Lan Ha Bay day cruise from Cat Ba: Kayaking, swimming & sunset

Kayaking through a 100-meter cave at the edge of Halong Bay, then swimming off a boat with a water slide.

A full-day luxury cruise from Cat Ba Town into Lan Ha Bay (a UNESCO World Heritage extension of Halong Bay) with two kayaking trips, swimming, lunch and a sunset party. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. The itinerary shifts between winter and summer seasons, with winter visits to Cai Beo floating village and Bright Cave, and summer trips to Viet Hai Village by electric car through Cat Ba National Park. English-speaking guide, towels and all entrance fees are part of the booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Luxury day cruise in Lan Ha Bay

• Pick up from Cat Ba hotels
• Transfer to Beo Harbor
• Board the luxury cruise
• Explore Cai Beo floating village
• Kayak through Bright Cave
• Enjoy fresh seafood lunch
• Swim at Ba Trai Dao beach
• Use water slide and Jacuzzi
• Second kayaking at Tay Keo or Van Boi
• Enjoy sunset party with snacks
• Return to pier and transfer to hotel

The experience

The boat leaves Cat Ba Town between 8:00 and 8:30 AM after hotel pickup, heading to Beo Harbor and then into Lan Ha Bay. The route splits by season: from September through April, you kayak into Bright Cave (a 100-meter passage with a 4-meter-wide entrance where the limestone cliffs meet the water), then explore Cai Beo, a floating village with roots going back 7,000 years. From May through August, an electric car takes you on a 5-kilometer ride through Cat Ba National Park to Viet Hai Village, where you can learn about local life and try an optional fish massage before returning to the boat. Both seasons include a second kayaking trip through hidden lagoons and karsts, letting you paddle into the quieter corners of the bay.

Lunch is Vietnamese seafood and local dishes served on board. Swimming happens at Ba Trai Dao, where the boat has a water slide and a four-season Jacuzzi. If you'd rather stay dry, the sundeck offers views across the bay. A sunset party rounds out the afternoon with tea, fresh fruit, snacks and cake. The boat returns to the pier by late afternoon (16:30–17:15 in winter, 15:00–15:30 in summer), and hotel drop-off follows. A welcome drink is included when you board.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cat Ba Town Centre.
• welcome drink.
• English-speaking guide.
• Vietnamese seafood lunch.
• sunset party with tea, fruit, snacks and cake.
• two kayaking trips.
• swimming at Ba Trai Dao with access to the water slide and four-season Jacuzzi.
• towels.
• all entrance tickets and sightseeing fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Child (2 to 5 years)

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Authentic MAI CHAU

Is this one for you?Book this if you want kayaking and swimming woven into a full day on the water with a guide leading the way, rather than exploring independently or piecing together separate activities.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 5 years).

What's the difference between the winter and summer itineraries on this Lan Ha Bay cruise?

Winter (September–April) takes you to Cai Beo floating village and Bright Cave, a limestone passage at the intersection of Halong and Lan Ha bays. Summer (May–August) includes a 5-kilometer electric car ride through Cat Ba National Park to Viet Hai Village, where you can experience local culture and an optional fish massage. Both seasons have kayaking, swimming and a sunset party.

How much time do I spend kayaking on this day cruise?

Two separate kayaking trips are built into the day: one to Bright Cave (winter) or through hidden lagoons (summer), and a second paddle through Tay Keo or Van Boi areas. The exact duration of each paddle depends on the season and conditions, but kayaking is a core part of the experience alongside swimming and the boat journey.

Is hotel pickup included, and how early do I need to be ready?

Hotel pickup from Cat Ba Town Centre is included. The boat departs between 8:00 and 8:30 AM, so you'll be collected shortly before that window. Drop-off back at your hotel happens at the end of the day.

What's included in the lunch and the sunset party?

Lunch is Vietnamese seafood and local specialties served on the cruise. The sunset party includes tea, fresh fruit, snacks and cake, plus a welcome drink when you board. Beverages beyond these are not included.