Cat Ba Island Kayaking Tour: 2 Days, Viet Hai Overnight

Kayak limestone karsts, trek jungle villages, paddle under stars

A 2-day guided kayaking and trekking tour from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island combines paddling through Lan Ha Bay's limestone formations, an overnight stay in Viet Hai Village deep in the jungle, and a night kayak through bioluminescent plankton. Hotel pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter or Ninh Binh, all meals, and an English-speaking guide are included. Children from age 4 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Lan Ha Bay boat tour and night kayak

• Pick up from Hanoi or Ninh Binh hotel
• Travel to Cat Ba Island via Hai Phong and ferry
• Board boat at Ben Beo Pier for Lan Ha Bay cruise
• Pass Cai Beo Fishing Village and karst towers
• Enjoy Vietnamese lunch onboard
• Kayak in Lan Ha Bay lagoons and caves
• Swim at Ba Trai Dao Beach
• Visit floating fish farm and cooking class
• Dinner on the boat
• Bioluminescent plankton night kayak
• Arrive and overnight at Viet Hai Village homestay

Day 2: Viet Hai Village and return to Hanoi

• Breakfast at homestay
• Bicycle tour around Viet Hai Village
• Check out and sail to Monkey Island
• Relax, swim, and trek on Monkey Island
• Lunch onboard during return cruise
• Arrive Cai Beo Harbor and bus to Hanoi or Ninh Binh
• Arrive at accommodation in Hanoi or Ninh Binh

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter or Ninh Binh at 7am, then a drive and ferry to Cat Ba Island and Ben Beo Pier. Once you board the boat, you're moving through Lan Ha Bay: less crowded than Halong Bay, with limestone karsts rising from emerald water and Cai Beo Fishing Village, one of the oldest floating settlements in northern Vietnam, passing as you sail. Lunch is cooked onboard by the local crew, with vegetarian options available.

By mid-afternoon you're in a kayak, paddling through the lagoon area to explore Dark and Bright Caves, natural tunnels, and archways in an ecologically protected zone. A stop at Ba Trai Dao Beach lets you swim and jump from the boat in a remote, quiet spot. Before dark, you visit a local floating fish farm and join a hands-on cooking class onboard to learn traditional Vietnamese dishes. Then comes the night kayak: as the sun sets, you paddle into areas glowing with bioluminescent plankton, watching your silhouette sparkle in the dark water. By 8pm you arrive at Viet Hai Village, nestled 10 kilometers into the jungle surrounded by forest and mountains, and sleep in a private room at the homestay.

Day two starts at 6:30am with breakfast, then a bicycle ride around the village through mountain air and scenic views. You can try a fish massage in the natural stream if you want. After checking out, you head back to Viet Hai Pier and sail toward Monkey Island, where you swim on the sandy beach, interact with monkeys, or trek up to the viewpoint for a panoramic view of Lan Ha Bay. Lunch is served onboard on the return cruise to Cai Beo Harbor. The bus drops you back in Hanoi or Ninh Binh by late afternoon.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Hanoi Old Quarter or Ninh Binh.
• all meals: two lunches, one dinner and one breakfast.
• a private room at the Viet Hai Village homestay for two to four people.
• entrance tickets and Cai Beo Floating Village access.
• kayaking through Lan Ha Bay's limestone lagoons and caves.
• a bioluminescent night kayak.
• biking around Viet Hai Village.
• trekking and swimming at Monkey Island.
• an experienced English-speaking guide for the full two days.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to8h before

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

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 6 days before the start.Between 2 and 6 days before the start, 50% refund.After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by LOCAL TOURS VIETNAM

Is this one for you?Book this trip if you're arriving in Hanoi with two days free and want to skip the crowded Halong Bay tours: the smaller group size, overnight jungle village stay, and night kayak through glowing plankton set this apart from the standard day trips most travelers take.

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Top questions

Can children come?

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

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

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Hanoi Old Quarter or Ninh Binh; all meals (two lunches, one dinner, one breakfast); a private room at the Viet Hai Village homestay; entrance tickets and access to Cai Beo Floating Village; kayaking, biking, trekking and swimming; and an experienced English-speaking guide throughout.

What happens during the bioluminescent night kayak?

After dinner on the boat, you paddle into areas of Lan Ha Bay where bioluminescent plankton glow naturally in the dark water. You can kayak through the glowing areas and swim under the stars, watching your silhouette sparkle in the water before heading to Viet Hai Village for the night.

Is Viet Hai Village really in the jungle?

Viet Hai Village sits about 10 kilometers from Cat Ba Town, nestled in the heart of the jungle and surrounded by lush forest, towering mountains, and natural beauty. On day two you explore it by bicycle before returning to the boat.

How is Lan Ha Bay different from Halong Bay?

Lan Ha Bay is less crowded than Halong Bay and features pristine waters, secluded beaches, and spectacular limestone karsts. The boat trip showcases the bay's stunning beauty, and the lagoon area where you kayak is both visually stunning and ecologically protected.

What time does the tour end on day two?

The bus arrives back at your hotel in Hanoi or Ninh Binh between 4pm and 4:30pm. On weekends or holidays, buses may drop you at the bus office in Hanoi Old Quarter instead of your hotel due to pedestrian street restrictions.