Ha Long Bay Catamaran Cruise from Hanoi: Water Slide & Kayaking

Spend a full day among limestone karsts, kayak into caves, and swim at Frog Pond

A day cruise from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay aboard a luxury catamaran with an English-speaking guide, featuring kayaking or bamboo boat rides, swimming, a cooking class and sunset ceremony. Pickup from Hanoi hotels is included, with lunch and all entrance fees covered. The boat returns to Tuan Chau Marina by early evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Ha Long Bay2h · entry included
2. Lan Ha Bay4h · entry included

Halong Bay Catamaran Day Tour

• Pick up from Hanoi Old Quarter hotels
• Drive to Halong Bay with a short break
• Board the catamaran at Tuan Chau Harbor
• Enjoy lunch on the boat
• Kayaking or rowing bamboo boat to Bright-Dark Cave
• Swim at Frog Pond, Lan Ha Bay
• Attend cooking demonstration
• Participate in sunset ceremony with tea and cakes
• Disembark at Tuan Chau Marina
• Return drive to Hanoi Old Quarter hotels

The experience

The catamaran leaves Tuan Chau Harbor at 11:30 AM, giving you time to either join the transfer from Hanoi (departing 7:45 AM or 8:30 AM depending on your option) or arrive on your own by 11:10 AM. Lunch happens on board between noon and 1 PM, with a spread of local dishes. The route then heads into the bay's limestone landscape, where thousands of islands rise from the water.

Between 2 and 3 PM you kayak or row a bamboo boat into Bright–Dark Cave, one of the bay's named grottoes. An hour later the boat anchors at Frog Pond in Lan Ha Bay for a swim in open water. At 4 PM a cooking demonstration happens on deck. You watch the crew prepare a dish, then taste it during the sunset ceremony at 4:30 PM, which includes tea and cakes. A water slide and trampoline are also available during the afternoon. The boat docks back at Tuan Chau Marina between 5:45 and 6 PM. If you booked the Hanoi transfer, the return drive takes 2.5 hours and drops you at your hotel around 8:30 to 9 PM.

The catamaran is brand new and staffed throughout the day. Children from age 4 are welcome, and infants can sit on an adult's lap. The tour suits all fitness levels, though swimming and kayaking are optional activities you can skip if you prefer to stay on deck.

What’s included

• Kayaking or bamboo boat ride to Bright–Dark Cave.
• swimming at Frog Pond.
• water slide and trampoline access.
• lunch with local dishes.
• cooking demonstration and sunset ceremony with tea and cakes.
• entrance fees to all sites.
• English-speaking guide throughout the day.
• roundtrip limousine transfer from Hanoi hotels (included in the Hanoi departure options only).

Options for this experience

3 options

From Halong, no transfer, 11:10Guide in English · 11:10Meeting point at Tuan Chau: guests are met at Lot 25 in Tuan Chau Marina, Halong City, at 11:10 AM at the latest. Transfer on request: transfer from the Hanoi or Halong area is not included in this option; pay extra if you want to book this service. Catamaran cruise or a similar vessel. Duration: 6 hours. Lunch served on the boat. Visit Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay.

Group limo from Hanoi, departing 7:45Guide in English · 07:45Limousine bus transfer from the Old Quarter area to the Cata Premium Cruise or a similar vessel. Duration: 12 hours. Lunch served on the boat. Visit Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Pickup is included.

Private limo from Hanoi, departing 8:30Guide in English · 08:30Private limousine from Hanoi with more comfortable seating, reserved only for your group. Pickup at 8:30 AM, then join the group on a Halong catamaran. Duration: 12 hours. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:45, 08:30 and 11:10

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Youth (4 to 8 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 90

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight 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.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Local Tours HALONG

Is this one for you?Book the early morning transfer from Hanoi if you're based in the Old Quarter and want to maximize daylight on the water. Choose the no-transfer option if you're staying in Ha Long or prefer to join the boat at 11:10 AM.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (4 to 8 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What's inside Bright–Dark Cave that makes it worth the kayak ride?

Bright–Dark Cave is a limestone grotto carved into one of Ha Long Bay's iconic karst islands. The cave has two chambers (one lit by natural light from the entrance, the other darker inside), and you paddle or row in to see the rock formations and the bay from inside the island itself.

Can I swim in Ha Long Bay if I'm not a strong swimmer?

Yes. The swimming stop at Frog Pond in Lan Ha Bay is optional, and the water is calm and shallow in the designated area. Life jackets are available, and the crew watches the water while guests swim.

How much time do I actually spend on the water versus traveling to and from Hanoi?

If you book the transfer from Hanoi, you'll spend roughly 2.5 to 3 hours driving each way and about 6 hours on the boat itself. If you arrange your own transport to Tuan Chau Marina, the cruise alone runs from 11:30 AM to around 6 PM.

Is the cooking demonstration hands-on, or do I just watch?

The cooking demonstration is a demonstration: the crew prepares a dish on deck while you watch, then you taste it as part of the sunset ceremony. It's not a class where you cook yourself.

What's included in lunch, and are there options for dietary restrictions?

Lunch on board features a variety of local Vietnamese dishes served between noon and 1 PM. Let the operator know about dietary needs when you book, and they can arrange alternatives.