Phong Nha Cave Kayak Tour 1 Day

Good experience. However, be aware that climbing within the cave experience is needed and make sure you have the correct shoes. Staff is friendly and helpful

We did a small group tour (about 14 people) that used inflatable kayaks instead of the typical blue tourist boats. Most of the regular boats only go about 800 meters into the cave, but this tour took us roughly 2 km inside, which made it feel much more adventurous. The day involved paddling, climbing over boulders, and exploring deeper sections of the cave. It can be slippery and dark in places, so you need to be reasonably fit and comfortable with uneven footing. Totally worth it though. One of the highlights was having lunch inside the cave—pretty surreal setting. At the end we also swam in the cave river and did a mud “bath” (more like a mud mask), which was fun. Our guide was excellent and clearly very experienced. By the end of the day we were pretty exhausted, but it was a fantastic experience overall. Highly recommend if you want something more active than the usual cave boat tour.

An absolutely brilliant day kayaking & then walking through Phong Nha cave. Previous reviews have said it all. There were some steep ups & downs over large boulders so a certain level of fitness/agility is required. We also did a tour of Paradise Cave which is a ‘dry’ cave-very different but just as fantastic. Definitely recommend this tour if you are visiting Phong Nha.

Excellent day - not what I expected . I knew the day would be good hence I booked it - but this is actually a once in a life time experience. The group is small a( about 12 of you kayaking ) and you do that for about an hour in to the cave - well beyond where the other boats go . By this time you are using head torches as there is no light . After the hour you pull up beside some rocks and then climb your way through the cave rocks for about a mile . It’s not for the faint hearted - there are no health and safety rules and your doing it in rubber shoes provided by the tour operator- so be ready for that and make sure your fit enough to do it . At the end you come to a massive lake - only lit by your head torches - in which you can swim .Its amazing ! After that you climb back and after a short kayak eat your ready made lunch on the sandy coves within the cave . No one else there apart from your group - no crowds - just a few of you . Can’t recommend it enough and I would say do this trip now as in a few years be over commercialised and ruined . It really was fabulous

It was a very exciting and good tour inside the cave and the food was also good. It was exciting because it was a bit demanding of me as a visitor too.

This Phong Nha Kayak/hiking tour with our guide, Monkey, was an absolute blast. A UNESCO World Heritage site on the Son River, known for its massive caverns, dramatic limestone karsts and incredible natural beauty. The water reflects the jungle-covered peaks like a mirror and is breathtaking. After kayaking quite a distance inside the cave (much further than the dragon boats are allowed to go), we continued with an exciting hike that involved basic rock climbing (with helmets and torches); such a fun and slightly adrenaline-fuelled challenge. We also swam in an underground pool, enjoyed being taken by the current of a mild natural whirlpool back up on to the beach and were then given the chance to jump off a cliff into a plunge pool (optional, but definitely exhilarating!). Another awesome moment was discovering how locals used cave wall mud as a natural skin cleanse; a quirky and enjoyable experience that made great photos. We finished with a wonderful lunch inside the cave before seeing traces of ancient Cham people writing on the cave walls, which was a fascinating cultural highlight. Tip: take a waterproof case for your phone and reef shoes if you have them; they make the kayaking and river walk sections even more enjoyable. This tour was the perfect blend of activity, nature, culture and adventure. Monkey was not only great fun but also a supportive, attentive guide throughout. An unforgettable day!

Travelling in mid-January left us as the only two who signed up (through our homestay) for this tour. We entered the cave in our kayak with only our guide and no other kayaks on the water. We only saw two tour boats after we entered and no one else until we were stopping at the beach inside for lunch. We were able to experience the quiet of the cave with only dripping water from stalactites. Monkey(sp?) was our guide and he was excellent. Lots of pride in his country and a desire to preserve the cave and its history. He always prepared us for what was next and encouraged us to be careful when we were hiking in the cave. We swam at the ‘end’ of the cave and then again where we stopped for lunch. Phong Nha Cave is perhaps the most beautiful work of art we have ever seen. Going in the kayak let us go further into the cave, past the electric lights where we could truly appreciate the environment.

i was travelling alone and it was raining that day. we were small very nice group and we were all alone in that big beautiful cave. a stunming experience through and through and the guides were so welcoming and nice. 10/10

What an amazing experience. So glad we did it. Don’t be put off by the price. It Is worth it. We used our own tracking sandals and I think they were better than those supplied. The guides are fantastic and extremely conscious of your safety. Always ready to give guidance on where to step and offer a helping hand. They also take plenty of photos on your phone. We are both older traveler’s in our late 60s and early 70s. With a bit of effort we were able to do this trip. Have a go and enjoy the adventure. It really was amazing

Great expérience ! Fantastic guide and co-guide. Cave is amazing. Soooo beutiful. Magic moments listening only to water sounds, rest was silence and darknes at the end of one of the caves .. moment of calm. Very well coordinared with detailed info and follow up … we did even get a secret address to have dinner.