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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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.
What‘s Included
Quick dinner with local food
1,5 literally
bike bicycle
not included drinks as beer, alcohol, tea or coffee
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
Reviews
12 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
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 :)
Travel with Viet you won’t regret
I6720MB ,Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the tour with Viet and it was perfect! Viet is very experienced, knows a lot about the area, has great English and is very nice and funny! The tour was great and is very recommended. Take Viet!
Lan Ha Bay in another light
B6606ACkristinec,Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Surprising experience to see the luminescent plankton in the dark. It was magical. The explanations of our guide, Viet, were relevant and interesting. We also had the chance to enjoy a beautiful sunset. The meal served was excellent. Only point to note, a little too much relaxation time for our taste. Everything could be tightened up a little.
Unforgettable Bioluminescent Experience on the Glowing Platinum Tour
V8177FPlunac,Oct 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I recently joined the bioluminescent tour at Cat Ba Island, and it was truly one of the best experiences I’ve ever had! Everything was just wonderful and perfect from start to finish. The cruise we took was a three-floor boat — new, clean, comfortable, and luxurious. It really felt like every penny spent was totally worth it. The tour guides were experienced, professional, and passionate, and they made the whole trip smooth and enjoyable. The food on board was fresh, tasty, and beautifully cooked — you could really feel the local flavour and care in every dish. The activities were also fantastic. We went swimming in the peaceful waters, which was so relaxing and refreshing. Later, we joined the Lan Ha Bay bioluminescent tour, and it was absolutely magical — when you moved your hands through the water, it glowed with a soft blue light. Such a surreal, unforgettable experience! As a bonus, we were even lucky enough to see some wild monkeys along the way — a rare and delightful surprise! I would strongly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Cat Ba. It’s a perfect combination of adventure, comfort, and natural beauty — truly a trip that will blow your mind! 🌴💙. The tour guide Cong gave us this unforgettable experience. Thank you Cong
Brilliant plankton lan ha bay tour
Sightsee681797,Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour by Viet. Attentive, knowledgeable and thoughtful. The company ran the tour even though we were the only two people who booked. The bioluminescent plankton were out of this world. The food was plentiful and delicious. Amazing to see lan ha bay in the day, dusk and night.
Great experience
alextH6248XZ,Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Magical experience on the boat, sailing out to swim in the waters of the bay, visit a beach, with great information and guiding from Ben. Then dinner on the boat followed by kayaking at night with Ben helping us find the plankton which were beautiful, as well as giving us lots of information on the local history. Great value for money!
AMAZING!
X9881YUdanielles,Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an awesome tour! Ben was our tour guide and he was super friendly and knowledgeable. Our group was about 5 people which was smaller than some others we saw on the water. We appreciated that because we were all able to explore together and the plankton was much brighter with less people around. It was super calm kayaking around the bay and we saw a ton of plankton even though it was early October. We also had a lovely sunset swim that was very private and dinner onboard a fun big boat. The food was really tasting and the boat staff were also very polite! All in all it was a wonderful experience 10/10. Thanks Catbaventures & Ben!
Kayaking at night with magic plankton views
O5016USjuliaw,Sep 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great afternoon/evening kayaking with Tony! The shiny plankton at night was amazing, the sunset was magic and Tony was a lovely host who shared his knowledge with us around the region, the people and the culture. Highly appreciated!
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Operated by Cat Ba Ventures