Activities & Excursions on Ha Long Bay

The activities on a Ha Long Bay cruise are what turn a scenic boat ride into an immersive experience. The landscape is the foundation — but the cave walks, the kayaking through rock arches, and the squid fishing after dark are what give travellers specific, concrete memories to take away. This guide covers every activity available on Ha Long Bay, what each involves, whether it is included or costs extra, and which cruise formats give you access to it.

Kayaking on Ha Long Bay

Kayaking on Ha Long Bay operates at a scale that makes it genuinely unlike kayaking anywhere else. The karst formations rise vertically from the water — you paddle alongside walls of limestone that reach 50–80 metres above you, through arches that frame the sky in a perfect limestone oval, and into enclosed lagoons where the only sound is your paddle and the occasional drip from overhanging rock.

The guide leads the route and points out formations, animal life, and geological features. Routes are typically 2–4 kilometres depending on the specific area and the group’s pace. Two-person kayaks accommodate one experienced and one novice paddler comfortably — the more capable paddler steers from the rear.

Included on: Day cruises, overnight cruises, most private tours Best cruise for kayaking: The Ha Long Bay to Lan Ha Bay Cruise and Islands & Caves Ha Long Cruise with Lunch & Kayaking give more generous kayaking time than standard day cruises

Practical notes: Bring a dry bag for your phone. Wear quick-dry clothes or swimwear. The guide provides safety instructions before the session.

Cave Visits on Ha Long Bay

A guided cave visit is the centrepiece of virtually every Ha Long Bay cruise. See Caves to Explore in Ha Long Bay for a full guide to all accessible caves including Sung Sot, Thien Cung, Dau Go, and the Lan Ha Bay cave systems.

Included on: All standard day and overnight cruises Duration: 15–35 minutes depending on the cave What to wear: Closed-toe shoes — cave floors are uneven wet limestone

Swimming on Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay’s sheltered coves are ideal for sea swimming. The water is warm between April and October (26–29°C), cooler between November and March (18–24°C). The swimming stop is typically 45–60 minutes in a protected bay area away from boat traffic.

Check before entering: Ask your guide whether jellyfish have been spotted. Jellyfish are seasonally present, particularly in warmer months. The guide monitors conditions and can advise. Basic safety rules apply: swim within the designated zone, do not swim near the boat engine, and wear a life jacket if you are not a confident open-water swimmer.

Included on: Most day and overnight cruises

Squid Fishing on Ha Long Bay

Squid fishing is one of the most uniquely Ha Long Bay experiences available — combining traditional local fishing practice with an atmospheric evening setting. The LED lights attract plankton, which attracts small fish, which attracts squid. The resulting underwater light show, visible through the calm dark water, is itself worth watching.

Successful squid catches are sometimes taken to the kitchen and served as a late-night snack or incorporated into breakfast the following morning.

Included on: Most overnight cruises — evening of day one Equipment: Provided on board No experience needed: The guide demonstrates technique at the start

Mountain Hiking on Ha Long Bay

Many overnight cruise itineraries include a mountain hike on the morning of day two — a trail to an elevated viewpoint above the bay. The ascent typically involves 200–400 concrete steps and takes 30–45 minutes return. The viewpoint provides a panoramic perspective of the karst landscape from above water level — a completely different visual experience from the deck of the boat.

Included on: Most 2D1N overnight cruises (day two morning) Difficulty: Moderate — steps and inclines manageable for most fitness levels What to wear: Closed-toe shoes; the path can be slippery after rain

The mountain hike on Ti Top Island is the most famous version of this activity — see Top Islands & Karst Formations in Ha Long Bay for detail.

Ha Long Bay Cruise Cooking Classes

On-board cooking classes appear on the programmes of higher-quality overnight and multi-day cruises. Typically held on the morning of day two before the return journey, they involve preparing two or three Vietnamese dishes under the guidance of the boat’s chef — spring rolls, Vietnamese salads, and simple seafood preparations are common.

Included on: Some 2D1N and most 3D2N overnight cruises — check your specific itinerary Duration: 45–75 minutes Best for: Travellers with a genuine interest in Vietnamese food and cooking

Ha Long Bay Pearl Farm Visit

Pearl farm visits feature on many overnight cruise itineraries — typically on the afternoon of day one. A guide explains the process of oyster cultivation and pearl harvesting in the floating farms that operate throughout the bay, with a display of pearl jewellery for purchase.

Included on: Many 2D1N overnight cruises — check itinerary Duration: 30–45 minutes No purchase obligation: The visit is educational; buying is entirely optional

Ha Long Bay Floating Village Tours

Ha Long Bay has several inhabited floating villages — communities that have lived on the water for generations, fishing the bay from wooden houses built on floating platforms. Vung Vieng and Cua Van are the two most visited. Tours typically pass through by boat or bamboo rowing boat, with a guide providing context on the village’s history and the challenges of its transition to a more land-based existence in recent years.

Included on: Some overnight and multi-day itineraries — less common than cave visits and kayaking Duration: 45–90 minutes depending on the format Best for: Travellers interested in the human geography and cultural history of the bay

For more on the floating villages, see our dedicated Floating Villages of Ha Long Bay guide.

Cycling on Cat Ba Island — Ha Long Bay 3-Day Cruises

Available exclusively on 3-day cruise itineraries that include a Cat Ba Island stop on day two. Cyclists explore the island’s national park roads and trails under the guide’s direction, covering terrain that gives a very different perspective on the karst landscape — inland, among forest and limestone hills, rather than at sea level.

Included on: Some 3D2N cruises that route through Cat Ba Island Fitness level: Moderate — the roads have hills but are manageable for casual cyclists Best for: Active travellers and those who want to experience the bay’s largest island beyond the port town

Ha Long Bay Tai Chi at Sunrise

A gentle sunrise activity offered on the sun deck of most overnight cruises on the morning of day two. An instructor (usually a crew member) leads a 20–30 minute session as the mist lifts from the bay. Attendance is optional and typically involves a small group of the most morning-oriented guests.

Included on: Most overnight cruises Duration: 20–30 minutes Note: You have to actually get up at 6:00am — worth it.

Activities by Cruise Format