Deep water soloing
Try your hand at free soloing over Lan Ha Bay’s emerald waters in this unique discipline of rock climbing! Enjoy a short cruise into the bay’s island labyrinth, where a small boat will transfer you to our DWS crags. Then, chalk up and get personal with the limestone. Your guide will show you developed routes and safely spot you. Climb from the boat onto the rock face, grab hold of big pockets, work up tufa systems and traverse finely featured limestone. Push your limits to climb higher before jumping from the cliff into the water. It’s a thrilling, adrenaline-pumping experience!
Refuel with a Vietnamese lunch cooked fresh by our crew on our traditional junk boat. Relax on the top deck while we cruise to a new location for the afternoon, then hit the crags again for some harder climbing before heading home while the sun sets.
Typical route grades range from F5b to 7c/ YDS 5.8 to 5.12c. Since our DWS crags are undercut by natural erosion, route difficulty depends partially on tides. A boulder start is required to begin climbing during low tides.
*All deep water solo routes have been developed by experienced rock climbers in areas safe for climbing. Asia Outdoors is the only tour operator in Cat Ba licensed to deep water solo.
Next Available
Tours subject to guide availability
DWS tours depend on tide level to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip
July: 3rd-7th-PM only, 13th-22nd PM only, 28th-31st PM only
August: (1st-5th, 10th PM only) ; (11-15th AM & PM), ( 16-20th PM only), 25th AM ; (26-30th AM & PM) , 31st PM only
September: 7-8th AM only, 9-14th AM & PM, 15-18th PM only, 22nd-24th AM only, 25-28th AM & PM, 29-30th PM only
October: 5-9th AM only, 10-14th AM & PM, 15-16th PM only, 20-23rd AM only, 24-29th AM & PM
November: 4-8th AM only, 9-12th AM & PM, 13th AM only, 18-25th AM only
December: 4-10th, 18-23rd AM only
TRIP NOTE
Primary Activities: Deep water solo rock climbing and cruising the bay.
Other Activities: Swimming, sunbathing, rockin' the boat.
Designed For: Intermediate and experienced climbers.
Pre-requisites: Should have basic climbing technique, must be able to swim.
Recommended experience: Outdoor rock climbing or bouldering experience.
Helpful to Bring: Sunscreen, swimsuit, change of clothes, camera, towel, water, snacks.
Included on Trip: Transportation, access fees and tickets, rock climbing guide, junk boat with captain and crew, tender or basket boat captain, lunch, rock climbing shoes.
Days Offered: Deep water solo trips are run based on tides and guide availability. For this reason, deep water soloing is not offered every day. Please check tides above for availability before booking.
DWS FAQs
HOW HIGH DO WE HAVE TO JUMP FROM?
It's up to you! You can feel safe and comfortable in this professional team environment. Your guide will push you to climb to your limit but you will never feel pressured.
I'M PLANNING A TRIP. WHEN WILL THE TIDES BE RIGHT?
Contact us before your departure to make sure we can get you out. You wouldn't want to miss this awesome experience.
CAN I GO DEEPING BY MYSELF?
No. Most basket boat drivers do not understand practices required to safely deep water solo. Additionally, they do not know which walls have water deep enough (and clear of hazards) for a safe landing, and do not know when tides are right. Because Lan Ha Bay is part of Cat Ba National Park, licenses are required to deep water solo. Asia Outdoors is the ONLY company licensed to run DWS trips in the region. Hiring an independent basket boat to take you deeping is both dangerous and illegal!