Lan Ha Bay cruise from Hanoi: kayak, swim and explore Cat Ba

Paddle into limestone karst, then float in the bay's emerald water

A day cruise from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay on the Serenity Grandeur with round-trip transfer, lunch, kayaking and swimming included. The boat leaves from Beo Pier on Cat Ba Island after a 3.5-hour journey from Hanoi, so you spend the afternoon in the bay's core rather than traveling to a crowded main port. A guide in English or Vietnamese leads the day, and the itinerary builds around water activities—kayaking, boat-jumping and a water slide—rather than a fixed schedule of stops.

Step-by-step itinerary

Lan Ha Bay Serenity Cruise Day Tour

• Hotel pickup in Hanoi Old Quarter
• Travel via expressway to Hai Phong
• Sea-crossing road from Tan Vu to Lach Huyen port
• Transfer to Got Pier and then to Beo Pier
• Drive scenic road to Cat Ba Island
• Welcome drink and cruise briefing on Serenity Grandeur
• Cruise past Cai Beo ancient fishing village
• Enjoy buffet lunch on board
• Sail to Viet Hai Port and visit Viet Hai Village
• Experience fish-foot massage and village stroll
• Kayaking, swimming, and water activities
• Relax on top deck with drinks
• Sunset party with fresh fruit and tea
• Return to Beo Pier and board bus to Hanoi
• Arrive at Hanoi Old Quarter, tour ends

The Experience

The day starts with pickup from your Hanoi hotel or office between 7:00 and 7:30, then a bus ride south through the 5B expressway to Hai Phong. You'll cross the sea road from Tan Vu to Lach Huyen port, watching Dinh Vu port slip past, then board a high-speed ferry to Cat Ba Island. By 10:15 you're driving the scenic road between the sea and Cat Ba National Park's green mountains, arriving at Beo Pier—the furthest tourist pier on the island—by 11:00. This extra distance is the trade: fewer crowds and a quieter approach to the bay itself.

Once aboard the Serenity Grandeur, a welcome drink and guide briefing set the tone. The boat moves slowly past Cai Beo, a 7,000-year-old fishing village with floating houses stacked along the mountainside, then heads into the bay's core where hundreds of limestone islands rise from emerald water. Lunch—a buffet served on deck—comes at 11:30 while you're already surrounded by the scenery. Around 1:00 p.m., you disembark at Viet Hai Port and take an electric car or bicycle into Viet Hai Village, where you can try a fish-foot massage, walk through traditional houses, or talk with locals. This stop breaks up the water time and gives you solid ground underfoot.

The afternoon belongs to the water. At 2:30 p.m., the captain and guide choose the best spot for the group—swimming in the open bay, jumping from the boat, sliding down from the top deck into the water, or paddling a kayak through the islands. A life jacket is recommended for all water activities. By 3:40 p.m. the boat turns back toward Beo Pier, and you settle on the top deck with a drink while the sun drops. A small sunset party with fresh fruit, biscuits and tea arrives at 4:15, then the bus ride back to Hanoi begins at 4:45, landing you in the Old Quarter by 8:30 p.m. Total time away is around 13 hours, but most of it is on the water or in the village, not in transit.

What’s included

• Round-trip transfer from Hanoi Old Quarter (or Hai Phong or Cat Ba, depending on your option).
• experienced guide in English or Vietnamese.
• welcome drink.
• buffet lunch on the cruise.
• kayak and swimming access.
• entrance and sightseeing tickets for the Serenity Grandeur Cruise.
• one free bottle of water.
• sunset refreshments on the return journey.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Serenity Premium Cruises

Is this one for you?Your afternoon unfolds on the water instead of in a crowded harbor—the longer route to Beo Pier delivers you straight to Lan Ha Bay's quieter core, where everything from transfer to meals to activities is already sorted.

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Top questions

How long is the transfer from Hanoi to the boat?

The journey from Hanoi Old Quarter to Beo Pier takes around 3.5 hours total—a bus to Got Pier in Hai Phong, a short high-speed ferry to Cat Ba Island, then a final bus ride to the pier. The return trip from Beo Pier back to Hanoi takes about 3.5 hours as well.

What water activities are included on the cruise?

Kayaking, swimming, boat-jumping and a water slide from the top deck are all included. The captain and guide choose the best location in the bay for these activities based on conditions and group preference, and life jackets are available and recommended for safety.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food is served?

Lunch is included and served as a buffet on the cruise around 11:30 a.m. while the boat is in the bay. A welcome drink is also provided at the start of the day, and a small sunset party with fresh fruit, biscuits and tea is served on the return journey.

What is Viet Hai Village, and what do you do there?

Viet Hai Village is a traditional settlement inside the bay that you visit by electric car or bicycle after lunch. You can experience a fish-foot massage, walk through well-preserved traditional houses, or speak with local residents—it's a chance to step off the boat and see how people live on the bay itself.

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

Round-trip transfer from Hanoi Old Quarter is included in the standard option. Other pickup and drop-off points are available—Hai Phong, Cat Ba Town, or combinations of these—depending on which option you select at checkout.

What should I bring or wear for a day on the water?

Wear swimwear under your clothes, bring a towel, sunscreen and a hat. A life jacket is provided and recommended for kayaking and swimming. The cruise provides a free bottle of water, and drinks can be ordered at the bar on the boat.