1 Co To Island - Exploring the pristine beauty of nature
Located in the eastern part of Quang Ninh province in the Gulf of Tonkin, Co To island district boasts beautiful beaches and pristine nature that attract thousands of visitors to explore. The Co To archipelago consists of 50 large and small islands, and among them, Large Co To and Small Co To islands are the ones that embody the most poetic and magnificent natural beauty.
Depending on the time of the year, Co To carries a very distinct, captivating charm. According to the experience of seasoned backpackers, you should take a boat to Co To Island during the summer, around April to June. At this time, the sea in Co To is calm, sunny, with gentle breezes and clear blue skies, which is very suitable for sightseeing, swimming, and participating in recreational beach activities. In particular, you can also combine your trip with visits to Ha Long Bay and other famous attractions in Ha Long. Alternatively, you can also travel here in the last months of the year. This is the period when Co To Island becomes more "tender and serene", offering a peaceful atmosphere that is perfect for your vacation.
See also: Experience taking young children on a Ha Long cruise for nursing mothers
Pristine, charming Co To Island and its fresh atmosphere
2 Types of boats to Co To from Cai Rang port
Currently, from Cai Rang port, there are 2 ways to travel to Co To by boat: wooden boats and speedboats. Let MIA.vn help you pocket more tips on choosing the right type of boat!
2.1 Traveling to Co To from Cai Rang port by wooden boat
Wooden boat departure times:
- 7:00 on days from Monday to Friday
- 13:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
Ticket price: only 95,000 VND / person.
Wooden boats are a popular means of transportation to Co To Island. You will spend 4 hours drifting on the cool blue sea, taking in the vast natural scenery here, and capturing plenty of picturesque photos. To buy wooden boat tickets, you can go to the pier at Cai Rang port or contact the boat owner in advance to book seats.
If you get motion sick easily or do not have much time for your Co To travel schedule, you should not choose wooden boats because the travel time is quite long.
Experience of taking a wooden boat to Co To Island
2.2 Traveling by speedboat
Besides wooden boats, speedboats are favored by many tourists because the travel time is very short, only about 1 hour and 30 minutes. You will no longer have to worry about motion sickness because modern speedboats run very smoothly and at high speeds. To arrange a 2-day 1-night itinerary to Co To Island, you should refer to the departure schedules and speedboat ticket prices of the operators below:
Speedboat ticket price list to Co To for your reference
3 Tips for having a blast when traveling to Co To from Cai Rang Port
3.1 Explore the mesmerizingly beautiful beaches when visiting Co To from Cai Rang Port
Boasting numerous beautiful and crystal-clear beaches, Co To Island is a top choice for travelers seeking a vacation. You can visit Hong Van Beach and Van Chay Beach to capture the pristine beauty amidst the vast blue sky and cool, crystal-clear sea.
You will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the crystal-clear water or simply stroll along the fine white sand, breathing in the fresh air. Amidst such breathtaking scenery, you will enjoy the most relaxing and comfortable moments. Just thinking about it is enough to make you want to pack your bags and head to Co To right away, isn't it!
In addition, Co To beach is also an ideal place for you to organize team-building activities or beach recreational games such as surfing, beach volleyball,...
It seems all the fatigue of busy everyday life melts away amidst the sea and sky of Co To. Photo: @meow_nyannyan
3.2 Cau My Rock Beach
Another spot that photography lovers cannot miss is Cau My Rock Beach. The colorful rocks stacked upon one another into unique shapes are a masterpiece bestowed upon Co To by nature.
It is no exaggeration to say that this is the best spot for watching the sunrise and sunset on Co To. From the moment the sun peeks out until it gradually fades behind the horizon, it offers a mesmerizing beauty. Be sure to capture this moment for some super "deep" check-in photos.
Just hold up your phone and you instantly have a fabulous photo. Photo: @huancongchua
3.3 Check-in at Co To Love Road
It would be a major oversight if you traveled to Co To with your sweetheart without stopping by the romantic Love Road. This place offers tandem bicycle rental services at student-friendly prices. You can rent a bike to ride around the roughly 2 km road or simply hold hands and stroll together—that is happiness enough.
The Love Road paved with vibrant red bricks runs parallel to the coast
4 Tips for choosing homestays when traveling to Co To from Cai Rang Port
Homestays on Co To Island truly know how to win travelers' hearts with their indoor amenities and super chill ocean views. In particular, the homestay designs are inspired by train cars, duck-shaped tents or beehives, containers… and are decorated with eco-friendly materials such as wood, stone, thatched roofs, and bamboo. Furthermore, you will experience top-notch amenities and enjoy the most comfortable resting space after a long day of exploring Co To Island.
MIA.vn suggests some lovely homestays for you to choose from below:
- Coto Village, from 600,000 VND / night – Hong Van Beach, Dong Tien
- Co To Thuy Thinh, from 600,000 VND / night – Hong Van Beach, Dong Tien
- The Bkira Co To Homestay, from 200,000 VND / night – No. 66, Vu Van Hieu Street, Dong Tien
Immerse yourself in the cool sea breeze amidst the peaceful atmosphere of homestays on Co To Island
5 Enjoy fresh seafood when visiting Co To
Co To Sea is blessed with abundant and diverse seafood such as swimming crabs, mantis shrimp, squid, shrimp, oysters, geoducks, peanut worms,... This is a wonderful opportunity for you to enjoy fresh seafood at budget-friendly prices. In addition, you can also host your own barbecue party after visiting the market to buy freshly caught, inexpensive seafood.
Feast to your heart's content on fresh seafood in Co To
6 Some notes when traveling to Co To from Cai Rang port
To make your boat trip to Co To as complete and meaningful as possible, make sure to save the tips that MIA.vn is about to list below.
- When sitting on a wooden boat or speedboat, wear a life jacket and comply with onboard regulations to ensure the safety of yourself and those around you.
- Line up when boarding the boat and sit in the exact seat number printed on your boat ticket.
- Sit properly, avoid excessive roughhousing, and do not sit on the boat railing while heading out to sea.
- Prepare motion sickness medication in advance and take it about 30 minutes before boarding for it to take full effect.
- Sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats, and comfortable clothes are definitely indispensable items for your trip exploring Co To.
- Remember to bring a power bank so you can freely take check-in photos all day long.
Up to this point, MIA.vn hopes you have gained useful experience when traveling by boat to Co To from Cai Rang port. Quickly pocket more Co To travel tips and head out to explore every corner of Co To Island with your close friends!
