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Cat Ba
Cat Ba
Halong Bay's rugged little sister. No luxe cruises here, just raw karst beauty, hidden caves and nature hikes.
Top Things to Do in Cat Ba
Go beyond the tourist checklist - into the hidden spots & heartfelt stories
01
Explore Lan Ha Bay: Ha Long’s Hidden Twin
Set sail from Cat Ba into Lan Ha Bay—like Ha Long, but blissfully uncrowded. Kayak, swim, and cycle through stunning karst scenery.
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02
Sleep Afloat in a Floating Homestay
Wake up on the water! Kayak at sunrise, swim off your doorstep & spend the night in a cozy floating home surrounded by calm, quiet bay views.
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03
Kayak Into a Sea of Glowing Plankton
Paddle under the stars as the water lights up with bioluminescent plankton. A magical night adventure that feels straight out of a fantasy.
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04
Stay Overnight on a Cruise in Lan Ha Bay
Trade hotel walls for gentle waves. This overnight cruise lets you fall asleep to the sounds of the bay and wake up surrounded by Lan Ha’s stunning limestone karsts.
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05
Experience Fishing Life
Dive into coastal life in Lan Ha Bay—join local fishermen, collect mussels at high tide, or hunt thunder crabs in sea caves at low tide. A rare, hands-on adventure few ever get to try.
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06
Climb Cat Ba’s Wild Limestone Walls
Test your nerves and climb sea cliffs with epic jungle views. Whether beginner or pro, this is Vietnam’s best outdoor rock climbing spot.
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07
Leap Into Deep Water Solo Adventures
Climb up and dive off. With no ropes or gear, it’s just you, the rock, and a thrilling splash into the sea. Pure, playful adrenaline.
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08
Rappel Down Hidden Jungle Walls
Gear up and descend vertical rock faces hidden in Cat Ba’s lush forests. It’s part hike, part adrenaline – all adventure.
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09
Trek Wild Trails in Cat Ba National Park
Hike through dense jungle, spot endangered langurs (if lucky!), and climb to panoramic island views. A wild and scenic adventure through Cat Ba’s rugged national park.
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Start Planning
We handpick every guide and adventure, so you know it's worth your time.
5.0 (14)
|7.5 hrs
|Up to 10 guests
“Uncrowded kayaking stunning views delicious bonfire dinner ”
Private trip
5.0 (2)
|2D1N
|Up to 8 guests
5.0 (2)
|5 hrs
|Up to 15 guests
“It was so surreal. Very very very peaceful ”
Instant book
5.0 (17)
|4.5 hrs
|Up to 12 guests
“Fun safe lagoon adventure great guide great value”
Instant book
5.0 (37)
|6 hrs
|Up to 10 guests
“Amazing Ha Long Bay climbing with superb guides”
5.0 (2)
|2D1N
|Up to 8 guests
4.8 (46)
|3D2N
|Up to 16 guests
5.0 (14)
|7.5 hrs
|Up to 10 guests
“Uncrowded kayaking stunning views delicious bonfire dinner ”
Private trip
4.8 (46)
|10 hrs
|Up to 16 guests
“Tour was extremely well organised”
5.0 (2)
|9 hrs
|Up to 25 guests
Instant book
4.8 (109)
|3D2N
|Up to 40 guests
“Amazing cruise skip Cat Ba book two nights on the boat”
4.9 (45)
|8 hrs
|Up to 30 guests
“Everything about this experience was phenomenal”
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All Cat Ba Adventures
Itinerary Ideas
Use these as starting points, then sprinkle in your own travel magic.
What other guests say
4.9
|
270 reviews
Had an amazing day! Initially we booked a trip in the bay but because of strong winds and an upcoming storm the bay was closed. Chans came up with an amazing alternative and we spent a whole day exploring Cat Ba island. We could help harvest rice which was so cool to experience! We went to see the mangroves and peddled around on our SUP boards. We looked for clamps in the water and went to the local market to buy food. After watching the sunset, all the food including the clamps where prepared and we had a super local dinner. If you want to see more of Cat Ba than just beaches and the bay, we would definitely recommend this tour! Chans really took the time to show us the local way of living, the hospitality, the beauty and variety of nature this island has to offer. Big thank you!
Suzan
This was a great experience. Our guides were wonderful and took care of everything for us to include hauling water and snacks in for us. Just be aware this is a pretty rigorous hike in and then climb to the top of the mountain. Once you rappel down, you still have to hike out over pretty rigorous terrain. I made the mistake of thinking I was done after the rappel then had to work up the energy for the hike out. Folks with long hair don’t forget a hair tie or headband to keep your long hair back and out of the ropes.
Tammy Abbett
B was a great guide, thank you! :)
Mia Laidlaw
It is a fantastic tour! If you are looking for a local guide Chans is one. We kayaked in ha long bay in a very beautiful spot away from the crowd it was very peaceful. Part of this tour was seeing the Planton and how they light blue at light which was majestic. Then we made our way back to cat ba where we met local fisherman , had tea with them and learnt about their life which was a perfect ending on this tour. I highly recommend this tour .
Anke
Chans’ tour was exceptionally good. I thought it would be a small group and it turned out to be just my partner and I.
The tour is well off the beaten path, away from tourists boats both big and small and you really feel you have the place to yourself for large parts of the day.
We went around the fishing village on a small boat before transferring to kayaks and paddling around lan ha bay for about 4 hours exploring secret lagoons and hidden caves that only a local would know. It was a good mix of paddling, swimming and relaxing in the sunshine. Because you are away from other tourists it is very peaceful, we heard and saw lots of birds, and also saw little fish, crabs and even some little cuttlefish!
We had draft beer and an excellent dinner on a floating homestay while the sun set and then went back out to another private lagoon to swim with the bioluminescent plankton, again completely on our own. A totally magical experience. And to top it off, a 10 min speedboat back to the mainland!
At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, this was the best tour we have done in Vietnam, and one of the best things we have ever done. It is well worth booking if you want to experience the beauty and peace of the nature of Lan Ha bay at a relaxed and gentle pace.
Georgie
We had an amazing trip. Chans is a really great guy, who speaks English very well. We were inspired by his love for nature. We had enough time to enjoy the scenery, relax and kajak around Han La Bay. It’s really different from a kajak Then from a boat. The mix of different spots, different boats and eating at the homestay was perfect. And we loved to see the plankton and fisherment homes by night. Conclusion: we had a perfect day.
Monica (Netherlands)
Wonderful trekking and kayaking off the beaten track in a wonderful and secluded lagoon. Zoë's a very skilful and thoughtful guide. I enjoyed every minute of this trip and recommend Cat Ba pathfinder to everybody who wants to have a non-touristy and sportive experience in nature
Evi
This trip was honestly the best part of my time in Vietnam. Our guide was very knowledgeable and ensured that we have a wonderful time. We really appreciated the planning and got to learn a lot about local people and go to places that are not visited by other tourist and caught crabs and collected mussels for dinner. We had an amazing day and evening and even ended up fishing squid!! Our dinner was delicious. Totally recommending this trip!!
Regina
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