A Day on the Water: My Honest Review of the 2025 Chill Cruise Halong Bay

So, you are probably looking at pictures of Halong Bay and thinking you absolutely have to go, right? I mean, that was me a few months back. The problem, as you may know, is picking a day tour from the hundreds that seem to be out there. We really wanted something that wasn’t a total party boat but also not too stuffy, just kind of relaxed. By the way, that’s how we ended up booking the 2025 Chill Cruise for a full day of exploring. It seemed to have a good balance, at least from what we could see online. Honestly, we were just hoping for a nice day with incredible views and maybe some good food. So, this is basically what my day was like, and maybe it will help you decide if it’s the right fit for your own trip to this pretty famous spot in Vietnam.

First Impressions and Getting Onboard

The day, you know, it started pretty early with a pickup from our hotel in Hanoi. The ride to the Tuan Chau Harbor is a couple of hours, so definitely grab a coffee beforehand. I actually managed to sleep a little on the way. Once we arrived at the port, it was a bit of organized chaos, with lots of people heading to different boats, which is to be expected, I guess. We found our group fairly easily, and frankly, the check-in process was quite smooth. The boat itself, the Chill Cruise, looked really nice from the dock, a bit modern and very clean. I mean, it looked just like the photos. Walking on board, the crew gave everyone a very warm greeting, which was a lovely way to start the trip. So, you immediately feel looked after. We found a spot on the upper deck, and just like that, the salty air hit you, and you could hear the water moving against the boat—it was sort of a perfect moment, to be honest.

Sailing Through the Limestone Giants

Well, the main reason you come here is for the scenery, and it did not disappoint at all. As the boat pulled away from the busy harbor, things got quiet almost right away. Then you see them, these huge limestone islands that are just, you know, shooting up from the water everywhere. It’s actually hard to describe the scale of it. Our guide mentioned that some people believe a dragon created the bay, dropping jewels from its mouth that turned into the islands, which is a really neat story. We were just sort of sitting there on the sundeck, completely captivated. The boat moves at a nice, slow pace, so you have plenty of time to take photos from every single angle. Honestly, the atmosphere on the boat was super relaxed. It wasn’t overly crowded, you know, and everyone just seemed happy to be there, pointing out different rock shapes and just enjoying the ride. The views are pretty much non-stop for the entire journey out.

What We Ate: Lunch on the Chill Cruise

I get pretty excited about food, so I was really curious about the lunch situation on board. At the end of the day, you’re on a boat for hours, so a good meal matters. So, they served us a buffet, which was set up in the indoor dining area. The big windows meant you didn’t miss any of the view, which was great. The selection of food was actually surprisingly varied. They had a bunch of local Vietnamese dishes, like spring rolls and some amazing grilled fish, you know, and stuff like that. There were fresh vegetables, rice, noodles, and plenty of options for different tastes. To be honest, I went back for seconds on the fish. For a tour boat lunch, it was really high-quality and tasted super fresh. Eating a delicious meal while floating past those incredible green islands is an experience in itself, frankly. It was definitely a highlight of the trip for us.

The Activities: Kayaking and Cave Exploration

Okay, so after lunch, it was time for the active part of the day. First, we stopped in a calm, sheltered area for kayaking. You could choose a single or a double kayak, and getting in and out was really easy with help from the crew. Paddling around, you get a completely different perspective on the karsts, I mean, you feel so small next to them. We went through a small natural archway, a ‘hang’ as they call it, into a private-feeling lagoon that was just so peaceful and quiet. Next, we went to visit a cave called Sung Sot, or “Surprise Cave.” The climb up the stairs to the entrance is a bit of a workout, just so you know, but totally worth it. The inside is gigantic, a series of huge chambers with these really wild-looking rock formations. Our guide pointed out shapes that looked like animals and things, using some colored lights to show them better. Seriously, it’s called “Surprise Cave” for a reason; you really don’t expect it to be that massive on the inside.

The ‘Chill’ Part: Relaxing on Deck and the Sunset Party

After all the activity, the cruise definitely lived up to its “Chill” name on the way back. Most of us just went up to the top deck to find a comfy chair and relax. This part was sort of the perfect wind-down. As the boat started its slow ride back to the harbor, the staff put on what they called a sunset party. I mean, it wasn’t a wild party or anything like that. Instead, it was very relaxed. They put out some sliced fruit, some local snacks, and some tea. It was basically a nice touch. The sun began to set, turning the sky all kinds of orange and pink colors behind the silhouettes of the islands. It was incredibly beautiful and a pretty amazing way to end the day. So, you just get to sit back, sip some tea, and watch one of the most famous views in the world drift by as the day comes to a close, which is just about perfect, you know.

My Main Takeaways

The Chill Cruise is pretty much what it sounds like: a relaxed, comfortable way to see Halong Bay.
Lunch was honestly very good, with lots of fresh, tasty Vietnamese food options available.
Kayaking into a private-feeling lagoon was a genuine highlight and gives you a new perspective.
The Sung Sot Cave is really impressive, but just be ready for a bit of a stair climb to get there.
The boat felt modern and clean, and the crew was extremely friendly and helpful throughout the day.

At the end of the day, you pick a tour like this for the views, but the friendly atmosphere and the smooth running of the day made it so much better. It just felt like an easy, wonderful way to experience a place that’s honestly breathtaking.

Read our full review: Chill Cruise Halong Bay 2025 Full Review and Details

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