Ha Long Bay Cruise: Small Group, Kayak & Cave, Cooking Class

4.80

(2129 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

Someone hands me a cold welcome drink as I step onto the CozyBay boat—Mai, our guide, is already joking about her karaoke skills for later. The air smells like salt and something floral (maybe from the garlands on deck?), and I’m not sure if it’s nerves or excitement making my hands fidgety. We leave Tuan Chau Harbor behind, the limestone islands popping up everywhere. Lunch comes out fast—gingery fish, rice that’s stickier than I expected—and everyone sort of quiets down to watch the rocks drift by. I keep catching myself staring at the water instead of eating.

After we dock near Sung Sot Cave, Mai leads us through these echoey chambers where everything drips and glimmers. She points out formations that look like dragons or turtles (I saw more of a loaf of bread but didn’t say it). There’s this cool dampness inside that makes you forget how hot it was outside—until you’re back in the sun again, heading to Titop Island. Some people rush up to the viewpoint; I just wade into the water and float for a bit. The sand sticks to your ankles in a way that feels oddly grounding.

Back on board for sunset—the light goes gold over Ha Long Bay and suddenly everyone is on deck with their phones or just staring quietly. There’s a cooking class where we roll noodle sheets (mine tore but Mai said “good effort!”) and then dinner with barbecue skewers. Karaoke gets loud fast; someone belts out “My Heart Will Go On” with zero shame. Later I try squid fishing under string lights but mostly just tangle the line while laughing with Li from Shanghai. The herbal foot bath after all that is weirdly soothing—I didn’t expect to care about it but now I want one at home.

Next morning is early—like really early—but sunrise on the sundeck is worth it even if you’re half asleep holding coffee. We visit a pearl farm (the process takes years, which blows my mind), then go kayaking through quiet corners of Ha Long Bay where you can hear nothing except your paddle dipping in and out of the water. When we finally head back toward Hanoi Old Quarter, everyone’s sleepy but happy in that way you get after being outside all day. I still think about that view from the deck at dusk—you know?