Seafood cuisine and long-distance transport are on one of our "mother ships" - cruising boats equipped with comfortable, private cabins and lavatories with spacious top deck and dining room. Small groups on our 8 or 3-cabin boats are served by a crew of 5 including a talented chef and lead by a internationally-licensed kayaking guide with minimum of 5 years on the bay. Meals are abundant and delicious, highlighting local seafood cooked up fresh. Vegetarians can also be accommodated. Private tours may alter the itinerary to their desires, although our shared boat will have plenty of options for swimming, hiking, exploration of floating villages and other activities aside form kayaking.

Note: If quality (or privacy) is not an issue, there are many backpacker cafes in Hanoi who offer budget, group kayak tours to Halong Bay. Contact us for a referral to one



For your trip, first Choice provides professional gears including life vests. Below is the short packing list. It may get very warm in the day, but we may also have a cool misty fog and it cools off on the water in evenings, so your clothing you bring should cover these variations.

• Clothing
• bandana
• hats: wool cap (for evening), one for sun shade)
• long pants-for evening & sun protection
• shoes: camp,hiking boots, river sandals or tennis
• socks: hiking, wool or synthetic to wear with water shoes
• jacket
• swimsuit
• shorts-synthetic fabric (nylon) dries fast
• shirts: long sleeves, tee or collared shirt
• sweater (wool) or warm sweatshirt

Accessories

• waterproof bags
• camera & film (waterproof model best)
• flashlight
• insect repellent
• paddling gloves if kayaking (optional)
• sunglasses with retainer leach
• sunscreen-SPF 15+ and waterproof like Bullfrog
• earplugs

Personal Items

• hand lotion/moisturizer
• medicines or prescriptions
• shampoo (biodegradable)
• towel (small)
• lip balm
• personal hygiene kit
• soap (biodegradable)

Suggested Optional Items

•  
• small binoculars
• day pack or belt pack (for side hikes)
• journal notebook
• guidebook

F.A.Qs on Kayaking in Halong Bay

I'm a an experienced/inexperienced paddler, is this trip appropriate?

Halong Bay is great for beginners, the hundreds of limestone peaks forming a calming barrier to the churning South China Sea. Our guides provide and introduction to paddling and safety skills before we are on the water. A small group size also means more quality time with your guide who will help you improve your skills. There are also numerous beach coves to haul your kayak up onto and relax. For advanced paddlers we have imported Seaward and Phoenix kayaks, miles of open water, caves and winding routes to keep you busy.

What are the boats like?

Well, it's not the Cote d'Azur. Travel to Halong Bay was only recently permitted by administrative authority and there are still many off-limits areas. Tourism is new to the bay, government-controlled, and the boats do not compare to the sleek fiberglass yachts you'll find elsewhere, even in nearby Thailand where private operators can import such boats which is not yet permitted in Vietnam. Although, our wooden boats are newly built and made specific for overnighting on the bay. The 8-cabin Huong Hai and Tropical Sails are currently the nicest boats on the bay.

Quality?

In an environement where there is an extreme variance in quality, we operate the best trips on the bay. We lease the finest boats on the bay , maintain a small group size, hire licensed experienced guides with imported kayaks, not inflatable or hard plastic kayaks. Our onboard chef also prepares delicious, local and seafood dishes that we specify.


What is the weather like?
It varies by time of year. Please see our weather page. However, it is never really too cold to kayak the bay and the water stays a comfortable temperature.

What is the schedule?

Have a look at our three-day itinerary. This is a rough guide — if you on are a private tour or in a small group we can modify the itinerary to you desires. Departure from your hotel in Hanoi is typically between 8 and 9:00 AM and returning the third day by dinner. On the bay, we typically kayak mornings, break for lunch and then kayak until dusk followed by dinner featuring freshly caught seafood. However, you are always free to explore the beaches, islands or stay onboard to relax.

What is provided and what do I need to bring with me?

We provide all kayaking, safety, camping and dining equipment. Please read our packing list for recommended itms to bring.

How many people are on your trips?

All of our trips have a maximum of eight travelers, but there are often less.

What type of people are on your trips?

Our groups are a mix of people from around the world, usually friends, families and couples. We frequently have honeymooners and our trips are also available for private bookings..

How do I register for a trip?

Check availibility on our calendar, then send our simple registration information.

I still have more questions

If you would like to contact us directly, you may e-mail us. Or, please contact us by phone. If you are already in Vietnam, please stop by one of our offices which are conveniently located.