Ha Long Bay kayaking cruise: Limestone cliffs & coves

Paddle into limestone coves and explore caves you can only reach by water.

A 3-day cruise through Lan Ha Bay in the Ha Long archipelago where you kayak between vertical cliffs, swim in secluded lagoons, and sleep onboard a heritage vessel with private suites and ocean views. The itinerary mixes active exploration (kayaking, cycling through rainforest, bamboo boating into caves) with onboard cooking classes, Vovinam sessions on the sundeck, and time to simply watch the bay from your balcony. Hotel pickup from Hanoi is included, and the cruise director speaks English and multiple other languages.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay cruise

• Hotel pick-up and transfer to marina
• Welcome drink and check-in to suite
• Lunch at L’indochine Restaurant
• Cruise to Ba Trai Dao or Tra Bau
• Kayaking or swimming in bay
• Enjoy cocktail and sunset on deck
• Afternoon tea and Vietnamese cooking class
• Evening at bar and squid fishing
• Overnight onboard

Day 2: Lan Ha Bay and Viet Hai Village

• Vovinam session on sundeck
• Coffee, tea, and pastries
• Speedboat to Viet Hai Village
• Bicycle or electric car ride through rainforest
• Visit traditional village house
• Lunch in Viet Hai Village
• Speedboat cruise Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Archipelago
• Explore secret trail and beaches
• Swim and kayak in Tra Bau area
• Cocktails and drinks on board
• Sunset cocktail on deck
• Vietnamese cooking class with chef
• Dinner in main restaurant
• Bar on sun deck and squid fishing
• Overnight onboard

Day 3: Halong Bay to Hanoi return

• Vovinam session on sundeck
• Light breakfast onboard
• Bamboo boat to Dark and Bright Cave
• Return to boat and checkout
• Brunch while cruising to mainland
• Return to Tuan Chau Marina and disembark
• Relax in lounge while waiting pickup
• Limousine transfer to Hanoi hotel

The experience

You arrive at Tuan Chau Marina in the morning after pickup from your Hanoi hotel. Once onboard the Heritage Cruises Explorer, you check into your suite, eat lunch in the restaurant, and the boat heads into Lan Ha Bay. The first afternoon is yours to choose: kayak out to Ba Trai Dao or Tra Bau, swim in the clear water, or stay aboard and watch the limestone mountains rise from the deck. That evening there's a Vietnamese cooking class before dinner, and if you want, squid fishing from the bar on the top deck.

Day two starts early with optional Vovinam, a Vietnamese martial art, on the sundeck at 6:15am, then coffee and pastries. A speedboat takes you to Viet Hai Village, where you cycle or ride an electric car through a rainforest tunnel to rice fields, visit a traditional house deep in a national park, and eat lunch in the village. Back on the water, you cruise through Cai Beo floating village and explore the Cat Ba Archipelago: kayak the secret trails enclosed by vertical cliffs, swim in Tra Bau, or just drift. The afternoon brings cocktails on deck as the light changes, another cooking class with the chef, and fine dining at night.

On the final morning, another Vovinam session and light breakfast precede a bamboo boat ride to Dark and Bright Cave, where you see stalactites lit by natural light. By 9:30 you're back onboard for checkout. Brunch happens during the cruise back to the mainland, and you disembark by 11am. If you've booked the limousine service, a driver takes you to your Hanoi hotel. Otherwise, you can use the lounge while arranging your own onward transport.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Hanoi and return transfer to the city.
• all meals onboard including Vietnamese cooking demonstrations.
• welcome drink, fresh seasonal fruit and water bottle.
• all sightseeing tickets and entrance fees.
• Vovinam martial arts sessions on the sundeck.
• kayaking, swimming, bamboo boating, caving and squid fishing.
• visits to Viet Hai Village, Cai Beo floating village and Dark and Bright Cave.
• onboard gym, pool, library, music and art gallery.
• Wi-Fi throughout the vessel.
• English-speaking experience manager and cruise director.

Options for this experience

3 options

Cabin in Delta SuitesGuide in 14 languages · 08:00Delta Suites Cabin: 33 sqm, located on the First Deck with a private balcony. Meals are all included.

Cabin at Ocean SuitesGuide in 14 languages · 08:00Ocean Suites Cabin: 33 sqm, located on the Second Deck with a Superior View private balcony. Air conditioning provides cooling and heating. Choose between a king bed or twin beds. All meals are included.

Captain SuitesGuide in 14 languages · 08:00Delta Cabin: 38 sqm, located on the First Floor with a furnished private balcony. Includes a king bed and all meals.

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Thai and Vietnamese

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Thai and Vietnamese

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 6 days before the start.Between 2 and 6 days before the start, 50% refund.After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Lux Cruises Vietnam.

Is this one for you?Book this cruise if you want to paddle and explore rather than sit and watch: the three days give you time to kayak into caves and coves you can't reach by car, cycle through a rainforest, and still have quiet hours on your private balcony. The mix of active days and onboard downtime suits travelers who want structure without a rigid schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Korean, Chinese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese and Polish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 6 days before the start.

What's the difference between the three cabin types on this cruise?

The Heritage Cruises Explorer offers Captain Suites, Delta Suites, and Ocean Suites cabins. All are at least 34 square meters, include a bathtub and shower, and have a private balcony with full ocean views. The specific amenities and positioning differ by suite level, and you choose which one at checkout.

Can I kayak every day, or is it optional?

Kayaking is offered as an activity you can choose to do, not a scheduled group event. On day one you can paddle out to Ba Trai Dao or Tra Bau in the afternoon. On day two the speedboat takes you to the Cat Ba Archipelago where kayaking is available alongside swimming and exploring secret trails. You decide when and whether to get in the water.

What happens if I arrive in Hanoi the night before the cruise starts?

The cruise includes hotel pickup from Hanoi on the morning of day one, so you can stay in the city the night before and be collected for the drive to Tuan Chau Marina. If you need accommodation in Hanoi before the cruise, you'll arrange that separately. The transfer to the marina is part of the package.

Is the Vietnamese cooking class hands-on, or do I watch the chef?

The itinerary lists cooking demonstrations led by the chef, which typically means you watch and learn the techniques. The exact format, whether you handle ingredients yourself, is best confirmed directly with the cruise operator when you book.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra onboard?

Included are all meals, welcome drink, fresh fruit and water bottle, all sightseeing tickets, Vovinam sessions, gym and pool access, Wi-Fi, and activities like kayaking, swimming, bamboo boating, caving and squid fishing. Drinks at the bars, personal expenses, and the optional transfer service from Hanoi back to your hotel after disembarkation cost extra.