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This vast UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Vietnam‘s finest natural masterpieces, dotted with nearly 2000 limestone islands that rise dramatically from crystal-clear water. A day cruise on the bay is a must for many visitors to this part of northern Vietnam, and there are multiple cruising and touring options available; itineraries and highlights vary between operators meaning there’s something for every visitor. Here are five unmissable Ha Long Bay experiences you might tick off when you hit the water.
1. Charter a private speedboat
Hiring a private speedboat for a day cruise is one of the most stylish ways to explore Ha Long Bay. You’ll have the flexibility to tailor your itinerary according to what you do (or do not) want to explore. Leave your captain’s hat in your hotel room as a dedicated crew look after getting you between sites, and some operators may also offer dining aboard as well as kayaks, bamboo boats, and even cabins if you need a restorative snooze. Some hotels, like InterContinental Halong Bay Resort, can arrange the charter and itinerary for you at their concierge desk.
2. Dine at a floating restaurant
Tung Sau Pearl Farm is a working farm in a protected part of the bay, and promises local dishes, cooked by the owner, served up against postcard-worthy scenery. It’s a great spot for lunch, and is one of the only remaining opportunities for visitors to enjoy a meal on the water.
Try meaty prawns, barbecued oysters with garlic, butter and fresh herbs, and pipis in a zingy tomato and pineapple broth. There’s also sea bass and tender Ha Long squid, plus moreish stir-fried mussels. Wash it all down with a golden local Ha Long Sapphire lager. It’s a showcase of the bay’s best bites.
3. Explore the bay’s biggest cave
Located 25 metres above sea level on Bo Hon Island, Sung Sot Cave is the largest cave in Ha Long Bay, encompassing more than 10,000 square metres. When your boat docks, follow the crowds and look for the steps to a narrow passageway that lead into three chambers, each with unique limestone structures. Stalactites and stalagmites appear in formations resembling Buddha, flowers and an elephant, all of which have slowly formed here over many millennia. The caves are also home to small freshwater ponds, lush vegetation and wildlife including birds, reptiles and the occasional monkey. The 50 steps into the cave are quite steep so take note if you’re visiting with young children.
4. Take a rowboat or kayak ride
Try a rowboat or kayak to explore the other side of Bo Hon Island at Luon Cave, a broad natural tunnel leading to a lagoon enclosed by steep forested cliffs. Once you’re settled on your boat or kayak, you can paddle (or be guided) through the arch-shaped cave entrance and emerge on the other side to a serene oasis protected from the bay breeze. Cheeky local macaques regularly put on a show as they playfully climb, wrestle and plunge into the water, and if you look up you might spot a pair of black kites in the sky.
5. Dive in for a swim or snorkel
A swim stop (or several) is a must no matter how you choose to explore Ha Long Bay on your day cruise. There are a number of secluded spots between the islands, perfect for diving straight off the boat. The bay is also peppered with beautiful beaches; Ti Top Island and Soi Sim Island are popular for swimming, and Ngoc Vung Beach is a less crowded alternative. The southern extension of the bay, Lan Ha Bay, is also accessible on a speedboat day trip, with the small but spectacular Ba Trai Dao beach among the area’s best spots for a dip or snorkel.
Snorkelling here is a joy, with increased conservation efforts yielding much-improved biodiversity and water clarity in recent years. Kaleidoscopic coral, tropical reef fish including angelfish and parrotfish, various crustaceans and larger fish including groupers are just some of the marine life you might see.
Discover Ha Long Bay
Feature image: Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. Source: Shutterstock.
