Lan Ha Bay: Day Cruise & Night Kayak with Bioluminescence

Summary

Kayak through secret lagoons and swim with glowing plankton in Lan Ha Bay

You’ll cruise Lan Ha Bay past floating villages and limestone arches before kayaking through hidden caves and swimming at remote beaches. Dinner with local fishermen leads into a night kayak where every paddle stroke lights up blue bioluminescent water—a moment that stays with you long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely stepped off the little dock in Cat Ba when our guide, Minh, grinned and handed me a cup of strong coffee—no fancy intro, just straight into it. The boat chugged out into Lan Ha Bay, past Cai Beo fishing village where kids waved from their floating houses. I could smell the seaweed and diesel mixing in the air. It’s quieter here than I expected; you hear birds more than engines. Minh pointed out black kites circling overhead, swooping for fish. He said they’re good luck if you spot three (I only saw two, so who knows).

By late morning we were paddling kayaks through these narrow arches—I think one was called Bat Cave? It was cool inside, echoey, with water dripping from somewhere above. At one point I scraped my paddle on a rock and Minh laughed, saying everyone does that their first time here. Lunch was on the boat: rice, crispy spring rolls, some kind of sweet fish sauce I still can’t describe right. We drifted near Ong Cam islet while eating—there’s something about eating with your hands after swimming that just hits different.

The afternoon blurred into swimming at Ba Trai Dao Beach (the sand felt almost squeaky underfoot), then more kayaking around these weirdly quiet lagoons where even our voices sounded too loud. By sunset we anchored at a floating homestay—sun going orange behind the karsts—and had dinner with a fisherman named Tuan who tried to teach me how to say “cheers” in Vietnamese. Li laughed when I tried to say it in Mandarin—probably butchered it.

I didn’t expect the night kayak to be such a trip. Every time you dipped your paddle, blue sparks trailed behind like tiny fireworks underwater—bioluminescence, Minh said, but honestly it felt like magic or some trick of the eyes. We floated there for a while not really talking much, just watching the water light up every time someone moved. I still think about that view sometimes when I’m stuck in traffic back home—you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Lan Ha Bay Cruise and Kayaking

• Pick up at Cat Ba Local Office
• Boat cruise past Cai Beo Fishing Village and Lan Ha Bay center
• Kayak through hidden lagoons and caves
• Vietnamese traditional lunch at Ong Cam islet
• Boat sail past Dau Be Island and less-touristy spots
• Kayak, swim, and relax at Ba Trai Dao Beach
• Sunset on floating homestay
• Dinner with fisherman and cultural experience
• Night kayak or swim with glowing bioluminescent
• Boat return to harbour and office

Top questions

Is pickup included for this Lan Ha Bay day cruise?

Yes, pickup is included at Cat Ba Local Office at 8:05 am.

How many people are on the boat and night kayak?

The day boat holds up to 30 people; night kayak groups are limited to 8.

What activities are part of this tour?

You’ll cruise Lan Ha Bay, kayak through caves and lagoons, swim at beaches, visit fishing villages, have dinner with locals, and kayak or swim among bioluminescence at night.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

Yes, a traditional Vietnamese lunch is served on board.

Are vegetarian or vegan meals available?

Yes, special dietary requests like vegetarian or vegan can be accommodated.

Can infants join this tour?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap; specialized infant seats are available.

Is this tour suitable for pregnant travelers?

No, it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers due to physical activity involved.

How late does the tour return to harbor?

The boat returns to harbor around 9:00 pm after night kayaking.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Cat Ba Local Office in the morning, all guided activities like cruising Lan Ha Bay and kayaking hidden spots, swimming stops at remote beaches, a traditional Vietnamese lunch on board plus dinner shared with local fishermen (with options for vegetarians or vegans), and all equipment for both day and night kayaking—including that surreal bioluminescent experience before heading back late evening.