Guide to Squid Fishing in Halong Bay from A to Z

Halong Bay, the priceless jade in North Vietnam, attracts millions of tourists every year not only due to the gorgeous appearance of the seascapes but also thanks to the authentic and exciting experiences you can have there. Besides the familiar activities in Halong Bay such as cruising, kayaking or swimming, in recent years, squid fishing in Halong Bay is one of the activities hunted by visitors. Halong squid fishing requires patience, attention and a little luck, and its reward can be extremely sweet. Thus, squid fishing in Halong Bay is always among the top favorite activities of tourists when traveling to this world heritage site.

Contents

I. Why Squid Fishing in Halong Bay?

Spending at least one night in a luxury or just a simple boat in Halong Bay, what comes to your mind and what will you do to make your night much more memorable? Here we introduce the top things to do in Halong: Quid fishing at night.

Squid fishing is the most fascinating activity and wonderful pleasure at night of the Halong Bay Tours that every tourist wants to experience once in a lifetime. Joining this unique part, tourists are provided with endurable fishing rods and racquets so that they can keenly use them to catch squids.

Then another remarkable activity is coming up as follow when all the squids caught will be used to make delicious dishes. This is also an ideal time to admire Halong bay by night when the seawater is glittering with mirrored light from cruises anchored on the bay. Making dishes from squids, tourists are extremely fond of boiled whole squids because when eating, they can enjoy the whole fresh taste of this yummy seafood.

II. What is Special about Squid Fishing in Halong Bay?

Squid fishing is a must-try experience in Halong Bay, offering both excitement and delicious rewards. While it requires patience and skill, catching fresh squid and cooking them into tasty dishes makes it worthwhile.

You’ll need a specialized fishing rod and shrimp-shaped bait, along with a white flashlight to attract squid. Head to calm waters, shine the light, drop your line, and wait for a bite. Once a squid latches on, simply reel it in. The best time for squid fishing is on moonless nights when they rely on artificial light to navigate.

Halong Bay squid are small but abundant, especially during breeding season. A lucky tourist can catch up to a kilogram per night. Fresh squid can be cooked in many ways, but grilling over charcoal enhances its natural flavor best.

Beyond fishing, the experience lets you soak in Halong Bay’s serene beauty at night—starry skies, gentle waves, and cool breezes. Once only possible with local fishermen, squid fishing is now offered on many luxury cruises, making it easy for travelers to enjoy this unique adventure.

III. Cruises for Squid Fishing in Halong Bay

Actually, almost all overnight cruises in Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay consist of squid fishing in their program. This activity is not available on the day tour, so you should notice this. Joining a cruise to Halong Bay, besides squid fishing, you can take part in numerous interesting experiences in Halong Bay such as kayaking, cycling, trekking, sightseeing and snorkeling.

The cruises in Halong Bay are all equipped with fishing rods for passengers to participate in squid fishing in Halong Bay at night. The experienced cruise teams will guide you as well as ensure the best condition for you to enjoy a squid fishing trip in Halong. Thus, if you are considering a suitable itinerary for your trip to Halong Bay, an overnight cruise is the best selection for you.

Here are some of the top cruises for you to go squid fishing in Halong Bay:

IV. Best Time for Fishing in Halong Bay

Tourists visiting Halong Bay can take part in squid fishing in Halong Bay any season of the year, but if you get there in the breeding season of squids, your chance to catch more squids is higher. According to the experience of local fishermen, the squid season in Halong Bay often occurs from late autumn to early spring, which lasts from September to February. The breeding season of squid reaches its peak in early winter, which is from October to November. This is also the tourism season in this destination. The squid size during this period is also larger than normal, so don’t miss this chance to experience squid fishing in Halong Bay.

The weather at night in Halong during squid season is quite cold at night, so remember to wear a jacket or a coat when going outside. If the temperature is below 10 Celsius degrees, you had better stay on your cruise to avoid catching a cold. Besides, you should not go squid fishing in Halong Bay in the rough sea as this can be really dangerous.

In addition to the period mentioned above, you can visit Halong Bay from March to June, which is a favorable condition for you to enjoy outdoor activities. The weather during this time is quite mild and the heavy rain has not been frequent yet. Avoid some stormy days in July and August. Your cruise might be canceled or shortened due to the cruising conditions to ensure all passengers’ safety.

VI. Extra Tips

To catch squid, it would be better for you to go fishing at night without moonlight and rain. Foggy conditions are also favorable for squid fishing.
Your fishing trip ought to start at 8 PM and end at 10 or 11 PM.
Remember to prepare all necessary equipment for squid fishing, including fishing rod, artificial baits, flashlight and basket.
Your fishing rod to catch squids needs to be from 2 to 3 meters, and the fishing line is about 25 to 30 meters.
Bring a thin coat or a jacket when going outside. The night in Halong Bay might be relatively cold.
The best season to go squid fishing in Halong Bay is from September to February, which is the breeding season of squids in Halong Bay.
Wear a life jacket all the time when you are on a fishing boat. Follow the instructions of the cruise members to ensure your safety.

Squid fishing in Halong Bay is not just a livelihood of the local fishermen, it is also a pleasure activity for tourists visiting this landscape. What can be more thrilling than enjoying a night on Halong Bay with your fishing rod, chilling out in the splendid scenery, catching some squids and cooking them into your favorite dishes? Don’t waste your time doing nothing at night in Halong Bay, join a fishing boat or cruise to experience this amazing activity.