Our top picks for Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba — dramatic karst scenery, fewer crowds, sea kayaking, and even glowing plankton.

Boat Cruise in Cat Ba: The Best Lan Ha Bay Cruises

Boat Cruises in Cat Ba

9.30 am: Get on the boat and it will cruise past fishing villages, various limestone islets and beautiful beaches on Lan Ha Bay

10 am: Kayak around the islets. The boat will anchor at a quiet lagoon, feel free to take a dip/ snorkel near a beach (if the tide permits)

12 pm: On the way back you will visit Monkey island, do a short hike up to the peak for a panoramic view of the bay.

1.30 pm: Arrive at the harbour

Kayaking.PNG

Cat Ba - Lan Ha Bay - Cat Ba

Depart at any time you want, the trip will last for about 4 hours. You will visit the floating villages, Lan Ha Bay to see the limestone karsts of different shapes, swim around secluded beaches (if tide permits). Lastly, hike up to Monkey Island to get a panoramic view of the Bay and surrounding islets.

20190728_113239.jpg

3b.jpg

20190310_103500.jpg

20190310_103520.jpg

Boat Cruises

A private 4-hour kayak trip in Lan Ha Bay — start when you like, paddle past floating villages and karsts, then swim and hike Monkey Island.

4-Hour Private Kayaking Trip

4-hour Private Kayaking Trip

Have found Mrs.Smiley on Tripadvisor and she was able to organize a private tour for our family in a very limited time. She's a nice person, very professional and speaks good English - highly recommended!

The boat was very OK, Captain is friendly and can speak some English too. He's also a really great cook - the food was delicious!

Tour itself is so interesting, but please try to choose a good weather (we had to wait one day to have it sunny and warm). During the kayaking part you can find one more "hidden" cave (very tight and dark!) - just follow the other kayakers!

Please be aware that Monkey Island has two trails on it's hill - one will take you to a very safe viewpoint with a tent, but the other one (most people take) will lead you to the top of the hill and it's REALLY DANGEROUS unless you're in a good shape and wearing trekking boots.

Have found Mrs.Smiley on Tripadvisor and she was able to organize a private tour for our family in a very limited time. She's a nice person, very professional and speaks good English - highly recommended!

The boat was very OK, Captain is friendly and can speak some English too. He's also a really great cook - the food was delicious!

Tour itself is so interesting, but please try to choose a good weather (we had to wait one day to have it sunny and warm). During the kayaking part you can find one more "hidden" cave (very tight and dark!) - just follow the other kayakers!

Please be aware that Monkey Island has two trails on it's hill - one will take you to a very safe viewpoint with a tent, but the other one (most people take) will lead you to the top of the hill and it's REALLY DANGEROUS unless you're in a good shape and wearing trekking boots.

I would hire her again. perfect
 Our experience in Vietnam was fabulous thanks to her, she did not give us time to organize the trip and smiley prepared the routes and activities in a very short time, we always found her available and willing to help us.
 The route through Halong Bay, the boat, the food ... prepared everything to make us feel unique in Vietnam.
 I recommend it.
 Ana

I would hire her again. perfect
Our experience in Vietnam was fabulous thanks to her, she did not give us time to organize the trip and smiley prepared the routes and activities in a very short time, we always found her available and willing to help us.
The route through Halong Bay, the boat, the food ... prepared everything to make us feel unique in Vietnam.
I recommend it.
Ana

Four friends and I were staying on the airport of Haiphong, we got in touch with Smiley in that moment to help us to arrive to Cat Ba and to make the best of our time in Cat Ba. She sent a taxi for us in 10 minutes she managed with taxis, boats, guides, buses to sapa and with Everything we needed, she had always a quick solution. She prepared for us a great tour in Cat Ba with a delicious meal

Show less

Four friends and I were staying on the airport of Haiphong, we got in touch with Smiley in that moment to help us to arrive to Cat Ba and to make the best of our time in Cat Ba. She sent a taxi for us in 10 minutes she managed with taxis, boats, guides, buses to sapa and with Everything we needed, she had always a quick solution. She prepared for us a great tour in Cat Ba with a delicious meal

Show less

I was very impressed and happy with the personal service, food, and wide variety of excursions (kayaking, swimming, hiking, biking). Best package tour I have ever taken. Smiley was very friendly, dependable, and helpful. I will definitely recommend this to my friends visiting Vietnam

I was very impressed and happy with the personal service, food, and wide variety of excursions (kayaking, swimming, hiking, biking). Best package tour I have ever taken. Smiley was very friendly, dependable, and helpful. I will definitely recommend this to my friends visiting Vietnam

Best day trip in Vietnam
 We had a lovely day in the area around Cat Ba Island,with wonderful scenery and a captain that listened to all our requests. The food he prepared on the boat was excellent and was one of the best we had in the whole country.

Best day trip in Vietnam
We had a lovely day in the area around Cat Ba Island,with wonderful scenery and a captain that listened to all our requests. The food he prepared on the boat was excellent and was one of the best we had in the whole country.

An amazing time on a boat with great siteseeing. Capitan is also a great cook - the lunch was delicious. Trip has started very punctually, no delays and no issues in time. I do very much recommend this service and this supplier.

An amazing time on a boat with great siteseeing. Capitan is also a great cook - the lunch was delicious. Trip has started very punctually, no delays and no issues in time. I do very much recommend this service and this supplier.

Amazing privare tour. We got picked up at the morning by our hotel and taken to the harbor, where we started our cruise. Capitan was great and friendly. He spoke english which was nice. He get to show us many places over the bay including caves where we swimmed while he was cooking lunch. (great one Btw). If you like places not overcrowded this trip is for you. ____

Amazing privare tour. We got picked up at the morning by our hotel and taken to the harbor, where we started our cruise. Capitan was great and friendly. He spoke english which was nice. He get to show us many places over the bay including caves where we swimmed while he was cooking lunch. (great one Btw). If you like places not overcrowded this trip is for you. ____

Smiley at Ben Beo harbour
 This should not have worked if you believe travelers instinct...a woman aproaches us as we step out of our taxi and sells us a tour. It was great!
 15 CDN per person had us on her father's little boat (not luxury but what we wanted) for over 3.5 hours. Cruising the Karst formations checking out a floating fish farm/cottage, over to Monkey Island where the only problem was tourists giving baby monkey plastic wrapped after dinner mints (ya she got told) A nice swim on the beautiful beach and then another boat ride home.
 Thought we were done but the captain knew we were hungry so he stopped off at a floating fishing village where our hosts stufed us full of rice, cabbage and a kilo of crustaceans (language barrier left it at prawns but they looked more like crayfish to me) with drinks for 40 CDN. So good.
 Father/captain could not have been more accommodating for our family if 4. Life jackets a plenty.
 This one checks all the boxes.

Smiley at Ben Beo harbour
This should not have worked if you believe travelers instinct...a woman aproaches us as we step out of our taxi and sells us a tour. It was great!
15 CDN per person had us on her father's little boat (not luxury but what we wanted) for over 3.5 hours. Cruising the Karst formations checking out a floating fish farm/cottage, over to Monkey Island where the only problem was tourists giving baby monkey plastic wrapped after dinner mints (ya she got told) A nice swim on the beautiful beach and then another boat ride home.
Thought we were done but the captain knew we were hungry so he stopped off at a floating fishing village where our hosts stufed us full of rice, cabbage and a kilo of crustaceans (language barrier left it at prawns but they looked more like crayfish to me) with drinks for 40 CDN. So good.
Father/captain could not have been more accommodating for our family if 4. Life jackets a plenty.
This one checks all the boxes.

So nice, we did it twice
 My wife and I were staying on the mainland, so we got in touch with Smiley to help us make the best of our time in Ha Long Bay. She hooked us up with taxis, boats, guides, etc. Everything we needed, she had a solution. It never felt like we were trapped into a particular tour or package, because we could always work with her and the guides to modify the trip to what we wanted it to be. I highly recommend Smiley to anyone traveling to Ha Long Bay and Cat Bah Island (make sure to get her WhatsApp contact info).

So nice, we did it twice
My wife and I were staying on the mainland, so we got in touch with Smiley to help us make the best of our time in Ha Long Bay. She hooked us up with taxis, boats, guides, etc. Everything we needed, she had a solution. It never felt like we were trapped into a particular tour or package, because we could always work with her and the guides to modify the trip to what we wanted it to be. I highly recommend Smiley to anyone traveling to Ha Long Bay and Cat Bah Island (make sure to get her WhatsApp contact info).

Perfect !
 I found the phone number on google and I decided to give a try. I did a bay tour, village tour and more than 1 hour on a private beach in the bay.

It was perfect ! We were only two on a private boat and the boat driver took his time in the village and inside the bay.

The pick up was directly at our hotel and the taxi was also really nice !

The women the hold the company is really nice and really took care of us :-)

I highly recommend this company !
 Thanks again for this beautiful half day :-)

Perfect !
I found the phone number on google and I decided to give a try. I did a bay tour, village tour and more than 1 hour on a private beach in the bay.

It was perfect ! We were only two on a private boat and the boat driver took his time in the village and inside the bay.

The pick up was directly at our hotel and the taxi was also really nice !

The women the hold the company is really nice and really took care of us :-)

I highly recommend this company !
Thanks again for this beautiful half day :-)

Fantastic experience
 Smiley was very nice and help us a lot with transfer to hai phong airport. During the trip, we're alone with our personal guide tony who was very funny and thoughtful. This amazing experience was not be the same without you, thanks smiley and tony!

Fantastic experience
Smiley was very nice and help us a lot with transfer to hai phong airport. During the trip, we're alone with our personal guide tony who was very funny and thoughtful. This amazing experience was not be the same without you, thanks smiley and tony!

Great Ha Long Bay alternative
 Fantastic tour. Smiley was super attentive and accommodating. Our Day 1 guide, Tony, was hilarious and entertaining. Our goal was to see natural beauty more removed from the touristic areas and it was accomplished!

Great Ha Long Bay alternative
Fantastic tour. Smiley was super attentive and accommodating. Our Day 1 guide, Tony, was hilarious and entertaining. Our goal was to see natural beauty more removed from the touristic areas and it was accomplished!

I have had with two friends of mine, an amazing day on the boat. The boat driver and his wife are super friendly !! nice small family business
 We could stop and stay somewhere as we wanted. We did kayaking, stoped on a smell island with nobody else, had some swims, had lunch, had some swims again, went on monkey island. The only thing is that we didn't snorkle but we actually didn't ask for it though
 We had an amazing meal, the boat driver is a cook so he cooked really nice food ! And a lot !!
 Tour was not touristic because we've been a little ealier than all the big boats
 The price is really affordable if you're three people or more
 I totally recommand it. Will do exactly the same when I'll come back to Cat Ba
 Thank you very much Tran Hien ! :)

I have had with two friends of mine, an amazing day on the boat. The boat driver and his wife are super friendly !! nice small family business
We could stop and stay somewhere as we wanted. We did kayaking, stoped on a smell island with nobody else, had some swims, had lunch, had some swims again, went on monkey island. The only thing is that we didn't snorkle but we actually didn't ask for it though
We had an amazing meal, the boat driver is a cook so he cooked really nice food ! And a lot !!
Tour was not touristic because we've been a little ealier than all the big boats
The price is really affordable if you're three people or more
I totally recommand it. Will do exactly the same when I'll come back to Cat Ba
Thank you very much Tran Hien ! :)

Tour Lan Ha bay - HaLong Bay
 We were looking for a tour through Ha Long Bay area.The most important thing for us was that it is not too touristy.After a short research, we found Cat Ba Package Tour because they have great recommendation on TripAdvisor

We booked the tour before we finally arrived at Cat Ba and everything worked out perfectly , especially the communication with Smiley.

Smiley advised us to start early to have the bay to our selves.This turned out to be a great trip .We arrived everywhere before the masses of other tourists.Everything was great on the tour.The caption was very nice and the food he cooked was more than good

For us it was totally worth the money enjoying the quietness of surrounding nature without other tourist group.All in all we can recommend booking with Smiley !

Tour Lan Ha bay - HaLong Bay
We were looking for a tour through Ha Long Bay area.The most important thing for us was that it is not too touristy.After a short research, we found Cat Ba Package Tour because they have great recommendation on TripAdvisor

We booked the tour before we finally arrived at Cat Ba and everything worked out perfectly , especially the communication with Smiley.

Smiley advised us to start early to have the bay to our selves.This turned out to be a great trip .We arrived everywhere before the masses of other tourists.Everything was great on the tour.The caption was very nice and the food he cooked was more than good

For us it was totally worth the money enjoying the quietness of surrounding nature without other tourist group.All in all we can recommend booking with Smiley !

Cat ba island private tour - recommended
 It is def one of the best trips because we were able to trek and being rewarded with super amazing Halong Bay views, we were well taken care from the moment we were picked up from Hanoi to the part whereby we were dropped back at hanoi at the end of the trip.

Not signing up for the usual touristy packages whereby you will stay in the cruise throughout was the best decision. You are at the right place if you dislike touristy packages and doing all the boring stuff. You should opt for this instead too!

Meals prepared by captain were amazing, so homely! On the first day, captain and guide noticed that we don't eat prawns and hence they changed them to other dishes which were really thoughtful of them.;)

Our trip itinerary in summary:
 Day 1: pick up from Hanoi to cat Bay island, lunch, Cycling and trekking with amazing Halong Bay view
 Return to monkey island resort plus dinner
 Day 2: great breakfast spread at monkey island resort, trek up monkey island with another great view, Canoeing, lunch, no private Swimming as we didn't want to swim

Thanks smiley for arranging along with an amazing guide HIEU VIET NGUYEN :) making this one of the best trips!! Will recommend to friends because they've been asking us for contact too after seeing the pictures!

Cat ba island private tour - recommended
It is def one of the best trips because we were able to trek and being rewarded with super amazing Halong Bay views, we were well taken care from the moment we were picked up from Hanoi to the part whereby we were dropped back at hanoi at the end of the trip.

Not signing up for the usual touristy packages whereby you will stay in the cruise throughout was the best decision. You are at the right place if you dislike touristy packages and doing all the boring stuff. You should opt for this instead too!

Meals prepared by captain were amazing, so homely! On the first day, captain and guide noticed that we don't eat prawns and hence they changed them to other dishes which were really thoughtful of them.;)

Our trip itinerary in summary:
Day 1: pick up from Hanoi to cat Bay island, lunch, Cycling and trekking with amazing Halong Bay view
Return to monkey island resort plus dinner
Day 2: great breakfast spread at monkey island resort, trek up monkey island with another great view, Canoeing, lunch, no private Swimming as we didn't want to swim

Thanks smiley for arranging along with an amazing guide HIEU VIET NGUYEN :) making this one of the best trips!! Will recommend to friends because they've been asking us for contact too after seeing the pictures!

Totally recommend
 We booked a two days tour in halong bay with a night in a floating house. We paid around 165$/person and it was a great experience.

We were picked up at our hotel in Hanoi, when we arrived to Cat Ba we had a boat waiting for us with a cool Capitan and a even cooler tour guide (Tony Hieu Nguyen)

We sailed, did kayaking, climbed, went to the forest, visited a cave, ride bikes trough forests and ancient towns, slept in a floating house and saw a pet fish 10 years old who weighed 100kg. And also visited monkey Island! Everything with the explanations from Tony and the great food from the capitan.

If you want to be take care of, do not think it twice, just do it.

Thanks Tony!

Totally recommend
We booked a two days tour in halong bay with a night in a floating house. We paid around 165$/person and it was a great experience.

We were picked up at our hotel in Hanoi, when we arrived to Cat Ba we had a boat waiting for us with a cool Capitan and a even cooler tour guide (Tony Hieu Nguyen)

We sailed, did kayaking, climbed, went to the forest, visited a cave, ride bikes trough forests and ancient towns, slept in a floating house and saw a pet fish 10 years old who weighed 100kg. And also visited monkey Island! Everything with the explanations from Tony and the great food from the capitan.

If you want to be take care of, do not think it twice, just do it.

Thanks Tony!

Extraordinary
 This is an extraordinary daytrip, and great value for money. Ideal if you want to explore the less touristy Lan Ha bay (from Cat Ba island), but not miss out on Ha Long bay (even though you'll only see a small part of it). Kayaking, private swimming, floating village, private lunch and monkey island: you'll see it all from the comfort of your own boat. If monkey island gets too crowded, just ask your private skipper to go to another beach.
 PS: Communication with Smiley is best and fastest via whatsapp.

Extraordinary
This is an extraordinary daytrip, and great value for money. Ideal if you want to explore the less touristy Lan Ha bay (from Cat Ba island), but not miss out on Ha Long bay (even though you'll only see a small part of it). Kayaking, private swimming, floating village, private lunch and monkey island: you'll see it all from the comfort of your own boat. If monkey island gets too crowded, just ask your private skipper to go to another beach.
PS: Communication with Smiley is best and fastest via whatsapp.

Private day tour of Lan Hai Bay
 Smiley arranged a private boat tour of Lan Hai Bay for my family of 4. We left Cat Ba island early in the morning before the larger boats had left and had a very peaceful time exploring the sights. The captain was very friendly and adjusted the itinerary to suit us along the way. He also helped find deserted beaches for us to swim over to from the boat.

The lunch was very tasty and the drinks prices extremely reasonable. I arranged the trip with Smiley via Facebook and WhatsApp and everything was very straightforward. Thanks for a great trip and for the photos you took!

Private day tour of Lan Hai Bay
Smiley arranged a private boat tour of Lan Hai Bay for my family of 4. We left Cat Ba island early in the morning before the larger boats had left and had a very peaceful time exploring the sights. The captain was very friendly and adjusted the itinerary to suit us along the way. He also helped find deserted beaches for us to swim over to from the boat.

The lunch was very tasty and the drinks prices extremely reasonable. I arranged the trip with Smiley via Facebook and WhatsApp and everything was very straightforward. Thanks for a great trip and for the photos you took!

Private boat tour in Cat Ba
 Smiley, thanks for all of it!
 We booked a private boat tour in Cat Ba. We started in 7.00 AM before any big tourist boats started there trips. It's good to start in early morning. After hour the good view spots starts to be crowded. Our Captain make for two of us a lovely lunch after we swim in a private beach, which we could choose where ever we liked. It was a good long day. Smiley help us to organized our trip, she booked a bus to Sappa through Hanoi. She took care of everything. Here quoat ÒI'm happy, if you are happyÓ that made our day! Thanks again Smiley and good luck in the future.

Private boat tour in Cat Ba
Smiley, thanks for all of it!
We booked a private boat tour in Cat Ba. We started in 7.00 AM before any big tourist boats started there trips. It's good to start in early morning. After hour the good view spots starts to be crowded. Our Captain make for two of us a lovely lunch after we swim in a private beach, which we could choose where ever we liked. It was a good long day. Smiley help us to organized our trip, she booked a bus to Sappa through Hanoi. She took care of everything. Here quoat ÒI'm happy, if you are happyÓ that made our day! Thanks again Smiley and good luck in the future.

Absolurely the best thing we did in Vietnam.
 Private boat for the two of us with our own captain. He took us where we wanted but mainly to a lagoon for canoeing, our own private beach, lan na bay which was stunning but we sadly had to skip monkey island due to needing to leave Cat Ba earlier that evening. Smiley is the best and has helped us with much more than just this package. Couldn't recommend this trip or smiley enough!!!

Absolurely the best thing we did in Vietnam.
Private boat for the two of us with our own captain. He took us where we wanted but mainly to a lagoon for canoeing, our own private beach, lan na bay which was stunning but we sadly had to skip monkey island due to needing to leave Cat Ba earlier that evening. Smiley is the best and has helped us with much more than just this package. Couldn't recommend this trip or smiley enough!!!

Smiley, started the company on her own to provide better private trips for travellers. She bought a medium-sized boat with her work savings to enhance guests sailing experience. The guests love her brilliant arrangement, the friendly boat captain (who is also her husband), and customisable itinerary that is worth every penny.

Cat Ba Package Tour

CatBaPackageTourCover__1_.png

Smiley, started the company on her own to provide better private trips for travellers. She bought a medium-sized boat with her work savings to enhance guests sailing experience. The guests love her brilliant arrangement, the friendly boat captain (who is also her husband), and customisable itinerary that is worth every penny.

4-hour Private Kayaking Trip

What You’ll be Doing

Day 1:

What’s Included

Who you’re supporting

Women-led Wonder

Where we'll meet

Start Point

End Point

Start & Ends

Suitability / Accessibility

Cancellation & other policies

Cancellation

What to Pack

Meet your host

You May Also Like