Island hopping · ISLAND KAYAK TRIPS IN VIETNAM
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 island kayak trips in Vietnam worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to check before you pay.
Spend a full day on Ha Long Bay with Dragonfly Cruise, a seafood lunch, Thien Cung Cave, and 45 minutes of kayaking or bamboo boating. English and Vietnamese guides such as Harry, Benjamin, Linh, and Hoi lead the day. Expect a long road trip, but excellent value if time is short.
“A great day visiting Ha long bay. Harry is a great guide!”
Spend two days aboard a small Ha Long Bay cruise with meals, air-conditioned cabins, kayaking or a rowing boat, Titov Island, Luon Cave, and Sung Sot Surprise Cave. Guides such as Alex and Bobby may lead the trip, while evening activities include a sunset party and squid fishing.
“20 Stunden vor Beginn der Reise wurden wir darüber informiert, dass die von uns gebuchte Tour nicht stattfinden wird - Gründe hierfür wurden uns allerdings auch nach Nachfrage nicht genannt. Uns wurde eine Alternative Tour mit einem gröRead more”
Travel by coach from Hanoi’s Old Quarter to Ha Long Bay for a full day on the water. You’ll visit Surprise Cave, kayak or take a bamboo boat through Luon Cave, climb Ti Top Island, and eat a set seafood lunch. Guides such as Tony, Toan, Max, and Nam are often assigned to this route.
“The trip was great. The one exception was that I believe both my son and me got sick from the food served on the boat. The rest was very good.”
This full-day Ha Long Bay trip combines a Hanoi hotel pickup, scenic boat cruise, seafood lunch, Surprise Cave, Titop Island, swimming, hiking, and optional kayaking. Guides such as Phong, Long, Ken, and Phuong lead groups of up to 40 people. Expect a long day, busy stops, and strong value.
“This excursion surpassed our expectations! First, we were impressed with the lunch on our boat ride. We expected sandwiches but, instead, got a 7-8 course lunch including several salads, grilled fish, soup, chicken stir fry and more…so Read more”
Spend about 10 hours from Hanoi exploring Halong Bay by boat, with a seafood lunch, a 45-minute visit to Heaven Palace Cave, and kayaking or a bamboo boat at Ba Hang. Pickup covers Hanoi’s Old Quarter hotels, while Airbnb and apartment guests meet at 31 Lo Su.
“It was a pleasant day trip to Ha Long Bay. I enjoyed the kayaking to go and see the caves outside. The internal caves was pretty good also. Lots of photo taking and pleasant cruising.”
Spend a long day from Hanoi exploring Halong Bay by cruise. You’ll visit Sung Sot Cave, kayak or take a bamboo boat through Luon Cave, climb or swim at Titov Island, and enjoy lunch plus a sunset party. Guides such as Andy, Harry, and Lee are praised for friendly service.
“The bay and caves were beautiful and I’m pleased we went on this trip. Once we got on the boat however, I was a little disappointed. We booked a luxury boat but the food was poor. Many seafood and chicken dishes which should have been hot were served only warm. Also there was no free drinking water readily available. The boat staff were constantly trying to upsell drinks, especially beers and cocktails pushing their ‘happy hour’. We were approached 6 times to buy (expensive) drinks from the bar which became intrusive. Our coach guide (Long) was excellent though, as was the transport to the bay. Mr ‘Strong’ on the cruise…”
Spend one night aboard a private-cabin cruise from Hanoi, sailing through Halong and quieter Lan Ha Bay. Expect kayaking, swimming, Sung Sot Cave, Titop Island, sunset views, spring-roll making, squid fishing, Tai Chi, and attentive service from Tom, Andrew, and Tung.
“Amazing and friendly staff, beautifully appointed and gorgeous cabin. Mr Tom and his crew made our visit to Halong Bay a wonderful experience.”
Spend two days aboard a Halong Bay cruise with an English-speaking guide, private cabin, meals, Sung Sot Cave, Titop Island, kayaking, swimming, a pearl farm, and a spring-roll cooking class. Hanoi Old Quarter pickup is available for the 8:00 to 8:30 AM departure.
“The ship is old and falling apart. No Wi-Fi No heat , heaters were broken, it was very cold I don’t like communal dining Other than our guide no one spoke English”
Spend one night aboard a traditional wooden junk boat in Halong Bay, with kayaking, Titop Island, Surprise Cave, sunset and sunrise views, four meals, and an English-speaking guide. Hanoi pickup is available, but check the transfer option carefully before booking.
“Everything was very good except the room. The facilities in the room needed maintenance or upgrades but the staff were great and the food was excellent.”
Spend six hours on Ha Long Bay with an English-speaking guide, visiting Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave, and Ti Top Island. You will kayak or take a bamboo boat, eat lunch aboard, swim or climb for views, and finish with wine, fruit, and fries at sunset.
“Kayak and speedboat great. Grotto and mountain also great. Unfortunately there are far too many people and you have to wait a long time. The boats shouldn't offer the same thing to everyone at the same time.”
Spend a full day on Ha Long Bay with a Vietnamese lunch, Sung Sot Cave, kayaking or a bamboo boat at Luon Cave, and swimming or hiking at Ti Top Island. Choose Hanoi pickup or meet at Tuan Chau Marina. Guides may include Chuong, Sunny Chuong, Phong, or Austin.
“Chuong is a great guide. The tour is awesome. I'd totally recommend it.”
From Cat Ba, you cruise through Halong and quieter Lan Ha Bay, leave the boat to kayak, and stop at Cua Van Floating Village. The small group is capped at 15 people, lunch is included, and the tour returns to its Cat Ba meeting point. Confirm pickup costs before booking.
“Overall not a bad experience! The tour was not cheap but it felt like we were constantly being asked for more money. The trip description is ambiguous and sounds as though hotel transfer is included however this is an extra 200 VND per Read more”
From Cat Ba Town, you’ll cruise Lan Ha and Ha Long bays, visit Cai Beo Floating Fishing Village, kayak through rock arches and caves, stop at Ba Trai Dao Beach, swim, snorkel, and enjoy lunch aboard a boat with up to 35 people.
“Very pleasant day by boat. Guide speaking English and super friendly. Allowing us time to enjoy every stop. Delicious and abundant meals. Boat with all necessary amenities and only a small group of people on board. Great experience! Recommend warmly!Auto-translated”
Spend two days on a five-cabin boat from Cat Ba, cruising Lan Ha and southern Halong Bay away from the busiest routes. You will kayak through caves, swim near Ba Trai Dao, bike into Viet Hai Village, eat Vietnamese meals, and sleep on board. Pickup is available across Cat Ba Island.
“A great experience. My bus was delayed for more than 2 hours and the same agency got me another cruise under the same conditions and at no extra charge. Definitely highly recommended. Wonderful personal treatment and a dream cruise. Great staff and very attentive at all times.”
Join an English-speaking guide from Cat Ba Town for a full day on Lan Ha Bay. Cruise past Cai Beo Village, kayak through Dark and Bright Caves, eat lunch aboard, swim at Ba Trai Dao, visit a fish farm, and learn Vietnamese cooking as the sun sets. Guide Hana is praised for her humor and helpful style.
“The trip around Lan Ha Bay was magnificent, the meal was excellent, and we thoroughly enjoyed swimming. Our guide, Hana, was superb. She spoke excellent English, had a great sense of humor, and was very helpful. She taught us a lot. Thank you again, Hana! With her, even a visit to a fish farm was fun.”
By hull, by landing, by how long you want to be out.
