Cat Ba Climbing and Cat Ba Ventures are the two climbing operators in Cat Ba town that we could verify are trading. Both run deep-water soloing (DWS: climbing sea cliffs without a rope, with the water below as the landing) and rope climbing on the island's limestone. Cat Ba Climbing is our first choice for a half-day or day trip because its prices are public and its tours include insurance; Cat Ba Ventures is better value for a multi-day trip on a boat with a group.
Our scores
- Transparency
- 5/5full VND price list (Cat Ba Climbing); USD table for multi-day trips (Cat Ba Ventures)
- Safety basics
- 4/5insurance included on Cat Ba Climbing tours; trips timed to the tide
- Choice of trips
- 4/5half-day DWS to multi-pitch, plus bikes and the guidebook
- Value
- 4/5half-day DWS 1,150,000 VND; group discounts on multi-day boats
- Activities as sold
- 3/5kayak and plankton add-ons depend on the kayak rule
Pros
- Published prices, half-day to multi-day
- Insurance up to 100,000,000 VND per case included on Cat Ba Climbing tours
- Tours swapped between morning and afternoon to match the tide
- Bike and e-bike rental and the climbing guidebook from the same shop
Cons
- Kayak and night-plankton combinations are affected by the official kayak suspension
- No published minimum age or experience level
- Cat Ba Ventures does not provide sport-climbing gear on its boat trips
- Most Cat Ba Ventures day-trip prices are not published
What happened to Asia Outdoors
Many guidebooks and climbing pages still send you to Asia Outdoors (formerly Slo Pony Adventures) for passes and trips. It closed in February 2019, and its website no longer works. Former staff founded Langur's Adventures, which sold passes and day trips in 2019; we could not confirm that it still operates. A company called "Onsight Climbing" also appears online, but we found no trace of it. The guidebook Vietnam Climbing (December 2018 edition) is still sold in town by Cat Ba Climbing for 600,000 VND.
Cat Ba Climbing: trips and prices
Cat Ba Climbing has its shop at 120 Nui Ngoc Street in Cat Ba town and claims over 10 years of experience (catbaclimbing.com). It was named as one of the two main local climbing operators in 2019. Prices per person:
| Trip | Price |
|---|---|
| Half-day deep-water solo | 1,150,000 VND |
| Half-day DWS and kayak | 1,580,000 VND |
| Half-day top-rope or lead climbing on the main island | 1,150,000 VND |
| Half-day Tiger Beach or Moody Beach | 1,300,000 VND |
| Full-day climbing on the main island (3–10 people) | 2,585,000 VND |
| Tiger Beach multi-pitch | 4,748,000 VND |
| One-day DWS from Hanoi | 2,980,000 VND |
| Cliff jumping, kayak and Viet Hai village | 2,216,000 VND |
| Half-day kayak | 750,000 VND |
The DWS routes run from grade 4+ to 7c+, and the shop sells the half-day as suitable for beginners and experienced climbers who are not afraid of heights. Insurance up to 100,000,000 VND per case is included on its tours.
The shop also rents bicycles (150,000 VND a day) and e-bikes (300,000 VND), resells Serenity day cruises and sunset boats, and sells the Hanoi–Cat Ba bus.
The cliff-jumping day
The full day leaves the office at 07:30, goes by taxi to Ben Beo pier at 08:00 and returns around 17:30. Jumps are up to 8 m, and the order of the kayak and the jumps is set by the tide. Lunch is in Viet Hai village, with time for a bike ride. It costs 2,216,000 VND for groups of 3–20, including guide, shoes and chalk, the boat, fees, lunch and insurance, but not hotel pickup.
Cat Ba Ventures: multi-day climbing boats
Cat Ba Ventures Co., Ltd. is at 223 Mot Thang Tu Street in Cat Ba town (catbaventures.com). It runs rope climbing and DWS from boats, timed so that climbing happens at high tide and cruising or kayaking at low tide. Its day trips (full day 08:00–17:00, half day morning or afternoon) cover grades 5a–7b+, but their prices are not published.
Its multi-day climbing boat trips are priced per person in USD and fall with group size:
| Trip | 2 people | 3–5 people | 6–8 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2D1N | 391 (202 joining a cruising boat) | 278–235 | 168 |
| 3D2N | 676 (486 joining) | 486–428 | 324 |
| 4D3N | 984 | 764–635 | 546 |
Meals, water, accommodation, kayaks and DWS shoes are included. Sport-climbing gear is not, so bring your own rope, harness and quickdraws for rope climbing.
Tides and season: when DWS works
Lan Ha has one high tide and one low tide a day, with a range of up to about 3 m. Many cliffs are too shallow at low tide, and the cliffs are undercut at the waterline, so you start from a boat. Good DWS tides fall mainly from June to November; April–May and September–November are the best compromise of tide and weather. Winter suits rope climbing on land better than DWS.
Both operators swap morning and afternoon trips to match the tide. Cat Ba Climbing's "Sea Face" cliff works at low water. If the tide is wrong on your only day, ask for a rope day instead. More in our rock climbing guide and best time to visit.
Kayak and plankton add-ons
Kayaking in the Cat Ba bays has been under an official suspension since November 2024, re-confirmed in late 2025 (VnExpress). Some boats offer it only in a designated area or replace it with a swim. Cat Ba Climbing still sells a half-day kayak (750,000 VND), "Kayak by Day, Plankton by Night" (1,500,000 VND) and DWS with a plankton kayak (2,000,000 VND), and Cat Ba Ventures a sunset and night plankton kayak. Ask in writing what runs on your date. Plankton also needs a dark, moonless, calm night and is never guaranteed; see bioluminescent plankton and kayaking.
Booking on GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide sells several Cat Ba DWS and climbing trips from about $58. The supplier is not in the title: open the listing and read the activity provider before you book, because these products are run by different Cat Ba companies, not necessarily the two reviewed here.
GetYourGuideDay trip
Cat Ba: Advanced Rock Climbing & Cliff Jumping Boat Tour
5.0 (8)
from $73Check dates
GetYourGuide5 hours
Cat Ba Island: Deep Water Soloing Climbing Tour by Boat
5.0 (2)
from $72Check dates
GetYourGuideDay trip
Full Day Tour to Lan Ha Bay with Kayaking, Cliff Jumping
No reviews yet
from $107Check dates
Prices checked on October 16, 2026
What climbers should check
We do not have enough independent guest reviews to summarize. Before you book, ask:
- Tide time on your date and whether the trip is DWS or rope climbing.
- Grade range of the planned cliffs, and whether a beginner gets a separate route.
- Insurance and what it covers.
- Gear: shoes and chalk are included on Cat Ba Climbing's cliff-jumping day; bring your own rope gear on Cat Ba Ventures boat trips.
- Life jackets on the boat legs: since June 2026 every passenger on a Lan Ha boat must wear one from boarding and throughout the trip.
Alternatives
If climbing is only part of your plans, combine a half-day with a Lan Ha day boat: Cat Ba Expedition and the Beka day boat leave from the same Ben Beo pier. For the island itself, see Cat Ba Island; for all activities, Lan Ha Bay activities.
FAQ
Is Asia Outdoors still open in Cat Ba?
No. Asia Outdoors closed in February 2019 and its website no longer works. Cat Ba Climbing and Cat Ba Ventures are the operators we could confirm in town today.
How much does deep-water soloing cost in Cat Ba?
Cat Ba Climbing charges 1,150,000 VND per person for a half day, or 1,580,000 VND with a kayak. GetYourGuide sells DWS trips from about $58.
When is the best time for deep-water soloing on Lan Ha Bay?
June to November has the most good high tides. April–May and September–November are the best compromise of tide and weather. Trips are timed to the daily high tide.
Do I need experience for DWS in Cat Ba?
Cat Ba Climbing sells its half-day DWS for beginners and experienced climbers who are not afraid of heights. No minimum age is published, so ask before you book with children.
Does Cat Ba Ventures provide climbing gear?
On its multi-day boat trips it includes kayaks and DWS shoes but not sport-climbing gear. Bring your own rope gear if you want to rope-climb.