Where is the best place to Kayak in Halong Bay? This is a common question for many tourists when they want to visit Halong Bay by Kayak. This is one of the famous means of visiting the islands of Halong Bay, with the main feature being that customers will be the ones to actively row, freely moving along the route they want.
Compared to other sightseeing experiences, Halong Bay Kayaking creates an extremely interesting indigenous cultural experience, as well as learning about the special geological history that has formed the caves and seas.
If you are also planning to Kayak in Halong Bay, Halong Private Car will provide information about the ideal location, route, and price list, kayak tips before starting an exciting tour in the bay.
Best time to kayak in Halong Bay
Halong has dry, cool weather mainly from March to May, and from September to November. This is the ideal time for you to plan a Halong Bay kayak tour. Note that if you go during this period, you should book tickets in advance to avoid sold-out tickets.
In addition, you can also choose to kayak in Halong Bay from June to August. This is the low season of the bay, with fewer tourists visiting than usual. Therefore, you will have a faster, more cost-effective trip, with less jostling with other customers.
However, it should be noted that at this time in Halong Bay, the weather is hot and quite humid. Therefore, if you plan to go during these months, you should prepare sunscreen, hats, and sun cream when kayaking.
How can we transfer to Halong Bay?
Currently, there are many means of transport for you to conveniently travel to Halong Bay. If you depart from other provinces, depending on the distance, you can use means of transport such as airplanes, buses, trains, etc.
In case your family, group of friends, or couples want to travel from Halong Bay to other provinces quickly, choose the pick-up point, and control your own travel route, you can use Halong Private Car‘s service.
We provide travel options with departure points at any location in Halong Bay to attractive tourist destinations in Vietnam by private car:
- Halong Bay To Mu Cang Chai Luxury Car – from 257$/car
- Halong Bay To Cat Bi Airport Luxury Car – from 73$/car
- Halong Bay To Cao Bang Luxury Car – from 200$/car
- Halong Bay To Pu Luong Private Car – from 122$/car
- Halong Bay To Sapa Private Car – from 193$/car
Best Place To Kayak In Halong Bay
Each island and cave area has its beauty for tourists to experience and explore. Below are some ideal Halong Bay kayaking spots you can refer to for your trip:
Luon Cave
Luon Cave – One of the best place to kayak in Halong Bay is located on Bo Hon Island, in the south of Halong Bay. The cave stands out with its charming natural scenery and unique arch-shaped gate.
When kayaking through the cave, tourists will move through the 60m long cave gate, to the other side, where you will admire a majestic natural picture, where the sky, water, and huge cliffs intersect.
For more information about Luon Cave, you can refer to here: Luon Cave Completed Guide
Ba Hang Village
Ba Hang fishing village is a peaceful village located next to Thien Cung cave. When kayaking to explore Ba Hang Village, you will admire not only the peaceful scenery but also the culture and daily life of more than 50 households living in the village.
Dong Tien Lake and Trinh Nu Cave
The next location on the best place to kayak in Halong Bay’s list is Dong Tien Lake and Trinh Nu Cave. These are two places with wild beauty that you should spend time exploring when traveling by Kayak.
Dong Tien is a saltwater lake surrounded by limestone mountains, creating a unique beauty. Trinh Nu Cave belongs to Dong Tien Lake, a cave with sparkling limestone mountains, many different shapes creating a fascinating beauty.
Vung Vieng Village
Vung Vieng, like Ba Hang Village, is a fishing village in Bai Tu Long Bay. Currently, 30 households are making a living from fishing here. When kayaking to Vung Vieng, you will pass through Cao Cave, a cave that is considered the gateway to the village.
Co Cave
Co Cave is a favorite sightseeing and photography spot for many tourists when coming to Halong Bay. When kayaking through Co Cave, you will explore the cave system, long sandy beaches, and green trees, creating a peaceful, pristine feeling.
Dong Cave is located in the center of Cong Do Island (also one of the locations licensed for kayaking). The cave is not too large but converges all the wonderful elements of nature, from the stalactite system, diverse flora, blue sea,…
Cua Van Village
Cua Van is one of the fishing villages that stands out with its small houses, amidst the vast river, creating a peaceful fishing village picture. This is a fishing village with a charming natural landscape that has been praised by many foreign magazines.
When finding the best place to kayak in Halong Bay, do not forget to explore this beautiful village.
Best Kayak Routes in Halong Bay Vietnam
Normally, to use Kayak, tourists will have to buy 1 of the 5 Halong Bay tour routes. When the cruise passes through islands or caves licensed to use a kayak, tourists will row a Kayak to visit.
Currently, there are 8 caves (islands) in 5 Halong Bay tour routes licensed to operate Kayak services. Below is detailed information on the Kayaking in Halong Bay price.
| Cave/Island | Route | Maximum number of kayaks in the area (kayaks) | Price (VND) |
| Ba Hang Cave | Route 1 | 55 | 40,000/pax |
| Luon Cave | Route 1 | 100 | 50,000/2pax |
| Dong Tien Lake and Trinh Nu Cave | Route 1 | 405 | Services included in the tour package |
| Tung Sau Pearl Farm | Route 1 | 155 | Services included in the tour package |
| Cua Van Village | Route 3 | 200 | 100,000/hour |
| Vung Vieng Village | Route 4 | 200 | 50,000/pax/hour |
| Co Cave | Route 4 | 150 | Services included in the tour package |
| Cong Do Island | Route 4 | 200 | Services included in the tour package |
Note that the maximum number of Kayaks in the area has been updated since 2017. You can contact the Kayak rental facility to update the most accurate information.
Halong Bay kayak rental
When you want to rent a Halong Bay kayak, you can book through an online booking website or go directly to the ticket agent at the port or the tour company.
Online booking websites
Online booking websites such as Booking.com, Agoda, and Klook all provide online ticket purchasing services. This form is very fast, convenient, and especially suitable for travelers who live far away and cannot go directly to the port or companies to buy tickets.
You can compare ticket prices of each place in advance to choose the one that best suits your needs.
Travel agencies
In addition to online websites, you can buy tickets from travel agencies. Be sure to carefully research the reputation and customer reviews before booking tickets.
Some tours include kayaking in Halong Bay. You can choose this form of ticket purchase when traveling in a large group, organization, or company. This form saves time researching and buying kayaking tickets yourself.
In addition, you can buy a tour to visit Halong Bay, which includes 5 main routes. Each route lasts from 3 to 4 hours. When the ship moves through the islands where kayaking is allowed, you will row the boat yourself to enjoy the scenery.
At the harbour
If you do not want to buy tickets online, visitors can go directly to the harbour, such as Tuan Chau, Bai Chay, to buy tickets for kayaking Halong Bay.
How to choose the right kayak for yourself?
Currently, when you want to go Halong Bay Kayaking, you have two popular choices: Sit-on-Top Kayaks, Day Touring Kayaks. You need to know in advance some of the main features of each type of boat to make the right choice for your needs and abilities.
Sit-on-Top Kayaks
- Outstanding features: Closed body, hollow mold above to sit, large storage compartment
- Suitable for: children, beginners in kayaking
Sit-on-top Kayaks are a popular type of boat in Halong Bay, for anyone, including children, who wants to travel to Halong Bay by this means. The boat has a large cockpit, can be easily climbed onto the boat, and can be easily flipped over when it is overturned on the water.
Usually, a Sit-on-top kayak has seats for about 2 people, and some boats also have storage compartments. Note that when using this type of boat that you will easily get wet because you have direct contact with water from the lake surface.
Day Touring Kayaks
- Highlights: closed cockpit, limited storage
- Suitable for: people who know how to kayak
This is a type of boat suitable for long trips, on the surface of lakes and ponds. With a closed cockpit, it ensures that the driver does not have direct contact with the water surface and ensures the safety of belongings.
With a keel and rudder design, Day Touring Kayaks help the driver move more easily when entering areas with strong winds or ocean currents.
Tips for a safe Kayak in Halong Bay
Before Kayaking:
- Avoid drinking alcohol before kayaking
- Children under 8 years old should consider not participating in kayaking
- You should bring drinking water, sunscreen, and waterproof bags for electronics before boarding the boat
- Wear a life jacket properly, choose comfortable, waterproof clothes, such as a Swim/sports top, and Quick-dry shorts
- You can bring a plastic bag to hold personal trash and avoid throwing it into the water.
- You should book tickets in advance through the website during peak season.
- Compare prices between ticket providers to choose the company that best suits your personal travel needs and budget.
- Read the terms and conditions carefully before purchasing tickets to ensure a complete and safe kayaking experience.
- If necessary, you can refer in advance to the best place to kayak in Halong Bay to choose a suitable route, so your kayak trip can become more convenient.
While Kayaking:
- Follow the instructions on kayaking techniques, direction of travel, and distance between boats.
- Sit in the middle, do not sit sideways or stand up while paddling, and do not separate from the group.
- Pay attention to protecting personal property, and do not bring it if not necessary. If you have it, put it in a waterproof bag to ensure safety.
- When moving, avoid getting too close to the caves in the bay
Kayak In Halong Bay – FAQs for First-Timers
Should I book kayak tickets in advance?
You can book Halong Bay Kayaking tickets in advance if you plan to go during peak season (March to May, September to November). Otherwise, you can buy tickets directly at the port, travel agencies, or online ticket sales websites.
When should I go kayaking Halong Bay?
Halong Bay has cool, pleasant weather from March to June. This is the right time for you to go kayaking in Halong Bay, participate in outdoor activities.
However, whether to go or not depends on your personal needs and schedule. Before going, you should check the weather forecast in advance to have the best preparation.
How long does it take to kayak in Halong Bay?
A typical kayaking trip lasts from 15 to 20 minutes. However, if you buy overnight packages on the cruise, you will have more time to kayak in Halong.
Can I kayak if I cannot swim?
People who can’t swim can still go kayaking. However, you should wear a life jacket and comfortable clothes, follow the safety regulations and instructions of the service provider to ensure safety. You should use Sit-on-Top Kayaks for easier movement.
Who can kayak in Halong Bay?
Kayak is a sightseeing vehicle for everyone, including first-time users. However, if the tourist is 8 years old or younger or the elderly, they can consider not using it to ensure safety.
What types of kayaks are there?
There are many types of kayaks with different structures and purposes. However, Halong Bay Kayak mainly provides two types of kayaks: Sit-on-Top Kayaks and Day Touring Kayaks. Depending on your needs and abilities, you can choose the type of kayak that best suits you.
Recommend the best place to kayak in Halong Bay?
Some prominent places for your Kayak in Halong Bay are: Ba Hang, Luon Cave, Dong Tien and Trinh Nu Cave, Vung Vieng, Co Cave,…
What can I wear when kayaking in Halong Bay?
When kayaking in Halong Bay, you should wear light, water-resistant clothing. You should wear shoes. In addition, you should wear closed-toed water shoes or old tennis shoes. These are shoes with good water resistance. Avoid wearing sandals or slippers because they are very easy to slip.
Conclusion
Above is all the information about the best place to kayak in Halong Bay, safe routes, and a travel guide for the most convenient Halong Bay kayaking trip. Halong Private Car hopes that the article will help you make the necessary preparations before having a convenient and complete Halong Bay Kayaking discovery trip.