Sunset & Bioluminescent Plankton by night kayaking in Lan Ha Bay.
Overview
Available languages
4 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Discover the tranquil beauty of Lan Ha Bay on this enchanting evening cruise. Experience a peaceful swimming stop in a secluded beach - That Nghieng or around the boat depends on the tie level, followed by a delicious local-style dinner while learning about the region's rich fishing culture. Kayak in Lan Ha Bay to witness the magical bioluminescent plankton, illuminating your path as you paddle through the calm night waters. This intimate tour offers a unique blend of nature, culture, and unforgettable experiences.
- Enjoy a refreshing swim in a secluded beach during sunset
- Savor a flavorful Vietnamese dinner onboard.
- Kayak at night to witness glowing bioluminescent plankton
- Small group size ensures personalized attention from your guide
- Try to avoid the busy areas
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
15:45 – Meet your guide at the Cat Ba Ventures office (223 Mot Thang Tu Street, Cat Ba town). From here, transfer by bus (about 5 minutes) to Beo Pier. 16:15 – Board a traditional local boat and begin cruising into the heart of Lan Ha Bay. Along the way, admire the stunning limestone landscapes and pass floating fishing houses, offering a peaceful glimpse of daily life on the water. 17:00 – Arrive at a secluded beach and start your kayaking adventure. Explore hidden corners of the bay and enjoy the calm waters as the sun begins to set. 17:30 – Relax on the beach or in your kayak to watch the sunset over the bay, with the limestone cliffs glowing in the evening light (weather permitting). 18:30 – Continue with a night kayaking experience to see the mesmerizing plankton light up the waters around you. 19:30 – Head to a floating restaurant for a delicious dinner, enjoying the serene evening atmosphere on the bay. 20:30 – Conclude the tour and return to Cat Ba town, leaving you with lasting memories of a peaceful, immersive evening on Lan Ha Bay. Please note: -The trip can be flexibly changed due to the weather and the tide as well.
Options
Embarking Sunset and Glowing Plankton by Kayaking in Lan Ha Bay
Solo person pay 80$ more
Solo person pay 80$ more at the office if there is no group to join
What‘s Included
Quick dinner with local food
1,5 literally
bike bicycle
not included drinks as beer, alcohol, tea or coffee
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
17 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Very good tour
66call,Apr 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was a fantastic experience. The tour guide Cong was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic and we saw the Plankton in full effect
One of our best experiences in Vietnam!
02parkerm,Apr 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was such a fun tour! Our guide Cong (sorry if that’s incorrect) was THE BEST and so knowledgeable, and the whole process with Cat Ba Ventures was very smooth from start to finish! We were also lucky enough to see the bioluminescent plankton and they were magical!! A must do if you’re in Cat Ba!
Beautiful bioluminescence trip
L9999LSfranks,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great trip, which we booked with our group of swimmers. Our guide Ben was very friendly, open minded, knowledgeable about the local area, and always helpful. Nice sunset swim from the boat to a tiny beach and back. Absolutely stunning experience of bioluminescence by night from a kayaker's perspective. Had time to explore and play with the glowing plankton in multiple spots. Speedboat ride (including more bioluminescence) back to dinner on a floating restaurant.
Experience at the top, I recommend ++
Vacation41544921127,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience in Cat Ba! 🌅✨ I did the sunset + kayak tour with the bright plankton in the bay, and it was really a magical moment. The setting is amazing, especially at sunset, and the experience of seeing the water light up at night is unique. Special mention to our guide Tony, who was absolutely great from start to finish! Very nice, funny, attentive and especially very professional. He immediately puts at ease, gives interesting explanations and makes sure everyone has a good time. You feel that he really likes what he does, and that changes everything about the experience. The tour was well organized, the kayaking super nice, and the atmosphere very cool with the group. I recommend 100% this tour, and even more if you have Tony as your guide! 🙌
Kayaking under the stars
SarahVac,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a trip! Beautiful sunset swim, kayaking in bioluminescence and a speedboat trip back, all overseen by super friendly host, Ben. A trip we won’t forget.
Bioluminescent plankton tour
907kerenl,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I was looking for an operator for night time plankton tour and cat ba ventures still operate. It was a Highlight for my family. The buoluminescent plankton was magical and abundant. The tour guide Viet was funny and helpful. Couldn't have planned a better trip.
Tony is the best
taimos,Apr 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Best tour ever! We had the tour guide Tony, who was incredible, very friendly, very entertaining, and very informative. Couldn’t it be happier with the tour, was a blast
Fantastic experience
jessica ldavis,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My partner and I booked this tour last minute, and it was absolutely brilliant! Our guide Jack was clear and patient, led us up an incredible (but difficult) cliff hike to a viewpoint of Monkey Mountain, took pictures of everyone and shared them in a group chat, and waited for us/organised a speed boat back when we spent too long in the kayak, entranced by the plankton. We thought we would get dinner prepackaged in a box on the boat, but we ate on a mini-restaurant located in the middle of the water, in the bay. The views were beautiful. The food was also delicious and varied (2 vegans, one pescatarian, one meat eater, one shellfish eater - everyone had plenty to eat). While the plankton itself is not brightly coloured like in the pictures, it's a magical experience to see them - particularly if you go into the darker, undisturbed areas by the cave walls. One of the most unexpected and brilliant trips this year. Highly recommend!
Awesome !
185b r niceh,Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experence thanks to Tony who is a really good guide ! The locations are beautiful and Tony really took the time to share his vision with us which is great.
Beauty of the natural world with a top tier guide.
edwardtK9278AJ,Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We signed up the day before the experience, the lady behind the desk told us no one else had signed up for the typically 20 person trip. We ended up being the only two on the trip. The price was decent on the outset but before we even got onto the bus Jack was already smiling and giving some great energy. We were told we would be out for 4 hours, since we were the only ones there we got to take our time and maximize our experience. The whole vibe was friendly, fun, and excited. We first went to a beautiful area where I jumped off the second floor of the boat into the beautiful warm water. It was a wonderful swim, Jack even got some great pictures of us on our phones. Once we got out of the water, it was just about time for dinner. Wow, was it great. So many yummy dishes, even the steamed rice was bomb. There was shrimp, potatoes, tofu, fish, oysters, little spring rolls, dragon fruit, and pear for dessert. Once we ate our fill, while the sun was going down, it was off the to the kayaking. We met up with a great little fish farm to hop on our kayak and the adventure continued. We followed jack to a breathtaking lagoon. Before we even got there the water started sparking a beautiful blue color that was reminiscent of stars in the sky (eventhough it was cloudy). Jack, my partner ,and I paddled around while we talked about the local area's different sea food crops. All the while blue sparks bloomed from our paddle strokes and even when we put our hands in the water there was even more. After the wonderful time on the water it was back to the main boat for a quick change and back to the harbor. Overall Jack and the whole crew made our experience 10/10. Would highly recommend for anyone who isnt afraid to get a little wet for some bucket list level fun. Thank you for the memories :)
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Operated by Cat Ba Ventures