Hoi An is a town of rivers and islands, and the best way to see them is at water level. A kayak tour in Hoi An takes you along the Thu Bon River past fishing boats, nipa palm forests and craft villages, and can even bring you into the Ancient Town at sunset. We offer eight guided trips, from an easy two-hour stand-up paddle to a five-hour river explorer, all with hotel pick-up, experienced guides and life jackets.
| Activity | Guided kayak, SUP and bike + kayak tours (8 options) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 to 5 hours depending on the tour |
| Where | Thu Bon River, Cam Thanh, Cam Kim Island, Hoi An Ancient Town |
| Price | From $26 per person |
| Included | Hotel pick-up and drop-off, experienced guide, life jacket |
| Best season | Outside the rainy season |
Why Take a Kayak Tour in Hoi An?
- See river life up close: fishermen, traps, dockyards and village homes you can’t reach by road.
- Golden hours: paddle into the sunset or watch the sun rise over the ocean.
- Great photos: palm forests, fish markets and the Old Town reflected on the water.
- Safe and easy: calm water, a safety briefing and experienced guides make it suitable for beginners and all ages.
Kayak Tour in Hoi An: Packages and Prices
| Tour | Duration | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset paddle to lantern town | 3 hours (afternoon) | $32 / person | Sunset views, first-timers |
| Sunrise kayak and fish market | 3 hours (4:30 – 7:30 AM) | $35 / person | Early birds, photographers |
| Ancient Town to coconut village | 3 hours (from 8:45 AM) | $26 / person | Best value, Old Town views |
| Kayak to the local craft village | 3 hours (8:30 – 11:30 AM) | $32 / person | Culture, all levels |
| Easy SUP along coconut river | 2 hours (8:30 – 10:30 AM) | $28 / person | Stand-up paddle beginners |
| Cycle and paddle in the countryside | 3 hours (2:30 – 5:30 PM) | $35 / person | Bike + kayak, easy |
| Hoi An river life kayak explorer | 5 hours (8 AM – 1 PM) | $45 / person | Active travellers, 13 km |
| Cam Kim Island by bicycle and kayak | 5 hours (8:30 AM – 1 PM) | $48 / person | Full morning with lunch |
Every Kayak Tour in Hoi An in Detail
Sunset paddle to lantern town (3 hours, $32)
Transfer from your hotel to the kayak station in Cam Thanh for a safety briefing, then paddle past the coconut palm forest and local villages up to the Lantern Town as the sun sets over the water. Finish with a drink at a café near the town centre before your transfer back.
Sunrise kayak and fish market (3 hours, $35)
Pick-up at 4:30 AM. Paddle towards Cua Dai Bridge to watch the sun rise over the ocean (weather permitting), then land at a busy local fish market and walk through it to a local shop for breakfast and coffee. On the way back, paddle through a coconut palm island. Back at your hotel by taxi around 7:30 AM.
Ancient Town to coconut village (3 hours, $26)
Meet at 8:45 AM near the Old Town for a briefing, then paddle into the heart of Hoi An for a view of the golden houses reflected on the river. Continue to the nipa palm forest, whose leaves are still used for roofing, and finish at the kayak station in Cam Thanh with a cold drink.
Kayak to the local craft village (3 hours, $32)
An easy tour for all levels. Explore the nipa palm mangrove of Cam Thanh, then paddle to Duy Vinh village to meet families who have woven sedge mats for generations and visit a fishermen’s temple. Back at your hotel around 11:30 AM.
Easy SUP along coconut river (2 hours, $28)
Perfect for first-timers. Choose a stand-up paddle board or kayak and glide along the palm islands of the Thu Bon, chatting with locals along the way. Morning departure at 8:30 AM; an afternoon trip (3:00 – 5:00 PM) is available on request.
Cycle and paddle in the countryside (3 hours, $35)
Pick-up at 2:30 PM. Cycle gently through the rice fields of Cam Chau and Cam Thanh, stop at a bamboo workshop, then paddle about an hour through the coconut palm forest to see traditional fishing traps and meet the fishing families who live on the river.
Hoi An river life kayak explorer (5 hours, $45)
For active travellers: more than four hours and about 13 km on the liveliest part of the Thu Bon River. Paddle to the head of the Ancient Town for a view of its architecture from the water, stop at a riverside café, then continue along Cam Kim Island to visit Kim Bong and Duy Vinh villages, try local food and see traditional crafts. Return through a nipa palm forest, ending around 1 PM.
Cam Kim Island by bicycle and kayak (5 hours, $48)
Cycle out to Cam Kim Island past rice fields, gardens and markets, visit a local family to learn about their daily life and crafts, then switch to a kayak and paddle to the Cam Thanh palm forest. The morning ends with lunch at a family-run eatery by the river.
What to Bring
- Light outdoor clothes you don’t mind getting wet
- Sun protection: sunscreen and a brimmed hat
- Insect repellent
- Sandals or open shoes (good shoes for the tours with cycling)
Which Kayak Tour in Hoi An Is Right for You?
With eight options it can be hard to choose, so here is how we usually advise our guests. All of them run on the calm water of the Thu Bon River and its side channels, and every kayak tour in Hoi An starts with a safety briefing, so none of them requires previous paddling experience.
First time on the water
Choose the two-hour Easy SUP along the coconut river or the Ancient Town to coconut village trip. Both are short, gentle and finish well before the midday heat. At $26, the Old Town route is also the best-value kayak tour in Hoi An.
Photographers and romantics
The Sunset paddle to lantern town is our most popular kayak tour in Hoi An: soft golden light on the palms, then the first lanterns switching on as you reach town. If you can wake up early, the Sunrise kayak and fish market trip gives you empty water, a sunrise over the ocean and the busiest market scene of the day.
Active travellers
The five-hour River Life Kayak Explorer covers about 13 km and visits two craft villages, while the Cam Kim Island bicycle and kayak day mixes a countryside ride with a paddle and lunch by the river.
Culture lovers and families
The craft village kayak tour and the afternoon cycle-and-paddle trip include plenty of stops on land: sedge-mat weavers, a bamboo workshop and fishing families who still use traditional traps. The frequent breaks make them easy for children too.
Best Time for a Kayak Tour in Hoi An
Kayaking is best outside the rainy season, roughly from February to August, when the river is calm and clear. In the hottest months, choose a morning or late-afternoon departure; the sunrise and sunset trips avoid the strongest sun completely. If the weather turns bad on your date, we will advise you and help you reschedule your kayak tour in Hoi An.
Is it safe? Yes. The river around Hoi An is sheltered, every guest wears a life jacket, and an experienced guide paddles with the group from start to finish.
How to Book Your Kayak Tour in Hoi An
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More on the Water in Hoi An
- Spin in a round boat: basket boat ride in Hoi An.
- An evening classic: boat ride with lantern on the Hoai River.
- Prefer two wheels? See our Hoi An bicycle tours.
- Plan a wet-season day with activities for the rainy season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a kayak tour in Hoi An?
From $26 per person (Ancient Town to coconut village) up to $48 (Cam Kim Island by bicycle and kayak). The popular sunset paddle to the lantern town is $32.
Do I need kayaking experience?
No. The river is calm, every tour starts with a safety briefing and experienced guides lead the way. The 2-hour SUP and the craft village tour are especially good for first-timers.
Is hotel pick-up included?
Yes. Every kayak tour in Hoi An includes pick-up and drop-off in Hoi An, an experienced guide and a life jacket.
What is the best kayak tour for sunset?
The Sunset paddle to lantern town (3 hours, $32) paddles through the palm forest and villages into Hoi An as the sun goes down.
When is the best season for kayaking?
Outside the rainy season, when the river is calm. Tours run all year when conditions are safe; we will advise you if the weather is not suitable.
From Vincent – the Author
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