CRUISES & KAYAKING TRIPS IN VIETNAM

This page lists a few of our most popular Ha Long Bay cruises with kayaking. If you prefer a pure cruising experience without kayaking, please follow this link.

A Word About Sea Kayaking in Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural wonders, with more than 3,000 islands, grottoes, and towering limestone karst mountains rising dramatically from calm emerald-green waters. While cruising through the bay is beautiful, exploring it by kayak allows you to get much closer to the scenery and discover places that larger tourist boats simply cannot reach.

From your kayak, you can paddle through hidden caves leading into breathtaking lagoons, visit floating fishing villages, and experience a unique way of life that has existed on the bay for generations. You can even visit local pearl farms and learn about the cultivation of pearls. The flora and fauna of Ha Long Bay are equally impressive, and it is not unusual to see sea birds soaring over the water or a Sea Hawk swooping down to catch its dinner. A night kayaking trip can be particularly magical and mysterious, with the phenomenon of phosphorescence sometimes visible in the water, leaving trails of sparkling light behind each paddle stroke.

Among the thousands of islands and limestone formations of Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay are numerous secluded beaches and quiet corners far from the busiest tourist routes. We have worked closely with the local Park Authorities to establish private base camps on two of these beautiful beaches. Blending naturally into their surroundings, the camps feature comfortable straw huts equipped with mattresses, mosquito nets, lights, and fans.

Each base camp also has a western-style toilet and a freshwater shower, facilities that are especially welcome after a full day of sea kayaking and exploring. Friendly local staff look after the camps, keeping them safe, clean, and comfortable while you are out exploring the bay. They are also excellent cooks, and you can look forward to delicious meals featuring fresh local seafood and other Vietnamese specialties. It is a simple but memorable way to experience Ha Long Bay away from the crowds.

The Equipment

Our modern tandem sea kayaks allow us to offer a genuine kayaking experience for experienced sea kayakers, recreational paddlers, and first-time beginners alike. These stable and comfortable boats are designed for touring and allow you to cover longer distances during the day, giving you more time to explore the spectacular limestone formations, caves, lagoons, beaches, and fishing villages of Ha Long Bay.

Along with paddles, life jackets, and spray skirts, our kayaks are fitted with two sealed storage compartments where you can keep essential personal belongings protected from the water. We also provide dry bags to help keep cameras, phones, clothing, and other equipment safe and dry while you are paddling.

The combination of reliable equipment, sheltered waters, and experienced guides makes our Ha Long Bay kayaking tours suitable for both newcomers and experienced paddlers who want to explore the bay at a more relaxed and personal pace.

Safety

Safety is an important part of every sea kayaking tour in Ha Long Bay. We have invested not only in quality kayaks and safety equipment but also in professional training for our guides. Our guides have completed a five-day intensive Sea Kayaking Guide Certification course covering a wide range of practical skills.

The training includes paddling and teaching techniques, leadership, navigation, group management, rescue procedures, and first aid. Our sea kayaks are designed for ocean touring and are highly stable, including in more challenging conditions. However, our trips, particularly those designed for recreational and beginner kayakers, normally take place in the sheltered and relatively calm waters of Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay, away from exposed sea conditions.

Your guide will provide a safety briefing and basic kayaking instruction before you begin. Whether you are an experienced paddler or trying sea kayaking in Vietnam for the first time, the aim is to make the experience enjoyable, safe, and relaxed while giving you the freedom to explore the bay from the water.

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KAYAKING HA LONG BAY

(2 days, 1 night: Camping & Exploring)

Booking code for 2-day kayaking 2 days: OV23

Kayaking Ha Long Bay is one of the best ways to experience the bay’s calm emerald waters, towering limestone karsts, hidden caves, and secluded beaches. Our Ha Long Bay kayaking tours are suitable for both beginners and experienced paddlers, combining an enjoyable level of physical activity with plenty of time for relaxation. You’ll explore caves, hidden lagoons, pearl farms, and floating fishing villages while meeting local people and discovering a quieter side of mystical Ha Long Bay that cannot be experienced from a large tourist boat. Leaving bustling Ha Noi behind, you’ll travel into a peaceful corner of the bay and unwind at our private beach base camp.

Day 1

06:00 – Depart from Hanoi by private van. The approximately two-hour journey through the Red River Delta takes you to Hai Phong City, where you board the express boat to Cat Ba Island. From Cat Ba, you transfer to a small local boat and cruise through the beautiful coastal scenery to our private beach base camp.

After arrival, enjoy a delicious lunch featuring fresh local seafood before your guide introduces you to the kayaking equipment and explains the essential safety procedures. You’ll learn basic paddle strokes, how to handle your kayak, and more about the route you will explore during the afternoon.

Then it’s time to get on the water and begin exploring the fascinating limestone landscape of Ha Long Bay. Paddle through quiet waters, discover hidden corners, and enjoy the scenery from a completely different perspective. After your afternoon adventure, return to the base camp for a refreshing freshwater shower followed by a delicious dinner.

As night falls, relax on the beach and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere beneath the stars before retiring to your comfortable beach hut for the night.

Day 2

The friendly base camp staff will prepare a hearty breakfast before you head out for another morning of sea kayaking in Ha Long Bay. Continue exploring the spectacular limestone karst formations, hidden grottoes, and peaceful waters around the islands, with plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the scenery.

Return to the base camp for lunch, followed by some free time to relax on the beach, take a swim, or simply enjoy the quiet surroundings. You can throw a Frisbee, stretch out on the sand, or take one last swim before leaving this peaceful corner of the bay.

Later, cruise back to Cat Ba Island for the ferry to Hai Phong, followed by a private transfer back to Ha Noi. The tour ends at approximately 19:30, bringing your 2-day Ha Long Bay kayaking adventure to a close.

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KAYAKING HA LONG BAY

(3 days, 2 nights: Kayaking & Camping)

Booking code for 3-day kayaking: OV24

Kayaking Ha Long Bay is the perfect way to explore the calm emerald waters and dramatic limestone landscapes of northern Vietnam. Our Ha Long Bay kayaking tours are suitable for both beginners and experienced paddlers, combining outdoor adventure, physical activity, and plenty of time to relax. Explore caves, hidden lagoons, pearl farms, and floating fishing villages while meeting local people and discovering a side of mystical Ha Long Bay that cannot be seen from a conventional tourist boat. Leaving bustling Ha Noi behind, you’ll escape into a quieter world and spend two nights enjoying the peace and natural beauty of our private beach base camp.

Day 1

06:00 – Depart from Hanoi by private van. A two-hour journey through the beautiful Red River Delta takes you to Hai Phong City, where you board the express boat to Cat Ba Island. On arrival, transfer to a small local boat and cruise through the islands and limestone karsts to our private base camp.

After a lunch of delicious, fresh local seafood, your guide will introduce you to the kayaking equipment, explain safety procedures, and demonstrate the basic paddle strokes you’ll need for the afternoon. You’ll also receive information about your paddling route and the places you will explore.

After the briefing, begin your first afternoon of sea kayaking in Ha Long Bay. Paddle through calm waters surrounded by spectacular limestone formations and discover hidden corners of the bay away from the busiest tourist routes.

Return to the base camp after your afternoon exploration. Enjoy a refreshing freshwater shower followed by a great dinner prepared by the local staff. Then relax on the beach, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere beneath the stars, and spend your first night at the private base camp.

Day 2

Today is a full day of kayaking and exploring Ha Long Bay. Paddle at your own pace while getting close to the dramatic limestone karst formations that make this region famous. You’ll explore some of the many caves leading to beautiful hidden lagoons, paddle to floating villages, and observe the traditional lifestyle of local fishing communities.

Along the way, there will be time to stop at one of the bay’s secluded beaches to relax, swim, or simply enjoy the spectacular surroundings. This is where the advantage of travelling by kayak becomes obvious: you can reach quiet beaches, caves, and lagoons that are inaccessible to larger boats.

Enjoy lunch aboard the support boat before continuing your kayaking adventure in the afternoon. As the day comes to an end, cruise back to the base camp for dinner and another relaxing evening beside the water.

Day 3

The friendly base camp staff will prepare a hearty breakfast before you head out for your final morning of sea kayaking in Ha Long Bay. Continue exploring the amazing limestone karst formations, grottoes, and peaceful waterways surrounding the islands.

Return to the base camp for lunch and enjoy some final time on the beach. Relax on the sand, throw the Frisbee, take a swim, or simply enjoy the last moments in this beautiful and secluded setting.

After lunch, cruise back to Cat Ba Island for the ferry to Hai Phong, then continue by private vehicle to Ha Noi. The tour ends at approximately 19:30.

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KAYAKING IN HALONG BAY

(4 days, 3 nights)

Booking code for 4-day kayaking: OV47

Day 1: Hanoi – Halong Bay (~170 km, ~3^1/2 hrs bus trip)

Leave Hanoi and travel to Ha Long City (formerly known as Bai Chay). Arrive in Ha Long at approximately 12:30 and board a traditional junk boat to begin your exploration of magical Ha Long Bay, one of Southeast Asia’s most spectacular natural destinations.

Enjoy lunch featuring excellent fresh seafood while cruising through the bay toward Nui Ngoc fishing village. After lunch, an experienced Offroad Vietnam kayaking guide will introduce you to basic kayaking techniques and explain the essential safety procedures. Once you are ready, begin approximately 2^1/2 hours of paddling from Nui Ngoc toward Ba Men Temple.

Along the route, explore Ho Ba Ham (Three Caves Lagoon), a fascinating area surrounded by dramatic limestone formations and calm waters. Continue by kayak toward the beach at Ba Men Temple, where you can stop for a swim and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Return to the junk boat in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay on board, surrounded by the spectacular scenery of Ha Long Bay.

Day 2: Halong kayaking

Get up early for a refreshing swim and breakfast before beginning approximately three hours of sea kayaking around Dau Be Island. Paddle among the impressive limestone formations and discover the quieter corners of the bay away from the main tourist routes.

Stop along the way to swim and sunbathe on the beach of a deserted island. Continue paddling toward a floating fishing village where local residents make their living by fishing and raising crabs and shrimp. This is a wonderful opportunity to see the traditional lifestyle of communities living on the waters of Ha Long Bay.

Meet the support boat for lunch before continuing your kayaking adventure in the afternoon. Later, explore Three Beach Island by kayak. If you are lucky, you may even spot some of the protected endangered monkeys that inhabit parts of the area.

Return to the junk boat for dinner and another overnight stay surrounded by the spectacular limestone landscape.

Day 3: Halong kayaking

Enjoy a full day of kayaking in Ha Long Bay, travelling from Lan Ha Island toward Bats Lagoon while exploring the surrounding caves, limestone karsts, hidden beaches, and quiet waterways.

This is a full day on the water, giving you plenty of time to experience the spectacular scenery at a slower pace. Paddle through the islands and discover the natural beauty of this remarkable part of northern Vietnam.

Lunch, dinner, and overnight accommodation are provided on the boat.

Day 4: Kayaking, Halong – Hanoi

In the morning, begin your final kayaking session and spend approximately an hour exploring and crossing some of the fascinating caves in the area. After finishing your paddle, meet the junk boat and enjoy lunch before returning to the mainland.

From the mainland, transfer back to Hanoi, bringing your four-day Ha Long Bay kayaking and cruising adventure to an end.

Contact us at [email protected] if you need more information about our Vietnam cruising and kayaking tours from Hanoi, including Ha Long Bay kayaking, Cat Ba kayaking, private cruises, camping, and customized adventure trips.