Cruise Lan Ha Bay's beauty on

Boat Cruise in Cat Ba

Swap crowded Halong Bay for Cat Ba's rugged beauty and stunning limestone islands.

All Boat Cruise in Cat Ba

Top Picks

5.0 (8)

7.5 hrs

|Up to 10 guests

Hidden Lan Ha Bay Cruise | Secret Spots, Crabbing & Beach BBQ

From 1.428.000đ / person

“Uncrowded kayaking stunning views delicious bonfire dinner ”

Private trip

4.8 (45)

10 hrs

|Up to 16 guests

1 Day Lan Ha Bay + Halong Bay Cruise | From Cat Ba

From 714.000đ / person

“Tour was extremely well organised”

4.9 (44)

8 hrs

|Up to 30 guests

1 Day Cat Ba Cruise to Lan Ha Bay | Best Value

From 835.546đ / person

“Everything about this experience was phenomenal”

5.0 (2)

2D1N

|Up to 8 guests

2D1N Floating Homestay: Bioluminescent Kayaking, Hiking & Biking

From 3.723.000đ / person

Instant book

Browse Collection

What other guests say

4.9

244 reviews

This was an awesome cruise and really the only way to see the bay. It seemed like all other cruises were doing the same activities, so don’t hesitate to book this. The team at Sunlight Cruise was amazing - they organized our transfers and even picked some of us up in the middle of the bay, since they couldn’t make the dock. Truly wonderful service and great responses to my many whatsapp questions. Thank you to our incredibly guide, Tony, and the whole team.

Emily

Booked: 3D2N Lan Ha Bay Cruise + Cat Ba Hotel | Pick Up from Hanoi Included

Cat Ba is a very nice alternative to Ha Long Bay. With beautiful nature (you can also trek in this national park). Very nice guide. Good schedule with bicycle, swimming, kayaking, lunch and everything in a chill mood. Good and big lunch on the boat. Small boat and not too big group. Well done. We did not meet the locals in the village (but they might not want to be bothered). They made all efforts possible for us to be back on time for the last bus to Hanoi (at 5 pm).

Pauline

Booked: 1 Day Lan Ha Bay + Halong Bay Cruise | From Cat Ba

We had an excellent time with Chans during our tour. We were lucky enough to be just by ourselves, which made it even more special. The largest part of the trip you'll be kayakking at a leisurely pace from bay to bay, away from the larger cruise ships. This was a great way to enjoy nature without being disturbed by tons of people. It was so much fun catching crabs and later eating them on the beach. Chans is very knowledgeable and shows great respect for the surroundings and local fisherman's families trying to make a living on the water.

Marriet

Booked: Hidden Lan Ha Bay Cruise | Secret Spots, Crabbing & Beach BBQ

Sunlight Cruise was excellent. Showed up on time. The boat in Han La bay was terrific. Very nice rooms, and the food was quite excellent. All the staff were great. Our guide Tony was excellent. The activities from the boat were fun. I would recommend 2 nights on the boat instead of the tour we chose - which was 1 night boat. 1 night in Cat Ba. Cat Ba is undergoing a huge construction project. The hotel we stayed at was fine, but sterile. The restaurant was okay, but not great. The trek in the park was exhilarating - our guide was nice - but absolutely no chance to see wildlife on such a traveled path. To see any wildlife would require a more off beaten path and a naturalist guide. Our guide was fine, but not a naturalist. I would definitely recommend skipping Cat Ba and staying 2 nights on the fantastic boat.,

Martin Gerra

Booked: 3D2N Lan Ha Bay Cruise + Cat Ba Hotel | Pick Up from Hanoi Included

The entire tour with Tienh was absolutely incredible. After getting our gear ready we got into the kayaks and set off. It was very relaxed and there were some small breaks on the way to every place to rest and enjoy the beauty around us. We saw local fishermen harvesting the mussels that had been growing for 2 years, went to the dark cave and had a little adventure with headtorches searching for crabs in the dark before getting to the inner lake, went to the fishing village by night and had a self-caught dinner with fish, mussels and homemade food from Tienh on a bonfire on a deserted beach under the stars. It was back to basics and absolutely amazing (and delicious). Besides these ‘activities’ the views of Lan Ha Bay were stunning all day. Tienh is a top-notch guy, very nice and relaxed. We had a super day with him.

Thibault & Pauline

Booked: Hidden Lan Ha Bay Cruise | Secret Spots, Crabbing & Beach BBQ

I've taken a few boat trips in Lan Ha Bay, but this one was by far the best. We traveled with a super small group of just three people, and Chans ensured an incredibly intimate and personalized experience. He took us to spots where there were no other tourists, so we had these beautiful places all to ourselves! Learning to catch thunder crabs was a bit intimidating at first, but it turned out to be such a fun adventure. Later, we enjoyed the freshly boiled crabs with a few beers while soaking in the stunning views of Lan Ha Bay—it truly felt like paradise. Chans' hospitality, deep knowledge of the bay, and the hidden gems he shared made this trip unforgettable. I can't decide what I loved most—the warm welcome, the breathtaking locations, or the authentic local activities—but all of it made for an incredible experience. Thank you, Chans, for making this trip so special!

Sophia

Booked: Hidden Lan Ha Bay Cruise | Secret Spots, Crabbing & Beach BBQ

Boat Cruise in Cat Ba FAQs

How far is Cat Ba from Hanoi?

Cat Ba is about a 3.5 hour bus ride from Hanoi which includes a ferry transfer to the island. There are several buses going daily from Hanoi to and from Cat Ba island.

Should I go to Cat Ba or Halong Bay?

The answer will depend on your preference on travel style. If you are looking for a more chilled out and low key experience on a traditional junk boat, Cat Ba may be the right place for you. Cat Ba is also less touristed with less and smaller boats going out daily than the more popular Ha Long Bay. However if you want to have a more luxurious experience and spend a night or two on board a 4 or 5 star cruise, you should definitely opt for Halong Bay.

What is included in the Sightseeing Boat Cruise in Cat Ba?

The Sightseeing Boat Cruise in Cat Ba typically includes a visit to popular sites such as Lan Ha Bay, Monkey Island, and Cat Ba National Park. It may also include activities like kayaking or swimming.

How long does the Sightseeing Boat Cruise in Cat Ba usually last?

The duration of the Sightseeing Boat Cruise in Cat Ba can vary depending on the package chosen, but most cruises last between 4 to 8 hours.

Are meals provided during the Sightseeing Boat Cruise in Cat Ba?

Most Sightseeing Boat Cruises in Cat Ba include meals, usually a seafood lunch served on board the boat. Some cruises may also offer snacks and beverages.

We’ve done the
homework

our story