Things to do in Cat Ba
The unmissables
Most booked
Ha Long Bay Cruise: Surprise Cave, Titop Island & Kayaking★ 4.91 (6,364) · 2d
Top rated
Overnight Cruise Kayak Lan Ha Bay Cat Ba: 2 Days 1 Night★ 4.97 (3,891) · 2d
Best value
Ha Long Bay: Cruise Day Trip with Kayak, Cave & Lunch★ 4.90 (3,784) · 6h–13h
Recommended (7)
Cat Ba to Lan Ha & Ha Long Bay: Day Cruise, Kayak, Swim★ 4.98 (3,767) · 9hUS$ 42View ›
Ha Long Bay Cruise from Hanoi: Sung Sot Cave & Kayaking★ 4.72 (3,532) · 2dUS$ 149View ›
2-day Ha Long Bay cruise from Hanoi: Sung Sot Cave & Titop Island★ 4.86 (2,543) · 2dUS$ 54View ›
Lan Ha Bay & Cat Ba: 2-Day Cruise with Kayaking, Less Crowded★ 4.92 (1,067) · 2dUS$ 110View ›
Ha Giang Loop 3 Days 2 Nights: Motorbike Tour from Hanoi★ 4.96 (753) · 3dUS$ 270View ›
Ninh Binh Day Trip from Hanoi: Tam Coc Boat & Mua Cave Climb★ 4.97 (667) · 9h–11hUS$ 115View ›
Cat Ba to Lan Ha & Ha Long Bay: Full-Day Cruise with Kayaking★ 4.92 (583) · 9hUS$ 26View ›Top rated (10)
Cat Ba Island: Trek, Cycle & Kayak to Viet Hai VillageYou’ll trek through Cat Ba’s wild forests spotting rare wildlife, rest by Frog Pond under unique trees, share a local lunch in peaceful Viet Hai Village (with a fish foot massage!), then cycle and kayak across Lan Ha Bay’s calm waters before returning by boat—leaving you with muddy shoes and a head full of new stories.
Lan Ha Bay: Full Day Boat Tour with Kayak & Cooking ClassYou’ll travel from Hanoi or Cat Ba to Lan Ha Bay by bus and speedboat, kayak through silent caves, swim off white beaches, visit a floating village, then roll your own spring rolls as the sun sets over limestone peaks. It’s a day you’ll remember for its small moments—like laughter with locals or salt drying on your skin.
Lan Ha & Ha Long Bay: Kayak, Fishing Villages & LunchYou’ll paddle through Lan Ha & Ha Long Bay’s quietest corners with a local guide, visit Cai Beo fishing village, kayak hidden caves, swim at remote Ba Trai Dao Beach, and share lunch on deck as the bay glows around you. Expect laughter, salt spray, and moments you’ll replay long after you’re home.
Cat Ba, Lan Ha Bay & Monkey Island: Full-Day Boat TourYou’ll float through Lan Ha Bay’s maze of limestone islands by boat with a local guide, kayak into quiet corners near Tai Keo Cave, bike into Viet Hai Village for a quirky fish foot massage, then end your day swimming off Monkey Island or sipping tea as sunset colors shift around you. It’s equal parts adventure and slow moments you’ll want to hold onto.
Cat Ba & Lan Ha Bay: 3-Day Kayak, Trek & Boat Tour Quiet AreasYou’ll paddle under rock arches in Lan Ha Bay, cycle through rice paddies to Viet Hai village, sleep on a boat in silent lagoons, and share home-cooked meals with locals. The days are full of small surprises—like squid fishing at night or misty views from Navy Peak—and you’ll leave feeling like you’ve actually lived here for a bit.
Cat Ba Day Cruise: Lan Ha Bay, Kayaking & Monkey IslandYou spend a full day on the water exploring Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay, kayaking through caves, swimming at a secluded beach, and hiking to the top of Monkey Island. Lunch and all gear — kayak, snorkel, entrance fees — are included, and your guide speaks English throughout. The boat picks you up from Cat Ba and returns you by late afternoon.Is it for me?Pick this tour if you want the main Lan Ha and Ha Long Bay highlights — kayaking, swimming, caves, and wildlife — without arranging transport, gear, or a guide yourself. The fixed itinerary and included lunch mean you show up at the harbor and spend the day on the water instead of planning logistics.
Cat Ba: Sunset Kayak Tour & Bioluminescent Plankton with DinnerYou’ll watch sunset from Cat Ba’s radio tower, share traditional Vietnamese dishes on a floating house with locals, then kayak at night through glowing bioluminescent plankton—each paddle lighting up blue swirls beneath you. Includes hotel pickup, all fees, dinner, and an English-speaking guide who knows these waters by heart.
Cat Ba: Lan Ha Bay Luxury Cruise with Kayaking & Water SlideYou board a luxury cruise at 8am from your Cat Ba hotel and spend nine hours exploring Lan Ha Bay's limestone islets, kayaking hidden lagoons, and swimming in clear water. Lunch and afternoon tea are included, as are the jacuzzi and water slide if you want them. The boat returns you to your hotel by 5:30pm, with all transport, entry fees and equipment handled.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full day on the water without arranging transport, tickets, meals or equipment yourself — the fixed schedule and all-inclusive pricing mean you show up at your hotel at 8am and don't think about logistics again until evening.
Ha Long Bay Cruise: Private Balcony, Cave & Island TourYou’ll float past limestone islands from your own balcony cabin, kayak into Luon Cave’s calm waters, share stories over sunset BBQ on deck, and wander through Sung Sot Cave’s echoing chambers—all with pickup from Hanoi and a local guide who brings Ha Long Bay’s legends to life. It’s more about slowing down than ticking boxes.
Lan Ha Bay Cruise: Kayaking, Floating Villages & Cooking ClassYou’ll glide through Lan Ha Bay by kayak past floating villages, try your hand at making spring rolls during an onboard cooking class, swim off remote islands, and wake up to sunrise Tai Chi on deck. With hotel pickup from Hanoi included and plenty of time to just drift or chat with locals, this cruise leaves you with more than just photos.
Lowest price (10)
Cat Ba to Hanoi: Fast Bus & Speed Boat with Hotel Drop-OffYou’ll travel from Cat Ba Island to Hanoi by speed boat and bus, guided by an English-speaking local who shares stories along the way. Enjoy hotel pickup in Cat Ba and drop-off right at your place in Hanoi Old Quarter. Expect quick transfers, working WiFi onboard, and small moments—like coffee breaks or local tips—that make the journey feel personal.
Lan Ha Bay Sunset Cruise with Kayaking & Monkey Island VisitIf you want an easy-going sunset cruise with real local flavor—kayaking calm waters, meeting playful monkeys on Monkey Island, and sharing snacks with fellow travelers—this tour’s got you covered. It’s all arranged for you from Cat Ba town so you can just show up and enjoy Lan Ha Bay at its best.
Kayaking in Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba: 3 caves and swimmingA full-day boat trip from Cat Ba takes you to Lan Ha Bay and the southern edge of Ha Long Bay, where you kayak through three tunnel caves, swim at multiple beaches, and dive to see coral reefs. The boat picks you up from your hotel at 7:30 am, returns you by late afternoon, and includes lunch cooked on board, all kayak gear, masks and dry bags, and entrance fees; an English or Vietnamese-speaking guide leads the group.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you want to visit multiple secluded beaches and paddle through caves in a single day—the itinerary combines both activities in one trip, whereas most options focus on one or the other.
Lan Ha Bay & Ha Long: Full Day Boat Trip with Kayak & LunchYou’ll float through Lan Ha Bay past Cai Beo village, kayak under rock arches into quiet lagoons, swim at wild beaches and share a fresh Vietnamese lunch on deck. Expect laughter with your local guide and moments of real calm between adventures—this day trip leaves you lighter than you arrived.
Kayaking Lan Ha Bay: Hidden lagoons and limestone cliffsKayak through Lan Ha Bay near Cat Ba for a full day exploring hidden lagoons, limestone caves and quiet beaches in a double kayak with a guide. The boat picks you up from your hotel, takes you through the floating fishing village for 2–2.5 hours, serves lunch on board with traditional Vietnamese dishes, then moves to Ba Trai Dao in the north for a second paddling session in a self-contained area. Children from age 5 are welcome; the guide speaks English.Is it for me?Book this if you're staying in Cat Ba or nearby without a car—the pickup means you don't arrange transport to the bay, and the guide handles navigation so you can focus on paddling into the lagoons instead of finding them. The double kayak with a guide also works well if you want to paddle but aren't confident navigating limestone islands on your own.
Lan Ha Bay: Sunset Kayak & Bioluminescent Plankton BBQ TourYou’ll paddle through Lan Ha Bay as dusk falls, watch local life drift by from your boat, eat fresh BBQ on Van Boi beach, then kayak into darkness where bioluminescent plankton glow beneath your hands. Includes hotel pickup and an easy ride back after—a night you’ll probably replay in your head long after it ends.
Cat Ba day cruise and night kayak: Bioluminescent paddleA 13-hour day and night tour of Cat Ba combines cruising through Lan Ha Bay's karst islands with kayaking into hidden lagoons, tunnels and archways, plus a night paddle where every stroke lights up the water with bioluminescence. The boat visits Cai Beo fishing village and less-touristed stops like Ba Trai Dao Beach and Vung Vieng; lunch and dinner with a fisherman are included, and groups stay small—maximum 30 on the day boat and 8 for the night kayak. A live English-speaking guide leads all activities.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want a small group—the night kayak caps at 8 people—and you're drawn to the bioluminescence more than the crowds. The 13-hour day is full, so it suits travelers with a single day to spend and the fitness to paddle, swim and sit on a boat without breaks. Skip it if you need a shorter outing or prefer to stay on land.
Rock Climbing at Moody Beach: 22 Meters Above Lan Ha BayA half-day rock climbing activity at Moody Beach in Lan Ha Bay, Vietnam, where you climb up to 22 meters above the ocean with trained Western and Vietnamese guides and all gear provided. No previous climbing experience is required. The full-day option adds morning kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding through floating villages and a limestone lagoon, with lunch included before the afternoon climb.Is it for me?Book this if your group wants to climb instead of watch—the guides set up the routes and manage the ropes, so you focus on the vertical challenge and the view from 22 meters up, not on logistics or anchors. Full-day works best for groups that want morning water time before the afternoon climb; half-day suits climbers who came for the rock alone.
Cat Ba Cruise: Lan Ha Bay Kayaking & Viet Hai BikingA 2-day cruise departing Cat Ba Island explores Lan Ha Bay's hidden coves and floating fishing villages by kayak and swim, with an overnight stay on the boat and a sunset cooking class. Day two takes you inland by bike through Viet Hai village's rural roads and rice fields. An English-speaking guide leads both days; you pick up from Hanoi or Beo Harbour at the start.Is it for me?Book this cruise if you're arriving in northern Vietnam with a free couple of days and want to see limestone karsts and rural village life without the crowds of Ha Long Bay. The small-group format and mix of water and land activities—kayaking one day, biking the next—keeps the pace varied and the experience personal. If you prefer a single-day trip or a longer cruise, look at the 1-day or 3-day versions instead.
Cat Ba Island Tour from Hanoi: Small Group, Local GuideA two-day guided tour of Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay departing from Hanoi, with a maximum of 12 travelers and an English-speaking local guide. The itinerary skips the crowded stops and instead moves through Cat Ba National Park to Butterfly Valley, a traditional village trek, and a boat day on Lan Ha Bay. Includes all park entry, meals, shuttle transport from Hanoi, and an overnight stay at a lodge on the island.Is it for me?Small groups under 12 people suit this tour best—the size is what makes it possible to move through villages and stop for tea with local families instead of following a fixed schedule past the main attractions. If you want to avoid the crowded tour-boat experience and spend time with a guide who actually knows the island, this itinerary is built for that.
