2-Day Kayaking Cat Ba & Lan Ha Bay: Bioluminescent Night Paddle

Kayak limestone caves, swim at remote beaches, cook Vietnamese food, and paddle glowing plankton under stars.

A 2-day kayaking trip from Cat Ba Town through Lan Ha Bay and Viet Hai Village combines paddling through limestone formations and sea caves with a night kayak in bioluminescent waters, a hands-on cooking class, and an overnight stay in a jungle homestay. Day one runs from midday boat cruise through evening plankton kayaking. Day two covers village cycling and swimming at Monkey Island before return to town.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Cat Ba Town and Lan Ha Bay Boat Tour

• Pick up guests at Cat Ba Town hotel
• Arrive at Ben Beo Pier and board boat
• Cruise through Lan Ha Bay limestone formations
• Enjoy Vietnamese lunch onboard
• Kayak in Lan Ha Bay lagoon and caves
• Swim and jump at Ba Trai Dao Beach
• Visit floating fish farm and cooking class
• Dinner on the boat
• Bioluminescent night kayaking experience
• Arrive at Viet Hai Village for overnight

Day 2: Viet Hai Village and Monkey Island

• Breakfast at restaurant
• Bicycle tour around Viet Hai Village
• Check out and sail to Monkey Island
• Relax, swim, and trek on Monkey Island
• Lunch onboard returning to harbor
• Arrive at Cai Beo Harbor and board bus
• Bus transfer back to Cat Ba Town hotel

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cat Ba Town.
• a full day of boat cruising through Lan Ha Bay with lunch onboard.
• kayaking through limestone caves and lagoons.
• a visit to a floating fish farm.
• a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class.
• dinner on the boat.
• bioluminescent night kayaking.
• an overnight stay in a private jungle bungalow in Viet Hai Village.
• breakfast and lunch on day two.
• cycling around the village.
• swimming and trekking at Monkey Island.
• entrance tickets to the protected areas.
• and an experienced English-speaking guide throughout.

Times

• Every day 11:00

Another time? ›

Before you book

Group Up to 25

Live guide English Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included.

Book up to 6h before

Ages Adult (9 and older) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Not recommended with heart problems

Operated by Authenitc Travel DA NANG

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

The experience

The trip starts with hotel pickup in Cat Ba Town and a boat ride to Ben Beo Pier, where you board for a full-day cruise through Lan Ha Bay. The route passes Cai Beo Fishing Village (one of northern Vietnam's oldest floating settlements), and winds through thousands of uniquely shaped karst towers rising from emerald water. Lunch is cooked onboard by the local crew, with vegetarian options available. At 14:30 you get into a kayak and paddle through the Dark and Bright Caves, natural tunnels, and archways in a protected lagoon area. The paddle takes you through sections most day-trippers miss.

Late afternoon brings a stop at Ba Trai Dao Beach, a remote and quiet stretch where you can swim and jump from the boat. At 17:30 you visit a local floating fish farm to see how fishermen work on the water, then join a hands-on cooking class onboard where you learn to prepare traditional Vietnamese dishes. Dinner is served on the boat. At 19:30, as the sun sets, you kayak into areas where bioluminescent plankton glow with natural light. You can swim under the stars and watch your silhouette sparkle in the dark water. The boat then carries you to Viet Hai Village, nestled 10 kilometers from Cat Ba Town in jungle surrounded by forest and mountains, where you stay overnight in a private room jungle bungalow.

Day two starts with breakfast at 06:30, followed by a bicycle ride around Viet Hai Village at 07:30 to take in mountain air and scenic views. The route includes a chance to try a fish massage in a natural stream. After checkout, you sail toward Monkey Island, arriving at 09:30 to swim on a sandy beach, interact with monkeys, or trek to the island's viewpoint for a panoramic view of Lan Ha Bay. Lunch is served onboard as you cruise back to Cai Beo Harbor, where a bus returns you to Cat Ba Town by midday.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 8 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What is bioluminescent plankton kayaking like on this trip?

Bioluminescent night kayaking happens at 19:30 after sunset in designated areas of Lan Ha Bay where natural plankton glow creates a sparkling effect in the water. You paddle through the glowing water and can swim under the stars, watching your silhouette light up in the dark.

Do I need kayaking experience to paddle the caves and lagoons?

No experience is required. The kayaking sections (through Dark and Bright Caves and the lagoon area) are suitable for all physical fitness levels. An English-speaking guide leads the paddling and is with you throughout.

What meals are included over the two days?

All meals are included: one breakfast on day two, two lunches (one onboard during the first boat cruise, one on the return cruise), and one dinner served on the boat after the cooking class. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options can be accommodated if you note them at booking.

Where do I sleep, and what is the accommodation like?

You stay overnight in a private room jungle bungalow in Viet Hai Village, with rooms sleeping 2–4 people. The village sits in the heart of the jungle surrounded by forest and mountains, about 10 kilometers from Cat Ba Town.

What activities happen on day two after breakfast?

Day two includes cycling around Viet Hai Village at 07:30 to see mountain scenery and try a fish massage in a natural stream, then a boat sail to Monkey Island at 09:30 where you can swim, interact with monkeys, or trek to the island viewpoint overlooking Lan Ha Bay. Lunch is served onboard during the return cruise to Cat Ba Town.