Halong Bay is truly a paradise for active visitors, offers travelers variety of activities, including boat trips, swimming, fishing, snorkeling & sea kayaking, rock climbing, cycling and trekking, wellness exercises.
We always offer tourists plenty of choices of where to stop and each stop is a guaranteed memorable one as well as really opportunities for photographers as each of its rock formations is unique to itself.
Boating / Cruising / Sleeping on board
The most popular travel activity, and for most visitors the main reason to come to Halong Bay, is a trip on a traditional junk boat around the limestone cliffs and islands. Most boating tours follow a similar itinerary, but the cost may vary from 10 USD for a few hours trip to 150 USD for a luxury cruise and an overnight accommodation onboard the cruise ship.
Though many new hotels are being built on the bigger islands, experienced visitors recommend newcomers to spend a night on board a boat. This way, you will be able to admire the bay closer up and in quite a special way. The boats in question range from diesel-powered junks as well as higher standard cruisers. The junks are less expensive compared to cruisers but keep in mind that they are usually small and do rock a lot. Pick the boat/accommodation that suits your style and budget, then try it for at least one night.
Swimming and Sunbathing in Ha Long Bay
Halong Bay has thousands of limestone islands and grottoes. There are countless places to stop for swimming, fishing, snorkeling and kayaking when cruising around. On famous Cat Ba Island there are a few well-known beaches to relax on, some with easily remembered names like Cat Co One, Cat Co Two and Cat Co Three. The stunning scenery of sheer mountain cliffs rising out of the bay makes an ideal backdrop to water-based activities.
Beaches on Cat Ba island, close to the town, are is the most famous places in Halong Bay for swimming and water activities. Many remote small islands in Halong Bay have beautiful sandy beaches, but most of them are not included in tour itineraries, yet, they can be reached on a rental boat.
Wellness:
Gentle Healthy Exercise for Energy Increase and Relaxation that inherited from the Ancient Vietnamese Medicine, a simple exercise combined with natural/ gentle breathing amidst the majestic scenery of Halong Bay with fresh sea air. It is very simple but highly effective, suitable for modern life that help you gain a healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit. It also help you eliminate stress after working hours. You can practice and understand it in a very short time - three times a day. (special offer)
Sea kayaking
From sea kayaking into caves to visiting locals in their fishing villages on tucked-away islands, Halong Bay is a must on any trip to Vietnam.
Explore the hidden islands, cliffs and underground caves on a kayaking trip in Halong Bay. It is possible to do this activity as a part of a boating trip, or as a separate kayaking tour. Most trips start in Cat Ba town, the cost of a guided kayaking tour is 15 to 20 USD per person.
Snorkeling
Halong Bay has a few snorkeling spots on small islands, that can be explored on a guided boating tour from Cat Ba town, the costs of the trip are about 15 USD.
Sailing
Halong Bay offer many opportunities to explore the area on a sailing boat. This is the best way to see the more remote islands and visit less crowded beaches. The cost of a rental boat for a day is 50-60 USD.
Trekking in Cat Ba National Park
Trekking is a good option on Cat Ba Island. There are lots of rare animals to see, including green and hawksbill turtles and golden-headed langur monkeys. Visitors can choose from various trek routes; either way it's an impressive experience.
Many trekking routes are available, from two hours to a full-day trek. This activity can be combined with swimming at more remote beaches of Cat Ba island, and visiting a local Viet Hai village. The guide is highly recommended for a trekking tour, the cost of a guided tour is between 6 to 15 USD per person.
Another good way to enjoy a visit to Cat Ba is to cycle around the local villages.
Cycling/Mountain biking
Cat Ba National Park is the only place in Halong Bay for guided cycling tours, while the adventureous travelers can also try more challenging mountain biking tours.
Viet Hai Village
Viet Hai Village is located in a remote corner of Cat Ba National Park. Many people still live in simple houses made of bamboo, wood, leaves and soil. It is a chance to experience the true roots of Cat Ba culture which have carried on for hundreds of years.
Water Park
Cat Ba Island Resort and Spa offers a grand swimming pool with water slides and waterfalls. It is the only hotel in Vietnam that has a water park as such and is a brilliant place for families.
Rock climbing
Halong Bay has one of the best natural conditions in Vietnam for rock climbing activities. This can be done in combination with kayaking trips, as well as hiking and camping on more remote islands. The cost of a one-day guided tour is around 20-25 USD, two and three day options are also offered by travel companies in Cat Ba town.
Off-the-beaten-track activities in Halong Bay
Many off-the-beaten-track activities are available in Halong Bay
Full-day camping and hiking, as well as overnight camping on remote islands
Visiting underground caves on more remote islands in Halong Bay
What to do in Halong Bay, activities, travel experiences and things to do in Catba Island
