Cat Ba Local · Ben Beo harbour, Cat Ba
A full day from Cat Ba town with a locally owned crew: Cai Beo floating village, kayaking through two caves, lunch at an islet and a swim at Ba Trai Dao. The reason to pick it is the group size: there is an option capped at ten people.
Cat Ba Local is run by guides who grew up on the island, and the reviews keep naming them: Tom, Tyler, Tien. Pickup is at 8:00 from their office at 229, 1/4 Street or from your hotel in Cat Ba town, and the boat is cruising Lan Ha by 8:20. No Ha Long start, no long transfer. You are back at the office at 17:00, so plan on nine hours, not the eight on the listing.
Read the options carefully. The small-group option goes up to 10 people; the standard option goes up to 30. If a calm boat is why you are here, book the small one. The route takes in Cai Beo, two caves by kayak (K.A Cave and Bats Cave), lunch at Ong Cam islet, a swing into southern Ha Long past Dau Be Island and Vung Vieng, then Ba Trai Dao and a fish farm. 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.
Lunch, entry fees, kayaks, dry bags and insurance are included. Drinks and tips are not, and there is no Hanoi transfer: you need to be on Cat Ba already (4 to 5.5 hours from Hanoi by bus and car ferry). The operator lists it as not suitable for babies under one or for travellers over 70.
From the Cat Ba Local office (229, 1/4 Street) or your hotel in town.
The boat heads into Lan Ha past Cai Beo floating village and its fish farms.
Paddle through tunnels and arches at K.A Cave and Bats Cave into enclosed lagoons.
Vietnamese lunch at anchor, then swim, relax or jump off the boat.
Sail past Dau Be Island and Vung Vieng village, swim at Ba Trai Dao at 14:30, then a local fish farm and research centre at 15:30.
Cruise back to the harbour; drop-off at the Cat Ba Local office at 17:00.
★★★★★A magical day in Lan Ha Bay thanks to our guide, Tyler! Always smiling and always full of information to share with us, you can tell that he is passionate and deeply loves this place! The group was small, the boat was very well appointed and very clean, the food was more than excellent, and the staff were very friendly. We went kayaking, visited a fish farm and swam in idyllic coves. Everything was perfect. I highly recommend this day trip
★★★★★We really enjoyed our day cruise and would definitely recommend. Group size isnt too big and a steady pace so you can enjoy everything. Tien, our guide, was so friendly and enthusiastic. Lunch is big portions and very delicious after working up an appetite on the kayaks. Great if you want something less touristy with heart.
★★★★★One of the best tours I’ve done so far in Vietnam! Everything went really smoothly, from the hotel pickup to the end of the tour. The kayaking was really fun and the lunch on the boat was delicious. [...] He joined us for all the activities and made sure everything went well.
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Up to 10 people on the small-group option. The standard option on the same listing goes up to 30, so check which one you book.
Pickup is at 8:00 from the Cat Ba Local office (229, 1/4 Street) or your hotel in Cat Ba town; the boat leaves from the harbour a few minutes away and is in Lan Ha from the start.
No. You need to reach Cat Ba first, 4 to 5.5 hours from Hanoi by bus and car ferry.
Kayaking at K.A Cave and Bats Cave is on the itinerary, but on some days crews in Lan Ha switch to a rowed bamboo boat.
Ready to book
A day on the water from Cat Ba with kayaking, Cai Beo floating village and a swim stop, on an up-to-10 option.
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