Kayaking In Halong Bay: The Complete Guide

Basic Safety Tips

Basic Safety Tips Tourist kayaking through a cave in Halong bay (Photo: Shutterstock)

Follow these safety tips and be well-prepared for a kayaking trip:

Before kayaking warm your body up with a bit of movement beforehand - the last thing anyone wants is a cramp while in a kayak.
Listen carefully to the tour guide and remember details of the route, timings and rules.
Wear a life-vest.
Be aware of the weather, tides and currents and the 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.

Halong Bay water is pretty warm during winter, so it is good to go kayaking anytime of the year. However, keep yourself warm after you are done with the activity to avoid catching a cold. The temperature during winter can get as low as 10°-15°.

What to Bring

The key to success is good preparation. Make sure to include the following things on your kayaking adventure:

One life-vest per person.
Water bottles for each person.
Sunscreen in a high factor.
Insect repellent.
Camera.
Swimsuit (in the summer months, March to August)
Good, comfortable shoes.

Recommended reading: The best time to visit Halong bay.

Best Kayaking Spots

Best Kayaking Spots Luon cave - one of the top spots for kayaking! (Photo: Shutterstock)

Halong Bay has a landscape so magnificent that there are endless amounts of wonderful kayaking spots. No matter where you go you’re likely to be blown away by the natural landscape. That said, the local government has issued strict guidelines on where travelers should kayak in order to protect areas of Halong Bay.

The following areas are kayaking hotspots in Halong Bay: