Things to Do in Halong in November

November Weather in Halong

26°C (79°F) High Temp

20°C (68°F) Low Temp

42mm (1.7 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is November Right for You?

Advantages

Perfect visibility for photography - November offers the clearest skies of the year with 15+ km (9+ miles) visibility across the bay, making limestone karsts appear razor-sharp in photos
Ideal boat weather with minimal seasickness risk - winds average 10-15 km/h (6-9 mph) creating gentle swells perfect for overnight cruises and kayaking through caves
Peak season for Ti Top Island climbing - cool 20-26°C (68-79°F) temperatures make the 400m (1,312 ft) hike to the summit viewpoint comfortable without the summer heat exhaustion
Lowest rainfall of the year at just 42mm (1.7 inches) means outdoor activities rarely get canceled and cave exploration stays dry

Considerations

Cool mornings can feel chilly on boat decks - temperatures drop to 20°C (68°F) at 6am requiring layers that become uncomfortable by midday
Peak tourist season pricing with overnight cruise costs 30-40% higher than shoulder months, typically ฿4,500-6,500 vs ฿3,200-4,800 other times
Crowded viewpoints at Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island - expect 20-30 minute waits for photo spots during 10am-2pm peak hours

Best Activities in November

Overnight Junk Boat Cruises

November's calm seas and clear skies create perfect conditions for multi-day cruises. The 20-26°C (68-79°F) temperature range means comfortable sleeping on deck under stars, while minimal rainfall keeps outdoor dining and tai chi sessions uninterrupted. Limestone formations appear most dramatic in November's crisp air with visibility extending 15+ km (9+ miles).

Booking Tip: Book 3-4 weeks ahead for November as this is peak season. Expect prices ฿4,500-6,500 for 2-day cruises. Look for operators offering early morning departure times to beat crowds at popular stops. See current cruise options in the booking section below.

Kayaking Through Sea Caves

November's gentle 10-15 km/h (6-9 mph) winds create ideal kayaking conditions with minimal wave action. The dry weather means caves stay accessible without flooding, and cooler temperatures prevent overheating during 2-3 hour paddle sessions. Luon Cave and Dark & Bright Cave are most spectacular with November's clear water visibility.

Booking Tip: Half-day kayaking tours typically cost ฿1,800-2,500. Morning departures (8-9am) offer calmest conditions and fewer crowds at cave entrances. Book through operators providing dry bags and safety equipment. Check current kayaking tours in booking section below.

Cat Ba Island Hiking

November's cool, dry conditions make Cat Ba National Park hiking comfortable. The 20-26°C (68-79°F) range is perfect for the 8 km (5 mile) trail to Ngu Lam Peak at 331m (1,086 ft) elevation. Clear skies provide stunning bay views, while lower humidity reduces fatigue during steep sections through tropical forest.

Booking Tip: Day trips to Cat Ba typically cost ฿2,200-3,200 including ferry transport and guided hikes. Book tours departing before 8am to complete hikes before midday heat. Look for operators including proper hiking boots rental. Current Cat Ba tours available in booking widget below.

Floating Fishing Village Tours

November's stable weather provides safe access to Cua Van and Ba Hang floating villages. Calm waters make small boat transfers comfortable, while clear skies offer excellent photography of traditional fishing life. The dry season means villages are most accessible with all cultural activities and pearl farm visits operational.

Booking Tip: Village tours typically cost ฿1,500-2,300 for half-day experiences. Afternoon tours (2-5pm) offer best lighting for photography and coincide with fishermen returning with daily catch. Book through operators supporting local communities. See current village tour options below.

Sunrise Photography Tours

November offers the year's most reliable sunrise conditions with only 6 rainy days per month. Clear mornings provide unobstructed views of limestone karsts silhouetted against golden skies. Cool 20°C (68°F) morning temperatures make early 5:30am departures comfortable without summer heat.

Booking Tip: Photography-focused tours cost ฿2,800-4,200 for small groups with professional guides. Book tours guaranteeing multiple viewpoint stops including Titop Island and Surprise Cave areas. Equipment rental often available. Current photography tours in booking section below.

Seaplane Scenic Flights

November's exceptional visibility makes seaplane flights spectacular with clear views extending across the entire 1,553 km² (600 sq mile) bay area. Minimal cloud cover and stable weather conditions provide smooth 25-minute flights over 2,000 limestone islands and islets from unique aerial perspectives.

Booking Tip: Seaplane flights typically cost ฿8,500-12,000 per person for 25-minute scenic routes. Book 2-3 weeks ahead as November availability is limited. Morning flights (9-11am) offer best lighting and calmest conditions. Current flight options available through booking widget below.

November Events & Festivals

Mid November

Halong Tourism Festival

Annual celebration featuring dragon boat races, traditional water puppetry performances, and seafood festivals along Halong waterfront. Local fishing communities showcase traditional techniques while cultural performances highlight northern Vietnamese maritime heritage.

November 15-16, 2025

Full Moon Festival on the Bay

Monthly celebration timed with November's full moon featuring lantern releases from junk boats and traditional Vietnamese folk music performances. Many cruise operators organize special evening cruises with cultural programming and traditional meals.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Layered clothing system - mornings start at 20°C (68°F) but reach 26°C (79°F) by afternoon, pack removable fleece or light sweater

Waterproof phone case - even in dry November, boat spray and occasional 20-30 minute showers can damage electronics

Non-slip water shoes - wet boat decks and rocky cave entrances remain slippery despite dry weather

SPF 30+ sunscreen - November's UV index of 5 still causes burns during 6-8 hour boat excursions with water reflection

Light rain jacket - brief afternoon showers occur 6 days monthly, lasting 20-30 minutes with little warning

Warm sleepwear for overnight cruises - cabin air conditioning plus cool night temperatures require long sleeves and pants

Power bank - remote bay locations mean limited charging opportunities during multi-day cruises

Motion sickness medication - even November's calm conditions can affect sensitive travelers during 4-6 hour boat journeys

Cash in small denominations - floating villages and local operators prefer ฿20-100 notes for tips and small purchases

Dry bag for daypack contents - protects documents and spare clothes from spray during cave kayaking and boat transfers

Insider Knowledge

Book Wednesday-Thursday departures for 25-30% lower prices and significantly smaller crowds - most tour groups arrive Friday-Sunday creating massive congestion at popular caves

Bring your own snacks for day cruises - onboard meals often disappoint international visitors and markup reaches 300% for simple items like bottled water and fruit

Download offline maps before departure - cellular coverage disappears 5 km (3.1 miles) from shore and GPS becomes essential for independent kayaking or swimming

Pack seasickness medication even in calm November - the 3-hour journey to outer bay locations includes open water crossings that affect 40% of first-time visitors

Avoid These Mistakes

Booking same-day tours in November - peak season means popular cruises sell out 2-3 weeks ahead, leaving only expensive luxury options or low-quality operators available

Underdressing for early morning departures - 20°C (68°F) at 6am on open boat decks feels much colder with wind chill, causing miserable first hours

Choosing cheapest cruise options - November's premium pricing means budget operators cut safety corners and meal quality, stick to mid-range ฿4,500-5,500 options for reliability