Ha Long Bay Cruise: Surprise Cave, Titop Island & Kayaking

Summary

Kayak caves hike Titop Island and sleep on the bay with local food

You’ll drift through Ha Long Bay’s limestone peaks by cruise ship, kayak beneath cliffs near Luon Cave, swim or hike at Titop Island, and explore Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave with a local guide. Enjoy sunset cocktails, cooking class fun, and sleep right on the bay before returning to Hanoi — it’s peaceful in ways you can’t quite predict.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I’d seen so many photos of Ha Long Bay that I half expected it to feel like a postcard — but standing on the deck as we left the harbor, the air was thick with salt and something sweet I couldn’t place. Our guide, Minh, handed out cold towels and grinned at my attempt to pronounce “Sung Sot.” He said it means “Surprise,” which made me laugh because nothing about this place feels ordinary. We passed these weird rock shapes — Fighting Cock Islet looked more like two birds mid-argument than anything romantic.

The first afternoon was all about movement. Kayaking near Luon Cave, I kept bumping my paddle against the bamboo boat of a couple from Ho Chi Minh City (they just laughed). The water was greenish and cool, and every sound echoed off the cliffs — even our splashes sounded bigger somehow. At Titop Island, some folks hiked up for the view but I just floated in the sea for a while. The sand stuck to my legs in patches. Back on board, there was this sunset thing — happy hour drinks and a cooking demo. I chopped lemongrass way too slowly; Minh pretended not to notice but his smirk gave him away.

Sleeping on the Amanda Cruise felt strange at first — you hear water lapping all night if you leave your window cracked. In the morning, mist curled around everything. We walked up steep stone steps into Surprise Cave (Sung Sot), which really does open up suddenly into these massive chambers with weird rock shapes that look like animals if you squint right. Minh pointed out one that’s supposed to be an elephant; maybe it was just me but it looked more like a loaf of bread? Anyway, it’s cooler inside than outside and smells faintly earthy — not musty exactly.

I didn’t expect to feel so calm by the end. Maybe it’s something about drifting between those islands or eating dinner under so many stars you lose count. Even now when I think back on that day trip from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay — especially walking through Sung Sot Cave with everyone’s voices echoing in Vietnamese and English — there’s this quiet feeling that sticks with me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hanoi to Ha Long Bay cruise and activities

• Pick up guests in Hanoi Old Quarter
• Transfer from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay
• Check in at cruise lounge and board
• Enjoy welcome drinks and lunch on cruise
• Cruise past Fighting-Cock and Finger Islet
• Visit Luon Cave by bamboo boat or kayak
• Go to Titop Island for swimming or hiking
• Return to cruise for sunset party and happy hour
• Attend cooking demonstration or free time
• Dinner on board under the stars
• Relax with spa or cocktails

Day 2 — Explore Sung Sot Cave and return

• Breakfast on board
• Visit Sung Sot Cave and explore formations
• Lunch on board

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Ha Long Bay cruise?

Yes, roundtrip transfer from Hanoi Old Quarter hotels is included.

What activities are part of the 2-day Ha Long Bay tour?

You’ll kayak or take a bamboo boat near Luon Cave, visit Titop Island for swimming or hiking, explore Surprise Cave (Sung Sot), join a cooking class, and enjoy sunset drinks onboard.

Are meals provided during the cruise?

Yes, lunch, dinner, and breakfast are included on board.

Can children join this cruise?

The tour is suitable for all ages; infants must sit on an adult’s lap.

Do cabins have private bathrooms?

Yes, each cabin has an en-suite bathroom with sea views.

How long is the drive from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay?

The transfer takes about 3–4 hours each way depending on traffic.

Is there time for swimming during the trip?

Yes, you can swim at Titop Island during your free time there.

Will there be an English-speaking guide?

An English-speaking guide is present throughout the cruise activities.

What’s included

Your journey includes roundtrip shuttle bus transfers between Hanoi Old Quarter and Ha Long Bay pier; all entrance fees for caves and islands; kayaking or bamboo boat rides; swimming stops; an overnight stay in an en-suite cabin with sea views; plus breakfast, lunch, dinner onboard—alongside extras like sunset cocktails, a cooking class demo, tai chi session in the morning light, and help from your friendly English-speaking guide throughout.