Halong & Lan Ha Bay canoe tour from Cat Ba: Kayak hidden caves

Paddle into caves and swim in emerald water that tour boats can't reach

A private canoe tour from Cat Ba Town explores Halong and Lan Ha Bay's hidden limestone formations, caves and floating villages. You paddle through Dark and Bright Caves, swim in the bay's clearest water, and visit Tra Bau Floating Village to meet local fishermen. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cat Ba are included, along with all entrance fees.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Halong and Lan Ha Bay by canoe

• Car pickup from Cat Ba hotel
• Arrive at Gia Luan Port and board canoe
• Discover Dark & Bright Cave by kayak
• Swim at Ba Trai Dao Beach or visit Tra Bau Floating Village
• Return by canoe to Tuan Chau Harbour
• Car transfer back to Cat Ba hotel

What’s included

• Private canoe for the day.
• kayaking and swimming in Halong and Lan Ha Bay.
• entry to Dark Cave and Bright Cave.
• visit to Tra Bau Floating Village with time to meet local fishermen.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Cat Ba Town.
• all entrance fees and sightseeing tickets.

Times

• Every day 07:00 07:30 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30

Another time? ›

Before you book

Group Private 7 group tours ›

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included.

Book up to 8h before

Ages Adult (5 to 80 years) · Under 5: 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

Operated by Local Tours Around Viet Nam

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

The experience

You get picked up at your hotel in Cat Ba Town and driven to Gia Luan Port, where your private canoe waits. From there, the route heads into Lan Ha Bay's limestone landscape: thousands of islands rising from emerald water. The canoe goes where larger tour boats can't: through Dark Cave and Bright Cave, narrow passages carved into the karsts where you paddle close enough to see the rock formations shift as you move through them.

After the caves, you swim at Ba Trai Dao Beach or choose to visit Tra Bau Floating Village instead, depending on the tide and what appeals to you. At the floating village (the actual filming location for Kong Skull Island). You can see fish rafts and talk with local fishermen about how they work the bay. The water here is clear enough to swim in, and you'll spend time in it before the canoe brings you back to Tuan Chau Harbour and then to your hotel.

The whole day runs about three hours. You'll kayak and swim as part of the tour, so bring swimwear, sunscreen and sunglasses. All entrance fees and sightseeing tickets are covered, and the private car pickup means no waiting for a group or figuring out how to reach the port on your own.

Top questions

What's the difference between paddling a canoe and taking a regular tour boat in Halong Bay?

A canoe is narrow and shallow enough to enter Dark Cave and Bright Cave and reach secluded beaches that larger boats cannot access. You move through the limestone formations at close range instead of viewing them from a distance, and you control the pace of your own exploration.

Can I swim during the canoe tour, and where?

Yes. You swim at Ba Trai Dao Beach in the clearest water of the bay, or at Tra Bau Floating Village if you choose that stop instead. Bring swimwear and sunscreen, and the tour accommodates swimming time depending on the tide.

What is Tra Bau Floating Village and why visit it?

Tra Bau is a working fishing village in Lan Ha Bay and the actual filming location for Kong Skull Island. You can see fish rafts, interact with local fishermen to learn about traditional fishing methods, and swim in the bay's emerald water.

How do I get to the canoe departure point from my hotel?

Hotel pickup in Cat Ba Town is included. A private car collects you and drives you to Gia Luan Port, where the canoe is waiting, and returns you to your hotel at the end of the day.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not very fit or have never kayaked before?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You paddle at your own pace through the caves and around the bay, and swimming and sightseeing are the main activities: no strenuous climbing or long hikes required.