Halong Bay is home to one of the most majestic and spectacular seascapes in the world. The enormous limestone pillars and plethora of islands and islets in and around the bay draw visitors from across the globe to feast their eyes and nourish their souls. Trouble is, for some of the more adventurous types, the idea of floating around on a traditional junk or fancy cruise shop, just gazing at the wondrous beauty all day, isn’t quite enough. Some people need to stretch their muscles, get their hearts pumping and feel a few pleasurable pinpricks of bodily fear every day, so here are a few tips for all the adrenaline junkies visiting Halong Bay.
A view of the calm open waters of Halong Bay
Kayaking
Kayaking is one of the top activities on Halong Bay and it’s easy to see why. The generally calm, slow tides and unusual emerald green waters offer the perfect conditions for exploring Halong by kayak. Most cruise companies will offer kayaking as part of their trip itinerary but if you really want to see all Halong has to offer from the comfort of your own little plastic tub it’s best to make sure the cruise company offer opportunities to kayak ‘off the clock’. Even better, if you’re experienced you can do a specialized kayak tour amongst other seasoned professionals. It’s close to impossible to rent your own equipment and kayak solo but it is possible to tailor your kayak tour to make sure you see everything on your wish list. Do be aware that kayaking in Halong Bay can be dangerous. The geological make-up of the area can cause unpredictable weather conditions and suddenly h3 currents. It has been reported that kayakers have found themselves in incredibly dangerous situations after kayaking too close to one of the many karsts and caves around the bay and finding themselves capsized and sucked in. Use good sense and wear a lifejacket, make sure you’re not alone and avoid particularly dangerous areas – even if you are an adrenaline junkie!
Rock Climbing
Halong Bay’s iconic limestone towers and many craggy, mountainous islands just beg to be climbed. Cat Ba island is the largest island in Halong Bay and has recently became a hot spot for those looking for adventure. Almost half of the island was declared a national park way back in the 1980s in order to protect its pristine and diverse eco-systems and, luckily for the rock climbers amongst you, this includes the many rocky cliffs lining the islands rugged coastline. Again, it’s best to pay for an organized tour in order to find the best rock climbing spots on Cat Ba Island, such as the exquisite Lien Minh Village. Good full and half day climbing courses will ferry you to and from the best climbing areas in Halong Bay including Pyramid Cave and Moody’s Beach. Rock Climbing is a relatively new concept for Halong Bay locals but companies, such as Slo Pony Adventures and Cat Ba Ventures, are already well-established and flexible enough to meet the demands of most thrill-seeking tourists. It is possible to Deep water Solo (DWS) rock climb amongst Halong Bay’s 3000 limestone islands but, it goes without saying, climbing up rock faces and over cliff edges is dangerous and not to be attempted by the inexperienced.
A rock-climber’s dream in Halong Bay
Explore by Motorbike
You may have driven your motorbike all over Asia. You may have even braved the saddle amidst the teeming chaos of a Saigon rush-hour. But have you ever driven your motorbike to a 17-room underground cave used as a hospital and hideout during the Vietnamese-American war? No, I didn’t think so! The best way to see all of the sights of the wonderful Cat Ba Island is by motorbike. As well as Hospital Cave, Cat Ba is home to mangrove forests, jungles, hot and cold water springs, lakes and mountains, all of which can be traversed in some way on the back of a motorbike. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding a motorbike for hire, like most of Vietnam many hotels, hostels and travel agents will have bikes for hire for as little as $5 per day. There are some really great motorbike tours available that can take you as far as Hanoi and the expertise of your tour guide will no doubt come in handy when traversing the epic stretches of land between rural villages.
Helicopter Ride
Getting a view of Halong Bay from the top of a cliff or limestone monoliths after you’ve dragged and heaved your way to the top is one thing, but getting a bird’s eye view from the comfort of a helicopter is quite another. There really is no other way to see the thousands of islands and karsts jutting up out of the emerald waters of Halong Bay from this unique aerial perspective. There are a number of companies now in operation with most of them offering a 2-day round trip from Hanoi to Halong Bay and back again with cheaper options for flying just one way from the airport. Besides the incredible views of Halong Bay, you will be treat to the visual splendor of an aerial view of the wider Tonkin Gulf. Of course, this option isn’t cheap and doesn’t require any physical exertion but it will certainly get the blood pumping!
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