Cat Ba Expedition is a good choice for a straightforward, fairly priced day on Lan Ha Bay if you are already staying in Cat Ba town. The price is published, the route covers the classic Cat Ba-side stops, and the fee for the bay is included. Its weak points are the kayak it still advertises during an official suspension, and a very small number of reviews on GetYourGuide.
Our scores
- Route
- 4/5Cai Beo, the southern islets, a beach swim and a fish farm, all from Ben Beo
- Value
- 4/5900,000 VND with lunch, guide and fees; +4% if you pay online
- Transparency
- 4/5prices and inclusions on its own site
- Activities as sold
- 3/5kayak advertised despite the official suspension
- Track record
- 3/5few platform reviews to judge by
Pros
- Published direct price, lunch and bay fee included
- Pickup from hotels within about 1 km of the town center
- Reaches Lan Ha in minutes from Ben Beo, with no long bus to Ha Long
- Also sells a sunset boat, trekking and small cruises from the same office
Cons
- Kayak included on paper, but kayaking is under an official suspension
- Ba Trai Dao swim depends on access and tide
- Only 4 reviews on GetYourGuide so far
- Online booking adds 4%
Who runs Cat Ba Expedition
Cat Ba Expedition is a brand of Ha Giang Vision Co., Ltd., with an office on the second floor of 135 Tung Dinh Street in Cat Ba town (catbaexpedition.com). Its boats leave from Ben Beo pier (bến Bèo), the day-boat harbor about 2 km from town, next to Cai Beo fishing village.
It is a local agency, not a cruise line: the day trip runs on a shared boat with other guests, and the overnight trips are small cruises.
The Lan Ha day trip: route and timing
The day trip is a classic Cat Ba-side programme. The times below are the operator's own.
Pickup at hotels within about 1 km of townshuttle to Ben Beo
Boat leaves Ben Beo, passing Cai Beo fishing villagethen toward southern Ha Long Bay
Kayak and swim stopkayak depends on the current rule
Lunch on boardthen Pen, Sailing, Frog and Turtle islets
Swim at Ba Trai Dao beachwhen access and tide allow
Fish farm visit
Back at Ben Beobetween 16:00 and 17:00
The price includes entrance fees, the town shuttle, lunch, a double kayak, one small bottle of water and an English-speaking guide. Drinks beyond that and tips are extra.
The kayak caveat
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 bamboo boat, tender or swim. Cat Ba Expedition still lists a double kayak as included. Ask the operator in writing what you will actually do on your date. Our kayaking guide explains the rule.
Ba Trai Dao is also uncertain: it was reported closed to access in November 2024, while operators still list swims there. Treat it as a swim stop when access, tide and weather allow.
Other trips it sells
| Trip | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Lan Ha day trip | 900,000 VND |
| Lan Ha sunset tour | 600,000 VND |
| 2D1N small cruise | 4,300,000 VND |
| 2D1N medium cruise | 4,500,000 VND |
| 3D2N Lan Ha and Ha Long | 8,500,000 VND |
| 3D2N Ha Long | 14,000,000 VND |
| One-day trek on Cat Ba | 1,400,000 VND |
| Cooking class | 1,400,000 VND |
Online booking adds 4% to every price. The 2D1N small cruise offers squid fishing or a plankton kayak outing in the evening. There is no standalone plankton tour; see bioluminescent plankton for the operators that run one and why the kayak rule affects them too.
Prices: direct vs GetYourGuide
The direct price of the day trip is 900,000 VND, plus 4% when paid online. On GetYourGuide the same trip is sold as "One Day Lan Ha Bay with Cat Ba Expedition" and shows from about $32. GetYourGuide usually offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before; the direct terms are not published. Compare both on the day you book.
GetYourGuideDay trip
Hanoi:Halong Bay–Lan Ha Bay-Kayak,Swimming Luxury Day Cruise
4.9 (311)
from $53Check dates
GetYourGuideDay trip
Hanoi/Cat Ba: The most luxurious day cruise in Lan Ha Bay
4.8 (637)
from $53Check dates
GetYourGuideDay trip
Hanoi/Cat Ba: Beka Day Boat - Lan Ha Bay Full Day Boat Tour
4.8 (670)
from $34Check dates
KlookDay trip
Tropical Day Cruise: Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba Island, Trung Trang Cave
4.9 (1,916) · 10K+ booked
from $38Check dates
GetYourGuideDay trip
Cat Ba: Lan Ha, HaLong bay full day- biking, kayaking, lunch
4.8 (1,672)
from $28Check dates
GetYourGuideDay trip
Taliya Day Cruise - Lan Hạ Bay: Kayaking, Swimming & Cave
4.8 (811)
from $53Check dates
Cat Ba Expedition day boat on GetYourGuide →Prices checked on October 16, 2026
What travelers should check
We do not have a body of guest reviews to summarize for this operator: GetYourGuide shows only a handful so far. Before you book, check these points instead:
- The kayak. Ask whether kayaking runs on your date, where, and what replaces it if not.
- Pickup. The free shuttle covers hotels within about 1 km of town. If you stay farther out, ask about a pickup or go to Ben Beo yourself.
- The boat. Ask what boat you will be on. Wooden hulls are still legal, and both tourist-boat accidents of 2026 involved wooden boats.
- Life jackets. Since June 2026 every passenger on a Lan Ha boat must wear a certified life jacket from boarding and throughout the trip (Tien Phong). Expect the crew to hand them out.
How to book and cancel
Book through the operator's site or office in Cat Ba town, or through GetYourGuide. If you book direct, confirm the cancellation terms in writing, because they are not on the site. Storms stop all boats: the authorities issue a sea ban, not the operator. In storm season, from June to November, keep a spare day and choose a booking you can move.
Alternatives to Cat Ba Expedition
- Beka Travel day boat: a similar wooden day boat from Ben Beo for $35, with a kayak stop at the Dark and Bright Cave area on its programme and a bus option from Hanoi.
- Serenity Cruises: bigger day boats from Ben Beo; Serenity Premium from $37 direct from Cat Ba town.
- Cozy Bay Tropical: a day cruise from Tuan Chau in Ha Long that lands at Gia Luan on Cat Ba and visits Trung Trang cave.
| Platform | Listing | Rating | Price | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klook | Tropical Day Cruise: Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba Island, Trung Trang Cave | 4.9 (1,916) | $38 Lowest | See on Klook |
| Trip.com | Tropical Day Cruise: Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba Island Tour | 4.6 (24) | $41 | See on Trip.com |
Lowest adult price per person in USD, checked on October 16, 2026. Cabin type, dates and what is included differ between listings: open each one before you pay.
For every option side by side, see our day cruises guide; for the island itself, Cat Ba Island; and for the other operators we reviewed, Lan Ha operators.
FAQ
How much is the Cat Ba Expedition day trip?
900,000 VND per person direct, plus 4% if you pay online. It includes the town shuttle, lunch, the bay entrance fee, an English-speaking guide and water. GetYourGuide shows it from about $32.
Where does Cat Ba Expedition leave from?
From Ben Beo pier, about 2 km from Cat Ba town. The shuttle picks you up at hotels within about 1 km of the town center between 08:00 and 08:30.
Does the Cat Ba Expedition tour include kayaking?
It lists a double kayak, but kayaking in the Cat Ba bays has been officially suspended since November 2024. Ask the operator in writing whether it runs on your date and what replaces it.
Is Cat Ba Expedition a cruise company?
No. It is a Cat Ba town agency run by Ha Giang Vision Co., Ltd. It sells shared day boats, a sunset boat, treks, a cooking class and small overnight cruises.
Is Cat Ba Expedition better than Beka?
They are very similar shared day boats from Ben Beo. Cat Ba Expedition prices in VND and suits guests already in town; Beka sells in USD and also offers a bus from Hanoi.