Kayaking Halong Bay from Hanoi: Cave, lunch, boat

Paddle into Luon Cave, then climb Titop Island for the view across Halong's limestone towers.

A full-day boat tour from Hanoi to Halong Bay combines six hours on the water with kayaking, cave exploration, and swimming at two named islands. The luxury option includes hotel pickup in Hanoi's Old Quarter, a buffet lunch onboard, and a professional English-speaking guide. The port-based option lets you start directly at Halong city and adds lunch only on certain departures. Kayaking in Luon Cave costs extra and is on your own. Entry to Halong Bay itself requires cash payment at the dock.

Options for this experience

5 options

From US$ 20 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

At the port at 11:30, lunch not included 08:30 and 11:30 Guide in English or Vietnamese Kayaking or a bamboo boat trip is included, so please bring spare clothes if you go kayaking. Shared boat tour for 30 seconds, lasting 7 hours: pickup and drop-off plus a 6-hour boat tour. Book once you are already in Halong City, near our port, 160 km from Hanoi. Pickup covers a 3 km radius around our port, the Bai Chay and Hung Thang areas. Not included: the 330,000 VND government entry ticket, the 160,000 VND lunch, and kayaking at 80k. Pickup is included.

Cruise and lunch at the port at 11:30 11:30 Guide in English Lasts 6 hours. Guests must report to the administration building of the Halong International Cruise Port for pickup at 11:30, and no later than 11:55. Buffet lunch is included. The Halong government entry ticket at 330,000 VND per person is not included, and we do not sell tickets. Kayaking at 80k is not included. Classic: a 6-hour classic tour (the bay may be very crowded in peak and summer season). Pickup is not included, though pickup is included in the price.

Luxury tour from Hanoi with buffet 08:30 Guide in English or Vietnamese Included: lunch, bus, boat, guide, beach and cave visits, pool, and sunset. Hanoi pickup and drop-off in the Old Quarter of Hanoi are free and included. Not included: the government entry ticket at 330,000 VND per person, and kayaking at 80,000 VND each. Pickup is included.

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Luxury from Hanoi with Indian lunch 08:30 Guide in English or Vietnamese Included: Indian set lunch (vegetarian or non-vegetarian), bus, boat, guide, beach and cave visits, pool, and sunset. Indian set lunch in a vegetarian or non-vegetarian option; tell us at least 24 hours before travel if you would like to switch to the international buffet. Hanoi pickup and drop-off in the Old Quarter are free and included. Not included: the government entry ticket at 330,000 VND per person and kayaking at 80,000 VND each. Pickup is included.

Unique 7-hour tour, 8:30 at the port 08:30 Guide in English or Vietnamese Unique and luxury: guests must report to the administration building of the Halong International Cruise Port for pickup at 8:15, and no later than 8:30. Lasts 7 hours. Luxury buffet lunch. Unique route on the Sea Octopus, a premium cruise with an itinerary no one else offers. Not included: the 330,000 VND government entry fee and kayaking at 150,000 VND. All extras must be paid in cash. Pickup is included.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Halong Bay boat tour with activities

• Pick up at Hanoi Old Quarter
• Drive 3 hours with pitstop
• Check in cruise at Halong harbor
• Start cruise with lunch on board
• Visit famous Halong Bay rock
• Explore Surprise Cave for 50 minutes
• Kayak or bamboo boat in lagoon
• Visit Titov Island and beach
• Return cruise to shore
• Drive back to Hanoi city
• End tour at Hanoi Old Quarter

Stops and time spent at each 5 stops

1. Hanoi Opera House passing by
2. Hon Ga Choi Island passing by
3. Surprise Cave 50m
4. Titop Island 50m
5. Hanoi Old Quarter passing by

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transport from Hanoi's Old Quarter (on the 8:30 AM luxury option).
• six-hour boat cruise on a modern, air-conditioned vessel with pool and sundeck.
• visits to Surprise Cave, Hon Ga Choi Island, and Titop Island.
• buffet lunch onboard with Vietnamese seafood and vegetarian choices (or Indian on the premium option).
• professional English-speaking guide.
• restrooms onboard.
• sunset gathering on the sundeck.

Times

• Every day 08:30 11:30

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Before you book

Live guide English and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included.

Book up to 4h before

Ages Adult (9 to 80 years) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Infant (under 4)

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Wheelchair accessible Accessible transport Stroller-friendly Public transport nearby Not recommended with heart problems Infants must sit on laps

Operated by Vietnam Tour Tailor Company

Prices and times updated yesterday

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The experience

The day starts with pickup at your Hanoi hotel between 8:30 AM or 11:30 AM (depending on the option you choose), followed by a three-hour drive to Halong city. The route includes a brief stop at a pearl or bamboo workshop: a chance to use the restroom or grab coffee, not a sales pitch. Once you reach the cruise harbor around midday, you board a modern air-conditioned boat with a pool and sundeck, then spend six hours exploring the bay's limestone karst landscape. The boat follows a government-set route, so you'll share the water with other tours, especially during peak season and weekends.

Lunch arrives as the cruise departs, served buffet-style with Vietnamese seafood and vegetarian options (or Indian on one premium option). Your first stop is Hon Ga Choi Island, named for its shape: a local naming tradition that extends to other formations like Cock Fighting Rock and Thumb Island. Next comes Surprise Cave, where you walk 200 steps up and 200 steps down, then another 400 meters inside the cave itself, taking roughly 50 minutes total. The real draw comes next: a 35-minute lagoon visit where you can kayak on your own through Luon Cave or ride a bamboo boat rowed by a local boatman. Kayaking costs extra (80,000–150,000 Vietnamese dong) and you'll need to bring a change of clothes.

The final stop is Titop Island, where you can swim off the beach or hike 400 steps to the summit for a panoramic view of the bay before the boat turns back to shore. You arrive back in Hanoi around 8:30 PM. The boat has multiple restrooms onboard and a large restaurant with a full kitchen. Government entry to Halong Bay (310,000 Vietnamese dong) is not included in the tour price. You pay this in cash at the dock when you arrive. Bring extra clothes if you plan to kayak, and note that plastic water bottles are forbidden onboard by government regulation.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Vietnamese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 8 years); Infant (under 4).

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's the difference between the 8:30 AM and 11:30 AM departures from Hanoi?

The 8:30 AM departure is the luxury option with hotel pickup in Hanoi's Old Quarter, a full buffet lunch onboard, and a professional English guide included. The 11:30 AM option starts directly at the port in Halong city, so you arrange your own transport there. Lunch is included only on certain versions of this time slot.

Do I kayak on my own, or does someone take me out on the water?

Kayaking is your choice at Luon Cave. You can paddle your own kayak or ride in a bamboo boat rowed by a local boatman. Either way, it costs extra (80,000–150,000 dong) and is not part of the base tour price. You'll need to bring a change of clothes if you go in the water.

What is Surprise Cave like, and how long do we spend there?

Surprise Cave is Halong Bay's most visited cave, featuring a walking route of about 200 steps up and 200 steps down, plus a 400-meter path inside the cave itself. The whole stop takes roughly 50 minutes, and you'll be on foot the entire time.

Is the Halong Bay entry fee included in the tour price?

No, the government entry fee (310,000 Vietnamese dong) is not included and must be paid in cash at the dock when you arrive. You give the money to your guide, who buys the ticket for you at the gate.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes, at Titop Island you can swim off the beach. You can also hike 400 steps to the hilltop for a panoramic view of the bay instead, or do both. Bring a swimsuit and a change of clothes if you plan to get in the water.

What happens if my hotel is outside Hanoi's Old Quarter?

The luxury 8:30 AM option picks up only within the Hoan Kiem district and nearby areas. If your hotel is outside this zone, you'll need to meet the guide at the Hanoi Opera House instead. Confirm your pickup location and time with the operator before the tour date.