Cat Ba
1/2 Day
Kayaking
4/10
5 (0 Customer rating)
Tour overview

Embark on a breathtaking sunset kayaking journey through Lan Ha Bay, where you will gently glide across mirror-like waters, weaving between majestic limestone karsts and tranquil fishing villages. As the sun dips below the horizon, the sky is painted in brilliant hues of gold, creating a picture-perfect, ethereal landscape. The cool ocean breeze and the soothing sound of water gently lapping against your kayak will bring a profound sense of relaxation and harmony with nature.

As night falls, prepare for a truly magical encounter: witnessing the bioluminescent plankton of Lan Ha Bay. With every stroke of your paddle, the dark water comes alive, glowing with a mysterious and captivating neon blue light. These microscopic glowing organisms sparkle like a fallen Milky Way, transforming the secluded bays and hidden islets into a mesmerizing, fairy-tale world under the stars.

Highlights

  • Sunset SUP/kayaking adventure through the pristine waters of the Van Boi area.
  • Nighttime kayaking expedition to marvel at the magical bioluminescent plankton.
  • An authentic, hearty dinner served on a traditional floating house.
Summary
  • Departure from: Cat Ba

  • Min: 6 people

  • Destination: Cat Ba

  • Max: 20 people

  • Duration: 1/2 Day

  • Best season: Apr - Sep

  • Activities: Kayaking

  • Level: 4/10

Images & Videos
Itinerary
Cat Ba Town – Lan Ha Bay – Cat Ba Town

15:30 Our team will pick you up at the designated meeting point in Cat Ba Town and transfer you to the pier. From there, we will board a boat and cruise out to the pristine Van Boi Beach, located right in the heart of the magnificent Lan Ha Bay.

17:00 Upon arriving at a local floating house, you will be equipped with your kayak. Set out to paddle around the stunning Van Boi area just as the golden hour approaches, soaking in the spectacular sunset views. Afterward, feel free to take a refreshing dip in the emerald waters and unwind on the secluded Van Boi beach.

18:30 Paddle back to the floating house where a delicious, freshly prepared dinner awaits you. Enjoy your meal while surrounded by the peaceful ambiance of the bay at dusk.

19:00 Once darkness has fully enveloped the bay, we will embark on the most enchanting part of our journey. Setting off from the floating house, we will kayak into tranquil, light-free areas to seek out the glowing bioluminescent plankton. Watch in awe as each stroke of your paddle stirs the water, triggering flashes of mystical, luminescent blue. The tiny glowing plankton shimmer like a celestial galaxy, turning the hidden corners of the bay into a sparkling, fairy-tale realm in the pitch black of night.

20:30 Conclude our kayaking adventure and board the boat for a relaxing cruise back to Cat Ba Town. The tour officially ends upon arrival, leaving you with magical memories of Lan Ha Bay by night.

* Kayaking duration: Approximately 3 hours

* Included meals: Dinner

Inclusion & Exclusion

Inclusion:

  • Kayak & life jacket
  • Dinner
  • Tour guide
  • Lan Ha Bay entrance fee
  • Travel insurance

 

Exclusion:

  • Drinking water
  • Beverages during meals
  • Other personal expenses

 

Departure schedule
Departure day Finish day   Tour cost
Difficulty of the activity

Difficulty Level (4/10): Everyone can participate, including children. The activities are gentle, so no physical preparation or prior experience is needed. The tour typically lasts 1-2 days. For trekking tours at this level, the trek time is about 1 to 2 hours per day, with easy terrain. Kayak or SUP tours at this level involve paddling for 1 to 2 hours per day, with plenty of time for photo stops and breaks.

Suggested physical training: Start paddling (kayak/SUP) 1-2 weeks before the tour. Jogging twice a week, 3-5 km per session, or paddling 2-3 times a week, 5 km per session.

Equipment

Equipment provided by UA:

  • Kayak, life jacket & gear
  • First aid bag  

Essential stuff you need to bring: 

  • Waterproof trekking shoes
  • Quick-drying clothes, long-sleeved swimsuit (rashguard), hat, sunglasses, gloves, sunscreen...
  • Phone, camera, spare battery, suitable waterproof case...
  • Towel
  • Clothes for after swimming
  • Flashlight 
  • ID card or Passport

Other items you may consider to bring:

  • Hand sanitizers
  • Personal medicines
  • Waterproof phonecase
Essential info

1. Travel insurance

● Umove Adventure uses service from Bảo Việt Insurance with a maximum insurance payout of 100 million VND/person/case.

●  See the Bao Viet policy of insurance Quy tắc bảo hiểm Bảo Việt.        

2. Refer to the postpose policy, and cancel the tour in the requirement and instructions here

3. Read and sign the exclude all liability before departing

● The customers who buy adventure tours from Umove Adventure have enough awareness about the level of challenge as well as other physical challenges and other potential dangers during the tour. Hence the customer is asked to read and sign the Exclude all Liability form before departing. Find the form below and read it carefully.

                  Release of Liability Form.     

4. Notes on the SUP Paddling and Trekking Routes

● Before starting to paddle, the tour guide will instruct you on how to paddle the kayak and give you safety and route instructions. You need to wear a full life jacket.

● When paddling in the bay, you need to pay attention to avoid obstacles such as reefs, boats in the bay... Do not paddle close to cliffs if there are waves because the waves can push you into cliffs with many sharp barnacles.

5. Food & Drinks

● Dinner will be served at a floating house in Lan Ha Bay. Full and balanced dinner with vegetables and seafood. If you are vegetarian or have any dietary restrictions, please let us know when booking the tour.

● Drinking water is not included in this tour. You can bring your own drinking water or buy drinks on the boat and on the floating house.

6. Protecting the environment together

● Umove Adventure supports and practices Leave No Trace principles in each program and outdoor activities itself. We also encourage our customers and partners to apply to Leave No Trace principles when traveling in the outdoor environment. See details about the Leave No Trace tại đây

● In order to limit the use of single-use plastic, Umove Adventure encourages each of us to prepare for ourselves a bottle of water with a 1L capacity for daily water refilling.

● On the tour, tourists comply with the instructions and regulations on environmental protection at the destination. 

7. Medical assistance

● If you have cardiovascular disease or bone and joint diseases (knees, ankles, shoulder joints, etc.), you should consult your doctor before deciding to join the trip. 

● In any case, if you go into the water to swim, you must wear a life jacket.

 

Q&A
1. When is the best time to join this tour?

Summer is the ideal time to visit Cat Ba. The best period for bioluminescence viewing and sunset paddling is from April to September.

 

2. From what age can children join this tour?

This tour is suitable for children from 5 years old and up, provided they are accompanied by parents or responsible adults.

 

3. Can I join this tour if I’ve never paddled SUP or kayak before?

This tour is rated 4/10 in difficulty, making it accessible even for those who have never kayaked before. Before entering the water, the tour guide will provide the group with basic kayaking techniques and essential safety instructions.

 

4. How much deposit do I need to pay, and when is the remaining balance due?

When booking the tour, customers are required to pay a 50% deposit via bank transfer or credit card through Onepay. The remaining 50% balance must be paid no later than 1 day before departure, also via bank transfer or credit card through Onepay.

UA will not confirm the booking until the deposit has been successfully received.

 

5. Can I postpone or cancel the tour before departure?

Cancellation or postponement fees will depend on how far in advance you notify us before the departure date. If you wish to change your departure date or switch to another tour, Umove Adventure will assist you with the rescheduling process and may or may not apply a fee. Please refer to our Cancellation and Postponement Policy for full details.

 

6. Can the tour accommodate vegetarian or special dietary requests?

Please notify Umove Adventure before booking if you have vegetarian or special dietary requirements. We will check whether the destination can accommodate your needs and inform you accordingly. Generally, Umove Adventure can provide vegetarian options depending on the tour location.

 

7. What if I get too tired to continue kayaking?

If you feel too tired to continue paddling, please immediately inform the tour guide or the support boat. The kayaking area is not far from the floating house and the boat docking area, so when needed, the boat can promptly pick you up and take you back to the floating house to rest.

 

8. Is it guaranteed that I will see bioluminescence in Lan Ha Bay?

While the probability of seeing bioluminescence from April to September is very high (over 80%), certain natural factors may affect the quality of the experience. Bioluminescence is caused by glowing plankton (often algae) that light up when disturbed. The denser the plankton, the brighter and more vivid the bioluminescence, and the darker the night, the more beautiful the display.
Natural factors such as rain, recent rainfall, or a very bright moon may reduce plankton density or prevent the sky from becoming dark enough, which can impact the bioluminescence experience. However, with a success rate of over 80%, bioluminescence is visible on most occasions.

 

Down load PDF file

Rate our service
5

Theo 0 đánh giá

  • 5
    0
  • 4
    0
  • 3
    0
  • 2
    0
  • 1
    0