Cat Ba Kayaking: Overall Guide

Cat Ba Archipelago has an area of 345 km2 and includes 367 islands of different sizes. Cat Ba Island is the biggest island, and home to many hidden caves, lagoons, unspoiled beaches, and floating fishing villages, making it a perfect place for kayaking. 

The Stunning View Of Cat Ba From Above

Moreover, the calm emerald waters of Cat Ba are safe and best suitable for exploring by kayak. Tourism services here provide a range of tours suited to everyone from beginners like kids through to experienced paddlers.

The best time to kayak in Cat Ba depends on how you define a perfect holiday. Each time during the year, kayaking in Cat Ba brings different feelings and experiences.

September to May are the ideal times to travel to Cat Ba. International tourists would love to kayak in Cat Ba during these months, and you can comfortably explore this beautiful island.

If you do not like kayaking in an extremely crowded area where you wait for a long time to be able to rent a kayak, do not go from June to August. 

Moreover, June and July belong to the storm season in the Northern Vietnam coastal area. Storms appear, and they will impact your journey. During that time, kayaking might be prohibited by the local government due to unfavorable weather conditions.

Here, there are some ideal sites for kayaking that you should not skip, which are:

1. Lan Ha Bay

Located in the south of Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay has plenty of attractive places for tourists to explore with a kayak. The Bay is a nontouristy place, so it is great for those looking for a little more off-the-beaten-path experience in Vietnam. 

Take Part In An Exciting Kayaking Trip In Lan Ha Bay

When kayaking in Lan Ha Bay, tourists will pass the beautiful limestone karsts that jut from the sea and try to touch the sky. 

You can either choose to visit a Cua Van Fishing Village to see how locals do their fish farms, take care of their homes, and enjoy their life on the bay, or explore the cave called Luon Cave. 

Join An Exciting Kayaking Trip Through Luon Cave

Below are some cruises that include kayaking in Lan Ha Bay:

2. Three Peaches Beach

Three Peaches Beach is considered the most beautiful beach in Lan Ha Bay, it includes 3 small mountains with a height of 20 meters like 3 giant peaches petrified close together. 

What makes this beach different from any other beaches in Halong Bay is its emerald and clear water, and picturesque seascape. That’s so amazing if you are able to go kayaking to go around blue beaches and natural mountains in the middle of the ocean. 

Immerse Yourself In The Incredible View Of Three Peaches Beach

3. Dark & Bright Cave

Dark & Bright Cave is a system made up of two separate caves. Dark Cave is 100 meters long with very little natural or artificial light while Bright Cave is shorter, and has natural light beaming through gaps and holes in the rock. 

Unlike the Bright Cave, you will need a flashlight to explore the Dark Cave and sometimes can not have access to the cave as it can be swallowed by the tide. 

When kayaking to explore this cave, you will get a chance to get access to the base of the mountain and understand more about an interesting phenomenon the base of limestones is corroded by water. Tapping the stalactites ceiling in the cave, you can see different classes of stalactites on the ceiling and on the cliffs. 

Passing through the cave, a sea valley surrounded by magnificent mountains appears, everything looks like the scenery in a fairy tale. 

Enjoy The Stunning Scenery Of Dark & Bright Cave

Below are some cruises that include kayaking in Dark & Bright Cave:

4. Vem Cave

Vem Cave and Thinh Linh are the areas to delight your curiosity. Nestled in the magnificent mountains, Vem Cave and Thinh Linh are surrounded by a large, and shallow lake. 

Take A Kayaking Trip To Vem Cave

Coming here, tourists will be able to learn how to kayak and immerse themselves in the peaceful beauty of Cat Ba island. Doing kayaking here, you will be able to admire the beauty of coral reefs, the tiny fish swimming, and many other interesting sceneries.

• Before You Kayak

As kayaking requires people to be outdoors all the time, so you need to prepare some essentials like sunscreen, water shoes, sunglasses, water, a change of clothes for after the tour, a hat with a brim, a waterproof camera, and a towel.

For your safety: avoid kayaking on rainy days, or when you are intoxicated, remember to listen to the instructions from the local guide carefully.

• While You Kayak

Follow your guide, and keep a suitable distance from other people, not too close nor too far so that you’ll not collide with their kayaks or get lost.

Do not come too close to caves and karsts, and avoid low caves if you’re inexperienced

There are 2 options for you to choose from when you want to kayak in Cat Ba.

Rent A Kayak 

• Price range: US $1.8 - $2.3

You will be free to explore Cat Ba Island. This is a great choice if you have a lot of experience with kayaking before. It is a lot of fun if you are traveling in a big group. You are not limited by the time to start to finish kayaking.

Book A Cruise 

• Price range: US $150 - $500 (kayaking fees are included in the cruise price)

Cat Ba Cruise often includes pick up from, and drop off at your hotel, accommodation (if overnight cruise), meals, kayaking, and other activities on the island such as mountain climbing, swimming, cycling…

It is highly recommended to book a cruise that includes a kayaking tour because there is always a tour guide who will take care of you and make sure you are safe.  

Book A Relaxing Cruise Through Cat Ba

Kayaking is an exciting activity that you should never miss when on Cat Ba Island. Sitting on a tiny kayak, paddling in the blue water, exploring the cave, or touching the stalactites .. what's more amazing?

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