Cat Ba Island & Lan Ha Bay 2 Days: Kayaking Tour, High Jumping

Paddle through Tai Keo Cave, then jump off the boat into open water at high tide.

A two-day overnight tour based on Cat Ba Island with a full day exploring Lan Ha Bay by boat—kayaking through limestone caves, swimming in the bay, and high jumping from the deck when the tide allows. You arrive from Hanoi, check into a hotel in Cat Ba town, spend your first afternoon free at Cat Co beaches, then join the boat the next morning for the bay activities, lunch, and sunset celebration before returning to your hotel that evening. English-speaking guide and hotel pickup are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrive Cat Ba Island and relax

• Arrive Cat Ba Island
• Check in hotel and leave luggage
• Swim at Cat Co I, II, III beaches

Day 2 — Lan Ha Bay cruise and activities

• Check in boat and enjoy welcome drink
• Cruise through Cai Beo fishing village
• Kayak near rocky mountain and Tai Keo Cave
• Visit Van Boi Beach and swim
• High jump in the sea
• Lunch on the cruise
• Return to Beo wharf
• Enjoy sunset party with fruits and cakes
• Transfer back to hotel in Cat Ba town

The Experience

You arrive at Cat Ba Island from Hanoi and check into your hotel in the center of town, where you can leave your luggage and head straight to one of the Cat Co beaches—I, II or III—for a free afternoon of swimming. The beaches are a short walk from the hotel, so you set your own pace for the first day.

On day two, you board a boat at Cai Beo wharf with a welcome drink and begin moving through the fishing village itself—the largest ancient one in the Gulf of Tonkin, with floating houses and nets spread across the water. The boat then heads into Lan Ha Bay, where you control your own kayak, paddling close to rocky outcrops and weaving through Tai Keo Cave to see the underwater landscape. After kayaking, the boat moves to Van Boi Beach and other stops; because the bay's tide level shifts significantly, your guide and captain choose the best moment for you to swim and high jump directly from the deck into the open water. Lunch is served on the boat.

As the afternoon winds down, the boat turns back toward Cai Beo wharf. You gather on deck for a sunset party with fresh fruit and cakes—a moment the crew uses to thank the group and gather feedback. The car then drives you back to your hotel in Cat Ba town, where you spend your second night before heading back to Hanoi the next morning.

What’s included

• Hotel accommodation in Cat Ba town for one night.
• dinner on day one and breakfast on day two.
• lunch on the boat during the Lan Ha Bay cruise.
• welcome drink and sunset party with fruit and cakes.
• kayaking and swimming in Lan Ha Bay.
• high jumping from the boat.
• guide in English.
• pickup from Hanoi and return transport to your hotel.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Azotar Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you have 2 days and want to combine a night on Cat Ba island with full-day kayaking, SUP, swimming, and cliff jumping in Lan Ha Bay—the overnight stay lets you start water activities fresh the next morning rather than rushing from an afternoon arrival.

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Top questions

What is Tai Keo Cave like when you paddle through it on the kayak?

Tai Keo Cave is a limestone formation you approach by kayak from the water, weaving through it to see the vivid scenery of the underwater marine world and the rock formations above.

Can I choose when to do the high jumping, or does the boat decide?

The captain and guide choose the best stop and timing for high jumping based on the tide level in Lan Ha Bay—they pick the moment that works best for the group to jump safely from the deck into the sea.

What happens on my first afternoon after I arrive at Cat Ba Island?

After checking into your hotel and leaving your luggage, you have free time to swim at Cat Co I, II or III beaches, which are near the hotel in the center of town.

Is the kayak experience difficult if I've never paddled before?

You control the kayak yourself, paddling at your own pace through Lan Ha Bay and into Tai Keo Cave; the activity is designed for all fitness levels and does not require prior experience.

What meals are included over the two days?

Dinner is included on your first night at the hotel, and breakfast is included on your second morning; lunch is served on the boat during the Lan Ha Bay cruise on day two.

Does the tour include transport from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island?

Pickup from Hanoi is included, and the car also returns you to your hotel in Cat Ba town at the end of day two; your English-speaking guide travels with you throughout.