Ba Trai Dao, Lan Ha Bay: How to Get There from Cat Ba and When to Go

Among the countless limestone islands of Lan Ha Bay, Ba Trai Dao is the name that makes many travelers curious: three small, rounded islets shaped like peaches, each with a curve of white sand and clear water at its foot. It's a regular stop on Lan Ha Bay cruises from Cat Ba Island (often written Catba). Here's where Ba Trai Dao is, how to get there, when to go and what to know before you swim.

Updated October 2026.

See also: Lan Ha Bay Guide 2026: How to Visit, Fees, Cruises and Best Time

1. Where is Ba Trai Dao?

Ba Trai Dao is a cluster of three small limestone islets where Lan Ha Bay meets Ha Long Bay, off Cat Ba Island.

It's a regular stop on many Lan Ha Bay tours from Ben Beo Pier, a short way from the center of Cat Ba Town. Because it sits out in the bay, you can only reach Ba Trai Dao by boat, or by kayak when kayaking is allowed. Kayaking on the Cat Ba bays has been suspended by the local authority since November 15, 2024.

2. How did Ba Trai Dao get its name?

Ba Trai Dao means "three peaches" in Vietnamese. The name comes from the shape of the three islets: each is about 23 meters high, round and covered in green, and from a distance they look like three peaches floating on the sea.

Locals also tell a love story about them. The youngest fairy fell in love with a poor fisherman and dared to steal three heavenly peaches from the Jade Emperor so the two could live together forever. The furious emperor turned the peaches into three stone islands and parted the lovers for good.

3. What makes Ba Trai Dao special?

What stays with people is the three small, crescent-shaped beaches tucked at the foot of the islets. The sand is fine and white, the water is clear enough to see the bottom, and near the shore the sea is calm and fairly shallow, perfect for a relaxed dip after time on the boat.

The three green limestone islets reflected in jade-colored water also make an ideal backdrop for photos. The area is still fairly untouched, with few stalls or vendors, so you get a rare sense of calm in the middle of the bay.

4. How do you get to Ba Trai Dao?

No passenger boat runs straight to Ba Trai Dao on a fixed schedule. There are three ways to get there, depending on your budget and how much freedom you want.

4.1. Join a Lan Ha Bay tour from Ben Beo Pier

This is the most popular option and usually the most budget-friendly. Many Lan Ha Bay tours from Ben Beo Pier include a swimming stop at Ba Trai Dao, along with a visit to Cai Beo fishing village and lunch on board. Kayaking used to be part of the package too, but it has been suspended on the Cat Ba bays by the local authority since November 15, 2024 (extended on November 27, 2025), and some boats offer bamboo rowing boat rides instead.

When you book, ask whether the route actually stops at Ba Trai Dao and whether the price includes the bay entrance fee and life jackets. Since January 1, 2026, the Lan Ha Bay route fee has been VND 120,000 per adult and VND 60,000 per child aged 6 and over, with children under 6 free.

The real itinerary also depends on the weather and the tide on the day. Some boat operators say that from about May to mid-August, tours skip Ba Trai Dao and stop at another beach instead, so check carefully before you book.

4.2. Charter a private boat

Families or groups of friends who want to set their own pace can charter a private boat from Ben Beo Pier. You choose when to leave, stay longer on the beach and add other stops such as Monkey Island or Dark and Bright Cave.

Prices vary with the type of boat, the number of hours and the season, so agree on the route and the cost before you board.

4.3. Kayaking through Dark and Bright Cave (suspended)

For active travelers, kayaking used to be the most fun way to reach Ba Trai Dao. A popular route paddles through Dark and Bright Cave (Sang Toi), a passage about 70 meters long through the rock, and ends at Ba Trai Dao for a rest and a swim.

Kayaking on the Cat Ba bays has been suspended by the local authority since November 15, 2024, and the suspension was extended on November 27, 2025. Some boats now use bamboo rowing boats instead, so ask your operator what's possible on your date. If kayaking resumes, beginners should join a guided tour, always wear a life jacket and choose a double kayak for better balance.

5. When is the best time to visit Ba Trai Dao?

The best time to visit Ba Trai Dao is summer, roughly May to September, when the sun is out and the sea is warm and clear, ideal for swimming. Kayaking, which used to be part of the summer picture, remains suspended for now. Keep in mind, too, that some operators skip the stop from about May to mid-August.

July to October is the rainy and storm season, and boat trips can be called off in bad weather, so watch the forecast and keep your plans a little flexible. From November to March, the water is fairly cold, better for sightseeing than swimming.

6. Things to do at Ba Trai Dao

Even a stop of a few hours leaves plenty to enjoy:

• Swimming: The water is shallow, calm and clear, which suits families with young children as long as an adult stays close.
• Kayaking (when allowed): Paddling around the three islets and into quiet corners that big boats can't reach. It has been suspended on the Cat Ba bays since November 2024, so check before you go.
• Photos: The three rounded islets behind the white sand make the shot everyone wants, best in the soft light of the morning or late afternoon.
• A beach picnic: Spread out a towel, open a box of snacks and take in the bay at your own pace.

7. Tips for visiting Ba Trai Dao

A few tips for a safe, easy visit:

• Tides: At high tide the beaches shrink a lot, so ask what time you'll arrive to get the most time on the sand.
• Water and snacks: There are almost no services on the islets, so bring your own.
• Sun protection: There's little shade, so pack a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and a cover-up.
• Life jackets: Wear one on small boats, and on a kayak if kayaking resumes, even if you're a strong swimmer. Kayaking is suspended for now.
• Trash: Take everything back to the boat and leave Ba Trai Dao as clean as you found it.
• Weather: Don't head out on the bay in a tropical depression, a storm or rough seas.

8. Ba Trai Dao FAQs

Ba Trai Dao is a corner of Lan Ha Bay worth seeing at least once, a place to float in clear water and look up at three little islets reflected in the bay. Check the route and the season before you book, and your day on the water should go smoothly.

After a day out on the bay, come back to Flamingo Cat Ba Sea & Sand Resort, with its two private beaches, Cat Co 1 and Cat Co 2, right at the foot of the resort. Unwind in the Shell Pool infinity pool, soak in the warm mineral-water baths of Ruriko Onsen, then end the day with a cold drink and the sunset at Lan Ha Sky Bar on the 17th floor.

Plan your stay at Flamingo Cat Ba Sea & Sand Resort:

• Rooms and residences with Lan Ha Bay views
• Restaurants and sky bars
• Ruriko Onsen and SEVA Spa
• Free extras when you book direct

Photo: Christophe95, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0