2-Day Kayaking in Lan Ha Bay with Night Paddle

Night kayaking on the bay is the one thing other operators don't offer.

A 2-day kayaking trip in Lan Ha Bay departing from Cat Ba includes a night paddle, swimming at Ba Trai Dao, a bike ride through Viet Hai Village, and overnight accommodation on the boat with all meals. The guide speaks English, Vietnamese or Japanese. Pickup from your hotel or the office is included. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated when you book.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Lan Ha Bay cruise and kayaking

• Pick-up at Cat Ba hotel or office
• Board cruise and view floating village
• Kayak and swim at Lan Ha Bay
• Enjoy Vietnamese lunch on boat
• Cycle through Viet Hai Village countryside
• Experience traditional fish foot massage
• Check in to overnight cruise cabin
• Dinner on board with bay views
• Night fishing or night kayaking

Day 2: Ha Long Bay exploration and return

• Light breakfast on board
• Visit small island in Ha Long Bay
• Swim and kayak in Lan Ha Bay
• Lunch and relax on boat
• Return cruise to Cai Beo
• Transfer back to Cat Ba town

The experience

The boat picks you up in Cat Ba town at 8am and heads into Lan Ha Bay, a quieter section of Ha Long Bay where limestone karsts rise from the water and floating fishing villages sit anchored in the shallows. By mid-morning you're in the kayak, paddling through the center of the bay for two hours. You swim and snorkel at Ba Trai Dao, the Three Peach area, where the water stays clear enough to see the bottom, then return to the boat for a lunch of fresh seafood caught by local fishermen that morning.

The afternoon splits between two things. You cycle through the countryside of Viet Hai Village, passing rice fields and mountains, and stop for a traditional fish foot massage: a local experience most visitors skip. Then you transfer to the overnight cruise and settle into your private cabin. Dinner happens on board while the bay darkens around you. The night kayaking follows: a short paddle of about twenty minutes, just long enough to feel the bay shift when the sun goes down. You can also try night fishing if you prefer to stay on deck.

Day two starts with light breakfast and coffee at 7:30am. The cruise explores more of Ha Long Bay's wilderness, a UNESCO Natural Heritage site, with time to swim and kayak again in the morning. By noon you're back on board for a traditional meal, and by 3pm the boat reaches Cai Beo. A vehicle takes you back to Cat Ba town center, ending the trip by early afternoon. The guide stays with the group throughout, and WiFi is available on board if you need it.

What’s included

• Guide in English, Vietnamese or Japanese.
• hotel pickup in Cat Ba or office pickup.
• all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
• overnight cabin on the boat.
• kayaking in Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay.
• swimming and snorkeling at Ba Trai Dao.
• night kayaking experience.
• bike ride through Viet Hai Village with a traditional fish foot massage.
• WiFi on board.
• air-conditioned vehicle for transfers.
• restroom facilities.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English or Vietnamese08:00

Guide in English or Vietnamese08:00

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 90 years) · Youth (5 to 9 years) · Child (3 to 4 years): free · Infant (1 to 2 years): free

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Cat Ba Gem Cruise

Is this one for you?The night kayaking sets this trip apart from single-day options, and the 2-day format gives you time to explore both Lan Ha and Ha Long bays without rushing between stops. Book this if you want to paddle at dawn and dusk rather than just during daylight hours.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Vietnamese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (5 to 9 years); Child (3 to 4 years): free; Infant (1 to 2 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's included in the 2-day kayaking trip from Cat Ba?

The package includes guide services, all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), overnight accommodation in a private cabin on the boat, kayaking equipment, hotel pickup in Cat Ba town, an air-conditioned vehicle for transfers, and access to restroom facilities on board.

Can I kayak at night on this trip?

Night kayaking is included on the first evening: a short paddle of approximately twenty minutes after dinner. You can also try night fishing from the boat if you prefer, and both activities are part of the itinerary.

What time does the boat leave Cat Ba and when do I get back?

Pickup happens at 8am from your hotel in Cat Ba town or from the office at 175, 1/4 Street. The boat departs at 8:30am. On day two, the cruise returns to Cai Beo by 3pm, and a vehicle brings you back to Cat Ba town center by early afternoon.

Is swimming included, and where do we swim?

Swimming is included at Ba Trai Dao (the Three Peach area) on day one, where you can snorkel in clear water. Day two also has time for swimming and kayaking in Ha Long Bay before the boat returns to shore.

Can the tour accommodate dietary restrictions?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other dietary needs can be accommodated. Mention your requirements when you book so the kitchen can prepare meals accordingly.