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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Each group has up to 12 people\u2014a small number\u2014and an English-speaking guide accompanies you. Because the guide leads the kayaks to places with high plankton density, it\u2019s easy to fully experience the glow. Reviews praise the guide, \u201cSmiley,\u201d as knowledgeable and attentive. Even travelers who were skeptical reportedly came away satisfied after seeing the actual glow.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s 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\u201365 per person (about 6,300\u201310,200 yen). Here\u2019s a summary of the main content and flow.<\/p>\n