In addition to swimming, climbing, and visiting some well-known caves, kayaking is one of the most popular activities to explore when you get the chance to cruise Halong Bay. The majority of Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, and Lan Ha Bay cruises include kayaking in their sailing programs. And if you’re a first-time visitor, kayaking will surely enhance your whole experience at this legendary World Heritage Site.
Although it is usually believed that kayaking in the calm waters of Halong Bay is relatively safe, there are still specific spots and warnings that you should avoid. In order to have a safe and enjoyable journey, you need to be aware of several safety precautions when kayaking in Halong Bay.
1. Before you go kayaking
- Essential items: life jackets, water to drink, sunscreen, a dry bag, a camera, and bug repellent.
- Before kayaking, pay close attention to the instructions from the tour guide or crew staff, wear a life vest, and use a dry bag to store your phone, camera, etc.
- Get dressed appropriately: T-shirt, shorts, swimming suits in summer; warm clothing in winter, shoes, sunglasses, and hats. You may go kayaking in Halong Bay any time of year because the water is rather warm throughout the winter. When the kayaking time is over, though, keep yourself warm to prevent catching a cold.
- Keep a close and safe distance from the others while remaining in their line of sight to prevent getting lost.
- Avoid paddling too closely to karsts and caves, even if you are an experienced kayaker. Especially in Dark & Bright Cave, when the tides go high, you may get stuck between the karsts.
- Never kayak if you drink alcohol beforehand. Drinking will make you less alert and might cause an accident.
- Children should go with the tour guide and their parents. Sit still within the kayak, without moving in front or behind.
- Children under the age of five and pregnant women are advised to not use kayaks.
2. When you go kayaking
- It's crucial that you obey your tour guide and pay attention to the route, timing, and rules.
- Consult with your tour guide to determine the best and safest path according to the weather, tides, and wind speed.
- Avoid areas with strong flows that are against the wind; instead, make the most of the wind's intensity and direction.
3. Important notes for unexpected situations
- If a member of the group is out of sight, adjust the speed to go together.
- If the kayak flips over, the tourists will need to swim a little before the tour guide or crew staff helps them empty the water out of the kayak. He will then return the kayak to the water and maintain it there till the passengers may board it once more.
- In order to avoid a storm, seek out the safest location in protected regions, beaches, etc. Passengers must be gathered in case they become stranded in the middle of the sea and are unable to reach a safe location.
Kayaking is a really fun thing to do in Halong Bay. You can enjoy this activity during the 8-hour day tour, but you will only have around 15 to 20 minutes. Usually, with the 2-day 1-night itinerary, you will get the opportunity to go kayaking at Luon Cave or Dark & Bright Cave; kayaking through these caves can make you feel very amazed. If you would like to go kayaking more, choosing the 3-day 2-night option would be a good idea. This way, you will have plenty of time to explore further Halong Bay. In summary, kayaking is not hard and we hope you have a great time doing it when traveling with Halong Bay Cruises!
