Day trips from Cat Ba Island
4.6/5
493 reviews on GetYourGuide
The day from Cat Ba with the most time in the water: kayaking, snorkelling with gear provided, a swim to a secluded beach, a visit to Viet Hai village and a last stop at Monkey Island. Rated 4.6 from nearly 500 reviews, from €31.17 (GetYourGuide, 15 Nov 2026).
Starts inCat Ba Island
Hotel pick-up on Cat Ba is 08:00 to 08:15 in winter and 08:15 to 08:30 in summer. At Ben Beo pier you board a traditional boat and pass Cai Beo, one of Vietnam’s oldest and largest floating fishing villages, before kayaking among cliffs and hidden corners of the archipelago.
Lunch, with traditional and vegetarian dishes, is cooked by the crew. The captain then anchors for a swim: to Ba Trai Island beach, or with the snorkelling kit the boat carries, and plenty of guests jump off the side. Next comes Viet Hai village by electric buggy, to see rice wine being brewed and the fishermen’s daily life.
The day ends at Monkey Island, where you can look for the macaques or climb to the top for the view over Lan Ha Bay (the climb is challenging). The boat returns through the fishing village in the golden hour, reaching Ben Beo at 16:00 to 16:30, with a bus to your hotel.
Through the year
The listing says the tour runs rain or shine but is cancelled in a storm.
Our summary of the reviews GetYourGuide shows on the product page.
08:00Cat Ba hotels
Pick-up (08:15 to 08:30 in summer).
Cai Beo
Past the floating fishing village.
Lan Ha Bay
Kayaking among the cliffs.
On board
Lunch.
Ba Trai Dao
Swimming and snorkelling.
Viet Hai village
Electric buggy, rice wine, village life.
Monkey Island
Macaques, and the climb to the top.
16:00Ben Beo pier
Back 16:00 to 16:30; bus to your hotel.
For snorkelling and Monkey Island, which the other Cat Ba days skip. The full-day tour with biking is cheaper and better reviewed; the small-group kayak day spends longer in the caves.
Checked against the GetYourGuide listing on 15 November 2026. Prices and options change: the calendar shows the current ones.
The listing says that, depending on the tide, the boat may not be able to anchor at Monkey Island, so guests swim to shore.
What to do. Bring a large waterproof bag if you plan to climb in hiking shoes.
Often, but the listing notes they are wild animals and not guaranteed.
Yes, with kayaks and safety vests.
Reviewers who did found the ferry timing tricky and suggest staying a night on Cat Ba.
The most-booked boat day from Cat Ba: cave kayaking, a swim, cycling to Viet Hai.
Departs from Cat Ba Island · 9 hours
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
A small-group kayak day on Lan Ha Bay with lunch on an islet.
Departs from Cat Ba Island · About 9 hours
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
A guided climb to Ngu Lam Peak with Trung Trang Cave and a pagoda.
Departs from Cat Ba Island · 4 hours
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Sources: getyourguide.com. Checked November 2026. Photos: GetYourGuide.