Information
Landmark: Monkey IslandCity: Ha Long
Country: Vietnam
Continent: Asia
Monkey Island, Ha Long, Vietnam, Asia
Overview
Monkey Island, or Cat Dua Island, is a small, scenic spot just off Cat Ba Island in Lan Ha Bay, where the water glints green under the northern Vietnam sun in Quang Ninh Province.The island draws crowds with its lush hillsides and the chatter of hundreds of wild monkeys, making it a favorite spot for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts alike.Visitors can watch monkeys swinging through the trees, take in sweeping mountain views, and soak up the easy, unhurried pace of the place.Monkey Island is a small place with a shape you can spot from far off, framed by steep cliffs and draped in thick, green foliage.Clear blue water laps against the island’s rocky edges, while a few soft, sandy beaches invite you to stretch out in the sun or slip into the gentle surf.The island blends lush tropical forests with jagged rocky outcrops, perfect for hiking and exploring shaded trails or scrambling over sun-warmed stone.Thick green foliage blankets the island, sheltering an array of life-from bright-feathered birds to sunbasking lizards and the faint hum of insects in the air.What pulls most visitors to Monkey Island is its lively troop of wild monkeys-especially the black‑shanked douc langurs, rare and endangered creatures found only in Vietnam and a few nearby countries, their soft rust‑red faces peering from the trees.The island shelters a lively troop of monkeys, often spotted leaping between branches, scrambling up rough bark, and chattering to one another.Monkeys usually keep their distance from people, yet they’ve grown used to tourists and will linger on a branch, watching from a safe stretch of shade.The monkeys may steal the show, but visitors need to be careful-one quick grab can snatch a snack right from your hand.Monkeys are wild creatures, and if they feel cornered-or catch sight of food-they can lash out fast, teeth bared.mediumTop Things to See and Do, starting with number one.Monkey Watching On Monkey Island, the biggest draw is watching wild monkeys swing through the trees and chatter in their own jungle home.You can stroll along the island’s winding paths and pause to watch the monkeys grooming each other in the shade.You’ll often spot monkeys leaping between branches, rummaging through leaves for fruit, and chasing each other in bursts of chatter-moments that beg to be photographed and watched.Number two sat in blue ink at the top of the page, neat but a little smudged at the edge.Monkey Island offers a handful of quiet little beaches, like Cat Dua Beach, where you can stretch out on warm sand, take a swim, or soak up the sun.Lush jungle spills down to the sand, with limestone cliffs rising high above, wrapping the beach in a calm, picture-perfect hush.With its crystal-clear water and quiet, sun-warmed air, it’s the perfect place to swim or simply stretch out and take in the island’s beauty.What makes the island’s beaches stand out is how quiet they feel-you might hear nothing but the soft rush of waves, a sharp contrast to the bustle of crowded spots like Cat Ba Town.Three.On Monkey Island, you can hike along winding trails that cut through lush tropical forest and skirt sun-warmed rocky outcrops, offering plenty of ways to explore.The hiking trails are easy enough to enjoy without breaking a sweat, and they reward you with sweeping views of Lan Ha Bay and the nearby islands shimmering in the sunlight.From the island’s summit, you can see the sweep of glittering blue water, scattered islets, and jagged limestone karsts rising like stone sails.Hiking the trails, visitors might spot flashes of bright feathers or a quick lizard darting over sun-warmed rocks, all while soaking in the island’s quiet, untouched beauty.Number four sits alone, small as a pebble on a blank page.At Monkey Island, visitors can dive into water adventures like kayaking, gliding across the bay’s glassy surface toward the cluster of nearby islands.You can choose from several kayaking options, renting a boat right on the island or joining a nearby tour that skims past bright, salt-sprayed cliffs.In a kayak, you can slip into hidden coves and glide past jagged limestone cliffs around Monkey Island, then paddle on to nearby islands and quiet stretches of beach.Five.On Monkey Island, you’ll find a few small caves to wander through, their cool, damp air brushing your skin as you step inside.They may not draw the crowds that Cat Ba Island’s caves do, but these still surprise you with jagged stone arches and a hush so deep the air feels cool against your skin.Some caves make for unforgettable shots, like sunlight spilling through a crack onto the damp stone.To get to Monkey Island, most people hop on a boat from Cat Ba Town or the quiet docks of Cai Beo Village, feeling the sea breeze on their face as the shoreline drifts away.The boat ride doesn’t take long, but it glides through Lan Ha Bay, where emerald water laps against scattered islands and towering limestone karsts.Depending on where you set out, the boat ride usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes, enough time to feel the wind sting your cheeks.Once you step onto the island, it’s an easy walk anywhere-small enough to cross in minutes, with clear signs pointing down shaded, winding trails.You can also stay on the island in a bungalow or guesthouse, where the night air smells of salt and the waves lull you to sleep.The best time to visit Monkey Island is in the dry season, October through April, when cool breezes replace the usual heat and rain is rare.It’s the ideal time to get outside-lace up for a hike, feel the sand between your toes, or paddle across the water.From May to September, the heat and sticky humidity rise, and rain’s more likely-enough to turn a sunny picnic into a dash for cover.In conclusion, Monkey Island is a tucked‑away treasure in Lan Ha Bay, where you can wander quiet beaches, hike shaded forest trails, and spot bright flashes of kingfisher wings in the trees.The island’s biggest draw is its wild monkeys, giving you the rare chance to watch them leap through the trees and chatter in their own world.Looking for a quiet stretch of sand, a trek through tangled jungle, or a face-to-face moment with curious monkeys?Monkey Island has it all.
