Snorkeling in Lan Ha Bay from Hanoi: kayaking, swimming & lunch

Twelve hours on the water, from Hanoi's Old Quarter to emerald islands and back

A full-day snorkeling cruise from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay includes hotel pickup, professional guide in English or Vietnamese, lunch, kayak and swimming gear, and round-trip transport — the itinerary moves through a 7,000-year-old fishing village, stops at Viet Hai for a village walk and fish-foot massage, then anchors for kayaking and open-water swimming in the bay's core. You choose your pickup point: Hanoi, Hai Phong or Cat Ba Town, and your return destination separately, so the logistics fit your arrival or onward travel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Lan Ha Bay full-day cruise and activities

• Pick up from Hanoi hotel or office
• Travel by bus and ferry to Cat Ba Island
• Drive scenic road to Cat Ba Pearl Island
• Welcome drink and cruise briefing
• Cruise past Cai Beo ancient fishing village
• Enjoy buffet lunch on board
• Disembark at Viet Hai Port
• Explore Viet Hai Village by electric car or bicycle
• Experience fish-foot massage and village walk
• Kayaking, swimming, and water activities
• Relax on top deck with drinks
• Sunset party with fruit, biscuits, and tea
• Return to Beo Pier and say goodbye
• Bus transfer back to Hanoi
• Arrive at Hanoi Old Quarter, tour ends

The Experience

The day starts with a 3.5-hour transfer from Hanoi Old Quarter — a bus to Hai Phong, a high-speed ferry crossing to Cat Ba Island, then a final bus ride to Beo Pier, the furthest tourist dock on the island. That distance is the reason you reach water most day-trippers never see. By 11:00 you're aboard the Serenity Grandeur, a cruise with a rooftop bar, two restaurants and a water slide, and the guide briefs you on what comes next over a welcome drink.

The boat moves slowly through Cai Beo, a floating fishing village of 7,000 years, with houses built into the mountainside. Then it heads into the bay's core — hundreds of limestone islands rising from emerald water, including the turtle-shaped Hon Rua. Lunch is served on deck around 11:30. At 13:00 you dock at Viet Hai Port and take an electric car or bicycle into the village to walk among traditional houses, try a fish-foot massage, or talk with residents. This stop is the reason the day is long; most cruises skip it.

At 14:30 the captain and guide choose the best anchorage for the group — usually a sheltered spot where you can swim in open water, jump from the boat, slide down from the top deck, or paddle a kayak into the smaller islands. Life jackets are recommended and available. By 15:40 the boat heads back to Beo Pier. A sunset snack of fresh fruit, biscuits and tea arrives around 16:15. You're back at the dock by 16:45 and return to Hanoi by 20:30.

What’s included

• Round-trip transfer from your chosen pickup point (Hanoi Old Quarter, Hai Phong or Cat Ba Town).
• professional English or Vietnamese-speaking guide.
• entrance and sightseeing tickets.
• lunch on the cruise.
• kayak and swimming gear.
• welcome drink.
• sunset snack of fresh fruit, biscuits and tea.
• one bottle of water per person.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cat Ba Express

Is this one for you?The 3.5-hour transfer to Beo Pier — the furthest tourist dock on Cat Ba — is what puts you in water most day tours never reach; if you're based in Hanoi and want to skip the crowded bays, this route trades an early start for untouched islands and a quieter anchorage. The separate pickup and dropoff options work if you're arriving in one city and leaving from another, so the full day fits into a longer itinerary without backtracking.

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Top questions

How long is the transfer from Hanoi to the boat?

The transfer takes around 3.5 hours total — a bus to Hai Phong, a high-speed ferry to Cat Ba Island, then a final bus to Beo Pier. This distance is why the cruise reaches quieter water than tours leaving from closer piers.

What's included in the snorkeling and swimming part?

Kayak and swimming gear are provided, and the guide chooses the best stop for the group based on conditions — you swim in open water, can jump from the boat or use the water slide, and paddle kayaks around the islands. A life jacket is recommended for all water activities.

What happens at Viet Hai Village?

At Viet Hai you disembark and travel by electric car or bicycle into an ancient village to walk through traditional houses, experience a fish-foot massage, or speak with local residents — it's a cultural stop most bay cruises don't include.

Can I choose where to be picked up and dropped off?

Yes — you pick your starting point (Hanoi Old Quarter, Hai Phong or Cat Ba Town) and your return destination separately at checkout, so you can arrange the transfer to fit your arrival or onward travel.

What does the guide speak?

The tour guide speaks English or Vietnamese, and is on board throughout the day to brief you on the itinerary, lead the village visit, and choose the best water stops for the group.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is served on the cruise around 11:30. Groups of 40 or more receive a buffet; smaller groups receive a set menu. A bottle of water is also included; drinks at the bar are separate.