Ha Long Bay Day Cruise from Cat Ba
One full day on the water, cruising the karst scenery of both Lan Ha and Ha Long, with a cave stop, kayaking and lunch cooked on board.
No prepayment to check availability. We reply on WhatsApp within minutes, 7AM to 11PM Vietnam time.
Quick facts
| Duration | Full day, roughly 08:00 to 16:00 |
|---|---|
| Group size | Maximum 16 guests |
| Pickup | Your hotel in Cat Ba Town, included |
| Activity level | Easy. Kayaking is optional and short |
| Swimming | Yes, one swim stop |
| Meals | Seafood lunch on board included |
| Guide | Licensed, English speaking |
| Best months | October to April for clear air, May to September for warm water |
| Bring | Swimwear, towel, sunscreen, hat, light rain layer |
Trip highlights
- Cruise both Lan Ha and Ha Long scenery in one day
- Explore a hidden cave or lagoon
- Kayaking and swimming stop
- Seafood lunch cooked on board
- Easy day trip with hotel pickup included
A day on the trip
Times shift with tide, weather and how the group is feeling. We would rather give you a longer swim on a good day than hit a schedule.
What is included
Included
- Day cruise
- English speaking guide
- Cave and route entrance fees
- Kayak and gear
- Lunch on board
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cat Ba Town
Not included
- Drinks
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guide and crew
- Personal expenses
Places on the route
Lan Ha Bay
Around 400 islands and 139 mostly untouched beaches, quieter than Ha Long.
Hidden cave & lagoon
Kayak through a low cave into a still lagoon ringed by cliffs.
Floating village
Cruise past a working fishing village where families live on the water.
Good to know
Booking runs on WhatsApp. You get the full inclusions list in writing before you pay anything.
Weather. Boats do not sail in unsafe conditions, and that call belongs to the captain rather than to a booking screen. Typhoon risk on this coast peaks in July and August, and August alone averages around 280 mm of rain across 17 wet days. If a trip cannot run we contact you the evening before or first thing that morning and set out the options available that day: move to another date, switch to a land based alternative, or cancel. The exact terms for your booking are confirmed in writing before you pay.
Changing or cancelling. Message us as early as you can. The earlier we know, the more we can do, and in most cases moving your date is simpler than cancelling outright.
Common questions
No. Life jackets are provided and worn on the water, the kayaking is flat water and short, and the swim stop is entirely optional. Tell your guide at pickup if you are not a swimmer so the crew keeps an eye out.
You see the same limestone seascape, inscribed together by UNESCO in 2023 as one World Heritage site of 1,133 islands. The difference is traffic. Leaving from Cat Ba you spend your morning in the quieter Lan Ha channels rather than queueing behind large boats. The full comparison is in our Cat Ba vs Ha Long article.
Light rain is not a problem, the boat has covered deck space and the trip runs. Heavy weather or unsafe seas are different and the captain makes that call. See Good to know above.
Yes, this is the easiest of our boat days for families. Tell us ages when you book so the crew has the right size life jackets on board.
Read more before you go
Ask us or reserve your spot
Fastest on WhatsApp, we usually reply within minutes. Or leave your details and we will get back to you.