Review: Friendly Travel Ha Long Bay Small Boat & Kayaking

So, you’re pondering a trip to Ha Long Bay and eyeing that “Friendly Travel” option for a smaller boat outing coupled with some kayaking, eh? Well, that sounds like a terrific way to see one of the planet’s most visually arresting locations up close and maybe personal too. Is that something that would be good for you? It’s like your wish for calm waters meeting unbelievable views. The burning question you likely have is this: will it truly deliver a top-notch viewing time? This write-up gives an honest view that comes with a couple added thoughts, for you to think about and maybe to help you judge for your next travel.

What Makes Friendly Travel Different?

Friendly Travel seems to put forward trips in smaller vessels, which is attractive to someone trying to steer clear of the crazy packed bigger boats. That kind of experience, the one with less folks, usually means there’s space to spread out and soak things in. That rings true for that group-based tour and also it opens up the space to actually strike up exchanges with the other voyagers. A little boat also will mean easier access to certain spots the big cruisers simply cannot reach, actually getting right to the nitty gritty little shore points, maybe a secret grotto to explore, and more up-close views along the trip.

Basically, are smaller groups better for kayaking? Yep, usually! With not many people around, things just generally move way faster in smaller outfits; and maybe, as a lucky occurrence, everyone ends up taking much better photos! The experience overall often seems way more close-up, friendly. Plus there will often be the bonus of extra freedom. So, anyway, they could adapt on the spot to any whims you experience – such as stopping for photo shoots in some really fantastic, scenic bays.

The Kayaking Experience

Let’s discuss the kayaking. I’m assuming you probably realize that Ha Long Bay is all islands of sheer rock, like toothy smiles of sea gods that had decayed but have the shells of the dead stuck everywhere in them; thus the region’s water holds unbelievable scenery best explored on a little boat—or even at eye level with the waves. And anyway, can I be straight with you? As someone in fairly mediocre physical condition: it rocks! The boats that Friendly Travel have seem sturdy; though admittedly there were some old beat-up plastic models from a brand I didn’t recognize. On a positive point, there’s hardly any chance of capsizing since all tours are well supervised, mostly traveling around lagoons cut-off by tall walls with not much water current. The experience goes really well.

So anyway, what happens with the tours is that they all have various routes so one could visit mysterious caves. I’d recommend reading up a bit on cave kayaking beforehand. I say that to suggest to avoid that floating tourist death-trap one: it’s absolutely packed with plastic bottles everywhere, the caves have their ceilings artificially illuminated and are just full of chattering influencers. And the other tours? Some of those locations I mentioned let folks just kayak out right to isolated beaches plus some deserted inlets too. Anyway, be ready to actually make something from it yourself since certain tours can feel tightly packed, with not too much freedom from the group to find whatever spot on your own that makes it good.

Food and Accommodation Onboard

Basically the quality and sort of your food all hinge upon whatever package you pick; nonetheless, the reviews for these tour sorts typically display some real food on small craft. Of course expect piles of local dishes. Think like piles of freshly caught seafood dishes that are local favorites that include fried squid plus noodles, together with piles of fresh fruits, veggies. And frankly, speaking, every bit can change too by seasonality including availability, as such get your thinking set prior by communicating right to Friendly Travel ahead regarding specific desires as like eating limitations plus diet restrictions. It might actually enhance all you could eat throughout the water outing.

Okay so that experience may feel kind of barebones though so anticipate little accommodations. On many small daytrips, there is like generally basic things; one should pack efficiently in some form to be very at ease. That bit means some light clothing and shoes of some form in conjunction with sunscreen lotion, eyeglasses, also a digital camera. Anyway certain packages come along equipped in some forms too with lodging that features cabins – these could range, however get prepped at least from looking into these for something in most respects spare; although quite clean, including everything that will be needed to chill out through water cruises and still see things.

Service and Staff

The friendliness element associated through that Friendly Travel happens from its team. Guides frequently speak english, often able very basically at times too, sharing trivia regarding spots including pointing to little elements frequently left overlooked in larger groups’ faster paced times traveling. You do also want just that to find that team really will be at any beck including call addressing anxieties or like those demands occurring. Though in a way for some folks this feels like too heavy. Many persons do not seem too fond, typically seeing lots pressure tipping for them too.

Alright you just do should always get realistic on stuff as for level plus smoothness relating trip activities including all logistics though also do always ensure communication gets crystal as always and for you just want never assume because stuff seems clear or that even because just get assured by the sellers for stuff relating on any kind. Right then I really just propose to get things wrote so when actually facing problems relating or even to whatever actually needs stuff like clarifications on this at all times always. Though really still even with even more the preparations that sometimes occur those bumps along are even still bound because stuff comes as unexpected always though.

Value for Money

We’ll touch base on value; it seems this Friendly Travel actually shows real great things at an outstanding prices for folks just wanting the Ha Long Bay visit that can actually seem very reasonable so as. Though the cost seems kind depending what just one wishes at their inclusion on the kind on the whole trip, from various kinds so too including stuff relating travel for days, the items or not or getting kayaks used for any time at bay’s locations at various spots there too as for meals which actually happen.

I actually highly advice like always is actually taking or look right by actually looking for anything with prices that they seem. Always go comparing at stuff right through and around various travel company places that also actually even deliver that experience at times to better judge on all prices if seem actually alright so they could and probably will get it all set. You also actually want getting real aware actually always right for like anything you feel you could get on is actually worth everything since I know actually those cheap is good at getting stuff cheap that is actually good to but one want on that actually make so no corner gets to one.