7 best outdoor things to do in Ha Long Bay

Outdoors in Ha Long Bay

Nature · Bo Hon Island

1.Sung Sot Cave

Go with an early or late cruise departure; around midday the walkway inside becomes a slow-moving queue.

Time needed

1 hour

Cost

Low cost

• Iconic
• Rainy day
• Kids
• Nature

Experience · Bo Hon Island

2.Luon Cave kayaking

Choose a kayak if the tide allows; the bamboo boats are better for young children and nervous paddlers.

Time needed

45 minutes

Cost

Low cost

• Active
• Nature
• Kids
• Outdoors

Nature · Dau Go Island

3.Thien Cung Cave

If your cruise visits Sung Sot, you do not need both; pick whichever is on the quieter route that day.

Time needed

45 minutes

Cost

Low cost

• Rainy day
• Kids
• Nature

Historic site · Central Ha Long Bay

4.Cua Van fishing village

Ask your cruise whether the visit includes a rowed boat tour or only a pass-by; the rowed tour gives the better sense of village life.

Time needed

1 hour

Cost

Low cost

• History
• Photo spot
• Outdoors

Experience · Lan Ha Bay

5.Lan Ha Bay by kayak and boat

Book the trip in Cat Ba Town the evening before and ask for an itinerary that includes at least two kayaking stops.

Time needed

Full day

Cost

Mid-priced

• Active
• Outdoors
• Nature
• Couples
• Off the beaten path

Park · Cat Ba Island

6.Cat Ba National Park

Wear proper shoes; the path to Ngu Lam is rocky and steep near the top. Bring water, as there are few stalls on the trail.

Time needed

2–3 hours

Cost

Low cost

• Nature
• Active
• Outdoors
• Views

Nature · Van Don and Bai Tu Long Bay

7.Bai Tu Long Bay

Pick an overnight cruise that specifically routes through Bai Tu Long if crowds at the main anchorages worry you.

Time needed

Full day or overnight

Cost

Expensive

• Nature
• Couples
• Photo spot
• Off the beaten path

Grouped by area

Booking and timing

Of these 7, 5 low cost, 1 mid-priced, 1 expensive. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Lan Ha Bay by kayak and boat; group the rest by area to save travel time.

How to fit them into 4 half-days

Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.

• Half-day 1 (Bo Hon Island, Dau Go Island and Central Ha Long Bay): Sung Sot Cave → Luon Cave kayaking → Thien Cung Cave → Cua Van fishing village, at least 4 hours.
• Half-day 2 (Lan Ha Bay): Lan Ha Bay by kayak and boat, at least 6 hours.
• Half-day 3 (Cat Ba Island): Cat Ba National Park, at least 2 hours.
• Half-day 4 (Van Don and Bai Tu Long Bay): Bai Tu Long Bay, at least 6 hours.

The best months to be outside

• December: highs of 22°C (72°F), about 4 rainy days, moderate crowds. Cool and dry with clear days mixed with grey ones; evenings on deck need a jacket.
• November: highs of 25°C (77°F), about 5 rainy days, moderate crowds. Dry and pleasantly mild with good visibility; a strong month for cruises and hiking on Cat Ba.
• January: highs of 20°C (68°F), about 6 rainy days, quiet crowds. Cool, grey and dry, with misty views that some find atmospheric; swimming is too cold for most visitors.

The neighbourhoods they are in

• Cat Ba Town — Harbour town on Cat Ba Island and gateway to Lan Ha Bay
• Lan Ha Bay — Quieter bay south-east of Cat Ba with small resorts and floating farms
• Overnight cruise — A cabin on a junk-style boat sailing the bay for one to three nights
• Van Don and Bai Tu Long Bay — Island district north-east of Ha Long, near the airport and quiet island ferries

More of Ha Long Bay

All things to do in Ha Long Bay · Where to stay · When to go.

Questions travellers ask