Ha Long Bay seaplane flight and luxury cruise: Surprise Cave

See the limestone karsts from the air, then kayak through caves on the water below.

A full-day tour of Ha Long Bay combining a 25-minute seaplane flight over the UNESCO World Heritage Site with a luxury cruise to three major stops: Surprise Cave with its stalagmites and stalactites, Luon Cave accessible by kayak or bamboo boat, and Ti Top Island's sandy beach. Hotel pickup from Tuan Chau Harbor area is included, and an English-speaking guide accompanies the group throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Halong Bay scenic flight and cruise

• Pick up guests at hotel lobby
• Take off and scenic flight over Halong Bay
• Arrive at Tuan Chau Harbor and board luxury cruise
• Enjoy welcome drink and start cruise excursion
• Have special lunch on board while cruising
• Visit Sung Sot Cave at Bo Hon Island
• Kayak or bamboo boat through Luon Cave lagoon
• Visit Ti Top Island for swimming or trekking
• Sunset party on boat while cruising back
• Return to harbor and transfer back to hotel

The experience

The day starts with hotel pickup and transfer to Tuan Chau Marina, where you board a seaplane for a 25-minute flight over Ha Long Bay. From the air, the limestone karsts and islets appear like mountain ranges. The islands that gave the bay its name, "descending dragon." You'll see Dau Be Island on the outer route, Cong Do Island in Bai Tu Long Bay, and Bo Hon Island, which comprises one of the largest island chains in the bay. The seaplane has large windows for unobstructed views, and the crew provides commentary throughout. The takeoff and landing on the water itself is the experience most travelers remember.

After landing, you board a five-star luxury cruise at Tuan Chau Harbor with a welcome drink. Lunch (a spread of more than 30 dishes) is served while the boat passes Fighting Chicken and Incense Burner Islets, two of Ha Long Bay's most recognizable formations. At 2 p.m., you arrive at Bo Hon Island to visit Surprise Cave (Sung Sot Cave), one of the largest and most beautiful caves in the bay, filled with stalagmites and stalactites. The French named it "Grotte des Surprises" for good reason. Next, you kayak or take a bamboo boat through Luon Cave to explore the lagoon, passing Con Rua Island (Turtle Island) and views of Heaven Gate. The surrounding area holds several other famous caves (Tien Cave and Trinh Nu Cave), though your itinerary focuses on these two main stops.

At Ti Top Island, you can swim on the sandy beach or trek to the island's top for views across the entire bay. The boat returns to harbor at sunset, with a final gathering on deck for wine, tea, fruit and biscuits as you cruise back. Hotel drop-off completes the day. Vegetarian meals are available on request, and the tour operates in English with a live guide. Maximum luggage is 7 kilograms per person, and a valid passport is required.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from the Tuan Chau Harbor area.
• 25-minute scenic seaplane flight with water takeoff and landing.
• shared five-star luxury cruise.
• welcome drink and lunch with more than 30 dishes.
• entry to Surprise Cave.
• kayaking or bamboo boat through Luon Cave.
• access to Ti Top Island beach.
• sunset gathering with wine, tea, fruit and biscuits.
• English-speaking guide throughout.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (3 to 85 years) · Child (under 3)

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. 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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Local Tours HALONG

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup is included from the Tuan Chau Harbor area (about 10 km away), so you don't need a car or separate transport to reach the marina. If you're staying elsewhere in the region without rental transport, this arrangement settles the logistics before the day begins.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 3).

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 24 h before the start.

What is Surprise Cave like inside?

Surprise Cave (Sung Sot Cave) is one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay, filled with dramatic stalagmites and stalactites. The French explorers who discovered it named it "Grotte des Surprises", Surprise Grotto, because of its scale and formations, and it remains a highlight on most Ha Long Bay itineraries.

Can I swim or do water activities during the cruise?

Yes. You can kayak or take a bamboo boat through Luon Cave to explore the lagoon, and you can swim at Ti Top Island's sandy beach. Both activities are part of the itinerary.

How does the seaplane flight work?

The 25-minute scenic flight departs from Tuan Chau Marina, where the seaplane takes off and lands directly on the water. Large windows provide views of the limestone karsts, islets and the bay's major islands from above, and the crew provides commentary throughout the flight.

What islands and landmarks will I see from the air?

The flight showcases Dau Be Island on the outer route of Ha Long Bay, Cong Do Island in Bai Tu Long Bay, and Bo Hon Island, which is part of one of the largest island chains in the bay. You'll also see formations like Fighting Chicken and Incense Burner Islets from the cruise portion of the day.

Is there a guide, and what language do they speak?

A live English-speaking guide accompanies the group throughout the day, providing information during the flight and at each stop on the cruise.