Snorkeling in Lan Ha Bay from Ha Noi: Kayaking and coral reefs

Kayak through limestone karsts, snorkel coral reefs, visit a 7000-year-old fishing village

A full-day snorkeling tour from Ha Noi to Lan Ha Bay includes round-trip bus pickup from your hotel, lunch on the boat, and a guided English-speaking experience through kayaking and swimming stops. You depart at 5:45 AM, arrive at Beo Harbor by 9 AM, and return to Ha Noi by 7:30 PM, with the option to stay aboard until sunset. The tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Lan Ha Bay Day Tour from Ha Noi

• 5:45 AM: Bus picks up from Ha Noi hotels
• 9:00 AM: Arrive Beo Harbor and check-in
• 9:00 AM: Breakfast on Daiichi Cruise
• 9:30 AM: Visit Cai Beo fishing village
• 10:00 AM: Kayaking and swimming at Dark and Light Cave
• 12:00 PM: Seafood lunch on the boat
• 1:30 PM: Visit Viet Hai ancient village by tram
• 2:30 PM: Cruise back, watch sunset and admire Turtle Island
• 3:30 PM: Dock at Beo Harbor and disembark
• 3:30 PM: Bus returns to Ha Noi
• 7:30 PM: Arrive Ha Noi Old Quarter

The experience

The day starts with a pickup from your Ha Noi hotel at 5:45 AM and a three-hour bus ride to Cat Ba Island. You arrive at Beo Harbor by 9 AM and board the Daiichi Cruise, where breakfast and the bay come into view. The route takes you first to Cai Beo, a fishing village over 7000 years old, excavated by French archaeologists in 1938 and recognized as one of Vietnam's oldest cultural sites. From there, the boat moves to the Dark and Light Cave area around 10 AM, where the water work begins: you kayak, swim and snorkel to see the coral reefs scattered through Lan Ha Bay.

Lunch is a seafood set menu or buffet served on the boat at noon. By 1:30 PM you're heading to Viet Hai, an ancient village where a tram takes you inland to walk through original houses from the anti-American era and experience a traditional fish massage if you choose. The return journey starts around 2:30 PM, and on the way back to the harbor you pass Turtle Island, a limestone landmark that is Cat Ba's symbol. If you want to linger, you can stay on the boat until 5 PM to watch the sunset before the final return to Beo Harbor. The bus departs for Ha Noi around 3:30 PM (or later if you stayed for sunset) and arrives back at your hotel by 7:30 PM.

An English-speaking guide leads the day, and the air-conditioned bus has a restroom on board. Coffee and tea are available throughout. The tour includes all fees and taxes, so there are no surprises at checkout.

What’s included

• Round-trip air-conditioned bus pickup from your Ha Noi hotel.
• breakfast and lunch on the boat with a seafood menu or buffet.
• snorkeling and kayaking equipment access.
• an English-speaking guide.
• all entry fees and taxes.
• onboard restroom and refreshments.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (10 to 90 years) · Infant (under 10)

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideSpanish, French, German and Italian

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Daiichi Travel

Is this one for you?The English-speaking guide means you'll follow the commentary comfortably whether you're fluent or picking up phrases as you go. The 11-hour day is full but paced around water time and village visits, so it suits anyone who wants to be active without rushing.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 10).

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.

How long is the bus ride from Ha Noi to Cat Ba?

The pickup from your Ha Noi hotel starts at 5:45 AM and takes about three hours to reach Beo Harbor on Cat Ba Island, where you board the cruise at 9 AM.

What is Cai Beo fishing village?

Cai Beo is an ancient fishing village over 7000 years old and one of Vietnam's oldest cultural sites. It was first excavated by French archaeologist M. Colani in 1938 and is preserved as a historical relic of Cat Ba.

Where do you snorkel and what will you see?

You snorkel in the Dark and Light Cave area of Lan Ha Bay around 10 AM, where you can see coral reefs while kayaking and swimming in the bay.

Is there time to watch the sunset?

Yes. The boat normally docks at Beo Harbor around 3:30 PM for the return bus to Ha Noi, but you can stay aboard until 5 PM if you want to watch the sunset before heading back.

What meals are included?

Breakfast is served on the boat when you arrive at 9 AM, and lunch at noon is a seafood set menu or buffet. Coffee and tea are available throughout the day.