Ha Long Bay day cruise: Sung Sot Cave, kayaking, Titov Island

Kayak inside Luon Cave and climb Titov Island for the view across thousands of limestone peaks.

A day cruise through Ha Long Bay with an English-speaking guide, departing from Tuan Chau harbor at 10:30 and returning by 17:45. You explore Sung Sot Cave (the largest in the bay), kayak or take a bamboo boat through Luon Cave, climb partway up Titov Island, and swim between stops. Lunch is a buffet on board. The sunset party on deck includes tea, coffee, fruit and free use of the outdoor jacuzzi. Pickup from Hanoi hotels or a meeting point is available as an add-on. Children from age 4 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Ha Long Bay luxury cruise and sightseeing

• Pick up from Hanoi Old Quarter hotels
• Drive 2.5 hours to Tuan Chau harbour
• Check-in and board the cruise
• Enjoy welcome drink on board
• Cruise through limestone islands of Ha Long Bay
• Buffet lunch with seafood and Vietnamese dishes
• Visit Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave at Bo Hon Island
• Kayak at Luon Cave
• Climb Titov Island for panoramic views
• Sunset party on sundeck with refreshments and Jacuzzi
• Cruise back to Tuan Chau harbour
• Transfer back to Hanoi or finish tour at Tuan Chau Marina

The experience

The cruise leaves Tuan Chau harbor at 10:30 after a welcome drink, and the first two hours are spent cruising through the limestone landscape. Thousands of islands rise from the water, and the guide points out the geology and the UNESCO World Heritage status. At 12:00 you sit down to a buffet lunch with seafood and Vietnamese dishes on board, then head to Bo Hon Island for Sung Sot Cave, discovered by the French in 1901 and named for its size and the unusual rock formations inside.

By 14:00 the boat moves to Luon Cave, where you get into a kayak or bamboo boat and paddle into the cave mouth. This is the activity that sets the day apart from a straight sightseeing run. At 15:00 you stop at Titov Island and climb halfway up the mountain to a viewpoint that opens onto the whole bay. The descent takes you back to the boat in time for the sunset party on the sundeck at 16:00, where the crew serves Vietnamese tea, coffee and fresh fruit while you watch the light change across the water. The jacuzzi is open the whole time. The boat returns to Tuan Chau Port by 17:45.

If you book from Hanoi, pickup runs between 07:00 and 07:25 from hotels in the Old Quarter, or at 07:00 from the Hanoi Opera House or the Local Tours Vietnam office. The drive takes 2.5 hours with a break. The return journey leaves Tuan Chau around 20:15–20:30 and arrives back in Hanoi late evening. If you're already staying in Ha Long, you can book the cruise alone and finish at the harbor.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide and all entrance fees.
• welcome drink and lunch buffet on board.
• kayaking or bamboo boat in Luon Cave.
• cave exploration at Sung Sot.
• swimming and climbing at Titov Island.
• sunset party with Vietnamese tea, coffee and fresh fruit.
• free jacuzzi access. Pickup from Hanoi hotels or a meeting point is available on some options.
• return transfer to Hanoi is included on the options that feature it.

Options for this experience

5 options

Cruise only from the harborGuide in English · 10:00Starting point at Halong Bay: please arrive at Tuan Chau Marina in Halong City before 10:00 AM. Late arrivals may be denied boarding by the port authority. Luxury day cruises with great service. Lasts 7 hours, with a buffet lunch on the cruise. Halong Bay route. Starting point: Heritage Westlake Apartment, 677 Đ. Lạc Long Quân, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam

Cruise with pickup from the Halong areaGuide in English · 08:30, 09:00 and 09:15We will collect all guests in Halong Bay between 8:45 and 9:00 AM by private car (4, 7 or 16 seats). Join the group on a luxury cruise lasting 8 hours, with a buffet lunch on board. Pickup is included.

From Hanoi with limousine busGuide in English · 07:00Limousine bus transfer: shared limousine bus from Hanoi to Halong Bay by expressway, round trip. Pickup at the Hanoi Old Quarter area or Hanoi Opera House between 7:15 and 7:45 AM. Lasts 12 hours. Luxury day cruise. Pickup is included.

See 2 more options

From Hanoi with private transferGuide in English · 07:00Starting and finishing in Hanoi City: round-trip transfer from Hanoi to Halong and back to Hanoi by private car (4, 7 or 16 seats). Lasts 12 hours. Private transfer in two directions: take a private car from Hanoi, then join the group tour on a luxury cruise. Pickup is included.

From Hanoi with private limousineGuide in English · 07:00Starting and finishing in Hanoi City: pickup and drop-off at hotels or accommodations in Hanoi City by private limousine transfer (better seats and more comfortable, relaxing). Group tour on a luxury cruise: after the private car transfer from Hanoi, you join the group tour on a luxury cruise in Halong Bay. Lasts 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 day5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 10:00

Book up to2h before

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

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Authentic HALONG

Is this one for you?Book this cruise if you want the main Ha Long Bay sights (caves, islands, the limestone landscape) without arranging boats, guides or transport yourself. The fixed schedule means you're on the water by 10:30 and back by evening, so the day holds together. If you're staying in Hanoi, add the round-trip transfer and the whole day is handled. If you're already in Ha Long, book the cruise alone and finish at the harbor.

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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 is Sung Sot Cave like when you get there?

Sung Sot Cave is the largest and most beautiful cave in Ha Long Bay, with unusual rock formations throughout. The guide leads you inside after the boat stops at Bo Hon Island around 13:00.

Do I kayak the whole time at Luon Cave or just paddle in?

You paddle a kayak or bamboo boat into Luon Cave. The cave itself is the destination, not a long paddle. The stop lasts about an hour before the boat moves on to Titov Island.

Can I swim during this tour?

Swimming is listed as part of the activities, and the jacuzzi on deck is free to use during the sunset party. Specific swimming stops depend on the guide and sea conditions on the day.

How long is the climb up Titov Island?

You climb halfway up the mountain, not to the summit, to reach a viewpoint over Ha Long Bay. The stop at Titov Island runs from 15:00 to 16:00, giving you time for the climb and the descent.

If I book from Hanoi, when do I get back?

The limousine or private transfer departs Tuan Chau around 20:15–20:30 and arrives back in Hanoi late evening. The total day runs from pickup around 07:00 to drop-off after 20:30.

Is lunch included, and what if I have dietary needs?

Lunch is a buffet on board at 12:00 with seafood and Vietnamese traditional dishes. Dietary requests are best noted when you book. The buffet includes variety, though specific accommodations depend on the operator.