeing tours in Cat Ba! Wishing all travelers an enjoyable Monkey Island exploration with many exciting experiences!