Combine your bay exploration with adventure on land by visiting Cat Ba Island, the largest island bordering Lan Ha Bay. Much of the island is covered by Cat Ba National Park, a rugged, jungle-clad reserve offering fantastic hiking Cat Ba opportunities. Trekking trails lead through diverse ecosystems to viewpoints like Ngu Lam Peak, offering stunning vistas over the island and surrounding waters.

Besides hiking, Cat Ba Island activities include visiting Hospital Cave (a secret, bomb-proof hospital used during the American War), relaxing on beaches like Cat Co Cove, or exploring the island by motorbike. Many Lan Ha Bay cruises start from Cat Ba, or you can take a ferry and stay on the island itself, making it a great base for exploring both the bay and the Cat Ba National Park.