In Lan Ha Bay off Cat Ba Island in Hai Phong, a night kayaking tour where paddlers glide across water glowing blue with bioluminescent plankton is gaining popularity. After watching the sunset from Monkey Island, the sea turns dark and every paddle stroke sets the surface shimmering pale blue. The tour runs about four and a half hours in small groups of up to 12 people, combining sunset, the glowing plankton experience, and dinner in one continuous outing. It has become a nighttime highlight of a Cat Ba trip, letting visitors witness the fantastical glow up close.
After the sunset, out to a sea that glows with every stroke
The tour departs in the early evening. Boats pass through the Cai Beo floating fishing village, watch the sunset from Monkey Island, and then cruise around Lan Ha Bay. Around 6pm, as darkness falls, night kayaking begins in an area dense with plankton. Every stroke of the paddle traces a pale blue streak of light across the water. One participant said, “The water lights up and sparkles when you paddle,” and, “The blue light was everywhere — it was the most magical moment of my life.” Because the glow is hard to capture on camera, it becomes an experience you have to see with your own eyes.
A small-group format where a guide leads you to the glowing spots
Each group has up to 12 people—a small number—and an English-speaking guide accompanies you. Because the guide leads the kayaks to places with high plankton density, it’s easy to fully experience the glow. Reviews praise the guide, “Smiley,” as knowledgeable and attentive. Even travelers who were skeptical reportedly came away satisfied after seeing the actual glow.
Fees, duration, and flow (data table)
It’s operated by Cat Ba Package Tour. It takes about four and a half hours and includes car transfers, a Vietnamese dinner, kayaks, dry bags, and more. The price guideline for similar tours is $40–65 per person (about 6,300–10,200 yen). Here’s a summary of the main content and flow.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Operator | Cat Ba Package Tour |
| Price guide | $40–65 per person (about 6,300–10,200 yen) |
| Time required | About 4 hours 30 minutes |
| Capacity | Up to 12 people per group |
| Meeting point | Ben Beo Port, Cat Ba Kayak Rentals |
| What's included | Transfers, dinner, kayak, dry bag, towel, guide |
The rough flow of the day: board at 4 p.m. and tour the fishing village, sunset at Monkey Island at 5 p.m., night kayaking starts at 6 p.m., return to port at 7:30 p.m., dinner at a port eatery at 8 p.m., and drop-off at your hotel in Cat Ba town at 9 p.m.
Points to note before joining
It’s not usable by wheelchair, and it’s not recommended for pregnant people or those with serious chronic conditions. Infants board on your lap. It’s weather-dependent, and in case of cancellation, refunds or date changes are accommodated. Cancellations up to 24 hours in advance are fully refundable. Since the glow is affected by weather and tidal conditions, choosing a clear day is key to the quality of the experience.
As a nighttime experience in Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba
Lan Ha Bay, south of Ha Long Bay, is known for its karst formations and quiet coves. Alongside daytime cruises, the glowing night kayak experience adds depth to any itinerary. Because sunset, the glow, and dinner are all bundled into a single tour, it makes for a well-rounded way to spend an evening in Cat Ba. With small groups and a guide included, it is approachable even for first-time kayakers.
Summary
Watch the sunset from Monkey Island, then paddle across a sea that glows blue with every stroke in the dark. Night kayaking in Lan Ha Bay is hard to capture in photos, which only makes it stick in memory. Running about four and a half hours in small groups, from sunset through dinner, it is worth considering as the nighttime highlight of a Cat Ba trip.
Related articles:
・The cable car linking Cat Ba
・Ha Long Bay cruise
・An uninhabited-island resort
Source:Tripadvisor / Lan Ha Bay Sunset and Plankton Bioluminescence Night Kayaking / GetYourGuide / Lan Ha Bay Sunset & Plankton Bioluminescent Night Kayaking
