9 Two-Day Paddling Trips Worldwide for Every Kind of Paddler

1.Best Lan Ha Bay Cat Ba Cruise 2 Days 1 Night Less touristy

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,055 reviews · from $87Our pick

You’ll cruise Lan Ha Bay from Hanoi for two days and one night, with time for Ba Trai Dao Beach, swimming, kayaking, and Viet Hai Village by bike. Guides such as Tony, Hai, and Shin have been praised for friendly help. Expect shared cabins, group transport, and a simple rather than luxurious boat.

“Loved everything! The activities were great, the bay is amazing and the group was really funny. Our tour guide Tony was also really nice and helpful all the time. Probably would recommend do it for one more night it was a really nice experience.”

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2.All-Inclusive 2 Day/1 Night Halong Luxury Cruise, Meals, Cave, Kayaking,Swimming

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 668 reviews · from $50

Spend one night aboard a small Halong Bay cruise with a private balcony cabin, meals, cave visits, kayaking, swimming, Tai Chi, cooking, and squid fishing. You’ll visit Sung Sot, Ti Top, Dark and Light, Luon, and Thien Canh Son caves. Guides such as Alex, Sunny, Tom, and Tung have earned praise for clear commentary and warm service.

“Had the most amazing unforgettable day. Our tour guide Dylan was very friendly and fun. The food was great and the island was magical. Thank you!”

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3.CozyBay Boutique 2D1N Kayak, Swiming ,Titop, Cave, Expressway way

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 619 reviews · from $122

Spend two days aboard Cozy Bay Boutique Cruise with pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter, a four-hour visit to Surprise Cave, Titop Island swimming and views, kayaking, a pearl farm, cooking class, and four Vietnamese meals. Guides may include Duong, known as Sugar, Tam, or Tim Tam. The boat is intimate but somewhat dated.

“Ha Long Bay is an amazing place. Lots of boat cruises to choose from. I would highly recommend Cozy Bay for many reasons. The boat staff is amazing. Great Vietnamese food for every meal. The rooms are clean. The boat holds only 22 people so it is an intimate experience. And we had the best tour guide ever, Tim Tam. We are a family of 6 and my kids absolutely loved Tim. So kind and funny and helpful. Thank you to Cozy Bay for making this experience so memorable.”

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4.Halong Bay 2D1N Cruise multi options, transfer, swim and kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 441 reviews · from $55

Spend one night on Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay with a private sea-view cabin, meals, kayaking, swimming, caves, and morning Tai Chi on 5 star boats. Choose Hanoi return transport or continue to Tam Coc or Ninh Binh. Cruise assignment can change, so confirm the boat details before departure.

“This is definitely not a five star cruise. I can give them a three star. I saw other cruises around and can compare with the others that looks much better .”

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5.KAYAK/SUP IN DA LAT (1/2 day)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 364 reviews · from $18Best value

Spend three hours on Tuyen Lam Lake with a guide such as Viet, Harry, Fin, Ving, or Zuan. You’ll learn basic paddling, visit pine-lined shores and nearby sights, and stop for handmade coffee or hot chocolate with cookies. Choose a 5am sunrise, 8am morning, or 2:30pm sunset start.

“Harry and Ving are very communicative, took many videos, photos. Kayak are easy even more me as beginner. They offer free coffee, mineral water and hot chocolate.”

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6.Ha Long & Lan Ha Bays: 2-Day Cruise with Meals & Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 212 reviews · from $136

Spend one night aboard V’Spirit Cruises among the limestone islands of Ha Long and Lan Ha Bays. You will visit Bright Cave by bamboo boat, kayak in Tra Bau, swim, join a cooking class, and wake for Tai Chi. Guide assignments vary, with past departures led by Jimmy, Tom, Peter, and others.

“the routine fits to everyone who hasn't been in Halong bay before. The room is very clean, small but still enough space....It's be recommended”

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7.Hanoi: 2-Day Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay Cruise with Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 45 reviews · from $128

Spend two days cruising Lan Ha and Ha Long bays from Hanoi, with kayaking, swimming, a spring roll class, squid fishing, and a bicycle ride to Viet Hai Village. You get a deluxe en-suite cabin, three meals, an English-speaking guide, and round-trip shuttle transport. The route favors quieter water around Cat Ba Island.

“The scenery is amazing but so are the staff. Well worth it.”

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8.2D1N Halong Bay 6-Star Cruise: Fine Dining, Cave & Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 41 reviews · from $239

Spend one night on a 6-star Ha Long Bay cruise with a private balcony, bathtub, fine dining, Sung Sot Cave, Titop Island, and Luon Cave. You will kayak or ride a bamboo boat, join a Vietnamese cooking class, and start the morning with Tai Chi. Cruise manager Dan and the crew handle the onboard schedule, while Hanoi transfers cost an extra $35.

“All activities on time, the cruise was amazing and trekking was incredible.”

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9.From Hanoi: 2-Day Halong Bay Cruise with Meals and Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 14 reviews · from $136

Cruise Halong Bay from Hanoi aboard Crown Legend Cruise, with an English-speaking guide, seafood meals, kayaking at Luon Cave, Titov Island, Sung Sot Cave, sunset drinks, cooking, Tai Chi, and squid fishing. Guide Binh and crew member Mia are named in guest feedback. Transport from Hanoi’s Old Quarter is optional.

“Absolutely wonderful tour - highly recommend the balcony upgrade because it was super peaceful and gorgeous! Binh was an amazing tour guide and Mia was very sweet! Honestly a must in Vietnam - food was delicious, tours were good, and scenery was even better.”

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