Kayaking Lan Ha Bay: Swimming, cooking class & overnight junk

Paddle, swim and cook your way through Lan Ha Bay overnight

An overnight kayaking tour in Lan Ha Bay departing from Hanoi with hotel pickup, where you paddle to limestone karsts, swim and snorkel in the bay, take a cooking class aboard a 27-meter wooden junk, and sleep in a private cabin. The itinerary includes two lunches, one dinner, morning snacks, an English-speaking guide, all transport, and a night plankton tour dependent on weather and season.

The experience

The junk itself is the base: a 27-meter wooden boat with three private cabins, each with air-conditioning, a desk, safe box and western-style bathroom. Rooms sleep two to eight people, so a group books one cabin and has the space to rest between activities. Hotel pickup runs from the Hanoi old quarter (message the operator if your hotel is elsewhere and they'll advise on meeting points), then transport takes you to the bay where you board and the day unfolds on the water.

Kayaking is the core activity. You paddle out to the limestone karsts that rise from the bay, then stop to swim and snorkel in the water. A night plankton tour happens after dark if the weather and season allow it, a detail that depends on conditions the operator cannot control. The cooking class happens aboard: you learn to prepare a dish, then eat it as part of the meal service. Two lunches and one dinner come with the tour, plus morning tea, coffee and snacks. Two bottles of water per room per night are complimentary.

An English-speaking guide travels with the group and leads the activities. All transport (from hotel to pier to the bay and back) is included, along with entrance fees to the bay and a welcome drink when you board. The overnight format means you sleep on the water and wake to paddle again the next morning, rather than rushing through a single afternoon.

What’s included

• Overnight stay in a private cabin aboard the junk.
• two lunches and one dinner.
• morning tea, coffee and snacks.
• cooking class.
• kayaking, swimming and snorkeling.
• English-speaking guide.
• night plankton tour (weather and season dependent).
• entrance fees to Lan Ha Bay.
• hotel pickup from Hanoi old quarter.
• all transport to and from the bay.
• welcome drink.
• two complimentary bottles of water per room per night.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up toStart time

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Cat Ba Panorama

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to paddle yourself rather than sit on deck, and prefer an overnight stay with cabin space to spread out: the cooking class and shared meals create connection beyond the water.

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Top questions

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.

How does the kayaking work if I've never paddled before?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and the guide leads the paddling. You operate the kayak yourself, but the route and pace are set by the group and the guide, so beginners paddle alongside experienced paddlers on the same route.

What's included in the cooking class?

The cooking class happens aboard the junk and teaches you to prepare one dish, which you then eat as part of the meal service. Ingredients and instruction are provided. It is a hands-on activity, not a demonstration.

Can I book a private cabin or do I share with other guests?

Each cabin sleeps two to eight people, so you book a cabin for your group. If you are traveling alone or as a pair, the operator will confirm cabin arrangements when you book.

What happens if the weather is bad or the plankton tour doesn't happen?

The plankton tour at night depends on the season and weather conditions. It is not guaranteed. Kayaking and swimming are the core activities and proceed as scheduled. If conditions prevent paddling, the operator will advise before you depart.

Is the pickup really from my hotel in Hanoi?

Hotel pickup is included if your hotel is in the Hanoi old quarter. If it is not, message the operator with your hotel address and they will give you a meeting point recommendation, usually a nearby landmark or public transport stop.