The secret may be out about Ha Long Bay’s picture-postcard views, jungle-tipped limestone karsts, and calm turquoise waters. Fortunately, this UNESCO World Heritage Site lives up to the hype. One of the best things to do in Ha Long Bay is to hop aboard a traditional-style wooden junk boat and cruise around the gravity-defying islands, joining optional excursions to stalactite-studded caves, floating villages, and sandy beaches. Cat Ba Island is a dry land alternative, with a range of accommodation, activities, and views and epic scenery—half the island is a designated national park.
Although you can visit year-round, the best time to visit Ha Long Bay is in spring or autumn—roughly February–May and October–November/December. You'll avoid the cooler, busier winter months—Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year—and the hot, wet summers. Although the monsoon months are generally best avoided, it rarely rains all day every day, so even if you visit in July and August you’ll still be OK—though it might be worth splurging on an overnight adventure rather than a day trip.
Boats tend to be the best way to get around Ha Long Bay, with most travelers opting to stay overnight on junk-style boats that cruise around the jagged limestone karsts. If you prefer to stay on dry land, you can also opt to visit (and stay on) Cat Ba Island—the largest island in Ha Long Bay. Most tour packages usually include minibus transportation. However, travelers looking for a speedier—and more scenic—option can also check out Ha Long Bay from above on a seaplane.
While most travelers to Ha Long Bay take in the views of the turquoise water and rugged, forested islands from a boat deck, one of the best ways to explore the islands is via sea kayaking or by hiking up to the bay’s best caves and viewpoints. Most cruises include these activities. You can also stay on one of the bay’s bigger islands, like Cat Ba Island, which sits on the border between Ha Long Bay and neighboring Lan Ha Bay.
