Kayaking
Between rocks and under arches.
Christophe95 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Christophe95 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Christophe95 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Edgardo W. Olivera from Montevideo, Uruguay — CC BY 2.0
Lan Ha Bay continues Ha Long Bay's seascape to the south, on the east side of Cat Ba Island, and it is quieter, with far fewer boats. It covers more than 7,000 hectares ringed by about 400 green limestone islands, with some 139 small sandy beaches tucked between the rocks, most reachable only by boat, and much of it lies within Cat Ba National Park. Boats leave from Ben Beo pier near Cat Ba town and reach the heart of the bay in about half an hour, passing floating fishing villages and fish farms with their painted wooden houses on the water. A typical day trip means kayaking between the rocks and under their arches, a swim at one of the small beaches and lunch on board, and some trips run on into the edge of Ha Long Bay. Overnight cruises of one or two nights are also available. Summer is best for swimming and kayaking; winter is cool and grey. The bay fee is usually included in the cruise price, so check when you book.
Between rocks and under arches.
Fishermen's houses and fish farms.
Reachable only by boat.
East of Cat Ba Island; boats from Ben Beo pier
They share the same limestone seascape, but Lan Ha is quieter, with fewer boats and many small beaches good for swimming and kayaking; trips start from Cat Ba Island.