2-day Lan Ha Bay kayaking from Hanoi: Kong Skull Island waters
Paddle into the limestone landscape where King Kong was filmed
A 2-day cruise from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay with kayaking, swimming and onboard meals in a deluxe balcony cabin. You paddle to Tra Bau village and Frog Pond, join sunrise tai chi on deck, try squid fishing or karaoke in the evening, and return to Hanoi by bus on day two. The itinerary and timing shift with weather and tides, so the route adapts to conditions.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi to Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay
- Sunrise Tai Chi on sundeck
- Light breakfast on board
- Kayaking and swimming at Tra Bau
- Return to boat for check-out
- Lunch on board while cruising
- Return to harbor and bus to Hanoi
- Arrive at Hanoi hotel
Day 2: Lan Ha Bay to Hanoi
- Sunrise Tai Chi on sundeck
- Light breakfast with tea and coffee
- Kayaking and swimming at Frog Pond or Tra Bau
- Return to boat for check-out
- Lunch on board
- Return to harbor
- Arrive at Hanoi hotel
What’s included
- Round-trip shuttle bus from Hanoi Old Quarter (on the Super Saver option).
- kayaking and swimming in Tra Bau and Frog Pond.
- sunrise tai chi on the sundeck.
- cooking demonstration and sunset party.
- squid fishing and karaoke.
- all meals on board (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
- deluxe balcony cabin with sea view.
- welcome drink and bottled water.
- entrance fees and insurance.
- English-speaking guide.
Times
- Every day 08:00 12:00
Before you book
Operated by Swan Cruises Halong
Prices and times updated 11 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The boat leaves Hanoi in the early morning and arrives in Ha Long Bay by midday, giving you the afternoon to settle into your deluxe balcony cabin and meet the crew. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on board, along with a welcome drink and a bottle of water in your room. The guide speaks English and stays with the group throughout.
Day one starts before sunrise with an optional tai chi session on the sundeck, followed by light breakfast as the boat navigates through thousands of karst mountains. At 08:15 you kayak into Tra Bau (the limestone cove where Kong Skull Island filmed in 2018), and swim in the emerald water. After returning to the boat for lunch, the afternoon opens up: you can join the sunset party, try squid fishing, sing karaoke, or sunbathe on the top deck while the light changes across the stone islands. Day two follows the same rhythm: sunrise tai chi, breakfast, a second kayaking and swimming session (either back to Tra Bau or to Frog Pond, depending on conditions), lunch, and then the return journey to Hanoi, arriving at your hotel in the Old Quarter by mid-afternoon.
The cruise includes entrance fees, insurance, and all meals. If you book the Super Saver option, round-trip shuttle service from your Hanoi hotel is included. If you choose Cruise Only, you arrange your own transport to Ha Long. The boat's schedule shifts with weather, tide levels and port authority rules, so the exact timing of activities may change. The guide will confirm the day's plan each morning.
Is this one for you?Book Super Saver if you're in Hanoi Old Quarter and want the shuttle included. Choose Cruise Only if you're arranging your own way to the departure point.
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Top questions
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 24 h before the start.
What is Tra Bau village and why does it matter for this kayaking trip?
Tra Bau is a limestone cove in Lan Ha Bay and the filming location for Kong Skull Island (King Kong) in 2018. You kayak into this area on both mornings of the cruise, paddling past the same karst towers and stone formations that appeared in the film, and swim in the sheltered emerald water.
Do I need to arrange my own transport from Hanoi, or is it included?
The 2D1N Super Saver option includes round-trip shuttle bus service between your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter and Ha Long. The Cruise Only option does not include transport, so you arrange your own way to the harbor or book a separate transfer.
What happens on the second day of the cruise?
Day two begins with sunrise tai chi and breakfast on deck, followed by a second kayaking and swimming session (either Tra Bau or Frog Pond, depending on weather and tides). After lunch on board, the boat returns to Ha Long harbor around 11:30–11:45, and you travel back to your Hanoi hotel, arriving by mid-afternoon.
What activities are included beyond kayaking and swimming?
The cruise includes sunrise tai chi, a cooking demonstration, a sunset party in the afternoon, squid fishing, karaoke, and time to sunbathe on the top sundeck. All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are served on board, along with a welcome drink and complimentary water in your cabin.
Can the itinerary change, and if so, why?
Yes. The cruise itinerary and schedule may shift without notice due to weather, tide levels and operating conditions set by the Port Authorities. The guide will confirm the day's plan each morning and let you know if any activities or timing have moved.
What kind of cabin will I sleep in?
You stay in a Deluxe Balcony room with sea views, designed for two guests (double or twin bed configuration). The cabin includes a welcome drink, cold handkerchief, and a complimentary bottle of water.
2-day Lan Ha Bay kayaking from Hanoi: Kong Skull Island waters
2d · EN
from US$ 178 per person
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