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Key Takeaways The Ha Long Bay Castaway Tour proved you can start with total chaos and still have the best day ever. Between ice-cold rescue missions, kayaking fails, and nonstop boat-jumping madness, everyone became best mates within hours. Ha Long Bay’s unreal scenery, wild energy, and ridiculous games like Shimmy Shimmy sealed it; this trip is pure backpacker gold. |
CASTAWAY CRUISE, HA LONG BAY
A TERRIBLE START
They call it the greatest party cruise in the world, but the start definitely didn’t agree. We’d barely made it 50 yards from the shore before the boat came to a complete stop. Apparently, the anchor rope got caught on the propeller, but the skipper continued to press the accelerator, making it almost impossible to get off.
IT WAS LIKE EVERYONE WAS BEST MATES, EXCEPT WE ONLY MET YESTERDAY!
The rep went down to try and cut it and failed after two attempts. Not enough can be said about Reece and Dylan, who braved the freezing water for at least an hour to cut enough of it. You don’t realise how hard a job it is until you get into the water yourself. It was ice cold, and I mean ice cold!
Not to mention the bread knife they were using, and the propeller was 2 meters underwater, covered in cockles, making it impossible to put your hand anywhere without getting lacerated.
WHERE IS HA LONG BAY?
THE DAY WAS SAVED
They saved our day. It nearly ruined Dylan’s day as he spent most of the boat trip wrapped in a jacket, shivering. I reckon we could’ve still had a good time right where we were, but getting around the Bay made the whole day truly epic. I have seen many photos and movies of this place, but the fact that we got a decent day made it as close to perfect as I could imagine.
The day was spent kayaking (Phil generally spending more time in the water than the kayak, but he was tandem with me), which meant I went in with him and then drank.
DID YOU KNOW….?
- There are over 1,600 limestone islands and islets around Ha Long Bay
- Some of which are more than 20 million years old
- The average depth is only around 33ft
NICKNAMES
gain, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to give anyone nicknames. Ali was actually spending more time with me, Phil, and the other Irish lad, Rob, than his Swedish mates, so we christened him Seamus, and that stuck really well. He even introduced himself to everyone else as Seamus, and no one questioned it.
Then Rob was hanging with the Swedish boys, so we called him Anders. Jack was called Foreskin because his second name is Foresgren; Felix was called Fagbo because he wanted to be called Rambo; and Johan was called yoyo. The Swedes have given Phil the nickname of Simple because he’s clumsy as hell.
RELATED READ: GETTING CHASED IN JAMAICA
DRINKING, SINGING & LAUGHING
There were quite a few quiet ones in the group, and I’m sure they were thinking, What the hell have they let themselves in for here? But I was only ever told it was a party boat. There was a great mix of male to female, probably 60:40, which you would take anywhere in South East Asia. The rest of the day was spent drinking, singing, jumping off the boat, and laughing uncontrollably. There were maybe only 20 people on the boat, but that was perfect as it meant it was much more personal and we all got to know everyone.
SHIMMY SHIMMY
The Swedes have shown us this game, Shimmy Shimmy (actually spelled Zumi Zumi), that got the noise up and everyone together having a laugh. Back to the island to continue the party where tomorrow’s group has arrived. Again, the night started off with more Shimmy Shimmy except with nearly the entire bar joining in. Bumped into Rose from Koh Tao, who just arrived today and got very drunk.
Think you’ve seen drama on a getaway? Wait until you read what happened when things got wild in Jamaica; it’s one story you won’t believe.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, a great experience; it had everything. The rock climbing, the views and landscapes, the people, and not to mention a short but interesting scope into the local Ha Long Bay culture of floating villages.
NEXT UP
The final day took us wakeboarding before heading back to Hanoi, somehow more hyped than when we arrived
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
27/229
This post is part of my Vietnam travel stories. I captured plenty of the chaos on video, too, now living forever in my Instagram highlights
FAQs
What is the best month for a Halong Bay cruise?
The best time is spring (March–May) or autumn (September–November) when the weather is mild, the sea is calm, and outdoor activities like kayaking or jumping off the boat are way more enjoyable.
Is it better to book a Halong Bay cruise in advance?
Yes. Popular cruises, especially party-style ones, can sell out fast. Booking early gives you better options, nicer boats, and often better prices than trying to grab something last-minute in Hanoi.
How much does a Halong Bay cruise cost?
Prices vary a lot. Budget overnight cruises usually start around $100–150 per person, including meals and activities. Cheaper day trips exist, but staying overnight is what makes the whole party-cruise experience worth it.
What should I check/pack or keep in mind before booking a cruise?
Make sure meals, kayaking, and transfers are included, check group size for the vibe you want, pack swimwear and a light jacket, and be ready for spontaneous chaos, especially on a party cruise.
