Monkey Island

Monkey Island is one of the lesser-known islands of the Cat Ba archipelago in Lan Ha Bay, very close to the famous Ha Long Bay. There are nearly two dozen monkeys on the island, from which it gets its name. There is a short trek that takes you to the island's peak with stunning views. Monkey Island is best accessed by taking Ha Long Bay cruise trips that stop here.

The monkeys can be quite notorious and steal your food and other belongings. But if they act friendly, you can feed or even post with them. The island has two cove beaches with warm yellow sand. The first beach is longer and ideal for swimming and sunbathing. The water here is clear blue. There are shacks on the beach selling soft drinks, ice cream, and snacks. Some of them also rent out swimming costumes, floaties, and kayaks. The second beach is on the other side of the green tiger-shaped cliff. It has a big orchard with various fruit trees, such as apples, maple, and pineapples. Do not try to pluck and eat the fruits as they are mostly local-owned private properties. If you are into trekking and climbing, the uphill trail from the beach to the top of the cliff is an exciting thing to do here. The view of Lan Ha Bay from the top is spectacular. You should wait till afternoon and watch the sun set behind the rocky isles of the bay.