Kayaking Bai Tu Long Bay: Limestone & fishing village tour

Paddle past limestone cliffs and into a fishing village where life still moves by water

This small-group luxury day cruise from Hanoi takes you kayaking through Bai Tu Long Bay, the quieter sibling of Halong Bay, with a guide, lunch and round-trip limousine transfers included. You'll paddle to Vung Vieng floating fishing village, explore Thien Canh Son Cave, and spend the afternoon on the water or relaxing on the sundeck while limestone peaks rise around you. The 7-hour bay route deliberately avoids the crowded tourist zones, and the whole day (pickup, cruise, kayaking, cave visit and return) is arranged so nothing falls to you to organize.

Step-by-step itinerary

Luxury day cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay

• Pick-up from hotel in Hanoi
• Depart to Ha Long Bay
• Arrive at Halong International Cruise Port
• Embark on Amazing Sails Explorer cruise
• Cruise through Bai Tu Long Bay scenery
• Lunch on board while cruising
• Kayak or boat at Vung Vieng fishing village
• Visit Thien Canh Son Cave
• Relax and explore Thien Canh Son beach
• Free time on sundeck for sightseeing
• Enjoy sunset and tea break on board
• Return to Halong Cruise Port and disembark
• Limousine transfer back to Hanoi
• Drop-off at hotel in Hanoi

The experience

Your pickup starts at 7 a.m. from your Hanoi hotel, and the drive to Halong International Cruise Port takes about three hours. Once you board the Amazing Sails Explorer at 10:30, the cruise heads straight into Bai Tu Long Bay instead of lingering in the packed waters closer to shore. Lunch arrives while you're moving through the bay: a set menu served on deck as thousands of limestone islets pass by. The route is deliberately long and remote. It's the reason the day stretches to 7 hours on the water instead of the standard 4 or 5.

At Vung Vieng, the largest floating fishing village in Bai Tu Long Bay, you get into a kayak and paddle around the village itself: past wooden houses built on the water, fish farms, and the everyday life of families who live there year-round. It's not a performance. It's a working village, and the kayak puts you at water level instead of watching from a tour boat. After that comes Thien Canh Son Cave, a sea cave with stalactites and stalagmites, plus a small sandy beach where you can walk and photograph. The cave sits in the middle of the bay and carries archaeological traces of prehistoric sea fishermen.

The return journey includes free time on the sundeck: some people photograph, some rest in the shade, some watch the water. At 5 p.m. you'll be on deck for sunset tea while the light hits the limestone. The cruise docks around 5:30, and your limousine is waiting to drive you back to Hanoi, arriving around 8 p.m. The whole day is timed so the transport, the cruise, the kayaking and the cave all fit without gaps or rushing.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hanoi.
• round-trip limousine transfer to Halong International Cruise Port.
• lunch served on deck.
• English-speaking guide.
• all sightseeing at Vung Vieng fishing village and Thien Canh Son Cave.
• kayaking equipment and access.
• two bottles of water per person.
• free time on the sundeck and sunset tea break.

Options for this experience

2 options

Up to 8 people · Guide in English10:00

Up to 15 people · Guide in English07:00

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 10:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (11 to 80 years) · Youth (8 to 10 years) · Child (4 to 7 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 26

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “To get to the Hanoi Opera House, walk along Trang Tien street until you reach the famous Opera House located at 1 Trang Tien street in Hoan Kiem district.”

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

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Halong Amazing Sails

Is this one for you?Book this full-day tour if you want to kayak and explore a cave in a small group on the quieter Bai Tu Long Bay rather than the crowded central Halong waters. If you only have an afternoon or are just arriving in Hanoi, choose a shorter bay option instead.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 10 years); Child (4 to 7 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What's the difference between Bai Tu Long Bay and Halong Bay if they're next to each other?

Bai Tu Long Bay is the remote section east of Halong Bay, with fewer tour boats and a longer route through the limestone landscape. This tour deliberately bypasses the crowded central Halong waters and heads straight to the quieter side, which is why the day on the water runs 7 hours instead of the standard shorter cruises.

Do I need kayaking experience to paddle at Vung Vieng?

No. The kayaking happens in the shallow waters around the floating fishing village, and the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. If you prefer not to paddle, you can explore the village by local bamboo boat instead, which the crew rows for you.

What time does the pickup happen and where?

Pickup starts at 7 a.m. from your hotel or private address in the Hanoi Old Quarter area. The limousine collects you and returns you to the same location after the cruise ends, around 8 p.m.

Is lunch included, and what if I have dietary restrictions?

Lunch is included as a set menu served on deck while the cruise moves through the bay. The menu is plate service, and you should mention any dietary needs when you book so the kitchen can prepare an alternative.

How many people go on this cruise?

It's a small-group tour, which keeps the boat uncrowded compared to the massive Halong Bay ferries. The exact group size varies by departure, but the boat is designed for a private, cozy experience rather than a packed schedule.

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

Included are the hotel pickup and drop-off, the cruise, lunch, kayaking, the cave visit, an English-speaking guide, and two bottles of water per person. Beverages beyond water and the sunset tea are not included, and tipping the guide and driver is optional.