2-day Halong Bay kayaking cruise from Hanoi with fishing

Kayaking through grottoes, fishing under stars, sunrise from the deck

A 2-day cruise through Halong Bay departing from Hanoi with kayaking, night fishing, visits to Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island, and a floating village, plus cabin, meals, guide and round-trip transfer. The itinerary holds the same pace each departure, so transport, timing and all meals are arranged before you board.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Halong Bay and Surprise Cave

• Visit Halong Bay
• Explore Surprise Cave

The experience

The boat leaves Hanoi in the morning and the drive to the bay takes around 3.5 hours. You arrive at the cruise in the afternoon, settle into your air-conditioned cabin, and the first evening unfolds on the sundeck with a welcome drink and sunset views. Dinner is Vietnamese seafood cooked on board. At night, fishing equipment is ready if you want to try it. The guide speaks English and fishes alongside you.

Day two starts with sunrise from the deck, then you kayak through limestone grottoes and around the bay's rock formations. Sung Sot Cave (the largest and most visited cave in Halong Bay) is a stop where you walk inside and see the formations. Ti Top Island comes next. You hike to the summit and swim in the designated area. A cooking demonstration happens on board, and lunch is served after. The afternoon takes you past the floating village, where you see how families live on the water. Dinner is the final meal before the return journey to Hanoi, arriving in the evening.

The cabin is shared or private depending on your booking choice, and the crew handles all the logistics: meals, timing, the kayak setup, fishing gear. A welcome drink is included, and the guide stays with the group throughout. This is not a rushed itinerary. The two days let you move between stops without hurrying and spend real time in the water and the caves.

What’s included

• Round-trip transfer from Hanoi (approximately 3.5 hours each way).
• air-conditioned cabin.
• welcome drink.
• one breakfast, two lunches and one dinner.
• fishing equipment and night fishing.
• English-speaking guide throughout.
• kayaking through the grottoes.
• visits to Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island and the floating village.
• cooking demonstration on board.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (10 to 80 years) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 25

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Halong Bay Cruise Hunters

Is this one for you?Book this cruise if you are staying in Hanoi without a car. The transfer is included and timed to the boat schedule, so you do not arrange separate transport or worry about the drive. The two-day pace lets you kayak, fish and explore the cave without rushing between stops, which is what separates this from the faster day trips.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is Sung Sot Cave like when you get there?

Sung Sot Cave is the largest and most popular cave in Halong Bay. You walk inside to see the limestone formations. The cave is a main stop on the second day after sunrise and breakfast.

Do I kayak every day or just one morning?

Kayaking happens on day two. You paddle through the limestone grottoes and around the bay's rock formations as part of the morning itinerary before the cave visit and Ti Top Island.

Is the fishing real, or is it more of a show?

The fishing is real night fishing with equipment provided. It happens on the first evening after dinner. The guide fishes with you, and it is optional. You can stay on deck or rest in your cabin instead.

How does the round-trip transfer from Hanoi work?

The cruise includes round-trip transfer from Hanoi. The drive to Halong Bay takes around 3.5 hours each way, and the boat meets you at the dock. You do not arrange separate transport.

What meals are included over the two days?

Breakfast, two lunches and one dinner are included. All meals are Vietnamese seafood and cuisine cooked on board, plus a cooking demonstration on day two.

Is this cruise suitable if I have never kayaked before?

The kayaking is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The guide is with you, and the grottoes and bay waters are calm. The cruise is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.