List reviewed on October 22, 2026 · prices updated hourly
Lan Ha Bay cruises compared: 11 boats, real prices
Lan Ha Bay, south-east of Cat Ba Island, has the same limestone scenery as Ha Long Bay with fewer boats, small beaches and lagoons. Of the 20 cruises in our comparison, 11 sail there, all or part of the time: 3 day cruises, 5 of 2 days / 1 night and 3 of 3 days / 2 nights. For each one we show the price of a precise option, not the cheapest "from" price.
The 11 Lan Ha Bay cruises in our comparison
Price per adult for two adults sharing a double cabin, for the option described on each card: the lowest price over the next 30 days, converted into USD. The badges show every bay the cruise visits, the main one first.
- Day cruiseLan Ha BayBudget
Beka Day Boat
A day on a small boat in Lan Ha Bay for travellers already staying on Cat Ba, with kayak, swimming and lunch included.
Option priced: Day cruise, pick-up on Cat Ba Island
kayak or bamboo boat included
Loading prices…See prices and dates on Viator → - Day cruiseLan Ha BayHa Long BayMid-range
Cozy Bay Lan Ha day cruise
Ha Long, Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay in one long day from Hanoi, with Trung Trang Cave and a kayak stop.
Option priced: Day cruise, Hanoi transfer included
kayak or bamboo boat included
Loading prices…See prices and dates on Viator → - Day cruiseHa Long BayLan Ha BayPremium
The Halong Catamaran
The most comfortable day option in our list: a catamaran across Ha Long and Lan Ha bays, limousine from Hanoi included.
Option priced: Day cruise, Hanoi transfer included
kayak or bamboo boat included
Loading prices…See prices and dates on Viator → - 2 days / 1 nightLan Ha BayHa Long BayMid-range
La Regina Cruise
A Lan Ha Bay night at a mid-range price, with kayak and cooking class included; transfer extra.
Option priced: 2 days / 1 night, double cabin with window, meet at Tuan Chau port, transfer from Hanoi extra
kayak or bamboo boat included
Loading prices…See prices and dates on Viator → - 2 days / 1 nightLan Ha BayHa Long BayMid-range
Aspira Cruise
Balcony and bathtub in the junior suite we price, on the Lan Ha Bay route; transfer extra.
Option priced: 2 days / 1 night, double cabin with balcony, meet at Tuan Chau port, transfer from Hanoi extra
kayak or bamboo boat included
Loading prices…See prices and dates on Viator → - 2 days / 1 nightLan Ha BayHa Long BayMid-range
Mon Chéri Cruise
One of the most-reviewed overnight cruises in our list: balcony suites and the Lan Ha route; transfer extra.
Option priced: 2 days / 1 night, double cabin with balcony, meet at Tuan Chau port, transfer from Hanoi extra
kayak or bamboo boat included
Loading prices…See prices and dates on Viator → - 2 days / 1 nightLan Ha BayMid-range
Sena Cruise
A boutique boat in Lan Ha Bay where the option we price includes the limousine from Hanoi.
Option priced: 2 days / 1 night, double cabin with balcony, Hanoi transfer included
kayak or bamboo boat included
Loading prices…See prices and dates on Viator → - 2 days / 1 nightHa Long BayLan Ha BayPremium
Elite of the Seas
The most expensive night in our list: junior suite with balcony and bathtub, shared limousine from Hanoi included.
Option priced: 2 days / 1 night, double cabin with balcony, Hanoi transfer included
kayak or bamboo boat included
Loading prices…See prices and dates on Viator → - 3 days / 2 nightsLan Ha BayHa Long BayMid-range
Peony Cruise
Three days in Ha Long and Lan Ha bays with Cat Ba Island, Viet Hai village and Trung Trang Cave; balcony cabins, transfer extra.
Option priced: 3 days / 2 nights, double cabin with balcony, meet at Tuan Chau port, transfer from Hanoi extra
kayak or bamboo boat included
Loading prices…See prices and dates on Viator → - 3 days / 2 nightsLan Ha BayHa Long BayPremium
Heritage Binh Chuan
The premium choice for Lan Ha Bay: balcony suites, a pool on board and two full days around Cat Ba; transfer extra.
Option priced: 3 days / 2 nights, double cabin with balcony, meet at Tuan Chau port, transfer from Hanoi extra
kayak or bamboo boat included
Loading prices…See prices and dates on Viator → - 3 days / 2 nightsHa Long BayLan Ha BayBudget
Hera Grand Cruise
The cheapest 3 days / 2 nights in our list, meals and Hanoi shuttle included; the cabin has a window, not a balcony.
Option priced: 3 days / 2 nights, double cabin with window, Hanoi transfer included
kayak or bamboo boat included
Loading prices…See prices and dates on Viator →
Cruises from our partner Viator: booking and payment on viator.com. We may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Cruise companies do not pay to appear in this list.
Where Lan Ha Bay is, and how boats get there
Lan Ha Bay lies south-east of Cat Ba Island, in Hai Phong province, next to Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh province. The scenery is continuous: the same limestone islands, with more small beaches and sheltered lagoons. Since 2023, the UNESCO World Heritage listing of Ha Long Bay also covers the Cat Ba archipelago, to which Lan Ha belongs.
Most overnight cruises board at Tuan Chau International Marina in Ha Long City and cross part of Ha Long Bay before reaching Lan Ha; this is the case for most of the overnight boats in our list. Some boats leave from Got pier on Cat Hai, and day boats also leave from Cat Ba town. From Hanoi, count about 2.5 to 3.5 hours by road to the pier.
Day boat, one night or two?
Lan Ha is further from the main piers than the classic Ha Long route, so a day trip from Hanoi is a long day. In our list, 3 day cruises reach Lan Ha: one starts on Cat Ba Island for travellers already staying there, the others pick you up in Hanoi. On the survey date they cost $38 to $95 per person.
One night on board (2 days / 1 night) gives you an afternoon of kayaking or swimming in the lagoons, a night at anchor and an early morning on the water: $170 to $404 per person for the 5 cruises in our list. Two nights (3 days / 2 nights) add a full day further out, with stops such as Viet Hai village on Cat Ba, reached by bicycle, or Trung Trang Cave: $309 to $998 per person for the 3 cruises in our list.
What you see in Lan Ha Bay
Typical stops are the Dark and Bright Cave, visited by kayak or bamboo boat, the Tra Bau area, Ba Trai Dao beach and, on longer cruises, Viet Hai village. Swimming is part of most itineraries in the warm months. Cruises that sail in both bays usually add Ha Long sights on the way, such as Sung Sot Cave or Ti Top Island.
Ask for the list of stops before booking: some cruises sold as Lan Ha spend most of their time in Ha Long Bay. The badges on each card show the bays covered by the option we price.
Transfer and what the price includes
The transfer from Hanoi is the biggest difference between two Lan Ha offers that look alike. Each card says whether the option we price includes it; otherwise you meet the boat at the port. On the survey date, round-trip shuttles sold on top cost $25 to $45 per person. Drinks are almost never included, and surcharges apply on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, Tết and national holidays.
Lan Ha Bay cruises: your questions
Is Lan Ha Bay better than Ha Long Bay?
Neither is better in every way. Lan Ha has fewer boats, small beaches and lagoons; Ha Long has the best-known sights (Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island) and the widest choice of boats. Many cruises combine both.
How much does a Lan Ha Bay cruise cost?
In our list, on the survey date, per adult for two adults: $38 to $95 for a day cruise, $170 to $404 for 2 days / 1 night and $309 to $998 for 3 days / 2 nights. Transfers, drinks and holiday surcharges can add to the bill.
Where do Lan Ha Bay cruises leave from?
Most overnight boats board at Tuan Chau International Marina in Ha Long City; some leave from Got pier on Cat Hai, and day boats also leave from Cat Ba town. The company confirms the meeting point after booking.
Can I visit Lan Ha Bay as a day trip from Hanoi?
Yes, but it is a long day, with about 2.5 to 3.5 hours on the road each way. If you are already on Cat Ba Island, a day boat from Cat Ba town is the shortest way to see Lan Ha.
Is one night enough in Lan Ha Bay?
For a first visit, one night gives you the lagoons, a night at anchor and the early morning. Choose two nights if you want a full day of kayaking, beaches and Viet Hai village.
When is the best time for a Lan Ha Bay cruise?
Departures depend on the weather: the port authorities suspend them when a storm is forecast, mainly during the typhoon season, roughly June to October. Winter is cooler and often misty; swimming is best in the warm months.
How we chose these cruises
This page lists the cruises of our Ha Long Bay comparison that sail in Lan Ha Bay, all or part of the time. They follow the same rules: at least 300 reviews and a combined Viator and Tripadvisor rating of at least 4.8, a Viator-only rating of at least 4.3 when based on 10 Viator reviews or more, a bookable date within 30 days, mandatory extra charges below 40% of the price, and one cruise per company.
The bay, cabin, kayak and transfer details and the one-line verdicts are ours, written from the itinerary and the inclusions of the option we price. Prices and ratings come from Viator and are updated every hour; we do not show review texts. The list was last reviewed on October 22, 2026.
Cruises from our partner Viator: booking and payment on viator.com. We may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Cruise companies do not pay to appear in this list.