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Bioluminescent plankton are tiny organisms found in the waters of Halong Bay. When you touch the waters, especially at night, they’ll glow blue-green, lighting up the night water like sparkling stars.
Though it’s a very magical sight, it’s very hard to see them. In this post, we’ll guide you on the best way and time to see them.
Where
You likely can’t see any bioluminescent plankton in Halong Bay’s main area due to the crowds of tourists and the pollution. You’ll have to go farther than that, into the rural and less touristy part of the bay.
The best places are Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island.
They appear most often at quiet beaches like Tung Thu Beach or Ba Trai Dao Beach on Cat Ba Island, or in the core of Lan Ha Bay, where waters are calmer and cleaner.
When
May to August is the best chance to see bioluminescent plankton in Halong Bay. During these months, warm water temperatures (25–30°C) create ideal conditions for plankton to grow. The sea during those months is also calmer, with less wind—keeping the water smooth and helping the blue-green glow stand out.
You should also choose nights with low natural light—new moon or no-moon days—to easily catch the scenes. Head out after 19:00 when it’s fully dark, with the best viewing time often between 20:00 and 22:00.
How
Bioluminescent plankton typically glow in areas far from land, where waters are calm and dark. Here are the best ways to see them in Halong Bay:
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Night Kayak Tours
Taking a night kayak is the best and most popular way. These specific tours are designed to hunt bioluminescent plankton.
They usually start from Cat Ba Island at night, usually around 15:45–16:30. Prices are pretty reasonable, ranging from 36 USD to 50 USD per person, including pickup, boat cruise, dinner, and 1–1.5 hours of kayaking in the area where you’ll most likely catch up with the plankton.
Some local Cat Ba agencies organize these tours, such as Full Moon Travel Asia, Cat Ba Local, and Cat Ba Vision.
Lan Ha Bay Cruises
If you have a limited time budget, choose a Lan Ha Bay cruise that offers night kayaking. Though it’s not specifically looking for bioluminescent plankton, they’re usually anchored in the middle of Lan Ha Bay, a calm area where the chances to see plankton are high.
Prices would be around 120 USD–200 USD per person. Though it sounds expensive at first, these Lan Ha Bay cruises offer all-inclusive packages, including 1 night on board, all meals, kayaking, swimming, and some other onboard activities.
Some reputable cruises are: Le Journey Elegance Cruise, Doria Cruise, Amanda Luxury Cruise
Walk on Cat Ba Beaches at Night
If lucky, you might see plankton at quiet Cat Ba beaches like Tung Thu Beach or Cat Co 3 Beach. Walk along the shore after 19:00 and look for glowing waves or splashes. No cost, but visibility is not guaranteed, and it very rarely appears close to the sand.
