After reopening to international tourism, Halong Bay Cruises welcome back many foreign tourists to explore the Bay's mysterious and majestic beauty, which gradually make the area return to the vibrant rhythm before the pandemic.
Halong Bay has been recognized by UNESCO as the world's natural heritage with more than 2,000 tiny vegetation-topped islands featuring countless lagoons, coves, caves, and beaches. Here, you can admire a great diversity of attractions and activities that can’t be found elsewhere. And since Halong is divided into three bays: Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, and Lan Ha Bay, let follow us with the best spots to discover with Halong Bay Cruises in each area.
HALONG BAY CRUISE
Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave)
Located in Bo Hon Island, Sung Sot Cave is on top must-visit destination in Halong Bay. It is the largest and also the most visited cave of all with two separate chambers of about 30-meter height. After a short hike up, the cave appears with an array of rock formations and thousands of stalagmites and stalactites that take you into an imaginary world. Some look like dragons, demons, dwarves, and even sentries. Along the tour, the guides and the local people will take any chance to share with you the legend and stories behind each of these formations. Walking along to admire flickering patterns in the shimmering light, it’s a one-of-a kind experience that you shouldn’t miss.
Titov Island
Named after Gherman Titov, the Russian cosmonaut who visited Halong Bay in 1962, Titov Island is a well-known spot in Halong Bay Cruises itinerary for its uniquely crescent moon shaped beach, beautiful blue waters and soft sand. The island is actually an imposing tower of limestone which offers a short hike up to the mountaintop gazebo, where visitors can get a stunning sight of the surrounding bay. If you more favor the calm waters and white sands at its base, let’s enjoy swimming, kayaking, or take a rest with a drink from the bar nearby.
Tung Sau Pearl Farm
Located far from the shore and surrounded by poetic mountain ranges, Tung Sau Pearl Farm on Halong Bay is the perfect attraction for travelers looking for an interesting cultural experience in the middle of sea. Here, you can learn about the closed process to manufacture pearls with the application of science and technology in farming, as well as new discoveries about pearl-making mussel species. The showroom of pearl products will also introduce the process of how to make luxury jewelry from raw pearls. Then, if you fancy real pearls, don’t miss this chance to have one to bring home.
Best Halong Bay Cruises visit these Halong Bay attractions
LAN HA BAY CRUISE
Dark and Bright Cave
Located on the east side of Cat Ba Island on Lan Ha Bay, Dark & Bright Cave is actually a system of two separate caves, hence the name. The Dark Cave is always swallowed by the tide and unable to pass through. Meanwhile, the Bright Cave is like a tunnel with arch-shaped ceiling that is only accessible by boat or kayak. Passing through 100-meter length of the tunnel, an absolutely different scenery will appear in front of you. A peaceful lake surrounded by limestone mountain cliffs and luxuriant plants creates a wonderful atmosphere for tourists who love kayaking and passion to nature.
Ba Trai Dao (Three Peaches Islets)
Ba Trai Dao is a cluster of three small islands in Lan Ha Bay - to the east of Halong Bay area that resembles three peaches seeing from afar. The three large rocky islands also create bow-shaped beaches that make you feel safer and more airtight when bathing. The other attractive tourist experience here is kayaking, but you can only relish for 2–3 hours before the tide rises and submerges the beaches. Due to the clear and clean seawater that is quite shallow, fine white sand, and poetic scenery of nature, Ba Trai Dao is one of the best in the region for water activities and of course, a check-in point that many tourists enjoy.
Cat Ba National Park
Designated as a biosphere reserve, Cat Ba National Park is famous for its biodiversity and many adventure activities for Halong Bay tourists such as trekking, biking, birdwatching, and kayaking. Located on Cat Ba island, the largest island in the bay, the park offers some excellent hiking trails, limestone forests, and cascading waterfalls, which is great for organized tours. For Halong Bay Cruises travelers, the popular recreations are biking to visit Viet Hai village and exploring natural caves like Trung Trang Cave and Quan Y Cave (Military Hospital Cave). Some cruises also spend overnight here at one of Cat Ba’s hotels.
Best Halong Bay Cruises visit these Lan Ha Bay attractions
BAI TU LONG BAY CRUISE
Thien Canh Son Cave
Sitting in the protected area of Cong Do, Thien Canh Son Cave is a renowned tourist attraction in the region for its unspoiled natural beauty. After climbing up about 60 steps, you see a small entrance to the first cavern. Thien Canh Son comprises of three caverns, each strewn with stalagmites and stalactites in various shapes and sizes. Thanks to a smattering of artificial lights, your creativity and imagination will be free with incredible stones appearing as a lotus, an elephant or a shining carpet. Once you get out of the inner caverns, take your time out into daylight and adore the dreamlike views of Bai Tu Long Bay from your vantage point, it’s ideal to snap a few photos.
Cap La Beach & Island
Located in the heart of the less travelled Bai Tu Long Bay, Cap La Beach is on a natural island covered in lush green vegetation. The beach is on several Halong Bay Cruises itinerary as a swimming and kayaking spot due to its untouched white sand beach and crystal clear seawater. Besides soaking in the blue water, let’s take a walk along the soft sand beach or lie down to bathe in the sunlight and rejoice relaxing moments in the middle of the bay. After the visit, some cruises may pass through the nearby Cap La fishing village where you can catch a glimpse of tranquil local daily life on floating houses.
Cong Dam Area
Isolated from the mainland, Cong Dam area is an unspoiled destination that remains relatively undeveloped on Bai Tu Long Bay. The area offers breathtaking views of majestic mountains formed by a stack of huge rocks as an “outdoor geological museum” that stood the test of time until now. Cong Dam is also home to many glorious white sandy beaches such as Tra Gioi, Cat Oan, and Cay Bang, which is superb for water based activities like kayaking, swimming, and rowing boats. As well as, don’t miss many caves waiting to be explored and visit the close by floating village.
Best Halong Bay Cruises visit these Bai Tu Long Bay attractions
So there you have it! The list of the best Halong Bay attractions would be much, much longer, but here are the absolute highlights you should consider choose your suitable Halong Bay Cruises. If you need further information about Halong Bay and its overnight cruises...
