Cat Ba Night Kayaking Experience with Bioluminescent Plankton in Lan Ha Bay

Discover the glowing waters of Lan Ha Bay with Cat Ba Local, a community-based tour operator run by local guides. Our evening experience combines a sunset boat cruise, swimming, a Vietnamese dinner, and guided night kayaking in search of naturally occurring bioluminescent plankton.

Starting from Cat Ba Town, we travel by minibus to Cai Beo Harbor and board a traditional wooden boat. Cruise through Cai Beo Floating Village, where local fishing families live and work on the water, before continuing into Lan Ha Bay. Enjoy swimming in a sheltered area and dinner onboard as evening approaches.

After dark, our English-speaking guide leads you on a 45-60 minute kayaking experience through sheltered lagoons. Bioluminescent plankton can produce a blue-green glow when disturbed by your paddle or kayak. Our guides select kayaking locations according to weather, tides, and plankton conditions.

Experience Itinerary

- 16:00 (Winter) / 16:30 (Summer) - Meeting and Transfer: Meet our guide at the Cat Ba Local office, 229, 1/4 Street, Cat Ba Town. Travel by minibus to Cai Beo Harbor.

- 17:00 - Lan Ha Bay Cruise: Board a traditional wooden boat and cruise through Cai Beo Floating Village while learning about local fishing communities.

- 17:30 - Swimming Stop: Enjoy swimming in a sheltered area of Lan Ha Bay while our crew prepares dinner.

- 18:30 - Vietnamese Dinner: Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese dinner onboard. Vegetarian meals are available with advance notice.

- 20:00 - Bioluminescent Night Kayaking: Receive basic paddling instructions and safety guidance before entering the water. Follow our guide through sheltered lagoons in search of glowing plankton. Kayaking lasts approximately 45-60 minutes.

- 21:00 - Return Boat Journey: Return to the floating platform and board the boat back to Cai Beo Harbor.

- 21:30 - Return Transfer: Travel by minibus back to Cat Ba Town. Return times may vary according to the operating schedule.

Experience Options

Small-Group Night Kayaking Experience

- Guided evening experience with a maximum of 20 participants.

- Sunset boat cruise through Lan Ha Bay.

- Visit to Cai Beo Floating Village.

- Swimming stop before dinner.

- Traditional Vietnamese dinner onboard.

- Approximately 45-60 minutes of guided night kayaking.

- Kayaking equipment, life jackets, and safety guidance.

- Return transportation within Cat Ba Town.