Snorkeling in Lan Ha Bay from Hanoi: Kayaking and swimming

Kayak through limestone caves, then snorkel where the bay stays cleanest

A full-day snorkeling and kayaking tour in Lan Ha Bay departs from Hanoi, Cat Ba or Hai Phong with hotel pickup included. The cruise carries under 45 people to the quieter reaches of the bay, away from the main Ha Long crowds. You kayak for roughly ninety minutes through Dark Cave and Bright Cave, swim at Ba Trai Dao Beach among white sand and rocky islands, and snorkel depending on tide and weather. Lunch of fresh Cat Ba seafood and Vietnamese dishes is served on board, with an English-speaking guide throughout the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Lan Ha Bay day tour from Cat Ba

• Pick-up at Hanoi Old Quarter hotel
• Pick-up at Serenity Cruises Office Hanoi
• Pick-up at Hai Phong location
• Pick-up from Cat Ba Express office and nearby hotels
• Check-in Serenity Premium Cruise and enjoy welcome drinks
• Cruise past Cai Beo ancient fishing village
• Cruise through Lan Ha Bay's emerald waters
• Kayaking at Dark Cave and Bright Cave area
• Return to cruise and relax
• Lunch with fresh seafood and Vietnamese dishes
• Visit Ba Trai Dao Beach for swimming and snorkeling
• Cruise back to harbour enjoying Lan Ha Bay scenery
• Sunset Party on board
• Arrive at Beo Wharf and end tour
• Return to Hai Phong
• Return to Hanoi
• Arrive back in Ninh Binh

The experience

The day starts early: pickups run from 5:30 AM in Hanoi's Old Quarter, 6:30 AM in Hai Phong, or 8:15 AM from Cat Ba, depending on where you're staying. You board the Serenity Premium Cruise at 9:00 AM with welcome drinks and a crew ready to move. The route heads first through Cai Beo, a 7,000-year-old fishing village with floating houses tucked against the mountainside, where your guide explains how the fishers live and what the bay means to them. From there the boat pushes into the core of Lan Ha Bay itself: the water turns emerald, and limestone islands rise in every direction, each one a different shape.

At 10:30 AM the boat anchors at Dark Cave and Bright Cave, the kayaking heart of the day. You get roughly ninety minutes in a kayak exploring the limestone structures and the natural habitat carved into them: the caves sit on the border between Lan Ha and Ha Long, and this is where the water stays calmest for paddling. The itinerary notes that the exact spot can shift if sea currents, weather or tide make it unsafe. If conditions don't allow it, the guide will take you to Viet Hai Village or Cat Ba National Park instead. Back on board by noon, you rest and eat lunch at 12:30. Fresh seafood caught locally, Vietnamese dishes, and vegetarian options if you've requested them in advance.

The afternoon moves to Ba Trai Dao Beach, the Three Peach Islets, where the water is at its cleanest. You swim in the bay and snorkel among the islands, though snorkeling depends on tide level and weather, so it's not guaranteed every departure. By 3:00 PM the boat turns back toward the harbor on a different route so you see a different face of the bay. A sunset party happens at 4:00 PM before arrival at Beo Wharf at 5:00 PM. Return times to your starting point are 6:45 PM for Hai Phong, 8:20 PM for Hanoi, and 9:00 PM for Ninh Binh if that's where you're headed.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off at your chosen location (Hanoi, Hai Phong, Cat Ba or Ninh Binh).
• entrance and sightseeing tickets.
• fresh seafood and Vietnamese lunch on board.
• kayak and swimming equipment.
• an experienced English-speaking guide throughout the day.
• welcome drinks on arrival at the cruise.

Options for this experience

12 options

Pick-up and drop-off in Cat Ba TownGuide in English or Vietnamese · 08:30Pick-up and drop-off in Cat Ba Town, pickup is included

Pick-up in Hanoi, drop-off in Cat Ba TownGuide in English or Vietnamese · 06:00Pick-up in Hanoi, drop-off in Cat Ba Town, pickup is included

Pick-up in Cat Ba Town, drop-off in HanoiGuide in English or Vietnamese · 08:30Pick-up in Cat Ba Town, drop-off in Hanoi, pickup is included

See 9 more options

Pick-up in Hai Phong, drop-off in Cat BaGuide in English or Vietnamese · 06:30Pick-up in Hai Phong, drop-off in Cat Ba, pickup is included

Pick-up in Cat Ba, drop-off in Hai PhongGuide in English or Vietnamese · 08:30Pick-up in Cat Ba, drop-off in Hai Phong, pickup is included

Pick-up in Cat Ba, drop-off in Ninh BinhGuide in English or Vietnamese · 08:30Pick-up in Cat Ba, drop-off in Ninh Binh, pickup is included

Pick-up and drop-off in HanoiGuide in English or Vietnamese · 06:00Pick-up and drop-off in Hanoi, pickup is included

Pick-up in Hanoi, drop-off in Hai PhongGuide in English or Vietnamese · 06:00Pick-up in Hanoi, drop-off in Hai Phong, pickup is included

Pick-up in Hai Phong, drop-off in HanoiGuide in English or Vietnamese · 06:30Pick-up in Hai Phong, drop-off in Hanoi, pickup is included

Pick-up and drop-off in Hai PhongGuide in English or Vietnamese · 06:30Pick-up and drop-off in Hai Phong, pickup is included

Pick-up in Hanoi, drop-off in Ninh BinhGuide in English or Vietnamese · 06:00Pick-up in Hanoi, drop-off in Ninh Binh, pickup is included

Pick-up in Hai Phong, drop-off in Ninh BinhGuide in English or Vietnamese · 06:30Pick-up in Hai Phong, drop-off in Ninh Binh, pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:00, 06:30 and 08:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (9 to 80 years) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 48

Live guideEnglish and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Serenity Premium Cruises

Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying in Hanoi or Cat Ba and want a full day exploring Lan Ha's quieter waters by kayak and snorkel: the smaller group and less-visited route mean fewer boats around you, though the early start and late return require a clear schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Vietnamese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 8 years); Infant (under 4): free.

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.

What's the difference between Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay on this tour?

Lan Ha Bay is the less touristy area on the border with Ha Long, and this tour takes the longest route into it from Beo Wharf. The bay has fewer crowds and the same limestone scenery (hundreds of rocky islands in emerald water), but you'll see fewer boats and more of the local fishing villages that still work the water.

Can I snorkel if I've never done it before?

Snorkeling happens at Ba Trai Dao Beach in the afternoon, and the guide is there throughout. The activity depends on tide level and weather conditions on the day, so it's not guaranteed. If conditions don't allow it, you'll swim instead among the white sand beaches and islands.

How long is the kayaking part of the day?

Kayaking at Dark Cave and Bright Cave lasts roughly ninety minutes, starting at 10:30 AM. You paddle through limestone formations and explore the natural habitat. The exact location can change if sea currents, weather or tide make it unsafe, and an alternative stop like Viet Hai Village may be visited instead.

What kind of food is served for lunch?

Lunch is fresh Cat Ba seafood and Vietnamese traditional dishes, served on board at 12:30 PM. Vegetarian options are available if you request them when you book.

Do I need to arrange my own transport from Hanoi, or is it included?

Hotel pickup is included in your booking. Pickups start at 5:30 AM in Hanoi's Old Quarter and 6:00 AM at the Serenity Cruises office. You choose your return destination at checkout (Hanoi, Hai Phong, Cat Ba or Ninh Binh), and the driver brings you back there at the end of the day.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes entrance and sightseeing tickets, round-trip hotel transfer, lunch on the cruise, kayak and swimming gear, and an English-speaking professional guide. The boat is comfortable and carries under 45 people despite its capacity of 99.