Lan Ha Bay Explorer — 2 Days 1 Night
Kayak the caves, swim the lagoons, sleep on the water — overnight at Lan Ha Floating Homestay
A two-day slow adventure that swaps the cruise deck for a working floating homestay: a private tender boat both days, kayaking through the Bright & Dark Cave, a night in an over-water Deluxe Double room, giant groupers at the bay's marine conservation site, and a bicycle ride into car-free Viet Hai Village.
Highlights
- Sleep in an over-water Deluxe Double room at Lan Ha Floating Homestay
- Private tender boat on both days — no big-group schedules
- Kayak through the Bright & Dark Cave or around the Ba Trai Dao beaches
- Family seafood dinner with your hosts, meters above the fish farm
- Come face to face with giant groupers at the marine conservation site
- Cycle car-free Viet Hai Village and try the famous fish foot spa
Daily itinerary
Times are approximate and may shift slightly with weather, tide, and group pace. The order of activities stays the same.
- Day 1 · 07:10
Hanoi pick-up
You are collected from Hanoi Old Quarter and take the highway to Cat Ba Island, arriving around 11:30.
- Day 1 · 11:30
Welcome lunch at Bamboo Bistro – Local Way Fresh
Drop-off at the Cat Ba Outdoors office in Cat Ba town. Choose whatever catches your eye from the menu of fresh, local dishes, served with one drink of your choice — vegetarian and vegan options available; please tell us about any food allergies in advance. Each guest also receives a complimentary large bottle of drinking water for the trip.
- Day 1 · 13:00
Private tender boat — kayak the caves
Our car transfers you down to Beo Harbour, where your private tender boat is waiting. Head straight for the most scenic corner of the bay: kayak through the Bright & Dark Cave or around the Ba Trai Dao beaches and swim in crystal-clear water. Private boat, self-guided — an English-speaking guide can be added as an add-on.
- Day 1 · 17:00
Check in to Lan Ha Floating Homestay
Cruise to your over-water Deluxe Double room in the middle of the bay. Enjoy the sunset on the deck, then walk around the floating fish farm and learn how local families raise fish and oysters right beneath your room.
- Day 1 · 19:00
Family seafood dinner
Dinner at the homestay's floating restaurant — fresh seafood caught just meters from your table, served family-style and shared with your hosts and fellow guests.
- Day 1 · Evening
Night on the bay
The night is yours: chill and relax on the deck under the stars, or try your hand at fishing with your host. Overnight at Lan Ha Floating Homestay.
- Day 2 · Morning
Sunrise & breakfast on the water
Wake up to sunrise over the karsts — coffee and breakfast at the homestay, at your own pace.
- Day 2 · 09:00
Fish farm & marine conservation site
Your tender boat returns, this time with a local guide on board (with you until 15:00). Visit a working fish farm and the bay's marine research and conservation site: come face to face with giant groupers and other rare marine species being studied, bred and protected right here in Lan Ha Bay.
- Day 2 · 11:00
Viet Hai Village by bicycle
Cycle through the rainforest tunnel into the valley, enjoy a local lunch in the village (drinks not included), and finish with the famous fish foot spa — hundreds of tiny fish gently nibbling your feet.
- Day 2 · 15:30
Return to Beo Harbour & bus to Hanoi
Connect with your bus back to Hanoi — arrive in the Old Quarter around 19:00–20:00 depending on traffic. End of the Lan Ha Bay Explorer 2D1N.
What's included
Not included
Quick facts
- Pick-up
- 07:10 Day 1 (Hanoi Old Quarter)
- Return
- 19:00–20:00 Day 2 (Hanoi, traffic dependent)
- Duration
- 36 hours
- Group size
- 2–10 guests (private tender boat)
- Food
- Included: Bamboo Bistro welcome lunch (free menu choice + one drink), family-style seafood dinner at the homestay, breakfast on the water, Viet Hai village lunch. Drinks at the Viet Hai lunch are not included. Vegetarian/vegan options available — tell us about any allergies when booking.
- Children's policy
- Under 5 free (shares bed) · 50% off ages 5–10 · full price 11+
Optional add-ons
- English-speaking guide for the Day-1 afternoon boat (whole group)+700.000 VND / tour
- Limousine upgrade for the Hanoi ⇄ Cat Ba bus (per leg)+100.000 VND / person
Cancellation policy
- More than 14 days before: 100% refund
- 5–14 days before: 100% refund (processed within 48 hours)
- Less than 5 days before: non-refundable
Photo gallery
Plan the rest of your trip
Pair this tour with where to sleep and how to get to Cat Ba — booked through one operator, all in one place.
Lan Ha Floating Homestay
Sleep on the bay — limestone cliffs all around. 6 rooms · free kayak & SUP for guests · 2km from Cat Ba town.
See the homestay →Hanoi → Cat Ba in 3.5 hours
Bus + speedboat combo from Hanoi Old Quarter. Three daily departures · pickup from your hotel · drop-off at Cat Ba Town.
See route & vehicles →