Boat Cruises in Cat Ba

Most Cat Ba cruises are still very basic backpacker trips, often with big groups and boats that haven’t changed much in decades. We wanted to find boats that are more comfortable.

The cruises we picked have smaller groups and better boats. The overnight cruises here are nicer and newer than most other Cat Ba cruises, with differentiated itineraries. Day cruises are still simple, but usually less crowded and run by teams we trust. So you can enjoy Lan Ha Bay without feeling packed in.

The main thing to decide is whether you want a day cruise or an overnight cruise.

A day cruise is enough to see the highlights of Lan Ha Bay if you’re short on time, but most day boats are quite basic and have very same-y itineraries.

If you can, we’d recommend an overnight cruise. The boats are usually more comfortable and the itineraries are more interesting, often including extras like cycling to Viet Hai Village or night kayaking to see glowing plankton.

Cat Ba is great year-round.

• The best months are April–June and September–November, when the weather is mild and perfect for kayaking, trekking and exploring the bay.
• July–August is hotter and busier as local travellers visit for summer holidays. Skip these months if you want a less crowded experience.
• December–March is cooler and quieter, with misty karst views and more peaceful vibes.

To avoid the crowds in Cat Ba, choose smaller boats rather than the big backpacker cruises, which often travel in large groups and follow the same busy routes.

Also, avoid the Vietnamese summer months (July–August)! This is when many local travellers visit Cat Ba for their holidays.

That said, Cat Ba is still much quieter than Ha Long Bay. You’ll typically see around a quarter of the number of boats, so even in busier periods it generally feels more relaxed.