Beka Travel · Ben Beo harbour, Cat Ba
A Lan Ha day boat from Ben Beo harbour on Cat Ba: Cai Beo floating village, a kayak lagoon in a conservation zone, lunch at anchor and a swim at Ba Trai Dao. It ends with a spring-roll lesson on deck and docks at 16:15, early enough to catch an evening bus.
Beka's day boat leaves from Ben Beo, so the whole day is in Lan Ha. If you are on Cat Ba, the shuttle picks you up at 8:30 from your hotel in town or the Beka office (No. 168, 1/4 Street) and it is ten minutes to the pier. The guide hands out the bay tickets there; they are in the price. Back at the harbour at 16:15.
From Hanoi it is a different day. Pickup is 5:30 in the Old Quarter on weekdays, or at the bus office at 214 Tran Quang Khai Street at weekends, and the bus and ferry get you to Ben Beo in time for the boat. You can book it one way, ending on Cat Ba, or with the ride back, which drops you around 20:30 at your hotel on weekdays and at the bus stop on Hang Muoi Street at weekends and holidays. Fifteen hours, for a day on the water.
The boat is smaller than the big Ha Long day cruisers, and the guides get a lot of praise. Kayaking is about an hour in a lagoon inside a protected area; the exact lagoon depends on the tide. Kayaking is on the itinerary; on some days crews switch to a rowed bamboo boat at the caves, because Lan Ha's kayaking rules have changed several times since late 2024. Drinks on board and the holiday surcharge are extra.
Hanoi guests leave the Old Quarter at 5:30 (weekdays) or 214 Tran Quang Khai Street (weekends). Cat Ba guests are collected at 8:30 for the ten-minute ride to Ben Beo.
The boat sails past Cai Beo, one of the largest floating villages in the north, and out among the karsts.
Paddle a lagoon in a designated conservation area. The spot changes with the tide.
Vietnamese lunch on board at anchor, with vegetarian options.
Cruise to the Ba Trai Dao area, then swim and jump off the boat at the beach.
Roll your own fresh spring rolls on deck on the way back. Ashore at 16:15, then the bus to your Cat Ba hotel or to Hanoi.
★★★★★A wonderful tour! Fresco was a great guide. Lan Ha Bay is a beautiful place. Great kayaks, although the route was a bit short (1 hour). A fantastic spot for spending time on the beach, and finally, a relaxed and fun-filled lesson in making spring rolls against the stunning backdrop of Lan Ha Bay. Highly recommended!
★★★★★Had a wonderful time!! Our guide Alex was so funny and vibrant. Swimming around the beaches and caves made us feel like children again. The lunch was really delicious as well as the DIY rice roll snack later. Definitely worth getting up at 5am. Thank you!
★★★★★The sightseeing tour was very comprehensive, and both the tour guide and the captain, as well as the other people, were very friendly. The food was plentiful and delicious. The scenery is wonderful. It's really worth it.
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At Ben Beo harbour on Cat Ba. The shuttle from Cat Ba town is included and takes about ten minutes.
Yes. Pickup is 5:30 in the Old Quarter on weekdays or at 214 Tran Quang Khai Street at weekends. You can return to Hanoi the same night, around 20:30, or stay on Cat Ba.
At 16:15, then the bus takes you to your Cat Ba hotel or on to Hanoi.
It is on the itinerary, about an hour in a conservation lagoon. On some days crews in Lan Ha use a rowed bamboo boat instead.
Ready to book
A smaller day boat into Lan Ha's quieter lagoons, with kayaking, lunch and spring rolls at sunset.
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