Baygrass Top Excursions - Experience Cruising in HaLong Bay (#7)

1. Embark on a Bay Cruise

Cruising HaLong Bay is a classic way to experience its charm.Gliding through the bay lets you witness the beautiful rock formations up close, take in the serene views, and relax on a sun deck. Many cruises include overnight stays, giving you the chance to watch both sunrise and sunset over the bay.

2. Explore the Caves

HaLong Bay’s limestone formations hold incredible caves carved out over thousands of years by erosion caused by rain and currents. Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave) and Thien Cung Cave (Heavenly Palace Cave) are well-known, each featuring intricate rock formations and grand chambers.

3. Kayak Among the Karsts

For a more immersive experience, kayak to paddle through the peaceful lagoons and hidden grottoes. This intimate way of exploring Ha Long Bay allows you to get close to the dramatic cliffs, spot small fishing boats, and explore areas unreachable by larger vessels. Late afternoon or sunset kayaking offers especially scenic views.

4. Visit the Floating Villages

Discover floating villages like Cua Van, where residents live in homes on the water and rely on fishing as their main source of livelihood.

5. Rock Climbing and Deep-Water Soloing

For adventure enthusiasts, Ha Long Bay offers fantastic rock climbing. The bay’s cliffs are perfect for both traditional climbing and deep-water soloing, where climbers jump into the water from varying heights. Butterfly Island and Lan Ha Bay are popular for climbing and provide routes for all skill levels.

Luxury Cruises

For an unforgettable experience of comfort combined with the breathtaking views of Ha Long Bay, luxury cruises offer high-end amenities like private balconies, spa treatments, exclusive excursions, and gourmet dining.

These cruises are ideal for travellers seeking a premium Ha Long Bay experience.

• Orchid Premium Cruises
  Known for its spacious cabins with private balconies, elegant decor, and personalised service, Orchid Premium Cruises travel to less-visited areas like Lan Ha Bay. Priced at Rs 55,000 per head, this includes fine dining, village visits, and a serene atmosphere, making it ideal for couples or honeymooners.

• Heritage Line - Ginger Cruise
  Heritage Line’s Ginger Cruise stands out for its blend of Vietnamese and French colonial decor. The cruise offers an intimate setting with only a few cabins, private terraces, and guided tours. Price starts at Rs 48,000 per person.

Mid-range Cruises

1. Dragon Legend Cruise
Known for exceptional service, Dragon Legend Cruise boasts spacious cabins. Prices begin at Rs 20,000, and guests can enjoy excursions to Ha Long’s less-travelled parts.

2. La Regina Legend Cruise
Featuring a blend of Vietnamese and international cuisine, La Regina Legend is perfect for food lovers and adventurers alike. It starts around Rs 18,615 and includes immersive activities like island visits and fishing excursions.

3. Pelican Cruise
Offering guided excursions to caves, beaches, and fishing villages, Starting at Rs 10,000 per person, Pelican Cruise is a great way to experience the bay’s culture and nature.

Budget Cruises

For those seeking an affordable yet scenic experience, budget cruises provide essential amenities, delicious meals, and activities like swimming, snorkelling, and hiking. These cruises may lack some luxuries but deliver an authentic Ha Long Bay adventure. Most popular is the 2D 1N package.

1. Oriental Sails
Oriental Sails offers comfortable cabins with modern amenities at a starting price of Rs 10,500. Guests can enjoy excursions to scenic viewpoints and limestone formations.

2. Swan Cruise
Known for its Vietnamese culinary offerings, Swan Cruise provides cozy accommodations and engaging activities for an affordable Rs 11,050.

Day Cruises

Day cruises are ideal for visitors on tight schedules, allowing them to experience HaLong Bay’s best attractions in a single day.

They usually depart from Hanoi, explore the famous caves, and visit Titov Island before returning in the evening.

1. Glory Legend Day Cruise
With both indoor and outdoor seating, Glory Legend offers views of Ha Long’s iconic landscapes and is a comfortable way to explore the bay in one day. Starting at Rs 10,000, this cruise includes visits to top sites like Titov Island and Sung Sot Cave.

2. Alova Gold Cruise Day Tour
This cruise offers activities like kayaking and bamboo boat rides through tranquil lagoons and limestone formations. 1-day package starts around Rs 8000 per person, and is ideal for travellers wanting a quick yet immersive experience.

Party Cruises

Party cruises are designed for younger travellers or groups looking to socialise and have fun. Typically available as 2-day 1-night packages, these cruises feature music, games, and lively activities both onboard and at the beach.

• Castaways Island Party Cruise
  Castaways Island Party Cruise offers a lively environment with beach games, music, and group activities, including snorkelling and kayaking.Prices start at Rs 12,000 per person

• Oasis Bay Party Cruise
  Known for its sociable atmosphere, Oasis Bay Party Cruise includes snorkelling, beach parties, and evening entertainment, making it a popular choice for younger travellers seeking a festive experience. This can start at Rs 13,000 per head.

Private Charters

For travellers looking for an exclusive experience, private charters provide a customizable journey through Ha Long Bay. Activities can include scuba diving, fishing, or personal tours of lesser-visited caves, creating a tailored and memorable adventure.

• Basic private charters start around Rs 29,000–Rs 45,000 per day for simpler boats with essential amenities.
• Mid-tier private charters offering upgraded cabins, guided tours, and onboard activities typically range from Rs 50,000–Rs 90,000 per day.
• Luxury private charters with upscale amenities, including large private cabins, gourmet dining, and customizable activities, can start at Rs 1,00,000 and go upwards to Rs 2,50,000 per day , depending on the season and charter duration.

• Travellers from India can first fly to Hanoi, which is the nearest airport to the bay.

• From Hanoi there are direct shuttle bus services to HaLong Bay and the journey takes about 3 hrs. When you choose a HaLong Bay cruise package, the shuttle service pickup is usually inclusive in it.

• You can also opt for a cab service from Hanoi for a more comfortable transfer.

The October to April window is the most popular time with favourable weather with temperatures between 15°C and 25°C, and minimal rain.

If you are looking to avoid the crowds, plan to travel between May to September but be prepared for trains.This is a good time for budget travellers. You could also try the shoulder season like October to early November and March to early April which offers you good weather as well as fewer crowds.