Review Author: Chris Eeraerts

Review Date: 18 Jul 2026

Review Body: We had an amazing hike from Cat Ba town into the national park. After a challenging climb through rugged and beautiful nature, we went kayaking across the lake to a hidden bat cave. We finished the day with a swim in the peaceful lake, surrounded by magnificent scenery, with the entire place to ourselves. Floating in the water, eating oranges and cashew nuts while sea hawks circled overhead, was a truly unforgettable experience for our family of five. Our guide was a proud local who shared fascinating knowledge about the plants, wildlife, and traditional fishing culture of Cat Ba. He also gave us thoughtful insights into the recent developments and changes on the island, which added another dimension to the tour. This was a wonderful private experience that we will remember for a long time. Highly recommended! — Chris, Barbara, Ava, Renee and Isaac

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Sharinda

Review Date: 30 Mar 2026

Review Body: I loved every second of this trip!! First the short but challenging hike where we had to climb over rocks to reach the kayaks and than kayaking in the lagoon which we al had to ourselves. Sam showed me a really cool cave and a nice viewpoint. Great guy and guide who was so easy and fun to talk to.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Leonie

Review Date: 04 Oct 2025

Review Body: Be prepared for a big adventure! We really loved the tour. Although the trekking was hard it was worth it. The nature really was untouched and the view from up there was amazing. We also really enjoyed the kayaking. It was so quiet! Thanks to Huyen who was our tour guide and really amazing!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Evi

Review Date: 26 Apr 2025

Review Body: 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

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jude

Review Date: 30 Dec 2025

Review Body: Quiet, peaceful, informative, adventurous and so much fun. If you’re bored of the tours filled with tourists this is the perfect tour to take. Couldn’t have asked for anymore. Riley was so kind and made our experience amazing - thank you so much!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jon Hall

Review Date: 29 Dec 2024

Review Body: Very well organised. Safe and considerate to my wishes. Plenty of things to do and a good experience. Guide was very good; adapted activities to my level of skill and fitness. Fully recommend as a good value way to fill half a day

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Nicolas Tran

Review Date: 19 Nov 2025

Review Body: Everything. I did the half day trekking and kayaking. The lagoon they bring you is beautiful and you’re pretty much alone. The guides are kind, interesting and helpful.The nature is beautiful. I highly recommend Pathfinder Cat ba!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Linh

Review Date: 31 Jul 2024

Review Body: Must Try!!! Such a good way to discover around the most beautiful island in Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba. I had a very good time, eveyone is so friendly. I felt safe and really enjoy the trip. Thanks you so much

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jonah

Review Date: 03 Jan 2025

Review Body: The lagoon was beautiful and we were given plenty of time to explore by ourselves. The guide was very friendly and overall it was an amazing experience. We recommend the morning time slot

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jonas

Review Date: 06 Apr 2025

Review Body: Amazing experience! A really good guide who will make you feel safe. Beautiful views and demanding hike, but don’t be too scared about it.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Kahmy

Review Date: 12 Dec 2024

Review Body: Abseiling was one heck of an adventure! Definitely not for the faint-hearted but if you're down for a challenge, down for exercise, down for pushing yourself - it's absolutely an experience not to miss. The hill and the climb is hands-on. Like fully hands-on and it makes you just feel so alive, so invested and so fulfilling when you're at the top because you're like "oh I did that!" And when you abseil down, some people may have a fear of heights, but I swear it's super super safe. The team is very experienced and professional about strapping you in, tracking your equipment, everything. And yeah, two abseils is such a treat! It's so fun, it's just things that you don't do every day! And then there's the food and snacks, and kayaking, and then the cave. It's like extra bonus things that just keep making the day better. I felt like we did so much in one day and you're definitely going to be returning back to your hostel completely satisfied but also tired. I think that's a good sign of a worthwhile activity/day out! Highly highly recommend doing this amazing Seek Sophie experience if you're in Cat Ba!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Sophia

Review Date: 29 Oct 2024

Review Body: This was definitely the highlight of my trip to Cat Ba! We went with a small group and had an absolute blast. The guides—Bi, Lam, and Luc—were very caring and professional. They set up the equipment, gave us clear instructions, and prepared a delicious picnic lunch. Abseiling down the mountains seemed intimidating at first, but I felt completely safe in their capable hands. The trekking route wasn’t too difficult, and we enjoyed a superb view from the top of the mountain. We ended the day kayaking around Hang Vem Lake, which was beautiful. I loved every aspect of this tour, from the well-balanced activities to the food and even a surprise nap. Highly recommended!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Tammy Abbett

Review Date: 08 May 2025

Review Body: 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.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Zelia

Review Date: 30 Sep 2024

Review Body: There are absolutely no words that can describe the experience I had. It's definitely a once in a lifetime kind of adventure. The day was beautiful, the guide was so informed, sociable and made sure we were all safe. The lunch was incredible and we even got to take a little nap (my favorite part). It's a full day of trekking, kayaking and exploring with an amazing healthy lunch too. Everyone should do this tour, it's freaking awesome!!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Joe B

Review Date: 26 Sep 2026

Review Body: SUPER UNIQUE ACTIVITY!!! I am definitely a beginner climber, but this was just the experience I was looking for. I knew that several of the routes were going to be outside of my skill level, but there was plenty of opportunity to climb. The guides were very helpful and encouraging. Pathfinder’s is a smaller company but they had great communication ahead of the trip and the small group allowed for a customized experience.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Michelle

Review Date: 25 Mar 2026

Review Body: DWS with Pathfinders was incredible!! Owner Bee was also our guide and he was incredibly engaging, welcoming, and encouraging. As someone who has only climbed a few times, Bee was able to give me routes that were challenging yet left me feeling accomplished. The boat ride through the bay at the end of the day was so rewarding. Thanks to the whole team for such a fun day - genuinely one of the highlights of my trip.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Tran

Review Date: 30 Sep 2024

Review Body: our family had the best trip ever here in Cat Ba. we picked the Hang Vem tour with Mr Manh, Lam and Luc. they spoke perfectly English, very friendly, professional, cute and took real good pics 🥰😍. my parents are almost 60, had 0 experience before but they had no issues trekking or abseiling. I absolutely recommend this tour for anyone who wanna try something new 👍👍👍

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Andriana

Review Date: 15 Jul 2025

Review Body: Decided to book the Deep Water Solo/Cliff Jumping half day trip and it was soooo worth it! The instructors were really nice, funny and encouraging. We had plenty of fruit and water and the views were incredible. Need to come back to Vietnam soon to climb again, but if you’re interested in a real adventure I would definitely book this tour.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Essie Butterworth

Review Date: 25 Mar 2025

Review Body: It's clear these guys love what they do from the get-go, and honestly it pays dividends. I spent a lovely day with Bee exploring the island, he and the rest of the crew live and breathe adventure and are just excited to take people with them. Would absolutely recommend to anyone wanting off the beaten track

Review rating: 5

Review Author: James

Review Date: 30 Sep 2024

Review Body: Rio & his crew were exceptional hosts for our tour of the Blue Lagoon and the sights of Cat Ba. An awesome experience trekking, abseiling and kayaking through the mountains!! Well worth the money & will be for sure trying one of their other adventures in Vietnam soon!

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Jungle trek, kayaking, cave exploration, swimming & relaxing.

Itinerary Description: 7:45 AM/12:15 PM: Gather at the office to discuss kayaking schedules and methods. 8:15 AM/12:45 PM: Trekking: Warm up your engine before you hit the water! The jungle journey will get you warmed up soon. It’s also a chance to discover Cat Ba’s unique ecosystems and severe geology. Through the jungle, you’ll be astounded by the sparkling diamond cleverly hidden among the mountains. 9:00 AM/1:30 PM: Get on board! You’re now the captain, sailor, and navigator! But first, follow your guide to discover the tunnels buried deep within the rocks. The experience of “silence in the dark cave” will leave you with a lasting impression of Cat Ba’s Karst landform. 9:30 AM/2:00 PM: Explore by yourselves! It’s time for some alone time; we have created a map for you to explore Hang Vem Lake, find stunning cliffs, relax on “islands,” or become a fisherman with a lovely bamboo fishing rod. Kayak on the deep blue and tranquil lake to see the wonders made by storm erosion, the weathering of the sun and wind, and the magnificent flora and fauna beneath the water that changes with the tide. Don’t forget to assemble on the floating raft to swim and have afternoon tea. 11:00 AM/3:30 PM: Jump immediately into the brilliant blue lagoon! This swimming pool is extremely private and big, perfect for capturing wonderful moments with your company. Don’t forget the fruits, sweets, and herbal drinks that await you on the raft. 11:30 AM/4:00 PM: Enjoy fruits and refreshing drinks amidst the waves, feeling “so good” after a lively tour of discovery. 12:00 PM/4:30 PM: Arrange your items, pack, and prepare to return to the starting place. 12:30 PM/ 5:00 PM: The driver is ready with a smile; please return the equipment before going to your hotel; nevertheless, remember to bring amazing memories and experiences wherever you go!