Kayaking in Halong Bay: Ultimate Guide for First-Time Travelers

In recent years, Halong Bay has been voted as one of the world's 25 most exciting kayaking destinations by National Geographic, definitely making it a worthy traveling spot for any tourists.

Kayaking around the world’s famous heritage is one of the best ways to see Halong Bay for countless visitors. What's more wonderful than precious moments of watching the bay on the deck, immersing in the blue clear water while rowing through such magnificent cave systems?

Now, let’s discover the most beautiful sites for kayaking in Halong Bay.

Amazing kayaking in Halong Bay

1. Kayak in Light and Dark Cave

The first spot is the Light and Dark Cave, located in the area bordering Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay. Light and Dark cave is an ideal area for those passionate about kayaking, fond of discovering nature with their own muscles and ingenuity when traveling to Ha Long.

The Dark cave is regarded as an underwater cave due to its special formation deep in the water. In the geological activity, there are 3 types of caves in Halong Bay formed from the impact of water on karst terrain.

Kayaking in Light and Dark cave, Halong Bay

Dark Cave belongs to the cleft form with the cave floor located deep in the seawater, while the top is on the water surface. With a kayak, visitors can get closer to the cave; discover the beauty of nature, the excitement of water erosion at the foot of the limestone mountain, as well as the bravery of plants here when surviving under this rocky terrain.

Moreover, visitors can creep into the cave, feel the stone stalactites on the ceiling with their bare hands, and capture some beautiful photos while reaching the top of the cave.

Passing through the cave, tourists will encounter a valley lying on the sea, surrounded by incredibly high mountains. Drifting the kayak and slowly looking at the surrounding scenery, breathing in the fresh air, and enjoying the beautiful sky will surely be a wish you have been searching for for so long in the midst of bustling life.

Let's book Lan Ha Bay Cruises to enjoy kayak in Dark & Light cave!

Find out Lan Ha Bay Kayaking: Complete Guide

2. Kayak in Luon Cave

Kayaking in Luon Cave, Halong Bay

Luon Cave is among the top search areas for kayaking. The cave is shaped like a tunnel with a submerged background. Deep in the cave, there is a small lake, and the cave is the intersection between the sea and the lake.

Visiting on high tide days, visitors will experience the exciting feeling of having to crouch on the boat through the flooded cave floor to enter the lake.

Luon Cave is also the habitat of the golden monkey, with hundreds of individuals divided into groups. The bustle of monkeys catches the attention and curiosity of visitors.

At present, the Luon cave has become a popular destination for tourists with a golden monkey watching service. Monkeys are also familiar with visitors, so they are very friendly.

3. Kayak on Dragon Eye Island

Kayaking in Dragon Eye Island, Halong Bay

With a natural landscape, emerald green sea, white sand beach, and a lush green forest, Dragon Eye Island is on the list of "the best areas for kayaking in Halong Bay". This island's special highlight is the beautiful, clear blue lake lying among the Limestone Mountains and primeval forests.

This is why it is called the Island of the Dragon Eye. This lake is the eye and the place that owns the unique natural ecosystem in the Gulf of Tonkin. Don't forget to explore the primeval forest, take some photos and soak in the cool sea here.

4. Kayak in Cong Do

Kayaking in Cong Do, Halong Bay

Located in the southeast of Ha Long, the Cong Do area still retains the primitive nature of the ecosystem, coral reefs, and beautiful landscapes.

Visitors will feel like being immersed in the majestic beauty of the evergreen flora and rocky island. Cong Do is really a paradise for relaxing, one of the best areas for kayaking, and for visitors who love to experience new things.

5. Kayak in Vung Vieng Fishing Village

From Bai Chay pier, kayak to the northeast about 30km, visitors will arrive at Vung Vieng fishing village. There is a cultural center for community activities, displaying pictures of Ha Long Bay through which visitors will have the opportunity to understand the locals' lives through generations better.

Other fun activities include: rowing bamboo sticks, participating in fishing trips, pulling, and removing fish from the nets like an actual fisher. Sightseeing around the bay, weaving through Vung Vieng cave, stopping by the pristine beaches, and enjoying delicious seafood is worth trying.

Vung Vieng Fishing Village

Let's do Bai Tu Long Bay Cruises to enjoy kayaking in the Cong Do area or Vung Vieng Fishing Village

6. Kayak in Cap La Island & Cap La Fishing Village

The final perfect spot for kayaking in Halong Bay is Cap La Area. It is the ideal place to go kayaking with a wonderful landscape, a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, and a pristine white sand beach.

Kayaking on this island is a favorite activity, and tourists will have a chance to pass by Cap La fishing village, where each boat is a separate household. These boats are tied together, and the working fishers' image in these boats is why more tourists come here.

Kayaking on Cap La island and visiting a fishing village

Before you do Halong Bay kayaking

• Wear suitable clothes: T-shirts and shorts in the summer, warm clothes in the winter
• Warm your body up with a bit of movement
• Listen to the tour guide carefully and remember the route, timings, and rules
• Wear a life-vest: one life-vest per person
• Be aware of the weather, tides, currents, and wind strength
• Stay well away from cliffs, caves, and rocks
• Never, ever go kayaking whilst intoxicated. It’s dangerous and not worth the risk
• Ensure you hold the oar with your arms about the same width as your shoulders, with the concave sides of the oar facing behind you

What to bring

• Water bottles for each person
• Sunscreen is a high factor
• Insect repellent
• Camera & dry bag storing the camera
• Swimsuits in the summer
• Good, comfortable shoes
• Hat & sunglasses

While you do kayaking

• Holding the oar correctly: the distance between the 2 hands should not be too close or too far, it should be just over shoulder-width apart, and the concave part of the oar should be facing backward
• Be Energetic. Don’t be afraid to use some force.
• Be away from cave entrances. The current is strong. You may be drawn into the cave if you get too close.
• Keep a good distance between other kayaks to avoid unnecessary collisions

Having fun kayaking in Halong

You can take a Halong Bay cruise and enjoy a multitude of outdoor activities including kayaking in Halong Bay. It also is the best way to book a kayaking tour.

Most of the cruise in Halong offers kayaking as an optional service, some of them are included, and some of them you need to pay extra. You should check carefully to avoid any overcharged.

Let’s plan and have a wonderful time with the top things to do in Halong Bay. We public very clear about what is included and not included in each cruise. You don't need to worry about any hidden charge in our price!

Khoa My

(Image source: Internet)