Ha Long Bay Kayaking & Cave Cruise from Hanoi

Paddle into hidden lagoons, then climb to the bay's best viewpoint

A full-day cruise from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay includes pickup, an English-speaking guide, lunch, and a choice of kayaking or bamboo boat through Luon Cave, plus visits to Sung Sot Cave and Titop Island. The 2.5-hour drive each way means you leave early and return to Hanoi in the late afternoon. Kayaking and cave entry fees are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Ha Long Bay1h 30m
2. Surprise Cave1h
3. Lan Ha Bay1h 30m

Ha Long Bay full-day cruise experience

• Pick up from Hanoi Old Quarter
• Drive 2.5 hours to pier
• Board boat at Tuan Chau Marina
• Enjoy lunch while cruising Ha Long Bay
• Visit Sung Sot Cave and explore chambers
• Kayak or bamboo boat in Luon Cave
• Swim and hike on Titov Island
• Relax and enjoy sunset party on sundeck
• Return to harbor and drive back to Hanoi

The experience

The day starts with pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter and a 2.5-hour drive to Tuan Chau Marina, where you board the cruise boat. Once on the water, you'll sail past the limestone islands that make Ha Long Bay a UNESCO World Heritage Site: over 1,600 of them rise from emerald water, each with its own shape. Lunch is served on board while the boat moves through the bay, so you eat while the scenery unfolds around you.

The main activities are Sung Sot Cave, where you climb about 100 stone steps through greenery to reach two enormous chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites lit by colored lights, and Luon Cave, which you reach only by kayak or bamboo boat through a low limestone arch into a hidden lagoon. The choice between paddling and riding is yours. Titop Island comes next. The beach is calm and clear for swimming, and a short hike of 423 steps leads to a panoramic viewpoint of the entire bay, one of the few places in Ha Long where that view exists.

On the return to harbor, there's a sunset party on the sundeck with fresh fruit, tea and wine while you watch the light change across the water and Lan Ha Bay. The drive back to Hanoi takes another 2.5 hours, arriving in the late afternoon.

What’s included

• Pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter.
• air-conditioned vehicle both ways.
• English-speaking guide (or another language on request).
• lunch on board.
• access to Sung Sot Cave, Titop Island and Luon Cave.
• sunset party with fruit, tea and wine on the return cruise.
• bottle of water on the bus.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Youth (7 to 9 years) · Child (4 to 6 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 35

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Cantonese, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, Filipino, Greek, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Malay and Thai

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 22

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Oriana Travel Co.,

Is this one for you?The 2.5-hour drive each way means an early start and a late return, which suits travelers with a full day free rather than a short afternoon. Kayaking and cave entry are paid separately, so budget for those if you want to paddle: the bamboo boat option costs less but removes the paddling.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Korean, Malay, Greek, Cantonese, Filipino, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Hebrew, Danish and Dutch.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 9 years); Child (4 to 6 years); Infant (under 4).

What's the difference between kayaking and the bamboo boat through Luon Cave?

Luon Cave is accessible only by water. You either paddle a kayak yourself or ride in a small bamboo boat. The kayak option lets you control the pace through the lagoon. The bamboo boat is a passive ride. Both reach the same cave and hidden lagoon inside the limestone arch.

How much walking and climbing is involved in this cruise?

Sung Sot Cave requires climbing about 100 stone steps uphill through vegetation to reach the chambers, then descending the same way. Titop Island has a hike of 423 steps to the viewpoint. Both are optional. You can skip them and stay on the boat or at the beach instead.

Is the lunch included, and what kind of food is it?

Lunch is included and served on board while the boat cruises. It's described as fresh Vietnamese cuisine, though the specific menu isn't detailed in advance.

What time do I need to be ready for pickup, and when do I get back to Hanoi?

Pickup is from Hanoi Old Quarter in the morning (exact time depends on your hotel location), and you return to the Old Quarter in the late afternoon after the 2.5-hour drive back from the marina. The full day on the water is about 6 hours.

Are there extra costs beyond the tour price?

Yes, kayaking and cave entry fees are not included in the tour price and are paid separately. A bottle of water is provided on the bus, but other drinks and snacks beyond the lunch are your own cost.