Kayaking in Ha Long Bay from Hanoi: Sung Sot Cave & Titop Island

Kayak Luon Cave, swim at Titop Island, explore Sung Sot stalactites: all in one day from Hanoi

A day cruise from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay with kayaking, cave exploration and swimming, departing at midday and returning by evening. The itinerary includes paddling into Luon Cave, lunch with local cuisine served on board, a guided walk through Sung Sot Cave (also called Surprise Cave), a swim and optional hike at Titop Island, and a tea break on the return journey. You choose between a luxury 5-star vessel or a deluxe boat, and either hotel pickup from Hanoi or a meeting at the harbour.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Surprise Cave50m
2. Titop Island50m

Ha Long Bay cruise with cave and kayaking

• Arrive harbor and board cruise
• Enjoy lunch on board
• Visit Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave
• Kayak or bamboo boat at Luon Cave
• Swim or trek on TiTop Island
• Relax with tea and snacks at sunset

The experience

The day starts around noon when you board at the harbour and begin cruising through turquoise water past limestone mountains. Lunch, local cuisine, arrives on board while you take in the bay. The first stop is Sung Sot Cave, where you walk through chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites that catch the light in unexpected shapes. The cave sits above water level, so entry is on foot, not by paddle.

Next comes the kayaking. You take a kayak or bamboo boat out to Luon Cave and spend time on the water discovering its formations up close. This is where you're operating the equipment yourself, moving at your own pace through the cave's passages. After that, Titop Island offers a choice: swim and relax on the beach, or trek to the summit for panoramic views across the bay. Both options sit in the same stop, so you pick what suits the moment.

On the return to harbour, a tea break with snacks and fruit gives you time to settle in. You'll watch the sunset from the boat before arrival in the evening. A live guide in English and Vietnamese travels with the group throughout the day. The two boat options (luxury with a 3-level layout and jacuzzi, or deluxe with a more intimate feel) follow the same itinerary. The difference is the vessel itself and the onboard amenities.

What’s included

• Kayaking or bamboo boat at Luon Cave.
• lunch with local cuisine on board.
• guided visit to Sung Sot Cave.
• swimming and island time at Titop Island.
• tea break with snacks and fruit on the return.
• English-Vietnamese guide throughout the day.
• water bottle on the bus from Hanoi (if pickup option selected).

Options for this experience

4 options

Deluxe cruise, meeting at the harbourGuide in English or Vietnamese · 11:30Deluxe cruise lasting 6 hours. A set menu lunch is served on board. Pickup is not included: this option is for passengers who travel to Ha Long Bay on their own or are already staying in Ha Long city.

Deluxe cruise from HanoiGuide in English or Vietnamese · 07:30Deluxe cruise lasting 12 hours. Lunch is a set menu served on board. Round-trip shuttle bus transfer from the Hanoi Old Quarter; pickup is included.

Luxury cruise, meeting at the harbourGuide in English or Vietnamese · 11:30Luxury cruise lasting 6 hours, with kayaking and a bamboo boat ride. Lunch is a buffet served on board, plus a tea party with snacks, fruit and tea, which is not included. Pickup is not included: this option is for passengers already staying in Ha Long city or who travel there on their own.

Luxury cruise from HanoiGuide in English or Vietnamese · 07:30Luxury cruise lasting 12 hours, with kayaking or a bamboo boat ride. Includes a buffet lunch of Vietnamese cuisine on board. Round-trip limousine transfer from the Hanoi Old Quarter; pickup is included.

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 dayDepartures at 07:30 and 11:30

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Child (4 to 7 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish 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 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 13.06

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Amazing VietNam Tours

Is this one for you?Book the luxury cruise if you want onboard comfort and a jacuzzi between activities. Choose the deluxe boat if you prefer a smaller group and a more intimate feel. Pick the Hanoi pickup option if you're staying in the city and want to sleep in before departure. Meet at the harbour if you're already nearby or prefer to arrange your own morning transport.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Vietnamese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 7 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What's the difference between the luxury and deluxe cruise options?

The luxury cruise runs a spacious 3-level vessel with a 4-season jacuzzi onboard, while the deluxe cruise is a smaller, more intimate boat. Both follow the same itinerary (Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave kayaking, Titop Island and the tea break), and both include lunch and a guide.

Do I need to arrange my own transport from Hanoi, or is pickup included?

Two of the four options include hotel pickup from Hanoi. The other two require you to meet the boat at the harbour. Choose the option that fits your location when you book.

What happens at Luon Cave during the kayaking part?

You paddle a kayak or bamboo boat into Luon Cave and spend time exploring its formations from the water. You control the pace and can move through the cave at your own speed, unlike the guided walk through Sung Sot Cave earlier in the day.

Is swimming included, or just the island visit?

Titop Island offers both: you can swim and relax on the beach, or hike to the top for panoramic views of the bay. You choose how to spend your time there. Both options are available during the same stop.

How long is the full day, and what time does it end?

The cruise runs 12 hours total, departing around noon and returning by evening. You'll be on the water and visiting caves and islands for most of that time, with the tea break and sunset viewing on the return journey.

What meals and drinks are provided on the boat?

Lunch with local cuisine is served on board during the cruise, and a tea break with snacks, fruit and tea arrives on the return journey. Water is provided on the bus from Hanoi if you choose a pickup option. Drinks on the boat itself are not included.